I played so much GoldenEye 007 on Nintendo 64 that it should have been a crime. Quite honestly, I wasn’t even a fan of the console. I had it on the strength of the wrestling games released during that time and GoldenEye. Because of my history with the 007 brand in video games, I’m hoping and praying 007: First Light delivers the goods. Let’s take a closer look at everything you should know.
When Is The 007: First Light Release Date?
007 First Light has been delayed, which is already a scary thing as that can sometimes mean there are major issues. Hopefully, that’s not the case here. It was originally slated to drop in March, but it has been pushed back a couple of months.
The new launch date is May 27, 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Xbox ROG Ally and ROG Ally X, with digital pre-order buyers getting 24-hour early access starting May 26. The Nintendo Switch 2 version was further delayed to Q3 2026. The May 27 slot lands one day after where GTA 6 was originally scheduled, which fans speculated was no coincidence once Rockstar’s own delay opened the window.
What Are The 007: First Light Pre-Order Editions?
There will be a couple of options to choose from once this one is available. If you’re hardcore, and I mean like, you can name all of the actors who have ever played James Bond, and you love video games, there’s a mega Legacy Collector’s Edition with a hefty $300 price tag waiting for you.
The Standard Edition runs $69.99 and pre-order buyers automatically get a free Deluxe upgrade with four outfits (Day of the Dead, Desert Explorer, Silent Anchor, Gentleman Operator), the Agent’s Mark weapon skin and a Gleaming Gadget pack.
Higher digital tiers add the Golden Gun and Obsidian Gold Suit skins, while the $299.99 Legacy Collector’s Edition packs a full-scale Golden Gun replica with display base, steelbook with locking clasp and certificate of authenticity.
A separate Collectors Edition swaps the Golden Gun for a wearable lifesize gold mask replica. This pre-order structure mirrors what we saw with the LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight rollout earlier this month.
What Is The Story And Cast Of 007: First Light?
There are some heavy-hitters involved with this project from an acting and music standpoint. Legendary rocker Lenny Kravitz is an antagonist named Bawma and Lana Del Rey and David Arnold handle the game’s theme song.
Patrick Gibson takes the lead as a 26-year-old Bond, with Gemma Chan playing Dr. Selina Tan, an original IO Interactive character revealed at Tokyo Game Show. Lennie James plays mentor Greenway, alongside the legacy roles of Priyanga Burford as M, Alastair Mackenzie as Q and Kiera Lester as Moneypenny.
The plot follows young Bond after a heroic act as a Naval air crewman lands him in MI6’s revived Double-0 program, where a mission to stop a rogue agent ends in tragedy and forces him to expose a conspiracy aimed at the heart of the British state.
What Should You Expect From The Gameplay In 007: First Light?
While GoldenEye was a first-person shooter, First Light will be a third-person action-adventure. Before you start worrying, take heart. This game is developed by IO Interactive. That’s the amazing studio behind the Hitman series, which I love. There might not be a better stylistic match for a Bond game.
The mix of stealth, cover shooting and gadget-based infiltration plays out across large sandbox-style levels with replay modifiers built in, similar to Hitman’s Escalations. IO has been emphatic that this isn’t just Hitman with a tuxedo, with more forward momentum and room for cinematic action set pieces than Agent 47’s pure ghosting approach.
The PC version is built in collaboration with NVIDIA, featuring DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation for the high-fidelity visuals.
