Perfect Dark 64 vs. Perfect Dark Zero. Who Wins and Why?

I've played a ton of Perfect Dark 64 over the years. In fact, I never really grew tired of it. How could that be? I have no idea. I loved a lot of Nintendo 64 games especially Perfect Dark 64 and GoldenEye. There was just something about Perfect Dark 64 that kept me coming back for more. Sure the GoldenEye levels weren't much and to be honest they were a bit disappointing. So once we bought our Xbox 360 video game system, we all rushed to get Perfect Dark Zero. Right? I can honestly tell you, sheer disappointment.

Perfect Dark 64 was brilliant and still is brilliant on many levels. I love the game and the levels in multiplayer. I have yet to run Perfect Dark 64 on my computer via n64 emulator and line it out to a HD television. I have the USB N64 adapters which you should buy. Playing Perfect Dark 64 on your computer shows the game has incredible graphics even to this day. Look at what the Perfect Dark XBLA looks like! For all intents and purposes, Perfect Dark looks on par with a lot of video games of the modern era. In that respect I think we should all bow now to Rare and the masterpiece that is Perfect Dark N64.

Perfect Dark Zero is made by Rare yes, but unfortunately when people develop games, they think the name can carry the game. Not in this case. I believe most of the original programmers on Perfect Dark 64 were not with Rare for Perfect Dark Zero. It shouldn't be surprising then that it doesn't have the same feel as Perfect Dark 64. In all honestly they needed to ask the gamers who played Perfect Dark 64 and ask them what made Perfect Dark 64 what it was and is. There are gameplay mechanics that make it special. It was more than the bots or the levels. There were some very cool gameplay mechanics that should have made it into Perfect Dark Zero.

So the biggest difference between Perfect Dark 64 and Perfect Dark Zero is simply that it was made by a different team. This brings up the question for the next release. It's not a matter or if, but a matter of when. Microsoft bought Rare and Perfect Dark was one of the key video game franchises. I suggest they drop "Zero" from the equation. Simply get back to the roots of Perfect Dark 64. Name the next game Perfect Dark 2. If they do this, then they must stay true to the original. Port the original game to the Xbox 360 gaming console? Sure, why not. Xbox live marketplace at the very least should include the N64 classic Perfect Dark 64. Spice up the graphics and bingo. You will have a hugely successful video game. It's not that difficult. Stay true to the original and you will win over the many Nintendo 64 fans who now own the Xbox 360 console.

The classic Nintendo 64 controller is an integral part of the Perfect Dark gameplay. The original Perfect Dark was designed for the controller that you see here. Sure the Xbox controller is updated but this N64 controller is a FPS beast of a controller. For myself it doesn't get any better. If they do make a Perfect Dark 2, then we can only hope that they revamp the original controller scheme in a way that suits the Xbox controller.