Latest Reviews of Rare Games
Review Donkey Kong 64 - Kicks Some Serious Tail, But Goes Too Far
C'mon Cranky, take it to the fridge
This review was originally published in April 2015 alongside the Wii U eShop's Virtual Console release. We're updating and republishing it to mark the arrival of the game in the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack N64 library. At the mere mention of Nintendo's 64-bit console, many of us find it difficult not...
Review Banjo-Tooie (Nintendo 64) - An Enormous Adventure With Charm Up The Kazoo
Can you bear second helpings?
This review was originally published in October 2009. We're updating and republishing it to mark the arrival of the game in the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack N64 library. Banjo-Kazooie was a game that revolutionised platforming on the N64: Rare's off-the-wall-humour, creative level design, and sublime...
Review Perfect Dark (Nintendo 64) - Perhaps Not Perfect, But Still A Remarkable Achievement
Suck it, Bond
This review was originally published in March 2010. We're updating and republishing it to mark the game's arrival in the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack N64 library. From its debut in 1997, developer Rare and the terrifying digital avatar of Pierce Brosnan ruled over the console shooter space with the Nintendo 64 tie-in of a...
Review Blast Corps - An Absurd, Exhilarating, Explosive Gem From Rare's N64 Days
Time to get moving
This review originally went live in 2013, and we're updating and republishing it to celebrate the game's arrival in Switch's N64 library via the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack. Long before the massive mainstream appeal of video games that exists today, successful developers were surprisingly free from the shackles of big...
Review Jet Force Gemini - Another Rare N64 Gem, Flawed But Fun
Start wins
This review originally went live in 2013, and we're updating and republishing it to mark the game's arrival in Switch's N64 library via the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack. The Nintendo 64 and Rare go together like Banjo and Kazooie. The developer was behind several of the stellar titles found on the system, many of which were...
Review GoldenEye 007 - Aged And Flawed, But Still A Masterpiece Of Game Design
Gold-tinted specs?
Highly revered by countless N64 owners, GoldenEye 007 is often credited with kick-starting the first-person shooter craze on consoles. It not only showed that a good first-person shooter could be crafted for a machine other than a high-spec PC, but arguably also created the multiplayer FPS phenomenon on consoles. In fact, if it...
Popular Rare Games
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest SNES
- 20th Nov 1995 (NA)
- 21st Nov 1995 (JPN)
- 14th Dec 1995 (UK/EU)
Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! SNES
- 22nd Nov 1996 (NA)
- 23rd Nov 1996 (JPN)
- 19th Dec 1996 (UK/EU)
Latest Rare News
News Banjo-Kazooie Developer Rare Is Now Reporting Directly To Activision
More big changes at Xbox
More big news is coming out of Xbox this week as the company looks to continue its reset. There are a few things to go through here, but the headline for us is that Xbox is looking to leverage its purchase of Activision and consolidate more power into the subsidiary. So that means that several teams, including Halo Studios,...
Random "Splendid Game" - Shigeru Miyamoto Was A Fan Of Banjo-Tooie
Update: Well, he signed off on it, didn't he!?...
Banjo-Tooie isn't the most beloved adventure in the bear and bird's series, but it has its fair share of fans. One of which happens to be Nintendo's very own Shigeru Miyamoto, which former Rare designer and director Gregg Mayles revealed on social media. Sharing a fax from the legendary game creator...
Opinion Banjo-Tooie Is Pure Nightmare Fuel, And I Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way
Banjo-Too-Five-ie
One of the reasons I adore N64-gen Rare so much is because they loved testing the boundaries. What could they get away with in a cheeky, charming 3D platformer? Banjo-Kazooie was already dipping its toe in the water in a few subtle (and less-subtle) ways. “How's your nuts, bark breath?” is funny, but perhaps funnier with that...
News Banjo-Kazooie Director Marks Departure From Rare With A Poem
End of an era
If you enjoy Rare's games, then chances are you ought to be thanking Gregg Mayles, a UK-based game designer who not only directed Banjo-Kazooie and its Xbox-only follow-up Nuts & Bolts, but also worked on Banjo-Tooie, Donkey Kong Country, Battletoads, and more. He was a big deal at the studio, and now after 36 years, he's left for...
Anniversary Perfect Dark, Another N64 Rare Classic, Turns 25
And Agent Dark is still going
Rare had a heck of a run on the Nintendo 64, and today we're celebrating the anniversary of yet another of the studio's classics — Perfect Dark. Joanna Dark made her debut on Nintendo's 64-bit console on 22nd May 2000 in North America, with a European release following in June. Today, it ranks as the studio's...
News Rare's N64 Shooter 'GoldenEye 007' Officially Inducted Into The Video Game Hall Of Fame
Alongside a handful of other titles
[Fri 7th Mar, 2025 00:55 GMT]: Every year, The Strong Museum announces its 'World Video Game Hall of Fame' finalists and for 2025 and after missing out in 2023, Rare's iconic Nintendo 64 first-person shooter GoldenEye 007 is back. It's up against some tough competition including the following list of games: Age...
News Banjo-Kazooie Composer Explains Why He Thinks Another Game Is Unlikely
The "overriding factor" is money
There have been ongoing requests over the years for the revival of Rare's famous bear and bird duo Banjo-Kazooie, but will fans ever see this series return? The game's composer Grant Kirkhope already spoke about this earlier in the year - mentioning how he had "zero hope" for a new entry, and now in an interview...
News Crash And Spyro Dev Wants To Partner With Team Xbox For A Crack At Banjo
"Banjo's been hibernating long enough, right?"
Having helmed well-received entries in the Spyro/Skylanders and Crash Bandicoot lines, developer Toys for Bob has form with 3D platformers featuring beloved childhood characters. Perhaps unsurprisingly, according to a new interview, the team would be interested in reviving another fan-favourite series:...
News First 4 Figures Teases New Banjo-Kazooie Statue, Pre-Orders Open Next Week
Update: Here's a look at the Definitive Edition
There hasn't been a new Banjo-Kazooie game for many years now, but there are still plenty of fans out there eager for more. Although it's not a game, First 4 Figures has shared a sneak peek of its new statue - Banjo's sister Tooty, who is captured by Gruntilda in Rare's original Nintendo 64 adventure...
News Banjo-Kazooie Composer Has "Zero Hope" For A New Entry
We're inclined to agree
Just days after Moon Studios' lead Thomas Mahler expressed his desire to see the Banjo-Kazooie franchise in the hands of a "really talented developer", original composer Grant Kirkhope has taken to social media to say that he has "zero hope" in a potential new entry (thanks, Eurogamer). He then went on to say that a new...
Random Upcoming Banjo-Kazooie Mod Is A Nostalgic Trip Through A Bunch Of N64 Classics
Get jiggies with it
Back in 2021, modder Mark Kurko revealed a first look at his monster project, 'BK Nostalgia 64'. This love letter to the N64 and Banjo-Kazooie (whodathunkit with a title like that?) was originally slated for a Christmas 2024 release, though through a variety of complications, the modder has decided to push things back to 2025...
Poll Okay, It's Time To Ask The Obvious - Will We Get Donkey Kong 64 On NSO?
The game turns 25 in Europe
Donkey Kong 64 — not the most beloved of Rare's titles, but probably the developer's most ambitious 3D platformer — turns 25 here in Europe today, 6th December 2024. DK and friends have a lot to celebrate lately: the Donkey Kong Land trilogy on Game Boy has trickled onto NSO over the past few weeks; the Donkey Kong...
News Banjo-Kazooie "Washer Banjo" Revealed, Here's A Sneak Peek
Pre-orders open soon
First 4 Figures has released all sorts of high-quality statues and with this in mind, it's now teasing a "sneak peek" of its latest Banjo-Kazooie figure. This one is based on the transformation "Washer Banjo" and pre-orders will be opening in 10 days on 3rd December 2024. If you sign up to the First 4 Figures email, you can...
Random Iconic 'DK Rap' Song Has Been Remade 25 Years Later
With help from rapper 'Substantial'
If you've been a part of the Nintendo gaming community for a while, then chances are you're well acquainted with 'DK Rap', the charming introductory theme tune seen in 1999's Donkey Kong 64. It's gained significant notoriety and love over the years, though many fans do concede that the song isn't actually that...
Anniversary Donkey Kong Country Is Now 30 Years Old (SNES)
King K-O-N-G
Believe it or not, Donkey Kong Country for the SNES has turned 30 years old after originally launching in the UK on 18th November 1994. Often regarded as one of the greatest platformers of all time, Donkey Kong Country was the first in an SNES trilogy from developer Rare, and was really the game that properly kickstarted a fruitful...
News 'Nintendo Music' Update Adds Classic SNES Soundtrack, Here's Every Song Included
Another Donkey Kong Country banger
Nintendo's new music app is the gift that keeps on giving with a new update today adding 36 tracks from Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest. Yes, you can now listen to everything from the iconic "fanfare" opening, Funky's theme, Stickerbush Symphony (Bramble Blast), Forest Interlude (Web Woods) to the Disco...
Random Rapper Doja Cat Debuts 'Bouncy' Conker-Inspired Halloween Costume
"Ooh, that big tail of yours is far too tickly"
Halloween has come and gone, which means celebrities around the globe are naturally taking to social media to try and one-up each another with their chosen costumes. Video game outfits have become more and more popular over the years, but while many folks like to dress up as Mario, Princess Zelda, or...
News Xbox Studio Rare Excited About The Return Of Banjo-Tooie Next Week
"Another modern way" to revisit the sequel
Nintendo delivered quite a surprise for N64 fans this week, announcing Rare's 3D platformer Banjo-Tooie would be joining the Expansion Pack service next week on 25th October 2024. As part of this announcement, Rare (known nowadays for titles like Sea of Thieves) has taken to social media to voice its own...
Feature Catch-Up Crew: Donkey Kong Country - "I Liked His Big Red, Er, Ribbit-Bag?"
Catching up with the DK crew
Welcome aboard once again for this edition of Catch-up Crew, the series where the senior staff of the USS Nintendo Life do what every good crew should do on a seat-of-your-pants cosmic adventure - adjourn to the observation lounge for a conference. Yes, we're back at the table to discuss a classic video game that at...
Random Donkey Kong Country 3 Fan Creates Incredible Epoxy Resin Statue
Yes, we want one
There have been some truly gorgeous video game statues in our time, from the likes of the First 4 Figures Samus Gravity Suit statue from Metroid to the ludicrous Ghosts 'n Goblins statue from Dream Figures. We love one-off designs though; statues that likely won't be made available to the general public,
