Perfect Dark

 Nintendo 64
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 539 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 459 out of 539
  2. Mixed: 41 out of 539
  3. Negative: 39 out of 539
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  1. bestbloodyday
    May 29, 2012
    9
    Inspired by the classic 007 Golden Eye game, Perfect Dark adds its own elements. PD shows a pretty long single player campaign, but that isn't everything. PD also brings lots of multi player missions (which you can play on your own thanks to the enemy IA). You can also customize your own game with the IA and have fun for hours. There are 40+ weapons, some of them brought from Golden EyeInspired by the classic 007 Golden Eye game, Perfect Dark adds its own elements. PD shows a pretty long single player campaign, but that isn't everything. PD also brings lots of multi player missions (which you can play on your own thanks to the enemy IA). You can also customize your own game with the IA and have fun for hours. There are 40+ weapons, some of them brought from Golden Eye 007. The only bad thing is the lack of innovation from the 007 game (PD is just the same, but with more elements).… Expand
  2. artoldtonelic
    May 20, 2014
    9
    The Spiritual sequel to THE BEST N64 GAME OF ALL TIME GOLDENEYE 007, a comparable futuristic female agent with aiming or not aiming options making the game almost unique. The character models were still great for it's time but not revolutionary and neither the setting that a few times may have been too dark. The biggest thing about this game it's the unlocking extra mission content andThe Spiritual sequel to THE BEST N64 GAME OF ALL TIME GOLDENEYE 007, a comparable futuristic female agent with aiming or not aiming options making the game almost unique. The character models were still great for it's time but not revolutionary and neither the setting that a few times may have been too dark. The biggest thing about this game it's the unlocking extra mission content and multi-player content improved from Goldeneye but it doesn't impact you graphically or hilariously like 007 did back in 1997. Despite that the voice acting it's way much better than all of rareware games that I have played before and maybe even after this game so I gave it A 9.254 THE 3rd BEST GAME EVER MADE ON N64.… Expand
  3. LuisAntonio
    Nov 1, 2019
    9
    The best FPS that you can find in the N64. This video game doesn't have Turok 2 graphics, but it is better in everything else.
  4. iamevilhomer
    Aug 24, 2016
    9
    I wish I could give this game a 10. I really do. But no game is perfect. Although ironically this game is pretty much as close to perfect as any game can get honestly...

    I'm trying to think of bad things but I would just be nit picking... Like how some guns are a bit op... Like how some characters are short and harder to shoot... Things that can be easily avoided basically lol.    I wish I could give this game a 10. I really do. But no game is perfect. Although ironically this game is pretty much as close to perfect as any game can get honestly...

    I'm trying to think of bad things but I would just be nit picking...

    Like how some guns are a bit op...

    Like how some characters are short and harder to shoot...

    Things that can be easily avoided basically lol.

    Some of the missions can be a little cryptic just like in golden eye as well but that can be looked at as a good thing. I would rather have to figure stuff out then be playing a linear game like call of duty. Kind of think of it I would rather play any shooter that's not cod lol.

    The story is good but gets rather goofy once the alien Elvis shows up but hey... Sci fi is always goofy to a certain degree so whatever..

    But onto the good things about the game. Great sound track. Great game play. Great replay value. Great options. Ground breaking features that shooters today don't have for some dumb reason like controllable bots in multiplayer and the counter coop mode. Tons of weapons that all have second functions most of which are very awesome. It's one of the best shooters ever made. It's up there with half life, halo, doom etc etc.... This shooter changed the way we think of shooters like those other greats I just mentioned.

    And please don't forget to go to the firing range in this game... Something very special about it that I can't quite put my finger on but you will want to mess around in this part of the game for days on end honestly...    … Expand
  5. antenneone
    Oct 14, 2018
    9
    Secuela espiritual de Goldeneye para N64. Mejorando muchas cosas del anterior se convierte en un imprescindible no solo de la N64 sino del género. Obra maestra
  6. Leontorres7
    Nov 15, 2018
    9
    This is really a great game, there is so much to love about it, must play for sure!
  7. OliRock92
    Jan 3, 2022
    9
    Bought this in December 2021. Did I like it although it's so old now? Heck yes! I'm not even a FPS guy but this game kicks butt! The graphics are incredible, pretty much on par with early PS2. The music is thrilling, the story, although a bit simple, does the job (still got me surprised near the halfway point since I jumped in blind though). The controls are what might put some people offBought this in December 2021. Did I like it although it's so old now? Heck yes! I'm not even a FPS guy but this game kicks butt! The graphics are incredible, pretty much on par with early PS2. The music is thrilling, the story, although a bit simple, does the job (still got me surprised near the halfway point since I jumped in blind though). The controls are what might put some people off since it only uses a single joystick but I found them really good. The game was made with the N64 controller in mind and it shows! They were pretty spot-on as well as the rest of the game. The game is also fully voice acted, which adds to the immersion. It's a little on the short side but it's highly re-playable. I beat it on Agent difficulty and am not bored of the game yet so I'm off for another go on the higher difficulty! The Multiplayer is also really nice. I only tried it with computers (or Simulants like the game calls them) and even then, it was a blast! I cannot recommend this game enough! A real must play!… Expand
  8. LiquidSnekMGS
    Apr 30, 2020
    9
    This game is one of the great FPS, on the shelf with Doom, Call of Duty, and Goldeneye 007. The suspense element being portrayed through the darkness works really well. The combat system feels refined, and the wide range of weapons helps. A great game to play with friends, or by yourself.
  9. grimreapersims
    Jan 11, 2022
    9
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  10. 113
    Apr 25, 2023
    9
    Um what can I say, This game is the Epidemy of first person shooters. Playing as a hot chick who also is pretty hot (And i mean UNBELIEVABLY HOT) in a cyber-punk futuristic setting which is always a treat. Yes.. it is.... Going from taking down large corporations to hunting down aliens is always a treat. And Joanna's surly voice makes me... MEEEOOOWWWW! Best game 10/10. Would rate higherUm what can I say, This game is the Epidemy of first person shooters. Playing as a hot chick who also is pretty hot (And i mean UNBELIEVABLY HOT) in a cyber-punk futuristic setting which is always a treat. Yes.. it is.... Going from taking down large corporations to hunting down aliens is always a treat. And Joanna's surly voice makes me... MEEEOOOWWWW! Best game 10/10. Would rate higher if it had X-Rated Scenes is always a treat… Expand
  11. legokingcandy
    May 26, 2023
    9
    The only true sequel to goldeneye. the games performance is a bit jarring, but it never really bothered me much. (like 13 - 15 fps in most levels, sometimes more/less) EVEN MORE UNIQUE LEVELS, GUNS, SUPERB ENEMY AI, MORE GUNS, AND CHEATS GALORE!!! the content they managed to fit on a 32 meg cart is mind-blowing. the fully voiced cutscenes albiet bitcrunched, really add a charm thatThe only true sequel to goldeneye. the games performance is a bit jarring, but it never really bothered me much. (like 13 - 15 fps in most levels, sometimes more/less) EVEN MORE UNIQUE LEVELS, GUNS, SUPERB ENEMY AI, MORE GUNS, AND CHEATS GALORE!!! the content they managed to fit on a 32 meg cart is mind-blowing. the fully voiced cutscenes albiet bitcrunched, really add a charm that goldeneye never really had. the controls are a huge improvement, the sound desing and new mechanics like shooting out lights, shooting guns out of NPC's hands, and the majourly improved mocap really make this game stand out in terms of atmosphere. Better than goldeneye in almost every way, PLUS it tens to sell for like 30 bucks cheaper if you're a collector. I think, the multiplayer.... Holy moly.... Where do i begin. that alone makes this game worth it. The AI simulats, the large selection of maps, CLASSIC MAPS FROM GOLDENEYE!! and more game-modes, teams, heated battles, guns, and the extensive cheats are the cherry on top. You either love it, or hate it. I first played this game a few months ago, so im unbiased with this one. Id highly recommend.… Expand
  12. ProfessorFrink
    Nov 26, 2003
    8
    First off, great game. (Nov. 2003) My friend has this game, so I can't really enjoy it to the fullest. It is sometimes confusing, but you forget all of that once you play battle simulator(aka multiplayer). One criticism I have is that the Health bar is really confusing, and you die too quickly. I was up against a sim who had a DSXLEUM Magnum and somehow he killed me in one shot. This First off, great game. (Nov. 2003) My friend has this game, so I can't really enjoy it to the fullest. It is sometimes confusing, but you forget all of that once you play battle simulator(aka multiplayer). One criticism I have is that the Health bar is really confusing, and you die too quickly. I was up against a sim who had a DSXLEUM Magnum and somehow he killed me in one shot. This also happens a lot, so it gets really annoying. Still, Magnificent game.… Expand
  13. chronoT
    Sep 5, 2012
    8
    This game was literally on its way to becoming on of the best N64 FPS games, then a little alien known as "Elvis" entered the picture. I thought Perfect Dark almost got it right, The game was off to a great start with nice graphics and solid story, but I personally believe Elvis killed the story and pretty much the game halfway through. Set aside from the story, the amazing graphics andThis game was literally on its way to becoming on of the best N64 FPS games, then a little alien known as "Elvis" entered the picture. I thought Perfect Dark almost got it right, The game was off to a great start with nice graphics and solid story, but I personally believe Elvis killed the story and pretty much the game halfway through. Set aside from the story, the amazing graphics and totally addicting multiplayer made this game a must have. A lot of the maps are seriously fun and the guns KICK ASS. Perfect Dark did push the N64 to its' limits using the Expansion Pack and overall was definitely worth checking out.… Expand
  14. BazZzilio
    Aug 23, 2016
    8
    One of the best games of generation. Except poor framerate and dispute stealth mechanic in certain levels - all other think are awesome. The Xbox 360 port is strong reccomendation to play
  15. enjekt
    Jul 6, 2020
    8
    At the time, GoldenEye 007 and Perfect Dark were really the best shooters on consoles (everyone remembers that the first PlayStation, which in Russia was distributed more than others, could not boast of anything like this, everyone was happy there and the port of the second Quake), but on PC in the year of release Perfect Dark has already released No One Lives Forever. Therefore, if youAt the time, GoldenEye 007 and Perfect Dark were really the best shooters on consoles (everyone remembers that the first PlayStation, which in Russia was distributed more than others, could not boast of anything like this, everyone was happy there and the port of the second Quake), but on PC in the year of release Perfect Dark has already released No One Lives Forever. Therefore, if you have always played shooters on your computer, then the remake of the console game in 2000 will hardly touch any important strings in you. Because in a similar scenario — a latex-clad spy, a level with snowmobile racing, the near future instead of the 60s, big-headed aliens instead of Soviet generals with missiles-Perfect Dark completely lost No One Lives Forever. There were no situations so unusual as a jump without a parachute, no characters so vivid, no script and dialogue so stunning (they were increasingly technical), and no gadgets so inventive as exploding compact boxes. Even if you discount the difference in power between the then PC and Nintendo 64, these (released at the same time) games were like on different planets, so it would have been quite difficult for us to admire Perfect Dark even then.

    It is difficult to do this now, although the new models combined with the old, very simple animation give an interesting visual effect, making you think that the original game looked like this initially (in fact — much worse). Levels, as in many shooters of that time, consist of the same type of corridors that make you remember all the charms of the game design of the 90s-here you often get stuck just because you do not know where to go next and what to do (although, it would seem, all the enemies are killed and the doors are found).

    Perfect Dark
    As a shooter, the game is charming in its own way-it's nice to shoot, there are a lot of weapons.

    In this sense, Perfect Dark is one of the brightest representatives of the console school, which is now almost impossible to meet. The level of difficulty here determines not only the number and strength of enemies, but also the design of locations. Behind the same door at different levels of complexity, you can find both a storage room and a plot-important secret laboratory. And for high-speed passage of levels here give out special rewards, the good enemies are very slow and think for a long time before opening fire.

    But the success of the original Perfect Dark is due not only to the lack of good shooters on consoles, but primarily to multiplayer, which was then one of the best in the genre. The game could be played in a co-op, there was a split screen for four players and several multiplayer modes. Now they have added the ability to play through Xbox Live, so if in 2000 you really missed the opportunity to fight with other Nintendo fans on the Internet, now it has appeared.

    * * *
    However, the fact remains that if you once had a PC, but did not have a Nintendo 64, Perfect Dark is unlikely to impress you — most likely, you have already seen several much better shooters (in the same 2000, we recall, there was also a Deus Ex). Rare try first of all for their old fans who have remained with them since the time of N64 and who in the Wake of the release of Perfect Dark flooded the entire Internet with petitions asking them to release a remake of Golden Eye 007. Those would be happy, but Nintendo does not allow it yet.    … Expand
  16. Yojimbo2015
    Jul 9, 2023
    8
    Semi-sequel to Goldeneye with more detailed graphics, better AI and some cool gadgetry. Technically better than its predecessor but it doesn't capture the imagination in the same way that playing as 007 in the Bond universe does. A strong FPS though and one of the best games on the N64.
  17. Incarta
    Feb 7, 2014
    7
    Other than in looks, I fail to see what was so special about perfect dark. It's good, but not so great as some shooters I played in the n64 era. It hasn't aged too well either
  18. kane148
    Aug 6, 2012
    7
    I never saw the appeal of this game. It's not bad, just not all that good. While I liked the voiced dialogue, which was very innovative for the time, the graphics were stylistically unappealing and detracted from the quality of the game. Moreover, some of the maps were obvious re-skins of Goldeneye maps, which just made the devs look lazy, and overall it lacked the charm of that game. ItI never saw the appeal of this game. It's not bad, just not all that good. While I liked the voiced dialogue, which was very innovative for the time, the graphics were stylistically unappealing and detracted from the quality of the game. Moreover, some of the maps were obvious re-skins of Goldeneye maps, which just made the devs look lazy, and overall it lacked the charm of that game. It did offer some interesting innovations though, like secondary modes for weapons,… Expand
  19. Puyu
    Aug 10, 2022
    7
    Goldeneye was a huge hit so I tried with this one and my opinion is that it's good
  20. GustavoH.R.
    Jul 4, 2005
    6
    The multiplayer mode rocks. Countless options. But the solo mission is incredibly difficult and the whole sci-fi background turns me off almost completely. Controls are nowhere near as good as they were in the superior GoldenEye 007. Great graphics, good sound, not so much fun, not so much replay value.
  21. lazatoy
    Jun 5, 2014
    6
    If you guys are questioning my 6...
    keep reading.
    Goldeneye 007 should be known as a cult classic, and thank god a spiritual successor exists. Pros: -The graphics... holy crap the graphics! this (at the time) was a major improvement on goldeneye, and probably some of the best from the N64 -It actually looks pretty nice, graphics or not, give this game a try -Cool Challenge mode    If you guys are questioning my 6...
    keep reading.
    Goldeneye 007 should be known as a cult classic,
    and thank god a spiritual successor exists.

    Pros:
    -The graphics... holy crap the graphics! this (at the time) was a major improvement on goldeneye, and probably some of the best from the N64
    -It actually looks pretty nice, graphics or not, give this game a try
    -Cool Challenge mode
    -This game went on to shape one of my favorite games ever made: timesplitters 2 and 3
    -The setting is cool as hell! and thanks to the pretty outdated graphics, story missions are AWESOME looking.
    -You start in the HQ, which you can explore to see many different things about the game
    Cons:
    -The A.I. is NOT too great. while it seems pretty good in the story mode, but in challenge mode,
    the enemy's run into WALLS and when they do see you they run anywhere EXCEPT you location, and
    only shoot when you're REALLY close, though, the A.I. in this game is better then some of the A.I. on the newer games (Thor god of thunder, the walking dead survival instinct, etc.)
    -The multiplayer... yeah its great and all but I still think goldeneye had it better.
    -The story mode is pretty cool, but REALLY frustrating
    -The controls are not to great... if you like games where if you press up, you look down, this isn't much of a problem, but considering goldeneye didn't do it like this, and how uncomfortable it is ruins it, also, no, you can't change it.
    -While the HQ is nice and vast... its really easy to get lost in.

    So that's my review.
    Don't ask me about zero or what the f*ck the were thinking on that one...
    because I never played it, nor do I own a 360!
    This game is a classic, just be aware of the package.    … Expand
  22. TomW
    May 5, 2008
    5
    This game would be legendary, if it weren't for the horrid, horrid framerates. As such, its depressing because its awesomeness is matched only by the frustration of trying to actually play it. At the start of Level 2 where you have to snipe, things get down to 5 frames per sec. That is bullshit.
  23. EricS.
    Jul 30, 2005
    4
    I just played this game recently (2005), and I was expecting a classic based on the reviews. Maybe Perfect Dark was a masterpiece when it came out, but years later it is pretty dull. In my opinion, a classic game has to be fun to play even when it becomes outdated (yes, even the greatest games do), and this wasn't. Unlike platformers, first person shooters have gotten much better in I just played this game recently (2005), and I was expecting a classic based on the reviews. Maybe Perfect Dark was a masterpiece when it came out, but years later it is pretty dull. In my opinion, a classic game has to be fun to play even when it becomes outdated (yes, even the greatest games do), and this wasn't. Unlike platformers, first person shooters have gotten much better in recent years, and very few older ones are still good today. Perfect Dark is one of those games that will be considered a classic by those simple-minded "experts" who like to say in more complicated terms "old games/movies/books/music etc. are always better than new." They say this because they are threatened by the fact that things from their childhood (or in this case, when they started playing games) have been improved upon. All ranting aside, Perfect Dark is far from perfect.… Expand
  24. JakubTyszko
    Feb 14, 2021
    4
    Overly complicated shoot em up. Nothing special. A bad remake of Golden eye.
  25. Claytality
    Sep 27, 2012
    3
    I bought this game based on the positive reviews on Metacritic. However, the game does not age well. FPS's were not meant to be played with one joystick, and going back to that is just frustrating.
  26. arthur123456789
    Jan 25, 2023
    1
    Jogo ruim, comparando a outros jogos de nintendo 64 esse jogo aqui não nada demais.
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best N64 Game of 2000
2
#2 Most Discussed N64 Game of 2000
2
#2 Most Shared N64 Game of 2000

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
97

Universal acclaim - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. CheckOut
    100
    It's a stunning achievement by any measure and stands as one of those rare products that delivers more than you paid for.
  2. Nintendorks
    100
    So damn close to perfect that it makes me want to cry tears of joy.
  3. CNET Gamecenter
    90
    This is the best action game on the Nintendo 64 and a great follow-up to "GoldenEye."
See all critic reviews »