007 First Light Preorders Open — IOI’s Golden Gun Collector’s Edition Raises Real Questions

007 First Light Preorders Are Live – Here’s the Real Story

IO Interactive opening preorders for 007 First Light caught my attention for two reasons: IOI’s sandbox stealth mastery finally meeting James Bond, and a collector’s edition swinging for the fences at €299.99. The game drops March 27, 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. We saw it at the last State of Play, but this is the first time players have to decide: standard, “Specialist,” or go all-in on a golden-gun shrine?

Key Takeaways

• Standard and Specialist editions start at €69.99; digital preorders include a Deluxe upgrade and 24-hour early access.
• The €299.99 Legacy/Collector’s Edition anchors on a Golden Gun replica, steelbook, and Deluxe content-but no early access.
• IOI plus Bond is a natural fit, but we still need proof of how open-ended the missions are versus linear set pieces.
• Switch version exists, but whether it’s native or cloud (like Hitman on Switch) is an open question.

Breaking Down the Editions (Minus the Marketing Glare)

IOI’s offer splits three ways. The Standard edition is your basic €69.99 package. The Specialist edition-positioned as the premium physical console SKU at the same price—apparently tosses in a “classic tuxedo” skin on PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch. If you preorder digitally, you’re effectively getting a free “Deluxe upgrade”: four outfits, one weapon skin, a “Gleaming” gadget pack, and 24-hour early access. That last bit is minor, but let’s be honest—some of us will still want to sneak into a mission the night before.

The big swing is the Legacy/Collector’s Edition at €299.99. It includes the game on disc (thank you, IOI—too many collector’s sets cheap out with a download code), a steelbook with a magnetic 007 logo, a certificate of authenticity, and the headline act: a Golden Gun replica with a display stand, five decorative golden bullets, and a hidden compartment. You also get the Deluxe digital goodies, including Golden Gun and Obsidian Gold cosmetics. The notable omission: no 24-hour early access here.

Value Check: Is the Golden Gun Worth It?

Collector’s editions live or die on the centerpiece. Starfield’s €300 tier bundled a functional smartwatch and case. Resident Evil 4’s collector ran around €250 and shipped with a substantial Leon statue. 007 First Light’s €299.99 banks on a single prop replica. It looks slick, sure, and the Bond brand carries real weight—but this is still a display piece and a steelbook at a price tier where we usually expect either a large, premium statue or an electronic gadget you’ll actually use.

The upside? Including the physical disc is huge for preservation-minded players, and the magnetic logo on the steelbook is a neat touch. The downside is simple: for €300, the package feels light on “wow” beyond the replica. Also, the lack of early access in the most expensive version is a head-scratcher. If you’re a diehard Bond collector, this will still tempt you. For everyone else, the €69.99 Specialist or a digital preorder with the free Deluxe upgrade looks like the smarter play.

IOI + Bond: The Fit Looks Right—But Show Us the Sandboxes

As someone who spent far too many hours mastering Hitman’s escalation contracts, IOI tackling 007 feels inevitable in the best way. The studio’s Glacier engine is built for cause-and-effect stealth, disguises, and gadget-driven improvisation—the core of Bond when he’s not just mowing down henchmen. The pitch for First Light is an origin story, meaning a younger agent learning the ropes. That can work, provided it’s an excuse to teach systems rather than to go fully linear and handholdy.

The trailer suggested a split personality: glossy set pieces for the blockbuster crowd, and quieter infiltration for the IOI faithful. What matters is mission design. If we get semi-open “playgrounds” with multiple infiltration vectors, social stealth, and inventive gadget synergies, this could be the most “Bond” Bond game since GoldenEye redefined expectations. If it’s mostly corridor shootouts with occasional stealth breaks, the IOI DNA will feel underused. We need an extended gameplay deep dive to be sure.

Platform Reality Check (Especially on Switch)

PS5, Series X|S, and PC are safe bets for performance. The Switch listing is the wildcard. Remember: Hitman landed on Switch via a cloud version. Until IOI clarifies whether First Light on Switch is native or streaming, budget your expectations accordingly. If it’s cloud-based, your experience will hinge on your connection more than your hardware, which isn’t ideal for a stealth game where timing matters.

Preorder Advice You Can Actually Use

• If you want cosmetics and a tiny head start, the digital preorder with the included Deluxe upgrade is the sweet spot.
• Physical collectors who still value discs: the Specialist edition at €69.99 plus a separate display piece down the line will likely beat the collector’s value.
• Region caveat: availability of the collector’s edition looks limited in some markets—check local retailers before you plan a midnight unboxing.
• As always, if you’re preorder-averse: wait for a proper gameplay showcase and hands-on impressions. The brand is big, but systems matter more.

Why This Matters Now

We’re overdue for a modern Bond game that isn’t just a corridor shooter. If IOI brings its systemic stealth design to 007 without sanding off the edges, First Light could reset the bar for spy games the way Hitman rebooted assassination sandboxes. The merch upsell is noise; the mission design is the signal.

TL;DR

007 First Light launches March 27, 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series, Switch, and PC. Standard/Specialist is €69.99 with smart preorder bonuses; the €299.99 collector’s edition is for hardcore Bond display-case fans only. The real question is whether IOI gives us open-ended spy sandboxes—if they do, this could be special.