Playing GoldenEye on PC instead of console:

NEW! GoldenEye Wii rumor for a 2010 release!

The goal of this test was to recreate the exact gameplay experience as GoldenEye on the Nintendo 64 console. The question in my mind was, could it be done using a PC. I’m talking about the same feel and great aiming controls without having glitches and bugs that otherwise didn’t exist on the Nintendo 64 console GoldenEye. More than two years ago we had a multiplayer session using the PC instead of console and at that time, the emulators, processors and graphic cards were not sufficient to make a decent experience. Glitches and slowdowns made us wait until now to try again.

Why bother using the PC instead of a Nintendo 64 console and is it worth the hassle of moving your entire PC rig close to your television just for the sake of GoldenEye multiplayer. Well let me explain why you want to play GoldenEye on PC.

1. Unlimited number of Gameshark codes activated at one time.

For example, you can replace the entire default weapons all at the same time with your own creations. You won't have to start and stop the console just to use the codes you want. Just use them all! Continue on reading to see how many different codes we were running at the same time.

2. Dramatically improved multiplayer framerates!

If you think GoldenEye's framerate is pathetic compared to games like Halo, think again. GoldenEye on a PC can get you seamless framerates even with 4 players while playing levels like Cradle or the Gameshark only 4 player levels like Facility Backzone, Archives Backzone, Egyptian, etc. The better your computer processor and video card, the better framerates possible.

3. Decreased fog and haze allowing for incredible viewing distances!

Check out the resolution of these screenshots here. That's what you will see when playing on the computer monitor. The amazing aspect of GoldenEye on PC is the improvement of resolution and clarity when using a regular television. If you have a hi-def or plasma television then you will be even more impressed. You can see opponents like you never have before over long distance like in Temple or Egyptian.

4. Only a few mouse clicks to activate Gameshark codes!

You can simply activate codes from a menu instead without having to restart the game. You won't have to power down, turn on, activate and then start like you would with a Gameshark on console.

5. The easiest way to play Citadel in multiplayer!

How else can I say this? Let this picture say it for me.

Citadel in multiplayer has never been easier!

6. PC's are always becoming faster!

Computer processors and video cards are always evolving which mean the Goldeneye on PC experience can only get better.

6. Wii GoldenEye will not become available, regardless of the demand.

Let's not forget one of the biggest reasons you should use you PC instead of the Nintendo 64 console is because you won't be able to play GoldenEye on the Wii.

 

Can you say rats nest? Wii games or Nintendo Wii needs GoldenEye!

Am I nuts for doing all this just to play GoldenEye on the PC? Read on and find out!

My PC Specs:

Athlon XP 3200+ (2.2Ghz)
ATI X800xl All in Wonder
1 Gig OCZ PC3200 (200mhz) Ram

My system is not new or close to top of the line. Given that fact, you will see even better performance than I did if you are running a faster processor.

Equipment Used:

4 televisions
1 computer, monitor, mouse and keyboard
4 Nintendo 64 controller USB adapters
4 Nintendo 64 controllers
8 controller extension cables
2 video RCA cables
2 stereo RCA cables
1 VCR
1 cable splitter
3 coaxial cables

As you may or may not know, we have been using 4 televisions for GoldenEye multiplayer for years. It's a crude but effective way that we play GoldenEye with single screens. Read more about single screen multiplayer here. As you can see, there is a fair amount of equipment. The only real addition this time was the computer and extra controller extension cables because of using the usb adapters.

Diagram of setup

Night 1

Night one of the test, there were six players. It was a disappointing night with controller problems and some lacking framerates. Certainly not what I was expecting. It was great to have the pals over, but the pressure was on and I didn't deliver. I realized that it wasn't simply a matter of plug'n play. The biggest complaint was that the aiming was jerky. This is not a good thing considering the aiming precision in the biggest part of a shooter game. We played a lot of the levels including Cradle, but the results were not that impressive. My pals are nice and didn't say it sucked but I felt the evening session sucked.

Afterwards I read up on a few things. I can only strongly recommend that you read the Project64 users manual. For example I discovered the proper dead zone that should be used in the input plugin. For your information, set it <5% and you will be aiming seemingly better and more precise than on the Nintendo 64 console. We settled on 4% the next night. Remember we were using the official Nintendo 64 controllers and that changes what dead zone you need to use.

Night 2

Night two, bingo! A second session was needed after the failure of the previous night. In years past, slowdowns and glitches when using the PC for GoldenEye multiplayer were part of the package. Night two however, glitches and slowdowns were non-existent.

I will try to paint a picture of what 4 player GoldenEye on the PC is like. Imagine taking every default weapon grouping, and replacing them entirely of your own creations.

Our Gameshark Custom Weapon Sets:

All RLs
All GLs
AR33 + Proxies
RC-P90s
Explosives
All Snipers
All Phantom
All Shotguns
Golden Gun Fun
DD44s
All ZMG's
All GoldGun
All D5Ks

For example, we had weapon combo’s like All Rockets, All GL’s, Explosives, etc, etc. When you cycle through the weapons, you have the names of your own weapon set creations! All the weapon sets listed above are what we had activated at the same time. These are our favorites all time and never have we been able to select them without having to turn off the console. Multiplayer levels? Imagine choosing Citadel multiplayer from the level select screen, with it replacing Library. No need to complicate things with extra cables or codes to play Citadel, it’s just part of the game. Even with all the mentioned codes activated, we had the entire custom character code in multiplayer which has 4 oddjobs, 4 jaws, and 4 of every popular picked character. In addition we had our Standard Settings code and Zoinkity's brilliant No Armor code activated. Beyond these default Gameshark codes that we use, using an emulator we could select Archives Backzone or Facility Backzone codes at our preference without having to deactivate any of the other previously mentioned codes. So speaking from a Gameshark codes perspective, GoldenEye on PC does what cannot otherwise be done.

I’ve always thought about a day when the PC could boost the framerate in GoldenEye multiplayer to a point where you could easily differ it from console. Framerates on 4 player console GoldenEye are lacking overall, let’s be honest. Of course weapon selection has a lot to do with the playability of 4 player GoldenEye on console. If you are wanting to push the boundaries and play the Gameshark codes which allow 4 players on levels like Bunker, Archives and Egyptian, you are really going to have a less than stellar framerate on the Nintendo 64 console. Here was the excitement of our PC test. I wanted to know if my upgraded (but by no means top of the line) PC would show GoldenEye 4 player in a new light. Believe me, we put the game to the test! In fact, we even pushed the game to see how it handled all RC-P90s with 4 players! It did handle it in fact rather well. We played All Snipers in the Cradle which normally is a real struggle with a choppy framerate. I found the Cradle framerate to be a non issue! We often play All GLs, however the screen jumps substantially in a 4 player setting on the console. Surprisingly, the jumping of the screen was gone.

Graphically speaking here’s the beauty. Putting framerates aside, when you view GoldenEye multiplayer on the console, you have a haze effect that doesn’t really allow you to see across a level such as Temple or Egyptian. I consider this a clarity issue in multiplayer. Clarity can affect your ability to kill an opponent at a distance for sure. One of the biggest advantages to GoldenEye on PC is the clarity. It’s astonishing really. Temple and Egyptian in particular were insanely clear and we were sniping each other at will from the longest distances. I feel that the improved clarity supersedes the advantage of having so many Gameshark codes activated at one time. It’s really a dramatic improvement from what you’ve been dealing with on the console multiplayer believe me. If you want extreme clarity, then play GoldenEye on you computer monitor.

Essential Ingredients for GoldenEye on PC:

You will need a decent computer of course, meaning a fast processor. Your video card must have video out if you want to try a multiple single screen session. There are some tweaks that you will have to do within the video card settings to ensure a full screen on your television. You can contact me here is you need help with that setup. I'm familiar with ATI Catalyst. Even 2 player GoldenEye with one player on the PC and one on a television with single screen can be a lot of fun. Use all sniper rifles with no radar and LTK mode! Our setup was complicated because we use multiple televisions. If you want to play with the pals around you computer then getting USB adapters for you Nintendo 64 controllers is about all you will need extra. Perhaps some cable extensions also you will want. As I mentioned before, you will be shocked by the detail and resolution if you plan just playing GoldenEye on the computer monitor. No haze, and in fact you will realize it looks like a modern PC shooter minus the lighting effect and dazzle. Check here if you don't believe me how good it looks! Now it's safe to say that the gameplay matches the graphical beauty.

Photos:

Our player 4 station, smallest television of course!

Player 1 position with the largest television

No, the mystery man is not me.