Rare's Big Four-Oh: Is Microsoft Throwing a Party or Just Clearing Out the Attic?

AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·

Rare's Big Four-Oh: Is Microsoft Throwing a Party or Just Clearing Out the Attic?

Rare, the iconic UK studio, is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a mixed bag of goodies from Microsoft, including retro Evercade cartridges, vinyl soundtracks, Sea of Thieves events, and quirky merch – all while navigating recent studio challenges like cancellations and job cuts.

Right, so Rare – that legendary studio responsible for more childhood memories than a wizard’s lost spellbook – is officially forty years old. Forty! Bloody hell, where did the time go? It feels like just yesterday I was trying to land a perfect Trickster’s Shot in *Perfect Dark* or getting absolutely trounced by those Battletoads. And now, the studio that’s given us everything from *Donkey Kong Country*’s gorgeous pixel art to *Sea of Thieves*’ swashbuckling adventures is hitting the big 4-0.

You might’ve already caught wind of that... erm... *unique* 8bitdo controller they're releasing. Yeah, that one that looks like it went a few rounds with an angry badger. My first thought was, "Is this what happens when you try to cast a 'retro cool' spell and it backfires spectacularly?" But hold your horses, mate, because it turns out there’s a whole lot more to Microsoft’s birthday bash for the beloved UK outfit than just that aesthetically challenged peripheral. And some of it, I reckon, is proper magic.

See, Microsoft’s gone and outlined the full anniversary plans, and while there’s always a bit of corporate PR fluff to chew through – like a goblin trying to explain quantum physics – there are some genuinely exciting nuggets in there for us actual gamers.

First up, for those of us who still get a tingle from physical media and the satisfying click of a cartridge, Evercade is getting a "Rare Collection 1" cartridge. Twelve "vintage" Rare titles packed into one little plastic beauty. We're talking *Jetpac*, *Lunar Jetman*, *Atic Atac*, *Sabre Wulf*, *Underwurlde*, *Knight Lore*, *Gunfright* – these are the proper old-school bangers from when Rare was known as Ultimate Play the Game, pumping out hits on Spectrums and the like. Then you've got *RC Pro-Am*, *Cobra Triangle*, and of course, *Battletoads* and *Battletoads Arcade*. And, somewhat surprisingly, *Conker’s Pocket Tales* from the Game Boy era. Pre-orders for that little slice of history kick off on September 30th. Honestly, that Evercade collection? That’s the sort of thing that warms my digital heart. It’s a genuine nod to their deepest roots, a real "know your history, kids" moment.

Then there’s the auditory feast. iam8bit – who always seem to nail the art of video game merchandise – are dropping a "Rare 40th Anniversary Box Set" vinyl. Four discs, 39 tracks, two and a half hours of pure Rare musical genius for a cool $100. And the tracklist is a veritable who’s-who of Rare’s soundscapes: *Sea of Thieves*, *Viva Piñata* (ah, those were the days of colourful, chaotic gardening!), *Battletoads*, *Banjo-Kazooie*, *Kinect Sports* (alright, maybe less genius there, but points for trying), *Perfect Dark*, *Killer Instinct*, *Conker's Bad Fur Day* (still peak irreverence, that one), *Jet Force Gemini*, *Grabbed by the Ghoulies* (a bit of a curio, that), *Blast Corps*, and *Kameo: Elements of Power*. Pre-orders for that sound-spell go live on August 7th. For anyone who grew up with these soundtracks seared into their brain, that's a seriously tempting proposition.

And what’s a birthday without some goodies you can actually wear or display? Fangamer, another top-tier merch outfit, has a new collection. T-shirts, key rings, other vinyl – the usual suspects. But the real prize? A King Conker plushie. I mean, c’mon, a plushie of Conker in his royal regalia? My willpower is being tested, mate. Severely. My only real gripe there is a surprising lack of *Viva Piñata* swag. Surely those vibrant, adorable creatures deserve some plushie love? It feels like a missed opportunity, like forgetting the sprinkles on the birthday cake.

Of course, current flagship *Sea of Thieves* is getting in on the party. And inevitably so, wouldn't you say? Starting soon, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can snag the Rare Ruby Emote as a Perk. And from August 6th, there’s a Pirate Emporium sale, discounting various cosmetics inspired by classic Rare games. Because who doesn't want their pirate looking like a *Banjo-Kazooie* fanboy? Then there's the next season, "Smugglers’ Tide," kicking off on August 14th, bringing ruby-themed items, a Ruby Eyepatch for logging in, and a Ruby Legend Figurehead unlockable during the Community Weekend on August 30th. Plus, a 40th Anniversary cosmetics bundle and a ruby ship set. It’s a good way to weave the celebrations into their most active live service game, making sure current players feel the love. It's smart, actually. Integrating history into the ongoing adventure.

Beyond the digital trinkets and physical treasures, there are some smaller, but no less cool, gestures. New Xbox gamerpics and a dynamic background featuring a "who's-who of Rare characters old and new" have just launched. Perfect for sprucing up your digital digs. And for those truly dedicated fans, or anyone who just happens to be passing through, a blue heritage plaque has been unveiled in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire – marking the actual birthplace where Tim and Chris Stamper co-founded the studio back in 1985. That's a properly nice touch, a tangible piece of history for a studio that's given us so much. It's like finding a real-life hidden easter egg.

Now, all this celebration, all these nods to a glorious past, they're truly welcome. Especially after what's been a bit of a rough patch for the studio. Because let's be fair, it's been a tough year for Rare, hasn’t it? That long-in-the-works fantasy game, *Everwild*, got cancelled back in July. And there were sadly redundancies, caught up in that wider, frankly devastating, Xbox restructuring that saw substantial job cuts across Microsoft's games division. On top of that, Rare veteran Gregg Mayles, the genius who directed games like *Banjo-Kazooie* and *Sea of Thieves*, decided to call it a day after more than 35 years. That’s a massive loss of institutional knowledge and creative spark.

So, while we’re all here admiring the shiny new vinyl and plotting how to get our hands on that King Conker plushie, it’s worth remembering the context. Is this 40th-anniversary shindig a genuine, heartfelt celebration of Rare’s incredible legacy? Absolutely, it feels like it, for the most part. But is it also a clever way to remind us of the studio’s enduring brilliance amidst some recent stumbles? Probably a bit of that too. It's like when you accidentally blow up half the living room with a misfired spell, then quickly distract everyone with a spectacular fireworks display in the garden.

Ultimately, Rare’s 40th anniversary is a chance to look back at an unparalleled legacy of innovation and creativity. From the Spectrum to the Xbox, they’ve consistently pushed boundaries and delivered some truly memorable experiences. These celebrations, even with their mixed bag of offerings and the shadow of recent challenges, serve as a potent reminder of why we’ve loved Rare for so long. Here’s hoping the next forty years are just as wild, just as unexpected, and maybe, just maybe, a little less... chaotic on the corporate front. Cheers, Rare. You've earned it, mate.

*This article was inspired by original reporting from Matt Wales at Eurogamer.*

Tags: Rare, Gaming History, Xbox, Retro Gaming, Sea of Thieves

Original article: Eurogamer