It has been a good two year's since the GCN hit the fine shores of Australia. I would confidently say that the GCN is in its second half of life now. I looked unto my games collection and tend to think that there is a gap (read: lack of games) that would be filled by Rare games ala the N64. Whilst Retro have certainly been a brilliant pickup, I do tend to miss Rare game's and whilst the quality of Rare has been mixed to late, I'm sure under Nintendo's helm, they would continue to produce excellence in titles.

I am in no way saying that the current and future GCN line-up is not good, far from it, but I just pose the question - do you miss Rare and thier games?

Discuss B)

Personally, no. Most due to the fact that I was starting to not like Rare's games. They had great N64 software, but for some reason once those were done and they moved on to GCN, their games just didn't appeal to me. (and this was pre MS buyout)
The only game I'm some-what interested in is Conker on Xbox, but otherwise I can live without them.

Nup not really, I don't miss them much at all, as my attentions have been turned elsewhere a lot lately.
Their last good game (forgetting Conker, which is also good) was Perfect Dark. Quite possibly also their best game too.
I just don't miss them at all, and while they were my favourite developer when I was younger, things change, and they aren't now, due to lack of great games, or lack of games...

Why would you miss any other developer when Ninty's still doing the rounds?
Rare can't compete with Nintendo/Capcom, and so I don't really care that they're gone. Sure it'd be nice that they were still around, but it seems like a big fat waste of money, to me. Their turn-over rate is crap.

After the travesty that is StarFox Adventure, no - I'm glad Rareware hasn't done anything else for GameCube.

That said - Rareware's presence on the N64 made it's software library one of the best in gaming history. The N64 ran the risk of having a pile mediocre titles backed by nothing more than a few Nintendo releases. Rareware helped remedy that situation.

You stole the words right out of my mouth.

I most definately miss Perfect Dark: Zero. That was one of my most anticipated titles when I first got my hands on a 'Cube.

That being said, however, their loss hasn't been that Earth shattering. They have produced nothing of note on the Xbox, and as others have pointed out, their GCN offerings suggested that something had gone awry along the line. The 'Cube is still my preferred console, with or wothour PD, so I guess thats saying something.

:D

I definitely miss Rare. Just the style, effect, flair, and polish that Rare put into each of their games is something I well and truely miss for the GCN.

The reason why they haven't release a lot of games on the Xbox yet is because of the transition between switching console platforms. They were quite a way through the development cycle with Kameo for the GCN but had to completely remake the game to take advance of the graphical and audio capabilities of the Xbox.

Personally I believe they are a much better company like Capcom considering the difference in size of each company. Microsoft clearly bought them for a longterm investment so while silly people ride them off now once again they will be eating their words when Rare produce some genuine masterpieces. I don't like continuely turning to the past but it has to be stated that Rare saved Nintendo from an immediate demise with the N64. If it wasn't for Rare I honesty believe Nintendo wouldn't have had the slightest success with the GCN since the N64 would have flopped instantly.

Personally, I miss Rare, but not what they are in their current form. I miss them when they were in their golden days, the SNES and most of the N64 days. It's a shame they are gone now, but I support Nintendo selling them. Half of the original team left anyways...

I'm not saying Rare weren't or won't be a good company, but right now, this second in time, i'm not impressed.

But I will say no more on the matter. My thoughts have been outlayed in the handheld thread.

I miss Perfect Dark. :(

Unfortunately, Perfect Dark Zero will more than likely get consumed by the behemoth that is Halo 2.

I think the fundamental reason MS wanted Rare is to target the lucrative children's market - a shrewd buisness move yes, but I can't see it flourishing anytime soon. Next generation me thinks.

The best thing about having all three consoles is that the words: "console exclusive" mean nothing anymore. ;)

n64 games

goldeneye = good
blast corps = good
killer instict gold = good
diddy kong racing = crap
both banjo games = crap
perfect dark = yeah that was good, but not as good as GE
conker = good
DKC64 = heap of shit


yeah rare were pretty sucky with the odd good game every now and then

You didn't like Banjo??

It was just like Mario 64..

Sorry but...

All of those games are great (not including Killer Instinct which I have not played). I can't understand people not liking Donkey Kong 64 - I loved it.

I love DK64 as well although the controls responiveness never came near Mario 64 and well that kinda sucked but not oo bad.

*Cracks knuckles*

There were reason why SFA was not what it had been cracked up to be, most of them behind the scenes. Nintendo forced Rare to implement aspects of the Starfox franchise when they simply did not want to, and it no doubt took a hit on the quality. Plus, it was rushed to make way for the Microsoft acquisition. Rare lost approximately 4 months of game development on the game, because the production was rushed so the Microsoft buyout could be announced. SFA was not a brilliant game, but that said, it should not be a game which Rare's output is judged... simply because it contained a major amount of Nintendo input and was not the game Rare planned.

Exactly, Rare always took their time with Nintendo, and they are doing so on the Xbox. In reality, with the buyout Rare pretty much redesigned Kameo from the ground up. The GameCube version and most of its development was completely scrapped. Conker was not started until early January 2003, but as both games E3's showings attest, the amount of effort put into both titles will surely end up making the lengthy development time worth the wait.

I can almost confirm that Perfect Dark Zero will be an Xbox 2 launch title. Halo 2 will overshadow it for the next 15 months anyway, and it will have much the same effect that DK64 had on Jet Force Gemini... a much better game was overshadowed by a more well-known game. Look for PDZ on Xbox 2.

That's a massive misconception. 3 members of the PD team left to form Zoonami, and at the buyout, 15 employees left, which included a top programmer. There was never such thing as a mass walk-out, ever, and the only think close to it was Hollis and Doak leaving for Zoonami.

Goldeneye = Masterpiece.
Blast Corps = Cult hit, very unique game. Great stuff.
KIG: Great fighter.
Diddy Kong Racing = Mario Kart 64 +. Great stuff.
Banjo Kazooie: Masterpiece.
Banjo Tooie: Great game, not excellent.
Mickey Speedway USA: Crap.
Perfect Dark: Masterpiece
Conker's Bad Fur Day: Masterpiece.
DK64: Overrated, but still solid. I personally adored it. Put in 120 hours. :D
Jet Force Gemini: Masterpiece.

It was still a crap game and a tarnish to Rare, Nintendo and the Starfox name.

What happend to the ones that went to Free Radical? :wacko:


Do I miss Rare?
Nope, PDZ would have been nice, but I'm over it. :)

I don't miss Rare. I have an Xbox. :P

Seriously though, I'll see if I miss Rare on the Gamecube after the release of conker on Xbox. If it's crap, I've lost all faith in Rare.

Exactly. It was a tarnish on Nintendo's name just as much as it was for Rare... yet, you never once heard anyone lay blame on Nintendo, even thought the aspects of the game people hated were instigated by Miyamoto.

It's just pathetic. Everyone blamed Rare, forgetting about Nintendo's input.

That's because Rare made it...
I don't really see how Nintendo saying, "Put a fox in it, that'd be cool", contributes to the shit-ness.
Anyways, I didn't mind Starfox Adventures. I enjoyed the whole feel of the game, and it kept me entertained for a few weeks. Also, I played Starfox pretty much out to the end, whereas Wind Waker I packed her in a bit over half way through - telling...

Yeah, I defintly miss Rare. They were one of the best developers ever, even though their games seemed to be on a downward slope towards the end of their time with the GCN.

They're greatly missed in my opinion.

I dont miss Rare at all because I can just buy their games on my xbox. :|

I reckon that Rare had lost most of the programmers that made it unique.

I could be wrong, the new Conker could kick arse.

It was made at Manor Park, yes, but Nintendo's input was massive. Miyamoto made a trip to Twycross after E3 99 and asked Rare to replace the previous characters with Fox McCloud. From there, they had a large input with everything that went into the game... it was alot closer to 50/50 than anyone realises.

Rare have openly admitted that they never wanted to replace Dinosaur Planet (which was the name of the game before Nintendo had any say) but felt they were forced into it... not many people would knock back Miyamoto's wishes. Before Nintendo stepped in, Rare had designed a compelling game filled with a vast array of innovation, especially from the characters aspect. It was a completely different game in the end. Ironically, it's what made Rare search beyond Nintendo for a new bed mate.

Nintendo sold Rare.

Rare didn't leave Nintendo.

Nintendo sold Rare after recieving an offer from Microsoft, which was a consequence of Rare showing interest in relenquishing their 2nd part affiliation with Nintendo, due to the sales of CBFD. Nintendo only sold Rare when Rare expressed interest in developing for other platforms. Microsoft outbid Activision, and the rest is history.

I can assure you, I know more about this than anyone. Keep trying, though.

I dont think I'll take your offer up. ;)

Meh, not really. The only thing I really miss from them at the moment is Conker, but even that doesnt seem to be that special to me, it's barely much of an improvement over the other game, which of course was gold, but its almost completely the same thing. Pretty pointless i reckon, but still, it was a GREAT game.

They screwed up PD, so I no longer miss that either. Martin Hollis is gone anyway.

I'm still with the decision Nintendo made. They havent released a quality console title in quita a long time, so there's not much to miss.

Personally I felt Starfox Adventures was an enjoyable game, it wasn't innovative, and it was a Zelda clone, but it did what it did very well. And the visuals are still some of the best on the system to date.

That's the one thing I credit the game to; It has the best graphics on the System.

RE 1 & 0 don't count as they use pre-rendered backgrounds.

Love a good list. I disagree with a few there Moggo......

If you liked the N64. you will like this, seeing as its the same game remade with better graphics and xbox live play :P

As for missing rare, no, seeing as i have an xbox :)

Well, I'll have to take your word for that, but it still seems a tad dodgy -
Rare Exec 1 - "Man, this game really isn't that good, and we've been bagged to the shit by critics everywhere..."
Rare Exec 2 - *shrugs* "Blame it on Shiggy, then."
A little too convenient...
Gameplay is what makes a game, not the virtual world it's played out in.

:lol: Ha ha!! Yeah. He's a likely scapegoat.

Top work Rare :thumbsup:

I'll rate the Rare games I have owned/played.


Goldeneye = Best Console FPS. (Well last Generation's best)
Perfect Dark = More of an Evolution and Revolution.
Conkers BFD = Again, was rather a Evolution. (Although, Multiplayer was teh r0x)
Star Fox Adventures = Graphics over Gameplay. Mediocre adventure title.
Jet Force Gemini = Mediocre.

I haven't really liked any Rare titles other than their FPS's.

Bring on Perfect Dark Zero! :dance:

I'm going to comment on those choices aswell.....for fun..what the heck.

Goldeneye = Masterpiece. Definately Agree - Goldeneye proved that an FPS on a console can be fantastic, and also brought quite a few people into the N64 world. Multiplayer was a blast..but my mates could never match my prowess ;)

Blast Corps = Cult hit, very unique game. Great stuff. Agree - Blast Corps brought something different. New concept, freakin hard and just a great game all round.

Killer Instinct Gold: Great fighter.  Slightly Agree - For its time, Killer Instinct was phenomenal. Great graphics, thought out gameplay, unique characters..it just worked so well. If i play it again now though...I can be sure I won't be playing it long.

Diddy Kong Racing = Mario Kart 64 +. Great stuff. Definatel Agree Diddy Kong racing threw in different vehicles, a multitude of characters and frantic gameplay through the use of some pretty awesome shortcuts. Pity we wont see a sequel.

Banjo Kazooie: Masterpiece. Totally agree - Banjo Kazooie was excellent. Carrying on with Mario 64, BK was a fantastic platformer that reached new heights in terms of variety, graphics, and craploads of little collectables, and the whole character of the game was what really made it special.

Banjo Tooie: Great game, not excellent. Agree - BT was an excellent sequel..but hardly long enough. I finished it in a week and returned it. Good fun all the way, but felt somewhat lacklustre.

Mickey Speedway USA: Crap. Never played it

Perfect Dark: Masterpiece. Disagree. I'm going to have to agree with crappy on this one. It was a fantastic game, but didn't grab us by the "ghoulies" like Goldeneye did. By the time we came out, I think we were over it, so it didn't make much of an impact.

Conker's Bad Fur Day: Masterpiece. Never played it - Conker was a game I was waiting for for a long time, but by the time it came out, my N64 was well and truly packed up...same happened with Majoras Mask. But i'm definately looking forward to it on the box.

DK64: Overrated, but still solid. Agree - I thought DK64 was an excellent game, one of Rare's best. The levels were fun, the ability to be a variety of different monkeys, the character...I felt that it wasn't overrated at all...what they've now done to the DK franchise is a damn shame...stupid bongos.

Jet Force Gemini: Masterpiece.  Never played it - Like Conker, my N64 was packed up by the time this came out.

Actually, when i come to think of it...maybe I was a little harsh in already dismissing Rare about their current situation. I'm still not "satisfied" when it comes to what they've achieved on the box...but maybe time WILL actually tell..

I bet if Rare did't leave so early and got to finish SFA off properly, then t wouldnt have sucked as much, and if it was REALLY good, Rare would be all over it, not acting like they were forced to change it.

If Nintendo let Rare do their job, It would have turned out to be a fine game.

Dinosaur Planet > Star Fox Adventures

I'm gonna stick with what I know and thats Perfect Dark. For those of you saying its not a masterpiece, fine thats your opinion but have you asked yourself why you think it isn't?

I think Perfect Dark is a masterpiece but if other people think its not its possibly for these reasons:

Nintendo 64's limitations, simply put the game was ahead of the hardware. The graphics were so good the N64 couldn't keep up and the bots chugged the game too much.

Possibly after the release of Goldeneye people's expectations were raised so high that no game would be able to match the hype. You have to remember that rare created Goldeneye and therefore are only evolving their own brilliance.

To the Rare nay sayers, you have to kind of expect the response of no we don't miss Rare when you are in a fanboy forum. I am an xbox gamer through and through and even though I barely play games anymore, I still look forward with anticipation to the ground breaking games rare will release.

Microsoft didn't spend hundreds of millions of dollars on rare for them to be a flash in the pan developer releasing a couple of games then fading into mediocrity. Rare will be a huge force come the release of Xbox 2 and will hopefully restore all faith people have lost in them.

True, but I can't see how putting Fox in it made the fighting system so damned linear, and why they had to sideline Krstal for a majority of the game. <_<

I know that it isn't extremely hard to make another character model do an animation that was made for another character, espcially since Fox and Krystal are of the same body type.(Fox/Human)

Although I can see how the game was shortened though, I guess they had to scrap the bits with Krystal in it(except the bit at the start), and shove Fox in the Sabre parts.

But I can't see why they couldn't have just let Fox find a sword and made him replace Sabre, that way they could have kept Krsytal in it.



Screenshot Comparison time!! ^_^