Table of Contents
Rare's Humble Beginnings: From ZX Spectrum to SNES Success
Founded in 1985 in the UK by the Stamper brothers, Rare started life as "Ashby Computers and Graphics." Their initial focus was on developing games for the burgeoning home computer market, particularly the ZX Spectrum. Early titles like Jetpac, released in 1983 before the company was officially "Rare," and Sabre Wulf, showcased an early knack for engaging gameplay and colorful graphics that pushed the hardware's limits. These weren't games that typically became #speedrun mainstays due to the era's technology, but they were crucial in building the studio's foundation and reputation. The late 80s and early 90s saw Rare solidify its name with titles that became legendary for their difficulty and unique charm. Battletoads, released in 1991, is infamous. Its brutal difficulty made it a nightmare for casual players but a tantalizing challenge for speedrunners. Mastering its intricate level designs and enemy patterns to achieve a fast clear time is a testament to extreme skill. Alongside Battletoads, R.C. Pro-Am offered a different kind of competition, a top-down racer that, while not as widely speedrun today, was a significant hit. These games demonstrated Rare's ability to craft experiences that were both challenging and memorable, setting the stage for what was to come. It was the mid-90s, however, that truly catapulted Rare into superstardom. The release of Donkey Kong Country for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1994 was a seismic event. Utilizing revolutionary pre-rendered 3D graphics, the game looked unlike anything else on consoles. Its visual fidelity, coupled with tight platforming and memorable level design, made it a massive commercial and critical success. For speedrunners, Donkey Kong Country presents a fascinating blend of route optimization and execution. While skips are less common than in later titles, optimizing movement, minimizing damage, and executing precise jumps are key to shaving off precious seconds. The game's legacy is undeniable, and its impact on #gaming is profound.The Nintendo 64 Golden Age: Revolutionizing Genres
The move to the Nintendo 64 era marked perhaps Rare's most celebrated period. Their partnership with Nintendo led to a string of titles that not only defined the N64 but also pushed the boundaries of their respective genres. The standout title for many, and a cornerstone of the speedrunning community, is GoldenEye 007 (1997). This game didn't just adapt a movie license; it redefined the first-person shooter on consoles. Its innovative control scheme, robust multiplayer, and surprisingly deep single-player campaign made it a cultural phenomenon.For speedrunners, GoldenEye 007 is a treasure trove of glitches, sequence breaks, and optimized movement. The Any% category is a masterclass in exploiting enemy AI and manipulating level geometry.The technical prowess required to execute the famous "facility skip" or various out-of-bounds tricks is astonishing. The dedication of the community in discovering and refining these strats has kept the game relevant for decades. It’s a perfect example of how a game, even years after its release, can be continuously optimized by a passionate #speedrun community. Following closely in its groundbreaking footsteps was Banjo-Kazooie (1998). This 3D platformer, with its vibrant worlds, witty humor, and emphasis on exploration and item collection, became an instant classic. While seemingly counterintuitive for speedrunning, Banjo-Kazooie has a dedicated speedrunning scene. Runners focus on efficient movement, precise ability usage, and an optimized route to collect only the essential Jiggies and Notes needed to progress. The game’s open-ended nature allows for creative routing, and the community has developed highly optimized strategies to bypass unnecessary objectives. Other N64 gems like Perfect Dark (2000) built upon the foundation of GoldenEye 007, offering even more complex mechanics and potential for glitches. While perhaps not as universally speedrun as its predecessor, Perfect Dark has its own dedicated runners exploring its sci-fi world with impressive speed. These games collectively cemented Rare's reputation for quality, innovation, and creating experiences that offered incredible depth, much to the delight of speedrunners looking to shave milliseconds off their times.
The Microsoft Era: New Horizons and Shifting Tides
In 2002, Microsoft acquired Rare from Nintendo for a reported $375 million. This marked a significant shift for the studio, aligning it with the Xbox brand. While the move brought access to new hardware and a wider audience, it also led to a period of transition. Key personnel, including the Stamper brothers, eventually departed, and the studio's output began to feel different to some long-time fans. Despite these changes, Rare continued to produce games. Titles like Grabbed by the Ghoulies (2003) and Conker: Live & Reloaded (2005), a remake of the N64 cult classic Conker's Bad Fur Day, explored different genres and pushed graphical boundaries. Conker's Bad Fur Day itself has a dedicated speedrunning community, appreciating its often-overlooked depth and the sheer absurdity that allows for unique routing. A significant project during this era was Viva Piñata (2006). This charming and visually unique life simulation game focused on gardening and creature collection. While its relaxed pace and focus on nurturing might not immediately scream "speedrun," dedicated players have indeed found ways to optimize its progression, focusing on efficient resource management and creature attraction. It represented Rare's willingness to experiment with new IPs and aesthetics. Another notable title, Kinect Sports (2010), showcased Rare's adaptation to new technologies like motion controls. While perhaps not a typical speedrunning game, it highlights Rare's continued drive to innovate and explore different avenues of interactive entertainment. This period demonstrates Rare's resilience and adaptability, even as the industry and player expectations evolved.Rare Today: Continuing the Legacy
In recent years, Rare has found a new stride, particularly with its ambitious pirate adventure, Sea of Thieves (2018). Launched as a live-service game, it has evolved dramatically, offering a vast open world filled with emergent gameplay, PvP encounters, and cooperative adventures. The speedrunning community for Sea of Thieves focuses on optimizing voyage completion, navigating the seas efficiently, and executing specific strategies for PvP or PvE encounters. The dynamic nature of the game means that routes and strategies are constantly evolving, making it a thrilling, albeit unconventional, speedrunning challenge. Rare's recent output also includes Sea of Thieves: A Pirate's Life (2021), a massive crossover with Disney's *Pirates of the Caribbean*, further expanding its content. The studio's commitment to ongoing development and content updates for its flagship title shows a renewed focus and energy.Rare's ability to pivot and reinvent itself, from 8-bit beginnings to pioneering 3D graphics and now leading the charge in live-service adventures, is truly remarkable. Their legacy is not just in the games they've made, but in the enduring impact they've had on players and developers alike.The company's recent successes suggest a bright future, and for speedrunners, this means new challenges and opportunities to master their creations.
Speedrunning Staples: Rare's Impact on the Community
Rare's contribution to the #speedrun community is immense. Several of their titles are not just popular but are considered iconic in the speedrunning world: * **GoldenEye 007 (N64)**: A foundational FPS speedrun. Its Any% category is legendary for its complexity and glitch exploitation. * **Donkey Kong Country Series (SNES)**: While not as glitch-heavy as N64 titles, these games demand extreme precision and optimized movement. * **Banjo-Kazooie (N64)**: A 3D platformer speedrun focused on route optimization and efficient use of character abilities. * **Battletoads (NES)**: Notorious for its difficulty, a completed speedrun is a display of incredible skill and pattern recognition. * **Perfect Dark (N64)**: Offers a deeper, more complex speedrunning experience building on GoldenEye's mechanics. * **Sea of Thieves (PC/Xbox)**: A modern example of emergent speedrunning, focusing on efficient questing and strategic gameplay in a live environment. The discovery of glitches, the development of complex strats, and the pursuit of #WR times in these Rare titles have provided endless entertainment and competition. The community's dedication to these games is a testament to Rare's enduring design principles: tight mechanics, engaging worlds, and, often, hidden depths waiting to be exploited.Frequently Asked Questions
What are Rare's most influential games for speedrunning?
While many of their titles have speedrunning communities, GoldenEye 007, Donkey Kong Country, Banjo-Kazooie, and Battletoads are arguably their most impactful and widely recognized speedrunning games.
Did Rare always focus on difficult games?
Rare developed a reputation for challenging titles, especially during the N64 era. However, their early work and later titles like Viva Piñata and Sea of Thieves show a broader range of gameplay styles.
What is the significance of Rare's acquisition by Microsoft?
The acquisition in 2002 shifted Rare's platform focus to Xbox and PC, influencing their game development direction and partnerships, though it also coincided with the departure of some key original talent.
Are Rare's older games still actively speedrun?
Absolutely! Titles like GoldenEye 007 and Donkey Kong Country have incredibly active speedrunning communities with highly optimized world records that are constantly being pushed.
Rare's journey through the history of video games is a fascinating one, filled with innovation, iconic characters, and titles that have challenged and delighted players for decades. From the pixelated adventures of the 8-bit era to the vast, shared worlds of today, Rare has consistently shown a unique creative vision. For us speedrunners, their games represent not just challenges, but intricate puzzles to be solved with speed and precision. The strats discovered, the glitches exploited, and the sheer dedication poured into achieving a #WR are all part of the #poggers legacy Rare has built. We hope this deep dive has given you a new appreciation for this legendary developer. What's your favorite Rare speedrun? Let us know in the comments below, or join the discussion on our Discord!