James Bond is coming back to console gaming in 2021. Project 007 is the codename of Bond's upcoming project, which is sure to be filled with gadgets and espionage. The new game is going to be produced by IO Interactive, the studio that created the popular Hitman stealth series. Not much info has been released about Project 007 so far, but nonetheless expectations are sky-high. Bond films are iconic for their spy gear and gadgets, so fans are excited to see what Project 007 can come up with.
Past Bond games haven't had as good of gadgets as the movies. There is some notable ones from past titles: James Bond 007: Nightfire featured gadgets that Bond wore to help him climb walls and GoldenEye 007 had Bond using his watch laser to escape 006's train, much like in the film. There's less of a focus on utility gadgets in the games, which Bond films excel at. Rather, Bond games tend to go with a diverse set of weapons for players to eliminate enemies with. It makes sense, since players are usually much more drawn to a sweet firearm than a checkbook that detects listening devices. That's a real shame, though, because the Bond film franchise has shown off tons of game-worthy gadgets.
There's a few things that go into a good gadget. First, it must fill a function that the player desperately needs. Getting past doors, disabling cameras, or finding listening devices are a few common challenges that video game Bond has faced before. Second, Bond gadgets typically have an over-the-top function, like the rocket-launching cigarette in You Only Live Twice (1967). The whole franchise comes with a tongue-in-cheek aspect in its debonair spy presentation, and the gadgets are no exception. Project 007 needs a few absurd bits of spy gear to really give it a bit of Bond flair. Here's some possible examples that James Bond's new Project 007 could take example from.
Bagpipes Flamethrower (The World Is Not Enough, 1999)
One of Bond's most incendiary gadgets, these Bagpipes were able to shoot both flames and bullets. This gadget was shown to James Bond when he went to visit Q in his headquarters in Scotland. While the instrument didn't see combat, it surely could be used in Project 007. It might be a stretch to fit Bagpipes in some scene as stealth, but if Bond ever goes to Scotland, he's got a flamethrower ready for him. This weapon also can switch to bullets, which opens up the functionality of the gadget.
False Fingerprints (Diamonds Are Forever, 1971)
Bond uses a fake fingerprint device to fool diamond smuggler Tiffany Case into thinking he is fellow smuggler Peter Franks. Fake fingerprints are a common tool of espionage, and they would fit right in with Project 007. It could be that players are tasked with making accurate false fingerprints or positioning them accurately on a sensor, so there's some sort of action going on. There could even be integration with the PS5 DualSense controller's touchpad or the Nintendo Switch's touchscreen controls.
Shark-Inflating Pellet (Live and Let Die, 1973)
These big silver bullets fired out of an underwater gun were given to Bond to stop sharks, but they can be used on other targets with similar success. The bullets were pumped full of compressed gas that released on contact, which meant that they were to be fired into a shark's mouth causing the shark to explode. Eventually, Bond stuffs one in the Mr. Big's mouth in the final fight scene of Live and Let Die, which causes him to explode in one of the more graphic deaths in Bond franchise history.
The applications for a shark-inflating pellet are almost endless. Project 007 could give this to players as they swim through an underwater level, or have it be after leaving a boat or submarine. This gun could be given regular bullets, but bullets of the shark-inflating variety sound much more appealing, don't they?
Little Nellie (You Only Live Twice, 1967)
The Wallis WA-116 Agile, aka 'Little Nellie,' is a gyrocopter, a small one-man rotary flying device similar to a helicopter. Bond uses it to scout out a volcano on a Japanese island before getting attacked by a group of multiple full-sized helicopters, which are about four times as large. Little Nellie isn't just a scouting vehicle, though. According to Q, she's packing some massive heat: Two forward facing machine guns (fixed) that fire bullets, incendiaries, and high explosives, as well as two rocket launchers, two large air-to-air missiles, and two flame guns firing backwards at a range of 80 yards. Oh, and it's got air mines, for use only above the target.
Bond fights off the four full-sized helicopters by using each of his weapons, including the air mines. Project 007 could really use a Little Nellie. She's pretty stealthy before showing all of her weapons, and there would be nothing more satisfying in a Bond game (or any game) than dropping air mines on enemies.
James Bond's Rolex Watch
Watches have been some of James Bond's most iconic gadgets, so much so that the entire genre of spy movies seems to have adopted the trope. While later films have all used Omega brand watches, it would be great to see Bond return to his roots and wear a Rolex in Project 007. When Sean Connery played Bond, he was often accompanied by a Rolex. In some, Q added features like a magnet or a Geiger counter to Bond's watches, which would be easy to implement in a video game. The new game could implement a ton of features to Bond's watch. The watch has to be used carefully, though. One thing that would be terrible for IO Interactive to do is put all Bond's gadgets into his watch, effectively removing all but one gadget.
Project 007 is going to be unique. It's going to have its own story apart from anything touched on by other Bond games or films, which means that the game will not based on the newest Bond movie, No Time To Die starring Daniel Craig. Craig isn't as synonymous with gadgets as previous Bond actors, but he's had a few good ones and there's still time for more. Fans are hoping for more of a stealth-based game than Bond's most recent video game, Quantum of Solace, and adding gadgets would be just the thing. A few good trick gadgets always makes being a spy much more of an enjoyable experience.