Let's talk about Rare.

Rare, aka Rareware. Back in ye olden dayes, they were my favorite developers. The Donkey Kong Country trilogy, Diddy Kong Racing, Banjo-Kazooie, Killer Instinct, Jet Force Gemini, Conkers Bad Fur Day... masterpieces all. I didn't even think Star Fox Adventures was all that bad. But ever since they jumped ship to Microsoft, they've, er, looked a little green...

What do you think? Can Rare make a comeback and somehow get great again? Will a proper Banjo-Threeie and Conker's Other Bad Fur Day ever see the light of day again? Another adventure for Kameo, mayhap? And, please, please, please, will the Heavens ever open up and grace the Earth with the glory that is Grabbed by the Ghoulies 2? Or will they be stuck in Xbox Avatar Limbo forever?

tl;dr - Discuss Rare.

edited 31st Aug '11 3:09:07 PM by EddieValiantJr

It could be that the important people from Rare just left around the time Microsoft bought them out.

I'll just say that Rare's Fallen Creatordom has been one of the hardest to accept for me, but especially for my sis, and just leave it there.

No, no, man, don't leave it there. What are some of your happiest Rare memories?

Donkey Kong Country Series, Banjo-Kazooie, Banjo-Tooie, Diddy Kong Racing (borrowed that one), Donkey Kong 64, Conker's Bad Fur Day...

I just kind of love platformers, even (and perhaps especially) collectathon ones...

I used to play and sis would watch. Then we would play the 1st Person Shooter minigames in Banjo-Tooie, sometimes with friends...

='(

edited 31st Aug '11 3:25:43 PM by Folt

Well, I can tell you that mine is certainly playing Diddy Kong Racing and Banjo-Kazooie. I never really did get the "hatred" for DK 64. I enjoyed that one too even if I could never beat the original Donkey Kong to get that one. last. coin.

edited 31st Aug '11 3:25:12 PM by MrPastry

Conker's Bad Fur Day's multiplayer was brilliant...

MICROSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOFT!!!!!!!!!!

On a side note, I can't believe I managed to convince my mom to buy that game. I was probably 10-12 years at the time. Then again, I turned out just fine as I am today...

edited 31st Aug '11 3:35:34 PM by Folt

Rare was a big part of my childhood(never played Conker, but was a huge fan of Banjo-Kazooie and Goldeneye and enjoyed DK 64 and diddy kong racing). The other big part was Black Isle(Fallout 2, Icewind Dale, and even though they only published it, Baldurs gate).

so when Microsoft got Rare in 02 and then Black Isle went under in 03...those were not good times.

edited 31st Aug '11 3:45:02 PM by Blissey1

I believe this to be THE CRAZIEST AWESOMEST CRAZY AWESOME SHIT KNOWN TO MAN!

edited 31st Aug '11 3:48:25 PM by Folt

Did the talent from Rare go to any other studio specifically, or did they just scatter to the winds?

I think most of the old guys are gone. And the Goldeneye team went and formed another company didn't they?

EDIT: The Other Wiki states that Chris Seavor, Steve Malpass, and Grant Kirkhope have resigned from Rare. Robin Beanland might still be at Rare though.

edited 31st Aug '11 4:02:42 PM by Folt

You mean the Time Splitters team? However, they disbanded too after a certain game called Haze.

Anyway, I had good times with Banjo Kazooie and Donkey Kong 64 back in the day (no, I didn't own a SNES). Starfox Adventures was a bit of a dissapointment. and not even because of the genre change from the previous games (it was my first Star Fox game, so that was neither here nor there for me) Too linear and the combat was too simplistic (find an opening, rapidly tap a, rinse, repeat).

I have never owned an Xbox-line console and I probably never will if I have my way, so comment on their post-Nintendo work, but I do believe that Retro Studios have filled their boots rather nicely as Nintendo's top western first/second-party developer with the Metroid Prime series and Donkey Kong Country Returns.

edited 31st Aug '11 4:05:10 PM by flygon250

Hmm, yes, Retro Studios might become the next Rare. Hopefully, they won't fall as bad as Rare did. Reminds me of an interview with David Wise where he commented on their remixes. If I remember correctly, he said they did a good job with the music.

Found a video to tribute all Banjo Tooie gamers. Behold, the most DIABOLICAL RACES KNOWN TO MAN! BEATEN!

I can't believe I actually beat Canary Mary in both races. I wasn't able to do the rubberband AI trick so I had to beat her the hard way. That was not fun. =(

Ftr, Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest is my favorite video game ever. Yes, ever, and needless to say, Rare's best game in my opinion.

Banjo Tooie comes in at a close second, though.

When people cry Fallen Creator, I have to say that Viva Pinata (the games) doesn't get nearly the love and respect it deserves. Seriously, they're some damn fun and addicting sim-titles.

Same feelings here, Freezair. I loved those games, I wish a third one would come out soon...

I looooooooooooove VP. I even got a Hoghurt based on a mascot of Hog's Breath Cafe, Hogster.

No love for Perfect Dark? It still holds up pretty well today if you can get past the framerate. And though I call Fanon Discontinuity on its plot, PD Zero is still a worthwhile (if inferior) game in its own right.

@Firebert: A fourth, you mean. There are three: The original, Trouble in Paradise, and the DS game, Pocket Paradise. Though Pocket Paradise is often overlooked. I love it too, though, despite the fact that it lacks the customization options for Pinatas of the 360 games, though not having to do those "Romancing mini-games" is a huge plus.

Yeah, I knew about that one, and the party game spin-off, but I meant main addition. Pocket Paradise was fun, but not as much fun as Trouble in Paradise.

Perfect Dark was awesome, and it improved on Goldeneye in pretty much every way! (just my opinion, guys)

I do have played some of the games you people mentioned, but I honestly don't myself care much for Rare o-o

While I haven't played Viva Pinata, I do think I would look at it as a rare jewel from a once great company that captures what they once were.

Some are quite fond of Kaneo Elements Of Power, too.

T.T. is the L.O.G.'s son.

Think about it. He does have the power to be in two places at once...