When Perfect Dark was originally released on the N64 in 2000 it was just too ambitious a game for the hardware available at the time. Rare enhanced the GoldenEye 007 game engine (more gore, better lighting, higher screen resolution and various other enhancements) to a point arguably beyond what the N64 could cope with. This resulted in shockingly bad frame rates at frequent intervals through out the game. This tarnished what was otherwise an excellent game.

So now that Microsoft has announced that it has updated the original game with HD visuals we might now be able to see the game that Rare wanted us to play 10 years ago. Hopefully, Microsoft will have left all the hidden cheeses for us to find, just like in the original Perfect Dark.

Features:

• Remastered full HD visuals:1080p at 60 frames per second and upgraded 3D models (characters, weapons) and locations.
• Action-packed and authentic. Based on the original code. There are nine missions across 17 levels in solo, co-op and counter-op modes available.
• Multiplayer modes. Battle online with up to eight players on Xbox LIVE over six different multiplayer scenarios across 16 levels.
• Microsoft staff faces to replace the Nintendo staff faces featured in the original (e.g. Shigeru Miyamoto).

Screenshots:

Trailer (via Joystiq):

Perfect Dark will be released on the Xbox 360 (for 800 MS points) on the 17th March 2010.