Rare
Rare business and news from across the web.
Super Yooka-Laylee Kart fulfils the fourth game karting spin-off prophecy (on a technicality)Playtonic has announced Super Yooka-Laylee Kart, a new kart racing spin-off in development for PC. The game aims to emulate the style of classic kart racers with weapons, a coin system, and a unique Rage mechanic. It will feature a solo campaign, online multiplayer, and local 8-player split-screen, with beta tests coming soon.
Review: Donkey Kong 64 - Kicks Some Serious Tail, But Goes Too FarDonkey Kong 64, originally released in 1999 by Rare, is reviewed as an expansive adventure-platformer with a heavy emphasis on collectathon gameplay. While praised for its vibrant graphics, personality, and extensive content, the game's core mechanic of switching between five Kongs to collect color-coded items leads to repetitive backtracking and can be frustrating despite its charm.
Donkey Kong 64 now available on Nintendo ClassicsNintendo has added the 1999 Nintendo 64 title Donkey Kong 64 to its Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service. Developed by Rare, the 3D platformer allows players to control five Kong characters to thwart King K. Rool's plans.
"The difference is not just that you can’t fight back, it’s that you feel like you shouldn’t": Alien Isolation's lead designer wants you to "respect" the dinos in The Lost WildThe Lost Wild's lead designer Gary Napper emphasizes a design philosophy of respecting dinosaurs as living creatures rather than monsters, drawing parallels to his work on Alien: Isolation. Unlike Alien: Isolation's focus on player power fantasy, The Lost Wild aims to make players feel vulnerable and encourage non-violent interaction with the prehistoric inhabitants of its island setting.
Donkey Kong 64 beat Pokemon mania to become the best-selling game of 1999 in the USDonkey Kong 64 was the best-selling video game in the US for 1999, surpassing even the immense popularity of Pokemon Red and Blue. Despite launching in late November, the Nintendo 64 title achieved this feat by selling over 2.3 million units in the US. The article also lists other notable games from 1999 that Donkey Kong 64 outsold.- 25 '90s Games That Hold Up Perfectly Today (And Where to Play Them) | TAGThis article identifies 25 video games from the 1990s that remain enjoyable for modern players, distinguishing between titles that hold up with no caveats and those that require specific versions or adjustments. It highlights how 2D pixel art generally ages better than early 3D graphics and provides information on where each game can be legally played today.
- Forza Horizon 6’s Most Hated Driver Has Become An Internet LegendA specific AI Drivatar in Forza Horizon 6, known as Bowie Knife99, has become an internet legend and meme due to its unusually aggressive and disruptive driving style. This Drivatar's notoriety has spread beyond the game, with various companies and media outlets humorously acknowledging its infamous status.
Donkey Kong 64 drops onto Nintendo Switch OnlineDonkey Kong 64 has been added to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service, making the N64 collectathon platformer available on the Nintendo Switch. The game originally required the N64 Expansion Pak accessory due to its advanced features for the time. This release joins other classic N64 titles already available on the service.
Donkey Kong 64 is finally coming to Nintendo Switch Online, so you can experience never completing it as an adult eitherDonkey Kong 64 is being added to the Nintendo Switch Online service's Nintendo 64 library on June 4, 2026. The game, known for its extreme collectathon gameplay and numerous collectibles, will feature save states and a rewind feature. This marks the first time the 1999 Rare-developed 3D platformer will be playable on a handheld Nintendo console.
Donkey Kong 64 coming to Switch Online + Expansion Pack next weekNintendo announced that Donkey Kong 64 will be added to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service on June 4, 2026. The 1999 Rare-developed 3D platformer will be available through the "Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics" app for subscribers.
Nintendo Expands Switch Online's N64 Library With Another GameDonkey Kong 64 has been added to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service. Developed by Rare, the 1999 title is now available for members to play, featuring the original campaign with five playable Kongs and multiplayer battle arenas.
Destruction AllStars delisted, multiplayer servers shut downDestruction AllStars has been delisted from the PlayStation Store and its multiplayer servers have been shut down, leaving only the offline Arcade mode playable. Sony has stated that single-player modes will remain accessible until November 25, 2026. The game, originally a PS+ title in 2021, struggled with player numbers, leading to developer Lucid Games introducing bots for matchmaking shortly after launch.
Destruction AllStars Has Been De-Listed, Servers to Shut Down on November 25thSony is shutting down servers for the PlayStation 5 exclusive Destruction AllStars on November 25th, and the game has already been delisted from the PlayStation Store. Players who already own the game can still access single-player modes until the shutdown date. The game, developed by Lucid Games, was noted for its vehicular combat and responsive controls.- Sagan om Goldeneye 007This article details the development of the iconic Nintendo 64 game GoldenEye 007 by Rare. It highlights how a small, inexperienced team, led by Martin Hollis and inspired by figures like Tim Stamper, overcame challenges and Nintendo's initial concerns to create a groundbreaking first-person shooter that redefined the genre on consoles. The game's success, particularly its innovative multiplayer mode, cemented its legacy in video game history.
Fable Has Been Rated for Release in South Korea, AustraliaFable has received ratings in South Korea and Australia, suggesting a release in late 2024, potentially September or October. These ratings indicate mature content including language, violence, and criminal acts. Playground Games is continuing to recruit staff for the title, which is expected to launch before Grand Theft Auto 6.
Great moments in PC gaming: Stealing and selling someone else's treasure in Sea of ThievesThis article reflects on a memorable moment in the pirate sandbox game Sea of Thieves, where another player stealthily stole treasure from the author's crew. The author praises the bold move, highlighting the thrill of player-driven interactions and thievery as a core element of the game's appeal, even when it happens to them.
Fable Studio Seeks A Producer, Game Designer, and More to Help Finish DevelopmentDeveloper Playground Games is actively recruiting for multiple roles to finalize the development of Fable, following the recent launch of Forza Horizon 6. The studio is leveraging talent from other Xbox Game Studios, including Blizzard's cinematics team. Fable is set to release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S in Autumn, featuring a new take on the franchise's morality system and combat mechanics.- Sea of Thieves advertises its next update with Last Ship Standing and a whole lot of cosmetics for saleSea of Thieves is preparing to launch its next update, which will include a new game mode called Last Ship Standing and a variety of cosmetic items for sale. While the update introduces a new competitive mode, the article suggests the overall content is somewhat thin, with a significant focus on purchasable in-game items.
Nintendo 64 emulator just implemented rollback netcode for the entire library: 'It was honestly not that hard'The RMG-K Nintendo 64 emulator has implemented rollback netcode for all its games, significantly reducing input delay and desyncs for online multiplayer. While currently limited to two-player sessions, the feature has been demonstrated successfully in games like Super Smash Bros. and GoldenEye. The use of AI in the development process has drawn criticism from the original emulator's creator.- Issues and ActivismSea of Thieves is facing backlash following allegations of player misconduct. The game's developer, Rare, and publisher, Microsoft, are reportedly addressing the issues raised by the community.