The Story Of Video Game Developer Rare - Part 3 - The XBOX Years

Correction: Rare had practically no involvement in the 2013 Killer Instinct reboot. The development was initially handled by Double Helix but once they were purchased by Amazon, Microsoft announced Iron Galaxy Studios as the developer of its Season Two content.
My Other Gaming Docs - • Gaming Documentaries
Part 1 at this link! - • The Story Of Video Gam...
Part 2 at this link! - • The Story Of Video Gam...
Video game developer Rare ltd has been around for an astonishing 31 years. After an incredible string of critical and commercial hits on the ZX Spectrum Rare had a lackluster run on the NES, however, Rare truly innovated again by bringing CGI graphics to the Super Nintendo. Rare would go on to have another impressive run of games on both the Super Nintendo and Nintendo 64. Eventually Rare was purchased by Microsoft and came on as a first party developer. In this the 3rd and final part of my look at Rare, we take a look at Rare's time with Microsoft, how they were still able to crank out a few titles for Nintendo during this time, and where they're going.
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[@christophervictor]

This is a great documentary. I loved so many of those games. That golden "R" was always synonymous with good times.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

+Chris Merritt Thanks man! Glad you liked it.

[@painfan476]

Imagine if Nintendo made Rare a first party developer

[@KirkJacobsonHere]

I'm so glad you took the channel in this direction, and I hope you get the viewers you deserve. Your style and delivery are superb. You're a natural. Of course, one can love a youtuber for all their flaws so I'm not saying it's a necessity, but you're second only to NostalgiaNerd in presenting and editing skills in this corner of youtube. Your stuff is broadcast ready; I could imagine it on TV easily. You're so good at this.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Wow. Thanks a lot man. I'm absolutely floored by your comment. Made my day. I think NostalgiaNerd is fantastic. I'll take being second to him any day! lol Thanks again for taking the time to type all that out. It was super motivating to read. Thank you.

[@corey2232]

Also, even though Rare is listed as a developer, they only had minimal input on KI for Xbox One. All development for the game was from Double Helix up until Amazon bought them out. All further development was transferred to Iron Galaxy for season 2-3.

[@RappinPicard]

The hindsight on Sea of Thieves’ reception makes the ending to this feel bittersweet.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Yeah... totally agree

[@merlingt1]

This channel is VERY underrated! How the hell do you only have 13K subs?!

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

+merlingt1 Thanks, I appreciate you saying that!

[@iaindalby7322]

So sad to see such a demise in a developer who produced many of my favourite childhood games.

[@stevenqbosell]

Excellent series. You're one of the best here on KZbin

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

+Steve Bosell Thanks again man. I really appreciate it. These take a long time to make so it's nice to read when they're appreciated.

[@gamebunkeradventures4575]

Man that was a great three part series. I knew a lot about Rare before I watched it, but you taught me some new things!

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

+Mike Evans thanks man!

[@formulajuan5762]

Rare's demise started when the core dev team behind Goldeneye and Perfect Dark left to form Free Radical Design when Microsoft bought Rare. Rare under Microsoft's ownership was a mere shadow of it's former self, and a large part of that was owing to having lost such a talented group of people in the transition. Free Radical of course had their own ups and downs, having made the critically acclaimed Timesplitters series. But then the flop that was Haze, as well as LucasArts cancelling Battlefront 3 close to release, after Free Radical had spent over 2 years developing it, essentially sunk them. They were bought by Crytek, and became Crytek UK until 2014, but without the core "Goldeneye" dream team of Steve Ellis, Graeme Norgate and David Doak. It would be worth doing a side episode on that whole story actually...

[@Stevinfinite]

What a rare gem of a video game doc.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

+Stevinfinite get out. Please don't leave ❤

[@lordzevallos]

Just watched the entire 3 part series. I appreciate these videos! 🙏🏽

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks!

[@evenoddprime]

Thank you for sharing! I enjoy your content!

[@dejanvukmirovic6085]

great series! thanks for this!

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

+Dejan Vukmirović thanks a lot! Really appreciate it!

[@ibrachaka8727]

Thanks for making this video. Much effort. Good work!

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

+Ibra Chaka Thanks!

[@Stylz7]

Slowly working my way through your videos. Great as usual. I still and probably always will remember RARE as the company that made some of my favorite childhood games.

[@catm4403]

Amazing quality presentation and very informative. Thanks!

[@3venFl0w]

Rare always had Nintendo involved in development in the 90s. They invited them to Nintendo HQ & Rare had Nintendo in their HQ offering feedback & what worked & what didn't work. The partnership was back & forth. Ed Fries signed Rare as he knew what Rare could offer MS but didn't stick around long enough with the original Xbox design team so Rare was left to its own devices & then corporate MS got involved & killed what was left. The majority of what made rare is no more. I'm sure there are a few ppl in that place but the heart & soul left. Times & tastes of gamer's moved on. People who grew up in the 90s or played games in the 90s will always long for the style of games Rare made but kids that grew up in the mid 00's have been raised in a era of online shooters & DLC cash cows so business models changed for some studios.

[@cavp2991]

Super cool videos man. Keep them up!

[@hxcmo]

I love your retrospectives man, highly underrated.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks man!

[@gamble777888]

Your videos are awesome. One of the best channels I've seen on youtube.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

+Adrian Arenas thanks so much!

[@bneyens]

These videos are A+ quality. Great video quality, narration, research, and overall presentation. Well done.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

+Bob Marley Thanks so much!

[@lando8913]

You have a great sense of pacing. It holds your interest and never feels like theres any fluff or like dragged out boring details, and at the same time seems to cover all the pertinent information. Keep up the good work! The lesser known consoles and games are pretty cool to hear about.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

+Noah Baumann thanks for the kind words. I appreciate it.

[@trashboat5388]

I like how Microsoft mentioned DKC in an ad for their game.

[@ignacio633]

Great informative video. Thanks. Always loved Rare.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

+Ignacio Trujillo thanks for watching!

[@tziirkq]

I really like your matter-of-fact delivery. I first found the channel when I was looking for rasslin' videos I'd never seen, and it took me a while to realise this was that same channel. Ever thought about talking about the WWF/E games history?

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

+tziirkq Thanks for checking the channel out. I'm sure I'll cover some wrestling game history at some point. Maybe near next Wrestlemania.

[@alexreal2499]

Amazing piece, very well done.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

+Alex Del Real Thanks again man.

[@LondraCalibro9]

Great documentary! I really would love to see one on the Atari Lynx at this level of quality, there isnt enough on that console. Love your more niche subjects and how well researched they are.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks a lot. The Lynx is on my long list of topics to cover. I'm sure I'll get to it at some point, just not sure when.

[@jimmyguy428]

Great content! Please keep up the hard work.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks so much!

[@jimmyguy428]

@@WrestlingWithGaming you're very welcome.

[@eldron2679]

awesome series man!

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

+dron manclia thanks again! Glad you liked it.

[@smspearman]

I guess it's not strictly Rare history, but I was hoping to hear a bit about Playtonic games, which I've heard is mostly comprised of former Rare employees.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

You're correct. I may end up covering them once Yookal-Laylee comes out. I think it's due out in April. I figured that they'dd be more material like interviews for me to be able to use for research once the game is out.

[@smspearman]

Looking forward to it!

[@wolfdeguerre9952]

came to the comments to bemoan exactly this. the only interesting thing about rare in the past few years was the announcement of yooka-laylee. a few sentences as an epilogue would've been nice. but i understand your reasoning...

[@qwertyuiop2010]

smspearman yooka laylee flopped and it was the worst way to make a game so i think theyre done for

[@skywardspeed9713]

Dude .....love the 3 parter ....man takes me back ...

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

+skyward speed glad you liked it!

[@ivanlubinski6626]

I loved this Rare series. Would be cool for you to do a series of Activison.

[@Ukyo82]

Really nice presentation, I was not know very much for Rare but what i see all their games are goofy :D

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thank you!

[@swimthrumyaquarium]

big improvement on quality, and not just because you're not in it haha. keep it up!

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

+Darius Robert Newton Ghazi-Torbati haha! Thanks a lot man.

[@corey2232]

Rare's "N64 days weren't as successful as their SNES days"? Rare had 4 of the top 10 N64's best selling games, while Nintendo developed games were at 5. The other was developed by HAL Labs, only published by Nintendo. That's pretty darn successful. Also, in the Top 50 highest rated games of All-Time, Rare shows up twice, with both entries being on N64 and none on SNES. Perfect Dark sits at a 94.55% critic rating, above games like Mass Effect, Wind Waker, Knights of the Old Republic, GTA Vice City, Red Dead Redemption, GT 3 A-Spec, Half-Life, Undertale, Halo 3, etc. Goldeneye sits even higher with a 94.7% critic rating, over games like BioShock, Twilight Princess, and Halo 2. Rare's next game doesn't even show up until 200's with Banjo Tooie, then the GBC version of DC Country. Eventually around the 300's, DK Country 2 for SNES shows up. They had 7 of the N64's top 25 highest rated games, while only having 3 (all 3 DK Country games) on the Top 50 for the SNES. Total N64 Rare games sold top out over 30 million, while total Rare games sold for SNES top over 25 million. Their only 3 real hits for the SNES were the Donkey Kong Country games, with their highest selling being 9.3 million, 2nd highest selling 5.1 million. For the N64, their highest selling was Goldeneye selling 8.1 million and 2nd highest being DK 64 at 5.3 million. Not huge differences between those. It's even more impressive considering the N64 only sold 32 million consoles while the SNES sold 50 million. I'm not trying to rant, but it just seems so odd that you said Rare's best days were the SNES, and their N64 performance was a failure to live up to that. Not all their games were the best sellers, but many were. Most people consider the N64 the height and pinnacle of their history, not the SNES. Even though Rare's extra game sales could be attributed to releasing a few more games on the 64, they also were working with a system that didn't sell nearly as well as its predecessor, coupled with the fact their games competed in a generation with the 2nd best selling system of all time (the Playstation) followed by the best selling console of all time (the Playstation 2) as the console ended it's lifecycle. PD released AFTER the PS2 in Japan, and just months away from the PS2 in the US. The Dreamcast died the year before in part just due to the announcement & reveal of the PS2! That's how big that system's aura was!

[@blank8327]

Corey D Wasn't he phrasing the Nintendo CEO when he said that?

[@bigdoggo5827]

Everything here is good except the part where you mention undertale what a horrible game

[@ravenbeast8639]

Kameo was my first 360 game. I thought that and perfect dark were gonna be the games which were gonna bring Rare back to the top! Kameo was a great platformer.

[@rayorx3233]

Nice video and research! More than a Nintendo fan, I'm a rareware fan, especially the snes/64 era, Starfox Adventures was one of my favourite games on gamecube and even Kameo was a pretty good game. A shame that they're pretty much irrelevant today.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

+Rayo RX Thanks! Yeah, it's a shame that a company with such a long and rich history isn't a player these days.

[@the_real_foamidable]

Well done.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

+foamidable thanks!

[@f4rr3r]

Watching this video in 2021, where Sea of Thieves remains a massive success, feels good. Here’s to Rare!

[@evalonia]

Great channel. Up there with GameSack!

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks so much!

[@Rhapbus1]

Perfect Dark Zero was one of the first online FPS i got the chance to play, as during my OG Xbox years i never had Live

[@sumbodyshero]

Perfect Dark Zero and Nuts and Bolts are both in my top ten. That was RARE at their peak. I also like Kameo.

[@warwagon]

Great Documentary!! Are recaps really nessisary on youtube? I mean people JUST got done watching part 2 do you really have to reap?

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

+Adam Bottjen thanks for watching and for the feedback. These weren't posted at the the same time. They were posted over the course of a few weeks (from Jan 11 to Feb 5) so the recaps were there just to remind people what was in the previous video, or to catch them up in case they didn't watch the previous one. That being said, I think you're right in that it is kind of redundant now that they're all up but at the time I felt it was best to have a little recap, especially since not too many people were coming to my channel. I basically decided it was best to treat each one of these as if though it was someone's first time at my channel because frankly, it probably was lol. I probably wouldn't do it the same way now that my channel has grown a bit though.

[@warwagon]

Ah, fair point.

[@critchblackpoolful]

At soon as rare left nintendo they became crap Just found this channel and love it. You have my support and make great vids

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

+Daniel Critchley thanks for the support!

[@critchblackpoolful]

Wrestling With Gaming you have some great videos!! Keep making them and you'll get noticed

[@coolgreek79]

I can only imagine the hype and the publicity Nintendo could've got if she ever decided to buy Rare back....

[@bartdierickx5150]

I think I missed a few 360 games. Perfect Dark Zero and karma come to mind. This video is playing in the background so maybe I you did mention them.

[@inorite4553]

I grew up on Rare titles like: Snake Rattle & Roll, Battletoads (God!...that game is impossible) Donkey Kong Country, Goldeneye & Perfect Dark and I have to admit that Rare's transition to Microsoft has been less than lackluster. It's actually been a damn shame what has happened since their acquisition. ....sigh

[@82drseuss]

Did P Diddy do the voice over for Grabbed by the Ghoulies?

[@perydwyn]

Rare replay was literally the only reason I almost bought an xbox one. In the end I didn't buy one though as the ps4 was better value in every way. Its such a shame they left Nintendo, as I have a feeling they wouldn't have fallen like they have done.

[@amerikaOnFire]

You have an error in your video. Rare had absolutely nothing to do with the 2013 Killer Instinct reboot. It was a Microsoft project where they wanted a fighting game for the launch of the XB1 and they contracted the work out. Double Helix won the contract and they had about a year to put together a "game". It launched with only 5 or 6 characters with more released as time went on post launch. Double Helix was bought out by Amazon at the end of the first season and the other company that was almost picked up to develop KI, Iron Galaxy, was contracted out to develop it going forward. They did Season 2 and Season 3 and all content post season 3 thus far. The only person from Rare who was involved in the new KI was Ken Lobb who was the game designer for the first Killer Instinct (and provided some voices too). And he was mostly just a name to help guide the project and give it credit as opposed to him being in charge of the gameplay. I hope you take this as constructive criticism. Other than this slight error most people won't probably even know about, i thoroughly enjoyed all three videos and have watched others as well. Take care man!

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

I actually appreciate you pointing that out. I welcome any and all corrections. :-) I'm on mobile right now but when I get home later I'll watch back that part of the video and add a correction to the description. I made this video so long ago that I honestly don't remember how I worded the part about KI 2013 but I'm pretty sure I at least made it sound like it was a Rare only game if not just right out said it. Again, totally appreciate the correction and thanks for stopping by the channel. Have a good weekend!

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Actually I got a little bit of free time at work so I went ahead and added a correction about KI to the description. Thanks again!

[@amerikaOnFire]

No problem! You do great work and I hope you keep it up. These videos are thoroughly entertaining for me!

[@XXXXD]

Now we need the Sea of Thieves chapter .

[@jamesofficial6829]

I've heard Rare is no longer around anymore.

[@Epicmango7]

Banjo Tooie was the best Rare game of all time.

[@purplefreak3]

When I think of RARE xbox doesn't even enter my mind only think I think about it is donkey kong country and killer instinct that was on SNES.

[@Turnpost2552]

what is with the reuse of the photo at 8:33 are they pointing at a piece of trash.

[@robertrobinson8370]

It would be amazing if you could do a video on the playstation game dragon ball gt final bout

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

+Robert Robinson hmm, I think I only played it a couple of times at a friend's house. I do remember it being pretty fun. I am planning on starting a series of game reviews soon so I might just add it to my list of games to cover. Thanks for stopping by!

[@robertrobinson8370]

Wrestling With Gaming that woud be awesome. I just found your channel and subbed

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

+Robert Robinson thanks! Glad you dig the videos. Plenty more to come. 😀

[@loveandpeace6009]

Do army of two game history.

[@Elayzee]

Just as I suspected for awhile now: RARE killed Rare, not Microsoft (except for the Kinect-mandated years). I had no idea that Rare's N64 output was NOT as profitable as their SNES output. I had assumed that because of all the highly critically acclaimed N64 games, that they were selling crazy high numbers when in fact it was only a few of their N64 games that were actual big-sellers. I moved on from Rare LONG ago. I'll always have a soft spot for their golden era, and while I genuinely loved Viva Piñata (both of them), Sea Of Thieves is only "decent". Rare is a studio who refused to evolve with the video game industry and remained stuck in their N64 era style of development. I wonder what will happen now that Microsoft has acquired so many VASTLY superior studios than them and they aren't the "big-name" first party studio anymore. I'd trust "Double Fine Productions" with a "Conker" or "Banjo" sequel more than I would with "Rare."

[@andrewsalt3660]

Exactly. The fact that they NEEDED a buyer in the first place had me thinking; they don’t have any $ from the sales of all their N64 projects to fuel development of new projects.

[@homi7760]

Really at the end of the day nintendo feared rares success because i know for damn sure everybody was playing there games to the very end and still are.

[@EnriqueStyle]

I am sure this has been probably already mentioned, but Rare had little to do with Killer Instinct Revival.

[@TrvisXXIII]

So sad, I already know why the CEO’s of rare left based on the story...they burned themselves out, blood sweat and tears spent on commercial flops back to back, losing their cache in the industry...who would continue on a sinking ship? Losing time and energy on projects that no one appreciates, the mental anguish and suffering is probably a drop in the well of other issues. I’ve said a lot, only because I empathize with the amount of work they put on just for it not to pay off SMH

[@Ukyo82]

To be fair I dont like any of Rare games but I enjoy the videos

[@FerintoshFarmsPhotography]

I don't care what anyone says, I played the crap out of my kinect as a really high guy; I actually got in fairly good shape because of it, not a wresting god liek yourself but sexy none the less.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

I accidentally broke my kinnect while drunkenly rearranging my living room. Not one of my best ideas.

[@LEXICON-DEVIL]

12:28 😬😬😬

[@DrCorndog1]

BK: Nuts & Bolts is SOOO GOOD

[@daviddamasceno6063]

It really sucks thay Microsoft has all the Rare franchises on their pocket and do so little with it.

[@JoshHolden-Aka-evani]

I cant believe they dropped Banjo kazooie for viva pinata then made a banjo game like nuts and bolts, what a way to disrespect one of your greatest games

[@CaralisTrevorum]

Sea of Thieves has been pushed back to 2018. I hope that will make for a better game. I wonder how many more flops Rare has to put out before it goes the way of Lionhead?

[@xXmobiusXx1]

I have both the N64 and Xbox version of Conker's Bad Fur Day, the N64 version chugs at a very low frame rate even with the vram expansion pak and is even worse when trying to play multiplayer. Live and Reloaded version runs smooth as silk with a major graphical overhaul. Not only that but some of the jokes in the game where winks and nods to the original and only those whom played the original would notice ( spoiler, the Gargoyle flat out tells you that what you did in the N64 version will not work this time, so you get a frying pan instead * what a frying pan!?!?! * Also, what censoring? The great mighty poo still said shit, only way the game censored was if restrictions where enabled on the xbox ( yes it had parental controls ).

[@michaelswitzer2121]

I can't help but feel that they had as much failure as success so that should even them out to a middle of the road dev so why are they so praised

[@deadjesterstudio8556]

FYI - SPOILER ALERT!!! "SEA OF THIEVES" was shit... is shit??? whatever.. its shit.. certainly NOT the best they have done.. Great Doc btw man .. great stuff.

[@silene494]

I have banjo And Kazooie nuts and bolts for 360 never really played the game much but the graphics are awesome

[@Swordslinger-hb1ns]

Sadly Sea of Thieves reviewed poorly and sold even worse. If you’re reading this tweet Nintendo buy back Rare and return them to their former glory.

[@bdflemi2753]

Or I Can Be Partner's With Microsoft.

[@thebasketballhistorian3291]

4:35 Wow, could that logo be any more generic and bland, lol. It's like they designed it in Microsoft Word using one of the default fonts.

[@mistamontiel00]

Killer Instinct 3 ..? Haha bullchit !!! Free to play not free to have !!!!

[@jrjgames]

In their defense, NES Hollywood Squares is one, if not the best, NES game show adaptation!

[@shattaredentertainment4782]

well sea of thieves was a bust. microsoft really bought rare cuase they wanted another goldeneye/perfect dark but failed to realize that they also made some what cutesy platformers. i still want banjo and kazooie for smash bros. cmon nintendo make it happen

[@carlos323131]

Sea of thieves a bust lmaooo.

[@leodefine86]

The selling of Rare to Microsoft is the greatest tragedy in videogame history.

[@tiredeals5020]

Bro hit up discovery Channel or some shit!

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

+Tire Deals haha! Haven't watched them in a while but I think they only do fake reality shows or something now. I wish G4 was still around.

[@tiredeals5020]

Wrestling With Gaming who cares if they only do fake stuff you would be the #1 guy if you did ancient aliens or something. You would draw way more people then that Albert Einstein hair meme guy for sure hahahaha

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

+Tire Deals lol

[@tonyisgolden5136]

Yeah after rare went to microsoft I didn't enjoy the game's they made as much. I mean I was really disappointed with banjo kazooie nuts and bolts. I also hated how they censored conker live and reloaded more than the N64 version. I wish rare would've made more game's with nintendo but honestly nintendo should've made them a 1st party developer. The only xbox game I thought was even decent that rare did was kameo for the xbox 360. I never played perfect dark zero or viva pinata for the xbox 360 but they look like they would be decent atleast.

[@slapandtick1e]

imo perfect dark zero was horrible, original pf is one my favorite games of all time

[@mikeclarke3990]

Battletoads and DK country only games I rate, Golden eye is overrated imo.

[@bdflemi2753]

I Will Success Nintendo By Pushing Microsoft Out Of Business.

[@GeoNeilUK]

Grabbed By The Ghoulies - there's a British name for you! (goolies is British slang for balls) Perfect Dark - have there been many games in that franchise, I've imagined a franchise based around female secret agents called Belladonna (with female agents of different races, such as an Asian girl infiltrating ISIS, just to really piss the GamerGaters off)

[@MushroomKingdoom]

Where is Sea of thieves. We are at 2019 today.