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Perfect Dark makes *itself* look like crap photo

I'm really happy about 4J Studios revamping Perfect Dark for Xbox LIVE Arcade for two reasons. Firstly, I never did finish the game, so attempting to finally get through it without distracting blurry textures and generally ugly N64-era blocky characters will help soften the blow.

And secondly, the studio did a tremendous job of bringing Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie to XBLA. The digital download service has seen some rather sketchy ports, especially in the earlier days. So if anyone is going to be handling these high-res conversions, it better be in-house or these guys.

Anyway, not only is it 3:00 AM. Oh no -- it's also screenshot comparison time. Take a look at the difference between the high-def XBLA version of Perfect Dark and its aged sibling. Now, try to imagine how good it's going to look at a solid 60 frames-per-second.

Oh yeah, she's a beaut! And also, her hands are always in ready-to-punch mode. Hot.

[Via TVGB]

LAUNCH GALLERY (6 IMAGES)
Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo









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40 comments | showing # 1 to 40
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ArrestedDeveloper's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 03:05
ArrestedDeveloper
They better have counter-operative mode.
Monodi's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 03:07
Monodi
Whew, at least it isn't blurry.
hpv's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 03:12
hpv
Finally! Now I'll have the chance to relive the high point of console FPS: King of the Hill vs Slappers Only bots, without having to steal back the N64 from my nephew.
MechaMonkey's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 03:13
MechaMonkey
I can't wait to load up a dozen bots and spend hours defending the elevator against them on the Grid.
JustLikeBuck's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 03:31
JustLikeBuck
Why does the new version lack any kind of lighting?

It looks like it's completely lit by ambiance. Whereas the original at least had some shadow maps :|
hpv's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 04:11
hpv
JustLikeBuck: Don't worry, it'll use shadow maps if you have the optional RAM expansion pack.
Scarmer's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 04:24
Scarmer
Some really fond memories of this game, definitely gonna get this.
The Silent Protagonist's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 04:24
The Silent Protagonist
I remember playing most of this on the Perfect Agent setting. After I finally beat Area 51, which was no small task, I put the game away. Months later I finally did beat the rest of it on Normal, but it wasn't the same.
Jr7's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 04:59
Jr7
This relese will proply fix the 2 main problems i had with the game
The Controls- N64 do i have to say any more
The Graphics- another reason why 1st person games dont work on the 64 bit concoles
( Just so you know i do really like the N64 and it works well with everything else)
SedeoInedus's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 05:09
SedeoInedus
Jet force Gemini next lads, yeah?
Brolsen's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 05:16
Brolsen
Wow I can't remember Perfect Dark looking so ugly :D
TheToiletDuck's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 05:45
TheToiletDuck
Jesus, i thought that was a Gravity Bone screenshot for a moment there.
LsTr Of SmG's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 05:47
LsTr Of SmG
I actually prefer the darker cityscape in the original but other than that it looks top notch!
Monodi's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 06:53
Monodi
@Brolsen

Is something you learn with technology today. I remember getting a Perfect Dark cartridge last winter and played a bunch of missions. I was wearing glasses all the time to see if it was just my eyes, but I realized that hugh definition actually matters when playing stuff. Even the game had a High-Def mode, but it didn't do much.
sprldr's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 07:03
sprldr
HD remakes are wonderful. Recently, the PS3 has gotten the God of War Collection, and now the Xbox 360 is getting Perfect Dark. I'd love to read a comparison of the two remakes and how the porters improved them. It would be great fanboy-bait, too. Especially since Perfect Dark started on the N64...
dip's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 07:57
dip
Aw, I'm sad this apparently isn't coming to the PSN. :(

"Jet force Gemini next lads, yeah?"

Oh god, I would love a new JFG or even a remake.
Letters numbers and spaces are ok's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 08:16
Letters numbers and spaces are ok
@ sprldr
'HD remakes are wonderful.'
No. They are not. They are a way to suck extra money from old stuff that was made by talented people (since Rare is hardly the same anymore, and MS itself is only there to copy from the PC and generally to suck as much money as it can out of gaming).


'It would be great fanboy-bait, too. '
HOW IS THAT FLAMEBAIT? There is nothing to flame it with, Perfect Dark the original will always be better. Why? Well... Because its the original? Minor improvements doesn't make it magically better then the originally. It is a remake of a great game, it wouldn't EVEN exist if it wasn't for the original... Hell, the N64 version isn't even available legally anymore (I believe Wii emulation can play it though, not including Goldeneye) again proving impossible flamebait since no one can really get it on other current consoles.


People actually praising minor graphics upgrades is beyond me. Sorry, but all of you guys are complete idiots. If you buy this game you should be kicked in the balls, if you fail to have balls, then PM me and we'll set up a dinner date.

And FYI, the female looks better in the original, where you didn't have enough graphics to show her ugly-designed-face.
mistic's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 08:19
mistic
wow that new version sure looks pretty slick!
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 08:26
Holyetheline
This was one of my favorite games ever on the N64. It still has more features than most current gen games. I sometimes find myself playing it on the N64 still. I love BOTS! This game has awesomeness on all levels!
Zulu's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 08:50
Zulu
3 words, big head mode.
Bug42's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 09:08
Bug42
Don't forget about the cheese (look it up )
Piellar's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 09:11
Piellar
"You WON'T shoot me, foolish child!"

That game probably was the offspring of a forgotten god, descending from the Rare skies to bring happiness to us Nintendo 64 owners.
Kraid's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 09:13
Kraid
ok that's cool and all but ... WHEN THE FUCK IS IT COMING OUT!
Jackel2072's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 09:46
Jackel2072
i really dont see anything HD about this remake. =\
Overcrowd's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 09:54
Overcrowd
The only thing that Perfect Dark XBLA needs is a tightening of its framerate and online multi.

Then the game will be nigh on perfect.
wh1terav3n's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 10:06
wh1terav3n
@Overcrowd 60 FPS never changing, and online multi for every co-op/competitive mode? Like that? Check! OH, PLUS new graphics. SCORE!
Shadowiii's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 10:42
Shadowiii
I have a feeling this game will not have aged well. Despite that, I'm probably going to end up getting it unless it's like $20.
TOEmastro's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 11:05
TOEmastro
The hidden cheese was epic!
TOEmastro's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 11:05
TOEmastro
The hidden cheese was epic!
JynxShot's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 11:18
JynxShot
Looks like a PSP game. *shrug*

Still a day 1 purchase.
SneakerElph's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 11:29
SneakerElph
@Letters

You're one of those douchebags who thought The Twin Snakes was a terrible game and inferior in every way to the original MGS aren't you?
John Johnson's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 12:34
John Johnson
I still haven't seen a game do 3d goggles as effectively as this one
sprldr's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 13:09
sprldr
@Letters:

"No. They are not. They are a way to suck extra money from old stuff that was made by talented people (since Rare is hardly the same anymore, and MS itself is only there to copy from the PC and generally to suck as much money as it can out of gaming)."
Then what would you prefer? Do you think that Perfect Dark should be re-released on XBLA exactly the way it was, including the low-resolution N64 textures and blocky models? Or do you think the game should remain the way it is, i.e., completely unavailable without piracy and emulation? I dislike Microsoft, but your assertion that it's only there to "suck as much money as it can out of gaming" is ridiculous. If Microsoft does that, then so do Nintend, Sony and everyone else involved in the production of videogames. And I fail to see the relevance of Rare being "hardly the same anymore"... how exactly does that affect this HD remake? They're not adding any new content at all, for fuck's sake.

"'It would be great fanboy-bait, too. '
HOW IS THAT FLAMEBAIT? There is nothing to flame it with, Perfect Dark the original will always be better. Why? Well... Because its the original? Minor improvements doesn't make it magically better then the originally. It is a remake of a great game, it wouldn't EVEN exist if it wasn't for the original... Hell, the N64 version isn't even available legally anymore (I believe Wii emulation can play it though, not including Goldeneye) again proving impossible flamebait since no one can really get it on other current consoles."
Did you actually read what I said? I said that a comparison of the God of War Collection and the Perfect Dark remake would be great fanboy-bait because it would be comparing a great PS3-excusive remake with a great Xbox 360-exclusive remake. This would also be likely to draw in Nintendo fanboys, since this Microsoft-exclusive remake started out as a great Nintendo-exclusive. Your rant didn't address my point at all.

"People actually praising minor graphics upgrades is beyond me. Sorry, but all of you guys are complete idiots. If you buy this game you should be kicked in the balls, if you fail to have balls, then PM me and we'll set up a dinner date."
This isn't a "minor graphics upgrade"; this is a complete revamp. How is the difference between an N64 game with a bad framerate and a 1080p Xbox 360 game running at 60fps "minor"? And notice how you conveniently forget about the addition of online multiplayer.

"And FYI, the female looks better in the original, where you didn't have enough graphics to show her ugly-designed-face."
Great point. You win the argument forever.

@Dip:
Perfect Dark can't possibly come to PSN because the developers (Rareware) were purchased by Microsoft and can no longer makes games for anything but the Xbox. Unfortunate, but that's the way the industry rolls.

@SneakerElph:
I actually prefer the original MGS to The Twin Snakes, but I think that's up to personal preference. I liked the distinctive, iconic graphics, as bad as they were (THOSE EYES), and I liked the original voices better (because I'm used to them), and I think TTS's Matrix-style cutscenes were a little out-of-place. There are gameplay problems, too (the upgraded AI of the Genome Soldiers made parts of the game too difficult, and the new gameplay mechanics made other parts of the game, such as beating Ocelot and taking out cameras, too easy). But I think there are many reasons why people would prefer to play The Twin Snakes, and unlike Letters I have no objection to the existence of a remake of one of my favourite games.
Johnny Justice's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 14:41
Johnny Justice
I think there's something a bit off with having the original enviroment geometry populated with character models made from scratch.
GohanGVO's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 15:17
GohanGVO
I will forever stand by my opinion that the single-player goes to shit once [****SPOILER**** aliens are introduced. ****SPOILER****]

Still, this could be a wonderfully nostalgic multiplayer title for $10 or so bucks.
Dan CiTi's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 15:24
Dan CiTi
It definitely seems like the superior version, but I also agree that I prefer PSX MGS1 to The Twin Snakes.
Captain Highwind's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 17:11
Captain Highwind
That screen grab just screams "I am Bea Arthur"
HEL105's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 18:49
HEL105
@spldr and SneakerElph

I love coming to a page to get some info on Perfect Dark, and then leaving with every intention of re-playing both MGS and The Twin Snakes. Thanks guys!
Wedge's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/08/2009 20:11
Wedge
Wow that's pretty nice. PD pushed the 64 well beyond it's limits back in the day. Are they going to give the game normal DA aiming controls now then too?
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