Few video games have etched themselves in the memories of players quite like GoldenEye 007. Just glimpsing the iconic cover art transports you back to those unforgettable days spent with friends, huddled in basements while consuming copious amounts of Surge and belching out remnants of Doritos 3D. When you brought your Nintendo 64 to college, those nostalgic moments continued, only now accompanied by cheap beer and raucous laughter. Regardless of the setting or the era, it was almost a certainty that someone would end up with an N64 controller to the knee. Today, GoldenEye 007 is finally receiving the recognition it deserves, not only for the friendships it may have strained but also for its groundbreaking multiplayer gameplay, as it joins the ranks of the prestigious World Video Game Hall of Fame.
This year’s inductees into the World Video Game Hall of Fame alongside GoldenEye 007 include the classic arcade game Defender, the revolutionary first-person shooter Quake, and the beloved digital pet, the Tamagotchi. The Strong National Museum of Play praised Defender for its gameplay that effectively distinguished between skilled players and those who merely dropped quarters into random machines at the arcade. Meanwhile, Quake, developed by id Software, was recognized for its innovative 3D environment, serving as a spiritual successor to Doom. Lastly, the Tamagotchi provided players with a unique emotional experience of caring for a virtual pet, allowing them to navigate the complexities of loss—temporary as it may be, especially if you had a pencil handy to hit “reset.”
While GoldenEye 007 certainly featured a compelling single-player mode, it was the exhilarating multiplayer aspect that truly cemented the game’s legendary status. Players often engaged in chaotic matches filled with friendly curses and laughter, but there were universally acknowledged rules: playing as Oddjob was frowned upon, and the Golden Gun was strictly off-limits. The enduring legacy of this iconic game even inspired the creation of a documentary titled GoldenEra, which delves into its cultural impact and significance within the gaming community.
The Strong, which also houses the esteemed National Toy Hall of Fame in Rochester, New York, established the World Video Game Hall of Fame in 2015. The inaugural class included groundbreaking titles like Doom, Pac-Man, Pong, Super Mario Bros., Tetris, and World of Warcraft. Since its inception, nearly 50 games have been honored with induction, representing a rich history that spans from 1962’s pioneering game Spacewar! to the critically acclaimed The Last of Us, which was inducted a decade after its 2013 release.
This year, other notable nominees for the World Video Game Hall of Fame included the instant hit Angry Birds, the classic arcade game Frogger, and the popular bar game Golden Tee Golf. Each of these titles has left an indelible mark on gaming culture, enriching the experiences of countless players over the years.
As we celebrate the induction of GoldenEye 007, we invite you to reflect on your own cherished memories associated with the game. Who was your favorite character to play, and what unforgettable moments do you recall from those gaming sessions with friends?
