James Bond or John Wick?

In 2026, the long-standing fan debate over who would win in a clash between the world’s most iconic secret agent and its most relentless assassin may finally get an answer—through video games. Okay, maybe not a definitive answer, but it will at least be interesting to see how two titles featuring the icons might fare in a head-to-head battle. After more than a decade without a proper James Bond game, IO Interactive’s 007 First Light is set to bring the legendary MI6 operative back into gamers’ hands with an ambitious action-adventure origin story that casts Bond as a young, untested recruit earning his place in the Double-O ranks. Now, not far behind in hype is an untitled John Wick game from Saber Interactive and Lionsgate that, should it also launch in 2026, could give 007 First Light a run for its money.

Of course, the debate about who would win in a fight between James Bond and John Wick won’t be settled by the success or failure of two new video games, but it could nonetheless add fuel to the discussion on either side. Plus, the untitled John Wick game doesn’t currently have a release window, while 007 First Light is scheduled to arrive on May 27, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Should John Wick wait until next year (which is likely), 007 First Light may win this fight. But the ultimate question is who will win the war?

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007 First Light and John Wick Both Have a Big Advantage Over the Other

Even before we know anything more about the untitled John Wick game, 007 First Light has a clear advantage over it. Sure, First Light does already have a firm release date, and that also means it’s further along in development. While that could be seen as an advantage, it’s less so than the extensive history that the upcoming James Bond title has behind it.

Unlike John Wick, the 007 franchise has received nearly 40 video game adaptations since the 1980s, meaning First Light is coming in on seasoned territory. That’s not all, either, as the IP itself has been around for over six decades, meaning James Bond is more universally loved than John Wick, although there is some nuance involved. That nuance, though, is simply that the John Wick franchise is newer, and 007 has had more time to establish a cultural footprint.

It’s not possible to determine which action hero is more objectively beloved, but it is worth mentioning that it is estimated that somewhere around 20% of the world’s population has seen at least one 007 film in their lifetime, while John Wick‘s audience is more concentrated among modern action fans. That alone may be enough of a sign that 007 First Light might have an easier time sticking the landing than John Wick, and when you throw in the fact that video game adaptations of the IP have been ongoing because it continues to find success, the chances that First Light soars higher than John Wick are even greater.

The upcoming John Wick game is not the first adaptation of the IP, with that honor belonging to John Wick Hex by Bithell Games.

The Untitled John Wick Game Still Has Something 007 First Light Doesn’t

There is another factor to consider, however, and that is that video game adaptations of films or film franchises are very difficult to do well, with a lot of that coming down to originality (or lack thereof) and how iconic characters are represented. Take a game like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, for instance, which arguably couldn’t have been done without Harrison Ford or at least someone who captured his mannerisms and charisma to a tee. The reason for that is because Harrison Ford is Indiana Jones, and for a game adaptation with such realistic visuals to portray anyone else would be far too distracting. As a result, Troy Baker had to nail the Harrison Ford/Indiana Jones impression, and he did so much so that it is sometimes hard to tell whether you’re staring at Ford or Baker mimicking him.

In the same way, Keanu Reeves is John Wick, so with the actor reprising his role in the upcoming John Wick game, that gives the title an advantage that 007 First Light doesn’t have. The 007 franchise has seen numerous actors play James Bond during its extensive lifespan, and even though Daniel Craig was the most recent talent to wear the mantle, not everyone agrees on which actor “is” James Bond, or even which actor delivered the best portrayal. That constant shift could play in 007 First Light‘s favor, since the face and voice of the game’s James Bond have never occupied the role before. At the same time, the John Wick game already has the strength of association supporting it, with Keanu Reeves’ involvement acting as a built-in emotional anchor that First Light can’t replicate.

Both Games Will Still Have to Fight Their Own Battles

Even if there is some unspoken, metaphorical battle between 007 First Light and the untitled John Wick game, no doubt backed by the ongoing debate about who would win in a clash between James Bond and John Wick, both games will still have to fight their own battles in the end. John Wick has already been facing skepticism ahead of its reveal, simply because the odds of an AAA game adaptation that has never been done before achieving success are historically slim. 007 First Light has been facing skepticism as well, though it’s a bit less mysterious.

Early gameplay footage of 007 First Light raised eyebrows over pacing and animation details, suggesting parts of the demo didn’t feel polished or “Bond-like” enough, and a few reviewers described sections as underwhelming or “boring” in early reactions. There has also been discussion around IO Interactive’s design direction, with the game reportedly emphasizing forward momentum and faster action over slow, thoughtful stealth, which would be a major shift from Hitman‘s, the developer’s biggest franchise, methodical style that may divide fans. Character presentation and stylistic choices have also been questioned, with a small minority feeling 007 First Light sometimes looks or feels generic rather than distinctively James Bond.

Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.

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Even if there is some unspoken, metaphorical battle between 007 First Light and the untitled John Wick game…both games will still have to fight their own battles in the end.

2026 may not crown a definitive winner in the Bond versus Wick debate, but it could reveal which franchise can successfully translate its identity into a modern AAA game. 007 First Light carries decades of legacy, built-in recognition, and a long history with the medium itself. The untitled John Wick game carries singular star power, tonal consistency, and the weight of Keanu Reeves’ direct involvement. One has history on its side, the other has precision and clarity. When both finally step into the ring, the real victor will not be determined by box office numbers or cultural longevity, but by which game feels the most authentic to the character it represents.