Microsoft completed its acquisition of Rare in 2002. Over the following two decades, the studio – originally founded in 1985 and known for hits on Nintendo consoles such as Donkey Kong, Killer Instinct and GoldenEye 007 – produced several prominent Xbox and Xbox 360 titles that helped shape Microsoft’s presence in gaming.
Grabbed by the Ghoulies: Rare’s Xbox debut
Initially planned for GameCube, Grabbed by the Ghoulies became the first Rare game developed exclusively for Xbox after the 2002 acquisition. The title follows Cooper as he searches for his girlfriend inside a creature-filled haunted mansion.
Critics and players were divided over the game’s technical aspects, but its primary significance is being the first product released under the Rare–Microsoft partnership.
Conker: Live & Reloaded brings a cult classic to Xbox
Conker: Live & Reloaded is a remake of Rare’s 2001 Nintendo 64 title Conker’s Bad Fur Day. The remastered version marked Conker’s debut on Xbox and earned praise for its updated graphics.
However, some fans criticized changes that amounted to a form of censorship, as certain elements from the original were altered for the remake.
Kameo: Elements of Power and the Xbox 360 transition
Kameo: Elements of Power was the first Rare title developed specifically for Xbox 360. Players control the elf Kameo, using elemental powers that can be combined to solve challenges and progress through the game’s levels.
The project began before Microsoft’s acquisition and later adopted a darker tone. While reviewers lauded the game’s visuals, some criticized aspects of its gameplay.
Perfect Dark Zero expands a well-known franchise
Perfect Dark Zero serves as a prequel to the original Perfect Dark and follows bounty hunter Joanna Dark working with the Carrington Institute. Unlike many earlier Rare releases, this title continued a franchise that began on Nintendo 64.
The game received a mixed reception: it was praised by parts of the gaming community and went on to sell more than one million copies worldwide, though some players felt it failed to meet expectations.
Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts shifts the formula
Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, released for Xbox 360 in 2008, departed from the franchise’s traditional platforming by emphasizing vehicle construction. Players design and customize vehicles—such as planes, boats and motorcycles—to tackle objectives.
The change drew criticism from some longtime fans, but the game was also commended for its innovative approach.
Kinect Sports showcases motion controls on Xbox 360
Rare developed the Kinect Sports series as part of Microsoft’s push for motion-controlled gaming to compete with the Nintendo Wii. The collection of sports titles used the Kinect sensor to deliver motion-based multiplayer experiences for friends and families on Xbox 360.
The first Kinect Sports launched in 2010, followed by Kinect Sports: Season Two in 2011 and Kinect Sports: Rivals in 2014, each adding more sports options.
Rare Replay: a 30-game anthology for Xbox One
To mark Rare’s 30th anniversary, the studio released Rare Replay for Xbox One in 2015. The compilation includes 30 games spanning Rare’s history across multiple genres—fighting, racing, sports, shooting and platforming—featuring classics such as Banjo-Kazooie, Perfect Dark and Viva Piñata.
Some notable omissions, like Donkey Kong and GoldenEye 007, were explained by licensing limitations, but the anthology was well received as a broad showcase of Rare’s output.
Sea of Thieves: a shared-world pirate adventure
Sea of Thieves, released in 2018, is Rare’s most recent major title and presents an open-world, shared-world pirate experience. The game emphasizes cooperative play, player-generated content and naval adventure.
By 2021, Sea of Thieves had reached 25 million players worldwide, reflecting significant and sustained engagement since its launch.
Via Kotaku
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