You Only Live About 30 Times
James Bond, the character, has existed since author Ian Fleming published Casino Royale in 1953. It didn’t take long for the franchise to become a mainstream phenomenon with the release of the film Dr. No in 1962, and in 1982, James Bond entered the interactive entertainment medium. Much like the films that have served as the games’ primary inspiration, Bond’s video game history has high highs and low lows. We decided to look at the full history as we prepare for his return after a decade-plus absence.
1982
Shaken but Not Stirred
ZX Spectrum
The very first official James Bond video game, Shaken but Not Stirred released in the United Kingdom and is a text adventure. That means no visuals accompanied the player as they attempted to defeat Dr. Death.
1983
James Bond 007 (ATARI, COMMODORE 64, COLECOVISION)
The first Bond game to have visuals… sort of. It would still be some time before the series would be recognizably James Bond. The game featured a few different levels inspired by disparate Bond stories.
1985
A View to a Kill: The Computer Game (ZX SPECTRUM)
James Bond 007: A View to a Kill (PC)
In the same year Super Mario Bros. hit NES consoles, two A View to a Kill games were released. An action game for the ZX Spectrum and a text adventure on PC.