007: Licence to Kill

007: Licence to Kill

Company type	Video game
Industry	Video games
Founded	1989
Founder	Quixel
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Area served	Worldwide
Products	Video games
Owner	Domark (distributor)

007: Licence to Kill is a 1989 video game created by Quixel and distributed by Domark, inspired by the James Bond movie sharing the same title. It was made available on a variety of systems, including Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, BBC Micro, Commodore 64, DOS, MSX, and ZX Spectrum.

The storyline centers on Bond's pursuit of the drug kingpin Sanchez, who is responsible for the death of Felix Leiter's wife. The gameplay unfolds over six diverse stages featuring activities such as helicopter pursuits, underwater diving, water-skiing, and piloting an 18-wheel tanker truck.

Gameplay

In 007: Licence to Kill, players experience a top-down vertically scrolling shooter where the objective is to track down Sanchez across six unique levels. The heads-up display located on the right side provides essential information, including helicopter altitude and ammo status. Players encounter enemy forces that can be either confronted or avoided while undertaking additional tasks like gathering ammunition or seizing drug shipments. Navigating environmental dangers such as boats and falling debris demands careful strategy.

Platforms

This title was released on an extensive range of platforms, making it among the most broadly distributed 007 games to date.

The BBC Micro edition was produced by Lore Games as a subcontracted project. It offered upgraded visuals derived from the Spectrum version but incorporated a new sprite engine, enhanced artificial intelligence, sound effects, and a flicker-free double-buffered screen refresh. This version was accessible via both cassette tape and floppy disk formats.

A Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) adaptation was under development by Simon Nicol at Tengen. Despite nearing completion—with only the final level outstanding—it was never launched because Domark concluded that the delay following the film’s release rendered it commercially unfeasible.

Reception

Computer Gaming World recommended 007: Licence to Kill primarily to players who favor action-focused gameplay, suggesting that others might find it unengaging. ACE Magazine called it "enjoyable for a limited time" but lacking replay value. The Games Machine commended its large scale and faithful representation of the movie, even though the gameplay was relatively straightforward. Both The Games Machine and The One acknowledged improvements over earlier Bond titles from Domark, with The One labeling it "possibly the finest Bond game ever," successfully capturing the essence of the film while delivering entertaining gameplay.

See also

• List of video games based on films