GoldenEye 007 N64 Beginner Guide: Controls, Objectives, and First Missions

GoldenEye is objective-based rather than a pure corridor shooter. The watch menu lists the current mission objectives and marks their status. Agent has the fewest requirements; Secret Agent and 00 Agent add objectives and make enemies more dangerous.

For a first playthrough, use Agent to learn the map and extraction point. Return on a higher difficulty after you know where doors, alarms, keys, and mission equipment are located.

The original default control style uses the analog stick for turning and forward movement, C buttons for stepping and looking, Z to fire, A to change weapons, B to activate or reload, and R for manual aiming. Browser mappings may place those inputs on a keyboard or modern controller.

The game provides useful auto-aim during ordinary movement. Use it for close and medium-range guards, then hold the aim button only when a camera, distant target, or small object requires precision.

Unsilenced gunfire, alarms, and guards who reach a warning point can pull more enemies into the current area. Move through doorways carefully, use the starting silenced PP7 when practical, and eliminate alarm panels when the mission requires it.

Opening a door can reveal several guards at once. Stand to one side, let the door open, and engage from cover instead of moving into the center of the room.

Some computers, control panels, scientists, and pieces of equipment are required for an objective. Firing explosives into a room before reading the briefing can make the mission impossible even if Bond survives.

If an objective is marked failed, restart promptly and change the route. Completing the level exit does not override a failed task, and higher difficulties often require returning to an earlier room with a key or device found later.