IO Interactive has confirmed that 007 First Light has gone gold, meaning James Bond’s return to video games is now ready for release.
The game is set to launch on May 27, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. It was previously delayed from its original March 2026 release date, but the gold master milestone means the main build is complete. IO Interactive can now use the remaining time before launch to fix bugs, polish the game, and prepare any day one updates.
007 First Light is IO Interactive’s take on James Bond’s origin story. Instead of adapting one of the films directly, the game reimagines how Bond earns the 007 number. That gives IO room to build its own version of the character while still using the spy fantasy that made Bond famous.
| Detail | 007 First Light |
|---|---|
| Developer | IO Interactive |
| Release date | May 27, 2026 |
| Platforms at launch | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S |
| Switch 2 version | Delayed, still planned |
| Status | Gone gold |
| Pre order bonus | Free Deluxe Edition upgrade |
The game is especially interesting because IO Interactive is best known for Hitman. That series is built around open ended stealth, disguises, assassination sandboxes, and player creativity. 007 First Light is expected to be more linear and story driven, so it will be interesting to see how IO adapts its design strengths to a Bond adventure.
For James Bond fans, this is a big moment. Bond has a long history in games, but the franchise has not had the same presence in recent years that it once did. GoldenEye 007 remains the obvious classic, and IO now has a chance to create the next major Bond game people remember.
Pre orders are already live, and IO is offering a free Deluxe Edition upgrade for players who buy early.
The Switch 2 version will not launch at the same time. IO confirmed last month that it needs more time, but the studio still plans to release it. That is good news for Nintendo players, especially after some recent third party Switch 2 ports have faced delays or uncertainty.
PC players also have a new NVIDIA tie in. IO and NVIDIA recently announced a GeForce RTX 50 Series bundle for 007 First Light, giving buyers of select new GPUs a copy of the game.
Going gold does not guarantee a perfect launch, but it does mean the game has cleared a major development milestone. After the delay, 007 First Light is finally locked for release, and Bond will be back in games later this month.
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