Rare

Rare has had a long and fruitful history as a game developer. They were founded in 1983 by the Stamper brothers and have consistently produced high-quality titles since their inception. Rareware (as it was then called) quickly built a reputation for innovative games that were also visual masterpieces. They grew from a small developer to partners with Nintendo and finally became a first-party developer for Microsoft.

Rare - The First Decade (1983-1993)

Originally known as Ashby Computer Graphics and later Ultimate Play The Game, Rare immediately established a reputation for graphically impressive games, many for the Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum and the Nintendo Entertainment System. Their first ten years saw the release of nearly 100 games for various systems. Notable releases include Jetpac, Sabre Wulf, The Staff of Karnath, Entombed, Outlaws, Dragonskulle, Marble Madness, Wizards & Warriors, Snake Rattle 'n' Roll, Super Off Road, Narc and several Battletoads titles.

A Little Less Rare (1993-2005)

As they gained a reputation for innovation and pushing the visual envelope, Rare began to take on larger projects. Most notably was their exclusive partnership with Nintendo during the 1990's. Using 3D modeling software, Rare created the visually stunning Donkey Kong Country for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. More games utilizing this technique of 3D rendering would follow, including the combo-oriented fighting game Killer Instinct. Rare produced many titles in the 1990's for the SNES, Nintendo 64 and Game Boy. Other than the Donkey Kong series and Killer Instinct, Rare created Blast Corps, Diddy Kong Racing, Banjo-Kazooie, Jet Force Gemini, It's Mr. Pants, Perfect Dark, Star Fox Adventures and the highly-acclaimed Conker's Bad Fur Day. One of the most influential games created by Rare was Goldeneye 007 for the Nintendo 64. Even today it is seen as the standard for first person shooting games. Goldeneye 007 sold over 8 million copies. In 2000 the founders of Rare, the Stamper brothers, sold their 51% share in the company to Microsoft. Nintendo, the owners of the remaining 49%, sold shortly afterwards. Rare is now a first-party developer for Xbox platforms but also creates Game Boy Advance titles and was recently confirmed to Nintendo DS games in the works. Rare has never developed for a Sony platform.

Notable Games

• 1983 - Jetpac
• 1984 - Sabre Wolf
• 1985 - Entombed
• 1986 - Outlaws; Dragonskulle
• 1988 - R.C. Pro-Am; Jeopardy!
• 1989 - Marble Madness
• 1990 - The Amazing Spider-Man; Snake Rattle 'n' Roll
• 1991 - Battletoads
• 1994 - Super Battletoads; Donkey Kong Country, Killer Instinct
• 1995 - Donkey Kong Land
• 1996 - Killer Instinct Gold
• 1997 - Blast Corps; GoldenEye 007
• 1998 - Banjo-Kazooie
• 1999 - Jet Force Gemini; Donkey Kong 64
• 2000 - Perfect Dark
• 2001 - Conker's Bad Fur Day
• 2002 - Star Fox Adventures
• 2004 - It's Mr. Pants
• 2005 - Conker: Live & Reloaded

Rare in 2005

Rare has been on top of the gaming world and is often credited with keeping sales of the Nintendo 64 alive during a competitive era. After the acquisition by Microsoft, Rare can no longer produce Nintendo-owned licenses such as Donkey Kong and Star Fox. Unfortunately these were Rare's biggest sellers at their height of popularity. Microsoft has reportedly offered $20.2 million to Nintendo for the franchises, but no deal has been made. Rare's own titles continue to be favorites to small groups of fans but fail to make a splash in the gaming market. Despite sales, Rare has adhered to their own standards of visually impressive and innovative games. From humble beginnings as a small software developer, Nintendo's trusted ally and finally a first-party developer for Microsoft, Rare continues to lead a successful life as a game developer.
[[[Conker:_Live_and_Reloaded]]]

Rare - The First Decade (1983-1993)

Originally known as Ashby Computer Graphics and later Ultimate Play The Game, Rare immediately established a reputation for graphically impressive games, many for the Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum and the Nintendo Entertainment System. Their first ten years saw the release of nearly 100 games for various systems. Notable releases include Jetpac, Sabre Wulf, The Staff of Karnath, Entombed, Outlaws, Dragonskulle, Marble Madness, Wizards & Warriors, Snake Rattle 'n' Roll, Super Off Road, Narc and several Battletoads titles.

A Little Less Rare (1993-2005)

As they gained a reputation for innovation and pushing the visual envelope, Rare began to take on larger projects. Most notably was their exclusive partnership with Nintendo during the 1990's. Using 3D modeling software, Rare created the visually stunning Donkey Kong Country for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. More games utilizing this technique of 3D rendering would follow, including the combo-oriented fighting game Killer Instinct.

Rare produced many titles in the 1990's for the SNES, Nintendo 64 and Game Boy. Other than the Donkey Kong series and Killer Instinct, Rare created Blast Corps, Diddy Kong Racing, Banjo-Kazooie, Jet Force Gemini, It's Mr. Pants, Perfect Dark, Star Fox Adventures and the highly-acclaimed Conker's Bad Fur Day.

One of the most influential games created by Rare was Goldeneye 007 for the Nintendo 64. Even today it is seen as the standard for first person shooting games. Goldeneye 007 sold over 8 million copies.

In 2000 the founders of Rare, the Stamper brothers, sold their 51% share in the company to Microsoft. Nintendo, the owners of the remaining 49%, sold shortly afterwards. Rare is now a first-party developer for Xbox platforms but also creates Game Boy Advance titles and was recently confirmed to Nintendo DS games in the works. Rare has never developed for a Sony platform.

Notable Games

• 1983 - Jetpac
• 1984 - Sabre Wolf
• 1985 - Entombed
• 1986 - Outlaws; Dragonskulle
• 1988 - R.C. Pro-Am; Jeopardy!
• 1989 - Marble Madness
• 1990 - The Amazing Spider-Man; Snake Rattle 'n' Roll
• 1991 - Battletoads
• 1994 - Super Battletoads; Donkey Kong Country, Killer Instinct
• 1995 - Donkey Kong Land
• 1996 - Killer Instinct Gold
• 1997 - Blast Corps; GoldenEye 007
• 1998 - Banjo-Kazooie
• 1999 - Jet Force Gemini; Donkey Kong 64
• 2000 - Perfect Dark
• 2001 - Conker's Bad Fur Day
• 2002 - Star Fox Adventures
• 2004 - It's Mr. Pants
• 2005 - Conker: Live & Reloaded

Rare in 2005

Rare has been on top of the gaming world and is often credited with keeping sales of the Nintendo 64 alive during a competitive era. After the acquisition by Microsoft, Rare can no longer produce Nintendo-owned licenses such as Donkey Kong and Star Fox. Unfortunately these were Rare's biggest sellers at their height of popularity. Microsoft has reportedly offered $20.2 million to Nintendo for the franchises, but no deal has been made. Rare's own titles continue to be favorites to small groups of fans but fail to make a splash in the gaming market.

Despite sales, Rare has adhered to their own standards of visually impressive and innovative games. From humble beginnings as a small software developer, Nintendo's trusted ally and finally a first-party developer for Microsoft, Rare continues to lead a successful life as a game developer.