Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

007: Everything or Nothing shifts the Bond formula into a tight third‐person action experience on the GameBoy Advance, delivering a surprising depth of mechanics for a handheld title. Players guide Agent 007 through a series of missions spanning jungle ruins in Peru to a zero‐gravity encounter on a space station. The controls are intuitive, mapping movement, aiming, and the use of gadgets seamlessly onto the GBA’s limited button layout.

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Interlaced with traditional on‐foot firefights are three driving stages inspired by the classic Spy Hunter franchise. In these segments, you pilot Bond’s iconic Aston Martin through twisty roads, weaving around enemy vehicles and deploying oil slicks or missiles at pursuing henchmen. This alternation of gameplay modes injects fresh pacing between the gunplay sequences, ensuring the action never grows stale.

Weapon variety is a highlight: from the trusty Walther P99 for precise headshots to the rapid‐fire Mac 10 for crowd control. Adding to the arsenal are Bond’s signature Q‐branch gadgets such as the Q‐Rappel for stealthy infiltrations and the Holo‐Puck that generates decoy holograms in tight corridors. These tools not only diversify encounters but also encourage creative problem‐solving as you tackle each mission.

For those who master the single‐player campaign, up to four players can link their GBA systems for head‐to‐head multiplayer fun. Each participant chooses from classic Bond weapon loadouts and battles in compact arenas that test both reflexes and map awareness. And for fans seeking extra meat on the bone, linking the GBA cartridge to a GameCube unlocks bonus missions and challenges, providing a compelling reason to own both versions.

Graphics

Given the GameBoy Advance’s hardware constraints, Everything or Nothing delivers impressively detailed environments and character models. Levels like the moss‐covered Peruvian temples feel atmospheric, with textured backgrounds and dynamic lighting effects that hint at the GameCube original’s visual flair. Animations are surprisingly smooth during both on‐foot and driving segments, avoiding the choppiness that plagues many handheld ports.

Bond himself is rendered with crisp sprite work: his tailored suit, flowing coat, and signature posture are instantly recognizable, even on the GBA’s small screen. Enemy NPCs boast distinct silhouettes, allowing you to prioritize targets in firefights. Explosions, muzzle flashes, and particle effects are handled deftly, adding cinematic punch without bogging down frame rates.

The driving levels showcase draw distances and parallax scrolling that give a genuine sense of speed. Roadside scenery zooms past, and obstacles appear with just enough warning to challenge your reflexes. Cutscenes are sparse but effectively use still frames and character portraits accompanied by dialogue text, maintaining narrative momentum while respecting cartridge size limits.

Story

Everything or Nothing presents an original Bond narrative that feels right at home alongside the film franchise. A sinister organization has seized a powerful nanotech weapon capable of global devastation, and only Agent 007 can track its mastermind across multiple continents. From clandestine meetings in Moscow to heart‐pounding infiltrations aboard an orbital research station, the stakes never dip below “doomsday”.

Dialogue is sharp and true to Bond’s persona, peppered with wry one‐liners and tense exchanges with both allies and adversaries. Although the GBA version omits full voiceovers found on consoles, the text lays out character motivations and plot twists clearly. Supporting figures—tech‐savvy allies and double‐crossing contacts—add depth to the narrative, ensuring you’re invested in each revelation.

Boss encounters serve as story milestones, each villain boasting unique abilities that tie into the overall plot. For example, facing a rogue agent equipped with stealth camouflage reinforces the game’s theme of unseen threats. These climactic battles test both your mastery of weapons and your understanding of the story’s underlying technology, creating memorable showdowns.

Overall Experience

007: Everything or Nothing on GameBoy Advance stands out as one of the handheld’s strongest action‐adventure titles. It balances the core pillars of the Bond formula—high‐octane gunfights, exotic locales, gadget ingenuity, and sleek driving sequences—into a cohesive package that feels considerably larger than its cartridge suggests. The gameplay variety and mission design keep you engaged for hours on end.

Technical performance is solid, with minimal loading pauses and stable frame rates across all mission types. Replay value is enhanced by optional objectives, hidden gadget upgrades, and the multiplayer mode that extends beyond the single‐player campaign. The GameCube linking feature serves as a clever bonus, rewarding dedicated fans with extra content that bridges both platforms.

While some may miss full motion video or voice acting, the GBA adaptation compensates with tight controls and well‐paced level flow. Whether you’re a longtime Bond aficionado or a handheld gamer seeking an action‐packed adventure, Everything or Nothing delivers spy thrills and spills in a portable form factor. This title remains a must‐play for GBA owners craving blockbuster‐style espionage on the go.

Retro Replay Score

7.1/10