‘Rare Replay’ Review: An Entertaining Romp Through Rare’s Storied History

Game: Rare Replay
Consoles: Xbox One (reviewed)
Publisher: Microsoft Studios
Developer: Rare Ltd

Ever since Microsoft acquired game developer Rare, gamers have been left wondering why such a awesome developer had been relegated to producing Kinect shovelware. At E3 2015, a glimmer of hope regarding Rare’s future projects on the Xbox One gave fans a bit of hope. It’s interesting to note that Rare’s past has been tapped to remind everyone of their glory days. Rare Replay does a fine job of showcasing their vast catalog and important legacy in gaming.

Rare Replay comes with 30 games, which is the ultimate steal for those looking for $30 worth of non-stop entertainment. A whole suite of games covering Rare’s long-running history are included here, such as the classic but oh-so-difficult Battletoads and the N64 FPS Perfect Dark. Some of the lesser known titles produced by Rare back in the 80’s are also playable here, which is a cool extra. This collection does a great job of not only providing gamers with the titles they remember fondly, but also providing them with less popular releases they’re probably playing for the 1st time. Several helpful options do a great job of having you complete these games become a more enjoyable experience – mini-challenges called Snapshots, a Rewind feature that lets you replay botched sections, cool visual nods in the form of screen barriers etc.

Rare Replay

Get Rare Replay here.

Not every game on this compilation is worth revisiting, to be quite honest. Some of the titles released during Rare’s stint as a developer for Xbox 360 haven’t aged very well. Perfect Dark Zero is just as disappointing as the 1st time we played it, Grabbed By The Ghoulies is still a lame beat ’em up and Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts does nothing to capture the spirt of the last two games that fans adored. Playing much older titles, such as Snake Rattle ‘n’ Roll and Gunfright, for longer than 5 minutes is something only true masochists can do.

Rare Replay

Get Rare Replay here.

Beyond the games themselves lies a fun unlocking system. By completing assorted challenges, you’ll gain stamps that award you with background material regarding Rare. This comes in the form of documentaries, memorable tunes and even info on Rare’s never-released titles. Special care has been taken to make this collection more than just a gathering of 30 games. Rare Replay does its job of explaining just how legendary Rare was and is poised to be once again.

Rare Replay

Hardcore achievement hunters will love Rare Replay more than most. The total amount of Gamerscore points you can amass here is 10,000, a feat that’s made all the easier since the game counts the points you’ve earned over each Xbox 360 title. The replay value here is definitely limitless, so you’ll spend plenty of time making the most of each playable classic.

Bottom Line

Rare Replay

Rare Replay stands heads and shoulders above past game developer/publisher sets. There’s a large variety of game genres to enjoy here among several classic releases. Reliving the platforming greatness of Banjo-Kazooie or exploring Knight Lore for the 1st time are unparalleled experiences. Some of the games on this collection are better off being un-installed due to their ho-hum quality, though. Nevertheless, Rare Replay’s wealth of content makes it a purchase that longtime fans will find enjoyment in.

Score: 8.5/10

Pros:

  • Many of Rare’s packed in games are still just as good as you remember them
  • The Rewind feature, assorted game side barriers and graphical output options are notable additions
  • The wealth of behind-the-scenes content provides a welcome history lesson on Rare

Cons:

  • A few of the games on this collection haven’t aged well or have gotten even worse
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