History Creator / Rare

Now renamed Rareware, the company released ''[[VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry1 Donkey Kong Country]]'' in 1994 to great financial and critical-acclaim, becoming the best-selling game for the system behind only ''VideoGame/SuperMarioWorld''. Additional entries in the ''Donkey Kong Country'' series were created throughout the SNES's lifespan, with the ape enjoying newfound popularity and the studio some high levels of attention. The company would hit their stride come the UsefulNotes/Nintendo64, where they became known for tackling whatever genre they wanted... and subsequently making one of the best entries in it. The FirstPersonShooter? ''VideoGame/{{GoldenEye|1997}}'' was the first game to make the genre work on console, as well as ''VideoGame/PerfectDark'', years before ''Franchise/{{Halo}}''. The MascotRacer? ''VideoGame/DiddyKongRacing'' brought story modes, missions, and multiple vehicle types to the table. The FightingGame? Say hello to ''VideoGame/KillerInstinct'' with its unique rock-paper-scissors combo system. And the PlatformGame? There is no shortage of people who argue ''VideoGame/BanjoKazooie'' or ''VideoGame/ConkersBadFurDay'' to be superior to ''VideoGame/SuperMario64'' (even if the collect-a-thon would drive many players crazy). If the SNES days proved Rareware to be a great developer, then the games this Nintendo second-party developer made for the N64 only cemented that fact.

Now renamed Rareware, the company released ''[[VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry1 Donkey Kong Country]]'' in 1994 to great financial and critical-acclaim, becoming the best-selling game for the system behind only ''VideoGame/SuperMarioWorld''. Additional entries in the ''Donkey Kong Country'' series were created throughout the SNES's lifespan, with the ape enjoying newfound popularity and the studio some high levels of attention. The company would hit their stride come the UsefulNotes/Nintendo64, where they became known for tackling whatever genre they wanted... and subsequently making one of the best entries in it. The FirstPersonShooter? ''VideoGame/{{GoldenEye|1997}}'' was the first game to make the genre work on console, years before ''Franchise/{{Halo}}''. The MascotRacer? ''VideoGame/DiddyKongRacing'' brought story modes, missions, and multiple vehicle types to the table. The FightingGame? Say hello to ''VideoGame/KillerInstinct'' with its unique rock-paper-scissors combo system. And the PlatformGame? There is no shortage of people who argue ''VideoGame/BanjoKazooie'' to be superior to ''VideoGame/SuperMario64'' (even if the collect-a-thon would drive many players crazy). If the SNES days proved Rareware to be a great developer, then the games this Nintendo second-party developer made for the N64 only cemented that fact.

Rare Ltd. (formerly Rareware) is a [[UsefulNotes/TheMidlands Twycross]]-based (though they started in Ashby-de-la-Zouch) [[VideoGames video game]] development company founded by Chris and Tim Stamper in [[TheEighties 1982]]. They're famous for their pioneering of sophisticated technology to make video games, the sheer amount of [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar crap they get past the radar,]] [[UrbanLegendOfZelda the idiosyncratic little mysteries they weave into their games that leave gamers pondering for decades,]] and their media-shy nature.

%%* GettingCrapPastTheRadar: ''VideoGame/BanjoTooie''. The tradition is carried on into ''Nuts 'N Bolts'' as well.

* ''VideoGame/SnakeRattleAndRoll''

[[folder:Ultimate Play the Game (1982 - 1987)]]

[[folder:Rareware, under Nintendo partnership (1994 - 2003)]]

[[folder:Rare, under Microsoft ownership (2003 to present)]]

[[folder:Rareware | under Nintendo partnership (1994 - 2003)]]

[[folder:Rare | under Microsoft ownership (2003 to present)]]

!!Games developed/published by Ashby Computers and Graphics/Ultimate Play the Game:

!!Games developed/published by Rare (1985-2003):

* ''VideoGame/BanjoKazooie''
** ''VideoGame/BanjoTooie''
** ''VideoGame/BanjoKazooieGruntysRevenge''

* ''VideoGame/BlastCorps''

* ''Conker's Pocket Tales''
** ''VideoGame/ConkersBadFurDay''

* ''VideoGame/DinosaurPlanet'' [[labelnote:note]] Originally an I.P for the Nintendo 64, but later shifted into ''[=StarFox=] Adventures'' with the partially completed gameplay development halted.[[/labelnote]]
* ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry''
** ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry1''
** ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry2DiddysKongQuest''
** ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry3DixieKongsDoubleTrouble''
** ''Donkey Kong Land''
** ''Donkey Kong Land 2''
** ''Donkey Kong Land III''
** ''VideoGame/DiddyKongRacing''
** ''VideoGame/DonkeyKong64''
** ''Donkey Kong GB: Dinky Kong & Dixie Kong''

* ''VideoGame/{{GoldenEye|1997}}'' (N64 LicensedGame)

* ''VideoGame/JetForceGemini''

* ''Ken Griffey, Jr.'s Winning Run''
* ''VideoGame/KillerInstinct''
** ''Killer Instinct''
** ''Killer Instinct 2''
** ''Killer Instinct Gold''

* ''Mickey's Racing Adventure'' (GBC LicensedGame)
** ''VideoGame/MickeysSpeedwayUSA'' (N64[=/=]GBC LicensedGame)

* ''VideoGame/PerfectDark''

* ''VideoGame/StarFoxAdventures''

!!Games developed by Rare, a subsidiary of Microsoft:

Early during the UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube's life, however, a big change was on the horizon. While in the midst of producing ''VideoGame/StarFoxAdventures'', Rareware began looking for potential companies to fully buy out the studio, to help offset the rising costs of game development. With Nintendo surprisingly refusing to acquire the studio, the Stamper brothers found themselves being bought by [[Creator/XboxGameStudios Microsoft]], who had recently entered the console video game market and had been courting the developer for some time. The deal closed in late 2002 after Creator/{{Activision}} failed to make a better offer, and Rareware (now named "Rare" once more) was now a first-party developer for the UsefulNotes/{{Xbox}}. Rare retained ownership over their own characters and properties in the change, while Microsoft granted Rare permission to continue producing games for Nintendo handhelds if they so wished. For their part, Nintendo ''did'' actually end up acquiring a Western game developer that same year after all. It would just turn out to be [[Creator/RetroStudios one more American than British]].

By this point, several key employees had left Rare to form the indie company Playtonic Games and make [[SpiritualSuccessor the kind of games Rare used to be famous for in the N64 era]]. Their first game, ''VideoGame/YookaLaylee'', would release in 2017 to mixed-to-positive reviews. In addition, while Rare properties would be utilized at this time, it would be other companies playing with the characters, such as Double Helix Games with ''Killer Instinct''. However, just as fans were beginning to finally lose hope in the developer, Rare released ''VideoGame/SeaOfThieves''. While not as beloved as older Rare games, receiving mixed reception, many still view it as a return to the previous creative energy and experimentation that Rare was known for.

Early during the UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube's life, however, a big change was on the horizon. While in the midst of producing ''VideoGame/StarFoxAdventures'', Rareware began looking for potential companies to fully buy out the studio, to help offset the rising costs of game development. With Nintendo surprisingly refusing to acquire the studio, the Stamper brothers found themselves being bought by [[Creator/XboxGameStudios Microsoft]], who had recently entered the video game market and had been courting the developer for some time. The deal closed in late 2002 after Creator/{{Activision}} failed to make a better offer, and Rareware (now named "Rare" once more) was now a first-party developer for the UsefulNotes/{{Xbox}}. Rare retained ownership over their own characters and properties in the change, while Microsoft granted Rare permission to continue producing games for Nintendo handhelds if they so wished. For their part, Nintendo ''did'' actually end up acquiring a Western game developer that same year after all. It would just turn out to be [[Creator/RetroStudios one more American than British]].

* CompilationRerelease: ''Rare Replay'' for the Xbox One was a release of thirty titles they were well known for. For Liscensing reasonings, this naturally excluded their [[VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry Donkey]] [[VideoGame/DiddyKongRacing Kong]] [[VideoGame/DonkeyKong64 games]] or Goldeneye.

Now renamed Rareware, the company released ''[[VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry1 Donkey Kong Country]]'' in 1994 to great financial and critical-acclaim, becoming the best-selling game for the system behind only ''VideoGame/SuperMarioWorld''. Additional entries in the ''Donkey Kong Country'' series were created throughout the SNES's lifespan, with the ape enjoying newfound popularity and the studio some high levels of attention. The company would hit their stride come the UsefulNotes/Nintendo64, where they became known for tackling whatever genre they wanted... and subsequently making one of the best entries in it. The FirstPersonShooter? ''VideoGame/{{GoldenEye|1997}}'' was the first game to make the genre work on console, years before ''Franchise/{{Halo}}''. The MascotRacer? ''VideoGame/DiddyKongRacing'' brought story modes, missions, and multiple vehicle types to the table. The FightingGame? Say hello to ''VideoGame/KillerInstinct'' with its unique rock-paper-scissors combo system. And the PlatformGame? There is no shortage of people who argue ''VideoGame/BanjoKazooie'' to be superior to ''VideoGame/SuperMario64''. If the SNES days proved Rareware to be a great developer, then the games this Nintendo second-party developer made for the N64 only cemented that fact.

Rare Ltd. (formerly Rareware) is a Twycross-based (though they started in Ashby-de-la-Zouch) [[VideoGames video game]] development company founded by Chris and Tim Stamper in [[TheEighties 1982]]. They're famous for their pioneering of sophisticated technology to make video games, the sheer amount of [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar crap they get past the radar,]] [[UrbanLegendOfZelda the idiosyncratic little mysteries they weave into their games that leave gamers pondering for decades,]] and their media-shy nature.

By this point, several key employees had left Rare to form the indie company Playtonic Games and make [[SpiritualSuccessor the kind of games Rare used to be famous for in the N64 era]]. Their first game, ''VideoGame/YookaLaylee'', would release in 2017 to mixed-to-positive reviews. In addition, while Rare properties would be utilized, it would be other companies playing with the characters, such as Double Helix Games with ''Killer Instinct''. However, just as fans were beginning to finally lose hope in the developer, Rare released ''VideoGame/SeaOfThieves''. While not as beloved as older Rare games, receiving mixed reception, many still view it as a return to the previous creative energy and experimentation that Rare was known for.

While the company attained most of their early fame (as "Ultimate Play the Game") through their games on the UsefulNotes/ZXSpectrum, they are best known for their work with Creator/{{Nintendo}}. In 1985, the Stamper brothers figured out how to reverse-engineer an interesting new video game console from Japan known as the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem Famicom]]. Nintendo was so impressed that they gave them ''an unlimited budget'' to produce titles for the system, which they proceeded to do to the tune of around sixty games under the new name "Rare" (having sold the "Ultimate" brand). While this period brought about games like ''VideoGame/{{Battletoads}}'', it would be the UsefulNotes/{{SNES}}-era where they'd find the start of their biggest wind of fame and success. Rare poured much of the money earned during the NES years into Silicon Graphics workstations, making them one of the most technologically advanced developers on the planet. Their subsequent experiments with the new technology once again managed to impress Nintendo, with the Japanese company now buying a 25% stake in the company (which would eventually grow to 49%) and giving Rare the option to work with one of their characters. They chose Donkey Kong, a once popular character that had fallen by the wayside in the face of ''Franchise/SuperMario'''s popularity, believing that they could revitalize the character and make him relevant once more.

* ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry1''

* ''VideoGame/EverWild''

* GottaCatchThemAll: The trend started in the ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry'' series, where progressively more and more items were needed to attain OneHundredPercentCompletion. Later, ''VideoGame/BanjoKazooie'', while a great game, had a rather large number of collectibles. Finally, ''VideoGame/DonkeyKong64'' took things UpToEleven and killed the genre in the process.

%%* NoFourthWall: ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry'', ''VideoGame/DonkeyKong64'', ''VideoGame/BanjoKazooie'', ''VideoGame/BanjoTooie'', ''Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts'' and ''Conker's Bad Fur Day''
%%* SelfDeprecation
%%SubvertedKidsShow: Blatantly in ''VideoGame/ConkersBadFurDay'', more subtly in ''VideoGame/BanjoTooie''.
%%* UrbanLegendOfZelda: ''VideoGame/PerfectDark'', ''VideoGame/BanjoKazooie''.
%%* VariableMix: The ''VideoGame/BanjoKazooie'' series in particular popularized it
%%* VideoGameCrueltyPotential: ''VideoGame/ConkersBadFurDay'' and ''VideoGame/JetForceGemini''

* ''The Amazing Franchise/SpiderMan'' (GameBoy LicensedGame)

* ''Film/{{Beetlejuice}}'' (NES[=/=]GameBoy LicensedGame)

* AuthorAppeal: FunnyAnimal, DemBones, CoolCars, BalefulPolymorph, and SphereEyes. Female characters are also prone to HartmanHips, {{Animesque}}, and YouGottaHaveBlueHair.

* ''Conker: Live and Reloaded''

* GottaCatchThemAll: The trend started in the ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry'' series, where progressively more and more items were needed to attain OneHundredPercentCompletion. Later, ''VideoGame/BanjoKazooie'', while a great game, had a rather large number of collectibles. Finally, ''VideoGame/DonkeyKong64'' took things UpToEleven.

Under Microsoft, Rare would make games that received mixed critical reception, all of which being financial disappointments. Fans would come to feel that the UK-based developer had lost some of the magic it had when under Nintendo, and this sentiment would only become stronger over time, with the departure of Chris and Tim Stamper in 2007 not helping. Following the fan backlash towards and commercial failure of ''VideoGame/BanjoKazooieNutsAndBolts'', Rare would find themselves tasked with making sports games solely for the UsefulNotes/Xbox360's Kinect peripheral. ''Kinect Sports'' would receive positive reviews for managing to differeniate itself from Nintendo's ''VideoGame/WiiSports'' series, and ended up being the most successful game produced by the developer in years, leading to a similiarly successful sequel, but a failed third entry on the UsefulNotes/XboxOne.

Under Microsoft, Rare would continue to make well-received games, but they would all end up being financial disappointments. Fans would come to feel that the UK-based developer had lost some of the magic it had when under Nintendo, and this sentiment would only become stronger over time, with the departure of Chris and Tim Stamper in 2007 not helping. Following the fan backlash towards and commercial failure of ''VideoGame/BanjoKazooieNutsAndBolts'', Rare would find themselves tasked with making sports games solely for the UsefulNotes/Xbox360's Kinect peripheral. ''Kinect Sports'' would receive middling reviews, but ended up being the most successful games produced by the developer in years, leading to an equally successful sequel, but a failed third entry on the UsefulNotes/XboxOne.

Early during the UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube's life, however, a big change was on the horizon. While in the midst of producing ''VideoGame/StarFoxAdventures'', Rareware began looking for potential companies to fully buy out the studio, to help offset the rising costs of game development. With Nintendo surprisingly refusing to acquire the studio, the Stamper brothers found themselves being brought by [[Creator/XboxGameStudios Microsoft]], who had recently entered the video game market and had been courting the developer for some time. The deal closed in late 2002 after Creator/{{Activision}} failed to make a better offer, and Rareware (now named "Rare" once more) was now a first-party developer for the UsefulNotes/{{Xbox}}. Rare retained ownership over their own characters and properties in the change, while Microsoft granted Rare permission to continue producing games for Nintendo handhelds if they so wished. For their part, Nintendo ''did'' actually end up acquiring a Western game developer that same year after all. It would just turn out to be [[Creator/RetroStudios one more American than British]].

Early during the UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube's life, however, a big change was on the horizon. While in the midst of producing ''VideoGame/StarFoxAdventures'', Rareware began looking for potential companies to fully buy out the studio, to help offset the rising costs of game development. With Nintendo surprisingly refusing to acquire the studio, the Stamper brothers found themselves being brought by [[Creator/XboxGameStudios Microsoft]], who had recently entered the video game market and had been courting the developer for some time. The deal closed in late 2002 after Creator/{{Activision}} failed to make a better offer, and Rareware (now named "Rare" once more) was now a first-party developer for the UsefulNotes/{{Xbox}}. Rare would retain ownership over non-''Donkey Kong'' characters and properties such as ''VideoGame/PerfectDark'' and ''VideoGame/ConkersBadFurDay'', while Microsoft granted Rare permission to continue producing games for Nintendo handhelds if they so wished.