Rare Replay: 10 minute impressions of all 30 games

Banjo-Tooie (2000)

This is the sequel to Banjo-Kazooie. You can’t really tell much of a difference between the two in the first 10 minutes, but this one definitely has a longer opening cutscene. You also start out with more abilities.

Conker’s Bad Fur Day (2001)

This is one of Rare’s more bizarre games. On the surface, it’s a lot like Banjo-Kazooie: A 3D platformer starring cute animals. However, the squirrel hero swears and gets drunk. It’s definitely not what you’d think of when you imagine Nintendo 64 exclusives. However, Conker is a funny, self-aware game. It even has voice acting, which was rare for Nintendo 64 games.

Grabbed by the Ghoulies (2003)

Now we’re entering the Microsoft era of Rare, and we get to play the developer’s sole game for the original Xbox (minus a remaster of Conker). Ghoulies is a 3D action game that takes place in a haunted mansion. Oddly, it reminded me of Battletoads, at least in how enemies eventually enter a stunned state that allows you deliver a big hit that sends them flying. The cutscenes, cheaply presented in a series of comic book frames, were painfully frequent, though.

Perfect Dark Zero (2005)

One of two launch games Rare created for the Xbox 360, Microsoft hyped Perfect Dark Zero as the must-have title when it released its new system. History had other plans, and Perfect Dark Zero is little more than footnote now. Still, it’s not bad. It’s a pretty typical first-person shooter, but it looks nice and plays smoothly. Well, after I messed around with the control options for a while, anyway.

Kameo: Elements of Power (2005)

Rare’s other 360 launch game is far more interesting. Kameo is a 3D action-platformer where the main character can transform into different monsters, each with special attacks and abilities. Even today, it plays like a unique experience when it comes to combo and counter-based action games. Also, the epic soundtrack really stands out. It’s like something out of a The Lord of the Rings film.

Viva Piñata (2006)

Viva Piñata was Rare’s surprise 360 success. It’s a garden simulator, where doing certain things (like digging dirt and planting grass or flowers) attracts different creatures. You then need to figure out how to get those creatures to become residents of your garden (even if it means they want to eat a different piñata animal). It’s simple, relaxing, and addicting.

Jetpac Refuelled (2006)

This is a remake of the first game on this list, Jetpac. Gaming technology came a long way since 1983, so this one features some prettier 2D graphics. Still, it’s all about jetting around and collecting fuel for your spaceship. I liked the original because of its simplicity, and I feel the same way about the remake.

Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise (2008)

This is a sequel to Viva Piñata, and I kind of had a hard time telling what was different in just 10 minutes. I did start with more tools, and it began, oddly enough, with a cutscene where a clichéd villain was trying to take over the world. I guess someone thought Viva Piñata needed more plot.

Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts (2008)

The third and last Banjo-Kazooie game ditched traditional platforming for car-building and racing. I think fans would have embraced the change better if the game’s opening wasn’t so, well, mean. A new character tells Banjo and Kazooier that they’re second-rate, outdated characters and that gamers don’t want another 3D platformer. The other games were self-referential, but this almost feels like the dialogue is making fun of anyone who liked the originals.