46. Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts (Xbox 360)
While it retains the 3D platforming that has made the Banjo-Kazooie series so beloved, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts introduces a focus on building vehicles in order to compete in various challenges. Using a surprisingly versatile construction system, players can create all manner of craft – cars, boats, and even aircraft. While it disappointed some fans upon its release in 2008, in more recent times it has been reassessed as something of a trailblazer, pioneering the kind of emergent, freeform gameplay that has been popularised by the likes of Minecraft and Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
45. Battletoads in Ragnarok's World (GB)
Battletoads in Ragnarok's World might sound like a stand-alone sequel, but it's actually a port of the original Battletoads for the Game Boy (the game entitled Battletoads on Nintendo handheld is, in fact, totally different from the NES version). Confused? Don't be, because this is still an excellent conversion of the 1991 original and well worth a look if you're a fan.
44. Captain Skyhawk (NES)
Rare came up with the concept of Independence Day a few years before Hollywood did in this NES-based action title. You assume the role of an ace pilot who must nagivate isometric stages taking down alien enemies. Captain Skyhawk demonstrates Rare's talent with 3D-style environments and, at times, feels like a pumped-up version of Sega's arcade hit, Zaxxon.
43. Battletoads & Double Dragon (NES)
Seeing as publisher Tradewest owned the rights to both Battletoads and Double Dragon, it made sense to combine the two – especially when you consider that the gameplay in both series is somewhat similar. However, Battletoads & Double Dragon 'feels' more like a Battletoads outing than a Double Dragon one, and really pushes the NES to its limits. Ports to the Mega Drive and SNES are decent, but it's clear that you're simply playing an 8-bit game with better presentation.
42. Championship Pro-Am (MD)
After finding success on Nintendo's hardware, Rare would, albeit somewhat briefly, experiment with Sega's 16-bit Genesis / Mega Drive. Isometric racer Championship Pro-Am was one of the resultant projects and is effectively an enhanced remake of the NES title R.C. Pro-Am. Gameplay tweaks and vastly superior presentation make this a real hidden gem in the Mega Drive's library.
41. Sneaky Snakes (GB)
Following on from the critical success of Snake Rattle 'n' Roll, Rare released this semi-sequel for the Game Boy, which removed the isometric 3D effect and replaced it with a standard 2D side-scrolling viewpoint. The end result is a game which isn't anywhere near as gripping, and Sneaky Snakes has been largely forgotten in Rare's back catalogue.
40. Battletoads in Battlemaniacs (SNES)
Taking the core concept of NES Battletoads and dialling up the visuals, sound and gameplay, Battletoads in Battlemaniacs marks Rare's debut on the SNES, and offers plenty of beat-em-up action for fans of the series. While it perhaps lacks the impact of the original game, it's still a fun take on the genre. A Master System port was developed by Syrox Developments but, for some odd reason, was only released in Brazil, despite being reviewed by European magazines at the time.
39. Mickey's Racing Adventure (GBC)
Mickey's Racing Adventure is an isometric racer for the Game Boy Color that leverages the company's experience with the genre. A wealth of characters, vehicles and upgrades are on offer, making this a decent (if slightly basic) racer for Nintendo's portable.
38. Cobra Triangle (NES)
Mixing racing with combat years before the likes of Mario Kart and WipEout made it cool to do so, Cobra Triangle places you behind the controls of a kitted-out speedboat. Boasting smooth scrolling, tight controls and plenty of challenge, Cobra Triangle is one of the company's most fondly-remembered NES games.
37. Wizards & Warriors (NES)
Rare's second NES release (and Acclaim's first as a publisher of home software), Wizards & Warriors is a bold take on the side-scrolling action platformer which pulls together many fantasy elements to create its plot. You step into the shoes of Kuros, a warrior from "the Books of Excalibur" who ventures into the Kingdom of Elrond to do battle with the malevolent Malkil. Designed by Tim Stamper, Chris Stamper, Paul Proctor and Mark Betteridge, Wizards & Warriors would establish a mini-franchise that would continue on both the NES and Game Boy.
36. Battletoads (NES)
Battletoads had more than a whiff of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles about it, but with developer Rare at the helm, this side-scrolling beat 'em up had more than enough quality in its art, audio and gameplay to elevate it above the status of 'knock-off'. In fact, despite their high level of difficulty, we'd say the rough 'n' tumble adventures of Rash, Zitz and Pimple are even more fondly remembered than the 8-bit TMNT games. Insanely unfair hoverbike sections aside, there's still plenty of co-op comedy and fun to be found in this series.
35. Battletoads (GB)
Misleadingly, this isn't a port of the NES Battletoads, despite the title and the cover artwork. It'd an all-new adventure which shares the same basic gameplay but has all-new levels and content. To make things even more confusing, the Game Boy would get a legitimate port of the NES game in the form of Battletoads in Ragnarok's World.
34. Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge (GBA)
Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty’s Revenge is a solid little platformer, even considering its various shortcomings. Fans of the series and genre would be safe to add this “collect-a-thon” to their library as long as they understand the brevity of the adventure and don’t expect quite the same level of charm present in Rare’s Nintendo 64 releases. This is the closest thing you’ll get to a true Banjo-Kazooie experience outside the originals, so if you’re longing for another trip to Spiral Mountain, you’d be silly to let this one slip by.
33. Super R.C. Pro-Am (GB)
A pint-sized sequel to the NES game R.C. Pro-Am, Super R.C. Pro-Am includes the same combat racing mechanics and isometric view, but suffers from the blurry nature of the Game Boy's display. Play it via emulation on or more recent hardware – such as the GBA – and it becomes a lot more enjoyable.
32. Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise (Xbox 360)
The warm welcome afforded to the original Viva Piñata ensured that Rare would work on a sequel, and while Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise certainly improves on its forerunner, many reviewers at the time felt it would have been better presented as an expansion rather than a fully-blown sequel. Still, fans of the series had little to grumble about, and Trouble in Paradise really does refine what is already a solid foundation.
31. Mickey's Speedway USA (N64)
Following on from Mickey's Racing Adventure, the GBC collaboration between Rare, Nintendo, and Disney, there’s a lot about Mickey’s Speedway USA that is curious. Although you get the distinct feeling that Rare was coasting with this licensed title, it says a lot about the studio's sheer talent that it could churn out a game of this quality while simultaneously producing classics like Perfect Dark and Banjo. It undoubtedly lacks the variety and imagination of Diddy Kong Racing, or the character and track design of Mario Kart 64, but technically it shines, showing what was still possible in the year 2000 on the N64.
30. Conker: Live & Reloaded (Xbox)
One of Rare's biggest projects following its sale to Microsoft, Conker: Live & Reloaded includes a remastered version of the single-player story mode as well as an online component which is made up of game modes such as Deathmatch and Capture the Flag. This portion of the game – intended as an advert for Xbox Live – pokes fun at WW2 movies like Saving Private Ryan. Despite the technical enhancements, many fans prefer the N64 original.
29. Snake Rattle 'n' Roll (NES)
Developed by Rare co-founder Tim Stamper and Mark Betteridge (who would later become head of the studio following the departure of the Stampers), Snake Rattle 'n' Roll is an isometric platforming game which, instead of putting you in control of a strapping hero, has you assume the role of a slithering snake. Hailed at the time of release for its innovative gameplay and convincing sense of 3D depth, Snake Rattle 'n' Roll would later be ported to the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive, complete with improved visuals and an extra stage to tackle.
28. Viva Piñata Pocket Paradise (DS)
Although the company was still active on Nintendo handhelds long after Microsoft purchased it, Viva Piñata Pocket Paradise represents something of a homecoming for Rare. The entire Viva Piñata series has a Nintendo feel to it, and parallels can easily be drawn between it and the Pokémon series. Pocket Paradise feels perfectly suited to Nintendo's DS portable, and is one of the highlights of the entire franchise.
27. R.C. Pro-Am (NES)
This isometric racer sees the player controlling a radio-controller car and is one of Rare's earliest breakout hits. Not only is the speed and animation impressive for the time, but the game is bolstered by the inclusion of power-up items and weapons, the latter of which can be used to gain an advantage over your rivals. R.C. Pro-Am received a sequel on the NES and was remade in the form of Championship Pro-Am on the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive.
Comments 13
Sea of Thieves at 11th is better than I expected, I picked it up on Steamdeck last year and played a ton! Would highly recommend if you have 1-4 friends to play with.
I do not agree with these rankings.
NES Battletoads below Mickey's Racing Adventure for the GBC...really?
And say whatever you want about Nuts & Bolts but it's objectively a better game than many of the titles further up on the list like the aforementioned Mickey's.
Considering how Rare's games are held in high esteem, I would've thought the user scores would reflect that.
It's the lack of Underwurld, Atic Atac and Sabre Wulf, isn't it?
Tine for your free ratings adjustment, courtesy of Reality Check (TM).
Too high: Banjo-Kazooie
Waaaay too low: BK Nuts & Bolts
Man, you guys are haters on that Beetlejuice game. I always enjoyed that one and felt like it had some unique mechanics, even if it was unfairly difficult and janky at times.
It’s also sort of blasphemy to see Nuts and Bolts so low in the list. Below Kameo and Grabbed by Ghoulies? Below Perfect Dark Zero!? Insane. Nuts and Bolts wasn’t what people wanted, but it was solid for what it was. Surprised to see such a positive reaction to Sea of Thieves too.
Perfect Dark is better than GoldenEye. There, I said it!!
@Diogmites @madgears @somnambulance The rankings are based solely on user votes. These will likely change over time - you can even change them right now by voting for your favourite games
Oh, I thought this was a ranking of hard-to-find games, like Little Samson and Ninja Five-O. My mistake. (Har de har har)
@Damo I know this, but I just… can’t believe it! Lol. Nuts and Bolts deserves better than this. I was surprised by the positivity towards Jet Force Gemini as well. I get the nostalgia for it, but it’s aged like milk.
@Damo I read the header and therefore i know that.
I wanted to type a comment about how everyone who voted on this was an idiot, but in the interest of not wanting my comment deleted by mods, went with a more general complaint, which managed to imply that i didn’t read the header.
Someday i hope to find that perfect comment that manages to let you know that i read the header, insults the people who don’t agree with me, and doesn’t get me in trouble.
Until then!
Perfect Dark is the best of all by far!
Had no idea Rare had this many games! Also agree with Goldeneye at #1, purely for the impact it had on console FPS games at the time and its legacy today.
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