Video game:Sega Genesis James Bond 007: The Duel

Before widespread video games existed to capture the imagination, Ian Fleming published twelve novels and two short story collections featuring the British Secret Service agent James Bond. Between 1953 and 1966, the public waited eagerly for the next installment featuring the charming and elusive spy. Today, James Bond continues to captivate the world through film, books, and video games that present the opportunity for players to step into 007's shoes and try their own hand at going undercover with MI6.

Parker Brothers released the first James Bond video came in 1983 for Atari 2600. Entitled "James Bond 007," this side-scrolling platformer features four missions, each based off a Bond film. Players must control James Bond's car, jump over obstacles and dodge attacks to gain points. While this simple game served as a stepping stone for many future installments featuring secret agent James Bond, the Bond video games did not become popular until Rare released "GoldenEye 007" in 1997.

In 1993, Domark released "James Bond 007: The Duel" for the Sega Master System, Game Gear, and Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. This side-scrolling adventure was the first Bond video game not based directly on a movie or Fleming novel. Timothy Dalton provided his likeness for the title character in the game, even though he last played the spy in "Licence to Kill" more than four years before "The Duel" came out.

Reviewers and players criticized the plot of "The Duel," but otherwise found the game enjoyable. In its review, "GameFan Magazine" wrote, "The new Bond combines swell animation with huge, cavernous levels," and found the game perfectly captivating and challenging.

The James Bond novels and movies stimulate imaginations everywhere, and 007 continues to amuse audiences through the medium of gaming.