Pandora's Box: The Ultimate GameCube Tier List

#20: 007: Nightfire

Rating: T

Players: 1-4

Price Range: ~$15 USD

A first-person shooter based on the James Bond franchise.

The second-place contender for the B Tier is this game, and boy is it fun.

For one, its price isn't too high, at least on the GameCube.

First of all, the graphics.

The game looks really good for a sixth-generation game, and the framerate is consistently high, even with four player split screen in the multiplayer.

This is generally a hard feat to pull through on, especially in multiplayer modes from games in this time.

The main selling point here in my opinion is the multiplayer.

It is easily one of the best multiplayer experiences of the generation. Not only do you have a great selection of modes, from classics like Deathmatch, to some that fit in with the James Bond franchise, it is all good stuff, with a great selection of maps too.

The weapon pool is pretty great and can ensure some great chaotic fun to follow.

Having the "Random" weapons option causes random weapons to spawn in the locations they usually do, and players to spawn in with something random as well.

This, in my opinion, generates the most fun.

From the Golden Gun that one-shots at the cost of a one-bullet magazine to the laser-shooting Samurai and the laser-activated Trip Mine, it is all stellar multiplayer goodness.

You can even activate James Bond gadgets in-game as an option, like a grappling hook to pull yourself to hard-to-reach places in the game's maps, or even remote-controlled drones.

What's even better is that you can input cheats to unlock all of the maps and characters from the movies, like Oddjob with his instant-killing throwable hat.

Sure, it gives less reward for playing the game, but it is essential if you just want to jump in to play with some people without restraints.

Truly amazing.

I recommend having the "Goldeneye" control option, as it simulates the closest to the familiar old-school FPS controls at the time in my opinion, with only the looking options being changeable, but that's just me.

The campaign isn't too shabby either. The game uses Pierce Brosnan's likeness as James Bond, and even though it isn't the reason I bought the game, the story makes you feel like James Bond with some classic espionage action, with 007 medals for doing actions most like a secret agent in MI6.

Classic Bond plot, but if you like the movies, it feels right at home, even if it isn't mind-blowing otherwise.

Despite my praises, there are some parts that aren't particularly good.

For one, the enemy A.I. is legitimately awful.

I noticed the flaws with the computer opponents in the multiplayer, since, with weapons are random and everybody spawns in with a smoke grenade that does no damage, they just throw it instead of switching to their fists, which is just dumb.

The computer intelligence is so bad, that the map Ravine outright forbids computer players from being set on it because it is so complex. I mean, at least they admit it, but the A.I. is still a let down.

The multiplayer free-for-all modes only allow one player to play as an MI6 member since...they wouldn't turn on each other but Phoenix would? Kind of ridiculous if you ask me, especially in the mode.

Also, as good as the game is, it partially depends on if you like James Bond as a movie series or not, especially when it comes to the campaign.

Overall, a great FPS from the era, and an amazing multiplayer fest. If you have a set of friends or family around, be sure to check this one out.