Many of the game's weapons were changed or altered before the game was completed. Each of the weapons that were based on real life weapons were named accordingly. But in order to avoid legal issues with the weapon manufacturers, the names were changed.

AR33 Assault Rifle:
The M16A/2 Commando Rifle has since been renamed to the US AR33 Assault Rifle. It doesn't appear to have changed much in design though. We know that it was in many more levels than it is now, as shown here in the Statue, and below in the Silo. Now it's only available in a few levels.

Again, Bond is using the Assault Rifle in another level that it doesn't appear now. Notice the old door that is visible, blue with yellow caution stripes. It appears to be an elevator.

Taser:
Here's the old Taser, which has gone through a complete change from it's original version. Even these two shots don't look like the same weapon. In a preview for the game, it's listed as a weapon, with information, which proves it was likely found at one time.

Another shot of the Taser. This proves that it was likely found in the Surface level. I've never seen a real screenshot of it in another level. Is it better than the Taser we have now? I think it looks a bit better, but most of us would take this one anyway, just for a change.

Rocket Launcher: Another completely changed weapon. It appears that it was shoulder mounted. It doesn't have a total ammo, all the rockets are in the same magazine. It looks like a really cool weapon, and I wonder why such drastic changes were made to it. It looks better than the Rocket Launcher we have now, so why did they change it?

KF7 Soviet:
The famous "old KF7", found in many pre-release shots. At this time, it likely would have still been called the AK47. There are about a dozen shots of it, and it also appears on the back of the game's box. Here's Bond again, firing the old KF7 Soviet in the Bunker.

This is a cool shot, and it's crystal clear. Too bad the gun is pointing down, otherwise it would be a really good screenshot. But still, it's one of the only perfectly clear shots of the old KF7, because it was taken by Rare, not scanned from a magazine or taken from clips like so many other shots have been.

Screenshot from www.rareware.com

Shots of the "old KF7", taken from a movie clip. You can tell that it's zoomed in, unlike other shots of this old weapon. It was probably a very common weapon, just like it is now.

There were Russian Infantry guards in the Archives, as well as a lot of blood when enemies were shot. You can see even the graphics on the guard's guns were changed. Also, "beta glass" on the office windows.

Here's the old KF7 again, but it's in Statue Park. Notice how bright and gray the lighting is. Maybe Bond and Janus were to meet on a cloudy day? Also, Lenin's statue is in a different location. To the left, is the old KF7 in the Missile Silo.

Left screenshot from www.rareware.com

The KF7 yet again, in the Facility. Such a great gun. There are many pictures that show this gun, without scar-face guards. Like this shot, where the guards have random heads. The gun was changed not long before the game's release. This screenshot apparently comes from a Nintendo 64 box. Thanks to Ian Rogers for sending me this shot.

Cougar Magnum:
Another small change, is the name of the Magnum. In the early version, most people know it was called the Blackhawk Magnum. It was also known as the Ruger Magnum at one point also. Ruger is the name of the company that manufactures the gun.

PP7:
Bond's PP7 does look just a bit different, and it was once known as James Bond's famous Walther PPK.

Look at the body on the ground, combined with the blood all over the Janus Special Forces. The game was going to be realistic, was most likely changed so it could receive a +13 rating instead of +17.

Moonraker Laser:
The Laser is no different, but this is a pre-release screenshot. The Laser appears to have been found in more levels than it is now. Possiby, it made that game too easy so it had to be removed. The original name was Military Laser, which the name still appears on the watch. The pick up name was changed to Moonraker Laser, after the movie where the Laser is from.

Timed Mine:
Notice the timed mine, with the name Mine [Timed]. Also, that it's flat on it's side instead of the top view that we have now. Just a minor change. I also think that it's possible that Timed Mines were once used to blow up the Facility gas tanks, instead of the Remote Mines we use now.

Knives:
The knives were apparently supposed to have a bigger role in Goldeneye 007. But, they were quietly removed, in place of the more fun automatic weapons. In the instruction booklet, the knives are listed as weapons, and the Hunting Knife is called the Fighting Knife. Just a small name change after the book was printed.