pixelation
Member
I don't think i've ever heard of someone being nostalgic over Grabbed by the Ghoulies... any fans out there?
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It Has Now Been 15 Years Since Microsoft Purchased Rare
- Thread starter daTRUballin
- Start date
Lmao I'm not even editing that
daTRUballin
Member
Maybe at the time Rare seemed slow, but in retrospect, they released a game (and sometimes even two games) like every 6 months! There's no way in hell you can seriously tell me that's slow in this day and age. Over the 5 year lifespan of the N64, they released 11 games. And now compare that to their post-buyout output. They only managed to release 11 games over the span of 15 years.
11 games over 5 years compared to 11 games over 15 years. Insane.
Dr_LucienSanchez
Banned
Kameo was cool and should have gotten a sequel. The viva piñata games were also dope.
Other than those, kind of mediocre all around.
Other than those, kind of mediocre all around.
Yu Furealdo
Member
That Kinect period is depressing as hell. Looks like things are getting better for them, though.
It's not a bad back catalogue.
The odd decisions along the way stand out, like starting off with Grabbed by the Ghoulies, or having two launch games with the 360, or making Banjo but not a platforming collect-a-thon Banjo..
But what really stands out is just how few games they've released since 2008, especially since most of them have been Kinect Sports games..
I'd hoped they would become more prolific again over the past few years but it just hasn't happened.
The odd decisions along the way stand out, like starting off with Grabbed by the Ghoulies, or having two launch games with the 360, or making Banjo but not a platforming collect-a-thon Banjo..
But what really stands out is just how few games they've released since 2008, especially since most of them have been Kinect Sports games..
I'd hoped they would become more prolific again over the past few years but it just hasn't happened.
That's more about how big and complex games have become, not about Rare's output speed.
TheDinoman
Member
I just wished Nintendo could of retained some of Rare's legacy IPs.
To me, transferring series like Banjo-Kazooie to the Xbox ecosystem was always like taking a fish from fresh water and throwing it into the ocean. Xbox has always been about that Halo dudebro audience so something like Banjo was always going to kinda struggle outside of the Nintendo crowd. See how Sonic The Hedgehog is most popular on Nintendo hardware these days.
At the very least, they should of tried to keep Perfect Dark around. Unfortunately, I could kind of see why they might of not cared about BK that much, they already have Mario, DK, etc as their family friendly platformer mascots, but Nintendo has no realistic shooter in their lineup so something like PD could of really stood out in their catalogue, wheras that kind of game is a dime a dozen in Xbox's library, so ergo Microsoft most likely sees no use for it.
After seeing their work on Donkey Kong Country and how they modernized that series, I think it's just a shame that Retro will never be able to work with some of Rare's other old IPs like that...
To me, transferring series like Banjo-Kazooie to the Xbox ecosystem was always like taking a fish from fresh water and throwing it into the ocean. Xbox has always been about that Halo dudebro audience so something like Banjo was always going to kinda struggle outside of the Nintendo crowd. See how Sonic The Hedgehog is most popular on Nintendo hardware these days.
At the very least, they should of tried to keep Perfect Dark around. Unfortunately, I could kind of see why they might of not cared about BK that much, they already have Mario, DK, etc as their family friendly platformer mascots, but Nintendo has no realistic shooter in their lineup so something like PD could of really stood out in their catalogue, wheras that kind of game is a dime a dozen in Xbox's library, so ergo Microsoft most likely sees no use for it.
After seeing their work on Donkey Kong Country and how they modernized that series, I think it's just a shame that Retro will never be able to work with some of Rare's other old IPs like that...
daTRUballin
Member
I get that, but I don't think I buy the idea that Nintendo sold Rare because of their slow speed. Just look at how many games they released on Nintendo systems over such a short span of time. Their games were delayed a lot, but they certainly weren't slow by any means. They released at least one game every year. And now they release one game every 3-4 years.
N21
Member
I find it funny how people act like Rare is dead considering 15 years after being brought by MS, their still active. Yes, their not at optimal performance but that could change anytime.
We could also say that about Psygnosis (Studio Liverpool), a company that didn't even get to release it's own Wipeout Collection (The game and IP their created), why you may ask? Because they have been defunct since 22 August 2012.
We could also say that about Psygnosis (Studio Liverpool), a company that didn't even get to release it's own Wipeout Collection (The game and IP their created), why you may ask? Because they have been defunct since 22 August 2012.
foxuzamaki
Doesn't read OPs, especially not his own
Starfox adventures means that im getting old, still one of my beloeved games and idc what anyone says
Mr. Enigma
Member
That's adorable how you really REALLY wanted to be the one who made the thread so you admittedly put it up one day early.
daTRUballin
Member
Well, there are legit reasons as to why I couldn't do it tomorrow. I would've done it tomorrow if I could've.
But yes, I did want to be the one as well. 
Outrun
Member
They shutdown Rare?
I agree PD Zero was solid. The Kinect stuff never appealed to me. SoT is lovely and a nice return to form.
N21
Member
Does anyone remember Playtonic's promise of bring back a rare-vivial"?
Here it is:
The game was decent, but I've seen and heard little children saying they had a better time with Nuts and Bolts.
I'm not saying these 15 years have been good, but I'm happy that their still alive in a form that can be altered for the better. We won't be getting that chance with Imagepooch, Studio Liverpool and many others.
Here it is:
The game was decent, but I've seen and heard little children saying they had a better time with Nuts and Bolts.
I'm not saying these 15 years have been good, but I'm happy that their still alive in a form that can be altered for the better. We won't be getting that chance with Imagepooch, Studio Liverpool and many others.
Revolutionary
Member
Sea of Thieves is probably Rare's last chance before they get the axe like Lionhead.
Drillary Clinton
Banned
Nuts & Bolts is a great game
PsihoPerihelion
Member
My nephew talks about Viva Piñata like mofos on GAF talk about The Witcher 3, so I'm forever grateful for that game's existence.
Gurgelhals
Member
Did we ever get to know the real reason why Nintendo didn't want to buy them?
IIRC, it was originally the Stamper Brothers who just wanted to sell their 51% share in the company and they naturally offered it to Nintendo first, but Nintendo wasn't interested. So they went shopping around (afaik, Activision was a potential buyer for a time), eventually ended up with Microsoft and Nintendo basically went "Alright, fine, *shrug*" and sold its 49% share to Microsoft.
It just seems odd how Nintendo just seemed to lose interest in its partnership with Rare overnight. Yes, Starfox Adventures had a problematic development cycle and turned out to be a major disappointment and Rare's other Gamecube projects appeared to be stuck in some kind of development hell as well, but that can't have been a sufficient reason.
IIRC, it was originally the Stamper Brothers who just wanted to sell their 51% share in the company and they naturally offered it to Nintendo first, but Nintendo wasn't interested. So they went shopping around (afaik, Activision was a potential buyer for a time), eventually ended up with Microsoft and Nintendo basically went "Alright, fine, *shrug*" and sold its 49% share to Microsoft.
It just seems odd how Nintendo just seemed to lose interest in its partnership with Rare overnight. Yes, Starfox Adventures had a problematic development cycle and turned out to be a major disappointment and Rare's other Gamecube projects appeared to be stuck in some kind of development hell as well, but that can't have been a sufficient reason.
It's too bad that Banjo had the not-Threeie stigma attached to it, because it's a game I genuinely love, but at the same time I understand that it couldn't step out from under the shadow of what folks wanted it to be.
It's not necessarily for the same audience, even, so even if you got over the perceived loss of a Threeie, its appeal may not have been a consolation.
But I really wish it was more popular and got some sequels of its own. It has some flaws that you could easily correct on another go-round, most noticeably the pretty clunky physics making it into an atrocious racing game, for one thing. Which would be fine if it didn't have plenty of challenges and online modes that would've only benefited from less rigid handling.
As it is, it's one of those elusive games that manages the super difficult feat of combining creativity and freedom with purpose and tangible goals in a successful way. Outside of Minecraft, that kinda doesn't happen. I'd venture so far as to say that it's what keeps a lot of proper games from centering on a creative element.
I thing Viva Pinata is super charming, too. It may be overly hostile in some ways, but that was sort of always a presence in Rare's games. They were always kinda treacherous in a way, and a friend once described Banjo Kazooie's levels as them "not wanting him to be there". And I can totally see what he means by that, even though I enjoy those games, too. Viva Pinata has a lot of design choices that feel weirdly punishing, but that's sort of what makes it into what it is. A sorta sentimental game, in a way.
Anyway, people seem to think the buyout was a complete bust, but I don't feel the same way. Rare has continued to experiment and never tread water, and it's lead to hits and misses. I have definite nostalgia for both Kameo and PDZ, warts and all, and I think the two (three) games mentioned above are genuinely good. I hope their culture can be preserved even though they're not really the same company any more, and that they remain a contributor of games with heart and sincere ambition in the future, too.
It's not necessarily for the same audience, even, so even if you got over the perceived loss of a Threeie, its appeal may not have been a consolation.
But I really wish it was more popular and got some sequels of its own. It has some flaws that you could easily correct on another go-round, most noticeably the pretty clunky physics making it into an atrocious racing game, for one thing. Which would be fine if it didn't have plenty of challenges and online modes that would've only benefited from less rigid handling.
As it is, it's one of those elusive games that manages the super difficult feat of combining creativity and freedom with purpose and tangible goals in a successful way. Outside of Minecraft, that kinda doesn't happen. I'd venture so far as to say that it's what keeps a lot of proper games from centering on a creative element.
I thing Viva Pinata is super charming, too. It may be overly hostile in some ways, but that was sort of always a presence in Rare's games. They were always kinda treacherous in a way, and a friend once described Banjo Kazooie's levels as them "not wanting him to be there". And I can totally see what he means by that, even though I enjoy those games, too. Viva Pinata has a lot of design choices that feel weirdly punishing, but that's sort of what makes it into what it is. A sorta sentimental game, in a way.
Anyway, people seem to think the buyout was a complete bust, but I don't feel the same way. Rare has continued to experiment and never tread water, and it's lead to hits and misses. I have definite nostalgia for both Kameo and PDZ, warts and all, and I think the two (three) games mentioned above are genuinely good. I hope their culture can be preserved even though they're not really the same company any more, and that they remain a contributor of games with heart and sincere ambition in the future, too.
TheDinoman
Member
In general, Nintendo doesn't to like buy out companies like that. They prefer just to have partnerships, like how they did with Rare back in the 90s, or Next Level Games today.
Nocturnowl
Member
Indeed, both games lovemaking scenes are of prime discussion.
momshotdad
Member
Started super strong and thinned out quick during the Kinect years but they seem to be making interesting stuff again. Hats off to Phil for letting them make Sea of Thieves that game looks insane. Was it worth $300m? I don't think so. But they have made some good games along the way.
Monkeyball
Banned
It feels Rare died longer ago even.
Zeuanimals
Member
I don't like the direction they're going with Sea of Thieves either, but atleast people are really taking to it and it has potential for people who are into those kinds of games. But yes, overall a pretty disastrous output.
daTRUballin
Member
Do we have any actual proof Rare's other GameCube projects were having issues? Everybody always says this, but is this actually true? And how exactly?
Monkeyball
Banned
Sea of thieves looks dull and they have been working on it for like 10 years now? Noone cares sorry!
Renna Hazel
Member
They've been working on it for 10 years? I doubt it was in full development for anywhere near that amount of time. It does look boring though, but at least it's not a Kinect game.
Goalus
Member
Exactly.
Kameo feels like a fairytale, in parts it's beyond beautiful.
A successor needs to be made ASAP
You Pay This Much
Member
Ehhh. It was okay.
Dark Ninja
Member
Nintendo laughing they sold them a shell
SirClinksAlot
Member
Viva Pinata 1/2 and Nuts and Bolts are all better than anything they put out for Nintendo systems. Yes better than DKC.
At least Rare Replay was great.
MegaManTrigger
Banned
Seriously people say with the buyout Rare died but this list proves otherwise, there are many really good games:
Conker, Perfect Dark, Kameo, Banjo (yes I like N&B it is just different), Viva Pinata were all good games..
Kinect was just the worst thing MS ever thought would take off
Conker, Perfect Dark, Kameo, Banjo (yes I like N&B it is just different), Viva Pinata were all good games..
Kinect was just the worst thing MS ever thought would take off
TheDinoman
Member
I never understood these comments. Most of the key people behind a lot of Rare's old games, such as Chris Sutherland, Gregg Mayles, Steve Mayles, David Wise, Grant Kirkhope, the Stamper Bros., Chris Seavor, etc were all still there when Rare got bought out. Hell, to this day, Gregg Mayles (who's the true mastermind behind Banjo-Kazooie, DKC1&2 and Viva Pinata) is still at Rare, being the lead designer for Sea of Thieves.
The only "major" loss at Rare at that point was the Goldeneye/Perfect Dark team. But most of the teams that worked on their other series like Banjo and such were still there.
daTRUballin
Member
Well said. It's really just a myth that still won't die for some reason.
Shotgun Kiss
Member
The Viva Pinata games are the only ones that live up to the standard of Rare's golden days.
Grabbed by the Ghoulies and Nuts & Bolts are great games, but not on par with their older stuff. I haven't played Kameo, but I hear the same applies.
I'm really not that fussed about Sea of Thieves. Mainly because I stopped caring about Rare long ago. Pretty much all of their talent responsible for their classics are long gone. Sea of Thieves may as well be developed by a completely new and unknown studio.
For me, Rare Replay may as well be their swansong.
Grabbed by the Ghoulies and Nuts & Bolts are great games, but not on par with their older stuff. I haven't played Kameo, but I hear the same applies.
I'm really not that fussed about Sea of Thieves. Mainly because I stopped caring about Rare long ago. Pretty much all of their talent responsible for their classics are long gone. Sea of Thieves may as well be developed by a completely new and unknown studio.
For me, Rare Replay may as well be their swansong.