Citadel - The Obsession, The Fascination...

A plain white pillar stretches to the sky, in a big room full of obstacles.
A testing facility named Citadel was briefly used by the GoldenEye 007 team in 1997,
just months before the game's release.

Tucked inside every GoldenEye 007 game cartridge is an unfinished Multiplayer level called "Citadel".
Twenty five years ago, it seemed unfathomable to ever be playing around inside this fabled, "lost world".

A reference to 'CITADEL' was found in the game's memory, alongside the existing level names.
Remarkable at what's since happened, based off that one little clue.

"Early exploration" began with Gameshark codes, soon progressing to actually modifications of the ROM itself.

In 2004, Gameshark hacker Krijy provided the first known working codes for The Citadel.
(A wonderful explanation was written by SubDrag, with codes by Para and Wreck)

For those who may never actually get to experience the level, a quick explore of "Zoinkity's Citadel" within the GoldenEye Setup Editor. http://n64vault.com/ge-multi-levels:citadel


This isn't a playthrough of the Citadel level itself, merely drifting around it to take a look.

Outside the level, looking in...
Inaccessible via normal game play, a remnant of this rough, test map still remains inside the ROM.

Basically four large rooms, connected via hallways.
Even has an upper and lower level.

The Citadel itself has come a long way since it was unearthed.
A look back at the original level itself, with textures that don't line up.

Visible ammo boxes that have since been added to the level.

That crazy, angled stair/ramp in one of the rooms.

Each room has various obstacles for testing purposes.

Like finding the plans of an unfinished prototype (without all the working parts), GoldenEye enthusiasts have basically taken the blueprint and turned it into a playable level.

(Even one of Stephen King's works was rescued from the rubbish bin)

---

A few snapshots of the Citadel as depicted in GoldenEye X.
(ROM Modification with GoldenEye levels and characters playable in Perfect Dark)

Room full of obstacles.
The Citadel level has been given an Aztec theme.

Bond and Natalya, taking aim in the room full of "mini bunkers".
It's always fun to experiment (she can even climb on top).

Very big room with four pillars stretching to the sky.

Still so much to say about The Citadel that one page is barely a start...

A more complete "walkthru" for this Multiplayer Level exists at GoldenEyeForever.com:
http://www.goldeneyeforever.com/level files/citadel_multiplayer_temp.htm