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[daTRUballin]

When people talk about Rare's glory days, they usually refer to the SNES and N64 era when Rare was consistently pumping out all-time classics. I was curious to see which console most would pick as the one Rare made better games on. Here's the entirety of their output on both consoles......

SNES Rare
Battletoads in Battlemaniacs (1993)
Battletoads & Double Dragon (1993)
Donkey Kong Country (1994)
Killer Instinct (1995)
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (1995)
Ken Griffey Jr.'s Winning Run (1996)
Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! (1996)

VS.

N64 Rare
Killer Instinct Gold (1996)
Blast Corps (1997)
GoldenEye 007 (1997)
Diddy Kong Racing (1997)
Banjo-Kazooie (1998)
Jet Force Gemini (1999)
Donkey Kong 64 (1999)
Perfect Dark (2000)
Mickey's Speedway USA (2000)
Banjo-Tooie (2000)
Conker's Bad Fur Day (2001)

You don't often see many debates between these two eras and I'm guessing that's because the N64 era is the one people prop up the most. Understandably so! Their output on that console was absolutely insane, but I feel like when you include their pre-DKC games on the SNES, it's more of a fair fight. 7 games vs. 11 games. And it's not like they didn't make some bangers on the SNES as well. After all, the success they enjoyed on the SNES is why they were able to grow into such a powerhouse on the N64 in the first place.

So.......which period from Rare's golden age would you personally pick?

 

[64bitmodels]

One console had Banjo & Goldeneye, and the other did not.

 

[IFireflyl]

Vote cast!

Spoiler

LONG LIVE THE SNES!

 

[demigod]

Hands down N64. Killer Instinct all I need.

 

[nial]

SNES just for the Donkey Kong Country trilogy. I never cared that much for the rest of their output, but it's sad to see them in their current state.

 

[Syphon Filter]

Hands down N64. Killer Instinct all I need.

snes KI is better to be fair.

 

[daTRUballin]

SNES just for the Donkey Kong Country trilogy. I never cared that much for the rest of their output, but it's sad to see them in their current state.

Ehhh. They're the most successful they've ever been right now, so it's not like they're in some sort of trouble or sorry state.

The only bad thing about them these days is how incredibly low their output is. That's the thing that bugs me.

 

[64bitmodels]

The only bad thing about them these days is how incredibly low their output is. That's the thing that bugs me.

The thing about GaaS is that it's super easy to fall into a state of complacency and just spend your time making nothing but updates and content for one game... the same trap that Valve and Epic fell into, seems to have enraptured Rare as well

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

The SNES era had the better games (ie: the DKC trilogy), but the N64 had the more important games (Goldeneye, primarily). The SNES stuff has unsurprisingly aged way better, but I'd say the N64 was probably the golden age for Rare just given how many games they had and how big they tended to be. That was when seeing the Rare logo before a game meant something.

That said, that era was also them at their collect-a-thon worst.

 

[Sojiro]

Had to go with N64 and it's not that close imo. Don't get me me wrong, the DKC trilogy are fucking top notch on the SNES, and their earlier games are all good, but their N64 output is when I felt like Rare was firing at their best. While the DKC trilogy were their 3 top tier games on the SNES, with the others a step down, the N64 has like 5 of those games at the same level imo. Special shout-out to Ken Griffey Jr's winning run, it is a solid ass baseball game that just needed player licenses for it to be one of my fave baseball games ever.

 

[Dacvak]

Ummm excuse me. Where is the option to vote for Kinect-era Rare?

 

[demigod]

snes KI is better to be fair.

Oh shit you’re right, CHANGING MY VOTE.

 

[Saber]

007 Goldeneye
Diddy Kong Racing
Banjo-Kazooie
Conker Bad-fur-day

And its done.

 

[Katatonic]

N64 Rare.
Goldeneye was the biggest killer app since the original Super Mario Bros.

 

[daTRUballin]

The thing about GaaS is that it's super easy to fall into a state of complacency and just spend your time making nothing but updates and content for one game... the same trap that Valve and Epic fell into, seems to have enraptured Rare as well

To be fair, they ARE working on Everwild supposedly, but it's been 4 years since we've seen that game at all. If they don't show it at this year's "E3", I'm kinda done with Rare.

 

[daTRUballin]

Ummm excuse me. Where is the option to vote for Kinect-era Rare?

Hell yeah! Forget the DKC trilogy.

Kinect Sports
Kinect Sports: Season 2
Kinect Sports Rivals

Now THAT is the true classic Rare trilogy right there.

 

[Scotty W]

When people talk about Rare's glory days, they usually refer to the SNES and N64 era when Rare was consistently pumping out all-time classics. I was curious to see which console most would pick as the one Rare made better games on. Here's the entirety of their output on both consoles......

SNES Rare
Battletoads in Battlemaniacs (1993)
Battletoads & Double Dragon (1993)
Donkey Kong Country (1994)
Killer Instinct (1995)
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (1995)
Ken Griffey Jr.'s Winning Run (1996)
Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! (1996)

VS.

N64 Rare
Killer Instinct Gold (1996)
Blast Corps (1997)
GoldenEye 007 (1997)
Diddy Kong Racing (1997)
Banjo-Kazooie (1998)
Jet Force Gemini (1999)
Donkey Kong 64 (1999)
Perfect Dark (2000)
Mickey's Speedway USA (2000)
Banjo-Tooie (2000)
Conker's Bad Fur Day (2001)

You don't often see many debates between these two eras and I'm guessing that's because the N64 era is the one people prop up the most. Understandably so! Their output on that console was absolutely insane, but I feel like when you include their pre-DKC games on the SNES, it's more of a fair fight. 7 games vs. 11 games. And it's not like they didn't make some bangers on the SNES as well. After all, the success they enjoyed on the SNES is why they were able to grow into such a powerhouse on the N64 in the first place.

So.......which period from Rare's golden age would you personally pick?

A lot of these games have the potential to be great. Banjo, Blast Corps, Jet Force, DKC64, but there is something just simply broken at the planning stage, which leads them to fall short of greatness.

 

[lordrand11]

When people talk about Rare's glory days, they usually refer to the SNES and N64 era when Rare was consistently pumping out all-time classics. I was curious to see which console most would pick as the one Rare made better games on. Here's the entirety of their output on both consoles......

SNES Rare
Battletoads in Battlemaniacs (1993)
Battletoads & Double Dragon (1993)
Donkey Kong Country (1994)
Killer Instinct (1995)
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (1995)
Ken Griffey Jr.'s Winning Run (1996)
Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! (1996)

VS.

N64 Rare
Killer Instinct Gold (1996)
Blast Corps (1997)
GoldenEye 007 (1997)
Diddy Kong Racing (1997)
Banjo-Kazooie (1998)
Jet Force Gemini (1999)
Donkey Kong 64 (1999)
Perfect Dark (2000)
Mickey's Speedway USA (2000)
Banjo-Tooie (2000)
Conker's Bad Fur Day (2001)

You don't often see many debates between these two eras and I'm guessing that's because the N64 era is the one people prop up the most. Understandably so! Their output on that console was absolutely insane, but I feel like when you include their pre-DKC games on the SNES, it's more of a fair fight. 7 games vs. 11 games. And it's not like they didn't make some bangers on the SNES as well. After all, the success they enjoyed on the SNES is why they were able to grow into such a powerhouse on the N64 in the first place.

So.......which period from Rare's golden age would you personally pick?

SNES and NES were the start, but N64 killed it with all the software they made for the console.

 

[Hollowpoint5557]

Blast Corps means N64 is automatic vote.

It should be criminal how wasted the studio became after the N64. Rares squandering might be the single greatest waste of talent ever seen in the game industry in its entire history.

 

[Bumblebeetuna]

The one with Blast Corps and Jet Force Gemini.

 

[Sleepwalker]

N64 by a landslide.

 

[Matsuchezz]

I loved the Rare outout on the N64, I played all the games they released on the console, I only wish they would have released Dinosaur Planet in their original form than Star Fox adventures. The SF universe sucks imho.
I had a blast with Banjo Kazooie, Blastcorps, Jet Force Gemini, Conquer, Golden Eye, PD. DK64 was not that much fun to be honest. But the rest were really cool games.

 

[onQ123]

Ummm excuse me. Where is the option to vote for Kinect-era Rare?

In hell you should go there ( to vote )

 

[Ozzie666]

Pre DKC Rare was forgettable overall. N64 games and technical skills were more impressive. N64 is peak Rare.

 

[Bloobs]

N64 for me. Man look at that release window. Bangers year upon year. I remember waiting for Perfect Dark and Banjo Tooie felt like ages lol.

 

[daTRUballin]

Pre DKC Rare was forgettable overall. N64 games and technical skills were more impressive. N64 is peak Rare.

I'm sure many old timers won't be happy about seeing that part of your post lol. They were pretty influential when they were Ultimate Play The Game. At least in the UK.

 

[Pegasus Actual]

I don't care much about Rare, but I probably actually got more out of them in the SNES era, and SNES > N64 in general. And Goldeneye was bad. Blast Corps looked fun but I don't think I ever actually got to play it.

 

[SirTerry-T]

I'd go with NES era...

 

[Ozzie666]

I'm sure many old timers won't be happy about seeing that part of your post lol. They were pretty influential when they were Ultimate Play The Game. At least in the UK.

Sorry I should specify their SNES and genesis out put. Their ultimate and nes were pretty legendary too.

 

[nkarafo]

N64 by far. They were the most important studio after Nintendo themselves during that time. And they released many important games, on the SNES it was only about Donkey Kong Country and nothing else.

 

[Soodanim]

The people have spoken, and they speak wisely. Of course it's N64. DKC pales in comparison to what they were doing on N64. If it wasn't for Nintendo's own output, the console would have been theirs.

But either way, they stood out. Grant Kirkhope's work blessing our ears is great wherever it happens.

 

[daTRUballin]

N64 by far. They were the most important studio after Nintendo themselves during that time. And they released many important games, on the SNES it was only about Donkey Kong Country and nothing else.

Killer Instinct is sitting somewhere in a corner crying right now......

 

[nkarafo]

The people have spoken, and they speak wisely. Of course it's N64. DKC pales in comparison to what they were doing on N64. If it wasn't for Nintendo's own output, the console would have been theirs.

But either way, they stood out. Grant Kirkhope's work blessing our ears is great wherever it happens.

I would argue that David Wise's soundtrack in DKC2 is above everything else. But still, not enough to outshine RARE's output during the N64 days.

Killer Instinct is sitting somewhere in a corner crying right now......

Killer Instinct was... fine. A massively downgraded arcade port and i would argue not as good as the Streetfighers or the Mortal Kombats of the era. I could say the same for Killer Instinct Gold on the N64.

 

[Hudo]

Rare were semi-carrying the N64. At least for many people.

 

[nkarafo]

And Goldeneye was bad

Ah yes, the game that broke the "Doom clone" era, elevated the FPS genre for consoles and introduced many things we take for granted now (dual analog controls, body part depended damage and head-shots) and standardized others (non-linear mission objectives, sniper rifles), carried the N64 sales during 1997, got copied by many others during the late 90's and it still has an active community and has been one of the most popular speed run entries of all time is... bad.

Sure Jan.

 

[Chastten]

N64 for sure. Played the hell out of Diddy Kong Racing, GoldenEye and Jet Force Gemini during that era and Conker's Bad Fur Day was a great farewell.

 

[Variahunter]

N64.
I love DKC2 and I prefer the first KI.

BUT

Diddy Kong Racing was so good
Banjo Kazooie
Goldeneye
Conker
Even DK64 with its flaws is still good

But their best game hands down for me is Jet Force Gemini. Literally the (almost) Metroid 3D third person of the era. Incredible music, good gameplay, great graphics for the time, good level design with platforming and lot of secrets. It honestly deserve a real remake with modern controls because the button layout is only for N64 and feels weird on other consoles.

 

[MaestroMike]

what a run I wish microsoft never purchased Rare smh like studios get soft or lose their edge when they stop being independent or something i don't know what it is

 

[GymWolf]

Snes by a landslide personally, dk2 and ki are some of my favourite games ever.

 

[crackajack]

DKC was unbelievable on SNES, but I generally liked 2d platformers not much (maybe more today), so personally I would say Goldeneye, PD, Jet Force, Blast Corps.

Sad, that devs were able to release such variety (and sequel) in the past within one gen and now we have studios that release one or two games per gen, while having a much bigger workforce plus also support studios and we don't even get much improvement beyond visuals most people don't value as much as Digital Foundry.

 

[NeoIkaruGAF]

Even if most of those games are a lot less impressive in retrospect (Conker is a pretty clunky game and ultimately worth it for the attitude alone), the thing is, Rare as a house name was unknown to many before DKC. Sure, DKC half-necromanced a decaying SNES just when the 32-bit gen was kicking off, and DKC2 is a game for the ages.

But. Rare literally kept the N64 afloat, together with those precious few masterpieces from Nintendo themselves. And Goldeneye is single-handedly responsible for the system getting and maintaining a foothold in the market, coming one year after SM64 and one before Ocarina of Time. Banjo-Kazooie is possibly still the best collectathon 3D platformer that isn’t SM64. Their game design genius really only came out of the bottle around 1994, and did its best work between then and Y2K.

 

[lame gag1990]

I've never been the biggest fan of Rare. They've made some good games but I think they were a bit overrated. They did create Goldeneye and Perfect Dark though and they're legendary. That counts for something.

 

[keefged4]

The Rare tiles on the N64 are what made the system the GOAT for me. N64 beats out the Snes library easily. Perfect Dark is probably my most played game ever.

 

[Shut0wen]

I dont why n64 rare was the best, donkey kong was fucking awful, there worst game

 

[MonkeyClaw36]

I'd say SNES from a technological standpoint and N64 just for the games themselves.

Seeing KI or DKC on snes was mindblowing for the time!

 

[Horseganador]

N64...

 

[SF Kosmo]

I always found the DKC series to be overrated. Technically impressive in the amount of animation and depth of color, but with ugly characters and art and generic gameplay.

I guess some of that applies to their N64 games as well but at least we have Conker and Jet Force Gemini.

Rare's best era might be before the Nintendo acquisition.

 

[MagnesD3]

N64 free but the DKC series is goated tho.

 

[Physiognomonics]

One console had Banjo & Goldeneye, and the other did not.

Sure but I have a soft spot for DKC 1 & 2. It's hard to decide for me.

 

[Bring Back Scalebound]

I wanted to vote for SNES out of complete unrelated spite towards the Nintendo 64 controller...

But yeah, it's 64.
They had more games there to show how great they were.

They did in the SNES era just as well, but it didn't have the quantity.