007 First Light Release Date
Yes, the rumors are true—007 First Light is officially dropping on March 27, 2026, lighting up the gaming world like a shaken (not stirred) martini after years of anticipation. When IO Interactive first teased “Project 007” back in 2020, Bond fans (admittedly, myself included) started counting down the days with a level of obsession usually reserved for actual secret agents.
There’s something surreal about finally having a date: March 27th, 2026. That’s the day Bond ditches development limbo and lands on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S, promising a fresh, origin-story spin.
Let me tell you, when that State of Play showcase hit in September with a full hour of gameplay—including a wild Carpathian Mountains car chase and more quips than a pub on quiz night—everyone lost their collective cool. The visuals look slicker than Daniel Craig’s tux, and those dialogue tree choices?
They turn every encounter into a gamble, Bond-style. If you preorder, you even snag a Deluxe Edition upgrade, with early access starting March 26. Not bad for those of us who still think a proper spy game has been missing since GoldenEye on the N64.
Is 007 First Light Coming to Xbox Game Pass?
Nope, 007 First Light won’t be sneaking onto Xbox Game Pass at launch, and, to be honest, it sounds like that’s not changing anytime soon. IO Interactive’s keeping this one close to the vest, with fans ponying up for the game rather than finding it waiting in the Game Pass lineup.
Maybe it’s for the best—Bond games have always felt like special-occasion affairs, not everyday rentals. Still, for Game Pass devotees (and let’s be real, who isn’t at least sometimes?), it stings a teeny bit that day one access is off the table. I distinctly remember my buddy Rob texting in ALL CAPS the second he realized it wasn’t coming to Game Pass—tragic. Like missing a gadget drop from Q.
But Xbox players should take solace: the game’s launching simultaneously across all main platforms, including Xbox Series X/S, with no “exclusive” nonsense holding anybody back. If you want a bit of an upside, preordering nets a few snazzy digital bonuses—outfits and weapon skins—so you can stunt on everyone in multiplayer (assuming there’s some, fingers crossed).
Where Does First Light Land in the Bond Universe?
Bond purists rejoice! 007 First Light boldly claims its own corner of the franchise, spinning a fresh, reimagined origin story for a younger Bond (played by Patrick Gibson, apparently with all the brash charm you’d want from a rookie MI6 agent). M, Q, Moneypenny—familiar faces—are back, but with new actors and slightly tweaked backstories, and the game’s narrative swings for the fences with all the drama and wit a good Bond tale needs.
- Setpieces wind through locations like the Carpathians, London, and—rumor has it—a glitzy casino in Monaco.
- Stealth, gunplay, and a dash of creative problem-solving? Yep, heavily inspired by IOI’s Hitman roots.
- Gadgets galore, as any proper Bond adventure demands
I always get a bit misty-eyed when games preview those jaw-dropping locations. I mean, who doesn’t dream of speeding through misty mountain passes or sweet-talking their way into secret lairs? If they nail that cinematic vibe, First Light will be a classic for years.
007 First Light Price, Editions & Pre-Orders
Here’s the low-down: 007 First Light standard edition lands at $69.99 USD for all platforms, while the deluxe and collector’s versions come with a grab-bag of extras. I’ll admit, those “Ultimate Agent” bundles are tempting, mostly for the silly reasons—like snazzy in-game gadgets and a digital art book. Because who wouldn’t want a custom watch skin for their Bond? Well, maybe someone less prone to flashing shiny things in multiplayer. My younger cousin, notorious for pre-ordering everything, claimed “this might be the one I actually wait for reviews on,” but when the editions list came out… yeah, he caved and snagged the deluxe.
Pre-orders are open (and buzzing):
- Standard Edition: $69.99 USD, just the game, no frills.
- Deluxe Edition: Adds exclusive missions, premium gear, and early access by 48 hours. Good if you like getting a slight edge and some fresh suits.
- Collector’s Bundle: Price varies, but typically includes all digital extras and some physical swag—posters, a faux passport, maybe a keychain that’s honestly bigger than you think.
Final Thoughts and a Little Fan Giddiness
Let’s face it, major Bond games don’t come around every year—or even every decade. The fact that 007 First Light is arriving in spring 2026, primed for modern consoles and without platform exclusivity headaches, is cause for celebration in itself. Sure, Xbox Game Pass holdouts might grumble, but we’re finally getting the MI6 drama, gadget mischief, and chaotic action that true Bond fans crave.
If Day One includes even a fraction of the sneak previews—car chases, casino intrigue, snappy one-liners—it might just be a new bar for spy games.
