- Original Release: 1983
- Developer: Parker Brothers, Tsukuda Original (SG-1000)
- Publisher: Parker Brothers
- Platform: Atari 2600, Atari 5200, Atari 8-bit, ColecoVision, Commodore 64, SG-1000
- Versions played: Atari 2600, SG-1000
![](https://djcube.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/jb007-box-s.jpg)
![The Worst Bond](https://djcube.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/worst-bond.png)
![James Bond 007 (Atari 2600)](https://djcube.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/jb007atati-012.png)
After a few failed attempts to get a developer to make a James Bond game for the Atari, Parker Brothers ended up developing it themselves. The end result was a vehicle game clearly inspired by Moon Patrol.
It’s a side scrolling shooter and you have two forms of attack: a gun that shoots into the air, and a bomb that arcs downwards. They both share the same button, so you alternate between the two, meaning you’ll fire a lot of useless shots (especially when you’re driving along the ground.
![James Bond 007 (Atari 2600)](https://djcube.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/jb007atati-009.png)
The missions are loosely based on four films: Diamonds are Forever, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker and For Your Eyes Only. The missions do have objectives: find a hidden oil rig, destroy an underwater base, destroy satellites and find a hidden shipwreck. The hidden objects are found by shooting diamonds in the sky, and throughout it, you need to destroy enemies and dodge obstacles with a very awkward jump.
While the gameplay could be used for pretty much any franchise, the objectives are actually based on scenes from the respective films. While the game looks and plays like complete madness, the manual explains the objectives and all the random stuff happening surprisingly well. It doesn’t make the game good, but it at least shows effort into tying it into James Bond.
Important Links
Other Versions
Atari 5200, Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64
The Atari 5200, Atari 8-bit, and Commodore 64 versions of the game are identical to the Atari 2600 version I played. Even though they had additional buttons, the fire button still alternated between the two different shot types.
SG-1000, ColecoVision
The SG-1000 and ColecoVision had a slightly different version, with the SG-1000 version developed by Tsukuda Original. The level layouts and objectives were the same, but the graphics are different. On top of that, you can choose which kind of shot you want to make. Here are some screenshots of SG-1000 version:
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