Games Inbox: What is the best Rare game?

The Friday letters page isn’t sure which game counts as Rare’s best, as one reader explains why he sold his Xbox Series X console.

Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Old favourites
Nice article about Rare and how Microsoft got it wrong right from the start, in terms of buying companies and making them first party. You could maybe argue that they did score with Bungie but considering how they let them slip through their fingers, and the state of Halo today, it’s not exactly a total success.

I have mixed opinions on Rare myself. All my N64 memories of them are very positive but whenever I play one of their old games they’ve not really aged well. GoldenEye 007 was my favourite but even with the altered Nintendo Switch Online version the magic’s not there anymore. I think you just had to be there at the time.

I feel the same about Banjo-Kazooie too, so I really struggle to say which is their ‘best’ game. I’ve got a feeling it may actually be Sea Of Thieves, which is kind of a boring answer, so instead I’m going to say Blast Corps. It may be simple but it’s the one game of theirs that’s just as much fun now as it was when it first came out. I’m curious to know what other people think though, especially if they’ve played the games recently.
Cranston

Limited edition
No offence to anyone that plans to get it but that GTA Collector’s Edition is the biggest load of worthless rubbish I have ever seen. It’s £350 and yet I can’t see anything that looks like it would be worth more than £20, except the Oakley sunglasses. Maybe the bag and hat, if they’re a cool brand I don’t know about, but a spoon? A keychain? A sticker pack?!

And that alligator figure looks so cheap, worse than an amiibo, and they’re what now? Less than £20? I just don’t get it. And that’s not even counting that the map used to come free with the game, when games were something you bought in a box.

I’m not doubting that GTA 6 is going to be amazing value for money, but this collector’s edition is the absolute worst. I’d love to hear from anyone that thinks otherwise.
Kent

GC: We think the spoon is for… very specific uses. But yes, it does seem expensive.

Shareholder concerns
Focus is right, there is a vast difference between how Japanese and US companies operate. But I think it’s less to do with the type of people running the companies than it is corporate law. Companies like Microsoft have their hands tied, having to always prioritise shareholders and quarterly results at the expense of healthy long-term investment and talent.

What people like Asha Sharma should be doing is trying to influence change within US corporate law. Japan has regulations in place to allow their corporations to operate in a way which also benefits customers and staff. If these ideals were incorporated into US law, then it could not only help gaming companies, which thrive on nurturing talent, it would also help other companies be able to make better choices when it comes to how they treat their staff, customers, and the environment.

When a company like Microsoft has to lay off vast amounts of staff to avoid being sued by their shareholders then you know something is broken.
PjDonnelli

GC: It’s a bit of an urban legend that US companies have a legal obligation to maximise profits for shareholders, although they do have a ‘duty to promote the success of the company.’ We’re not aware of any publisher exec that has ever spoken out against the issue though.

Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Rare misses
Am I just an old dad now in his 40s or is Microsoft sat on a goldmine and they don’t realise it?

Diddy Kong Racing was amazing back in the day. It was better than Mario Kart 64. It was the first open world racer if I’m not mistaken, please correct me if I am.

I remember my mum asking me what I wanted for Christmas. I said a N64 with Diddy Kong. That was it. £99 I think, from Comet.

No Diddy Kong Racing 2. No GoldenEye 2. OK we have Perfect Dark, but if it had the licence it would have been miles better.

Conker’s Bad Fur Day 2? Please Microsoft, please. Don’t keep telling us about these studios merging and not one person being there to talk about the past.

The last formed the greatest games in front of them.
Nick the Greek

GC: The first open world racing game is widely agreed to be 1986’s Turbo Esprit on the ZX Spectrum. Diddy Kong Racing was only open world in terms of the hub; the actual races were all linear – as far as we recall.

Out of Control
Well, Control Resonant one of the most disappointing reviews I have read!

Control was one of most enjoyable games of recent times in my opinion. Jesse was a great main character, the Bureau was really interesting, the Hiss were creepy, and the whole game has just stuck in my head years after playing!

I was really looking forward to the sequel, but having read your review it sounds more like a chore than a fun experience, so I’ll give it a miss unless it appears as a freebie on Epic in a couple of years’ time.

Anyway, currently playing Undead Nightmare (PC gamer, late to the party) not normally one for zombie games, but this one is so tongue in cheek I can’t help but enjoy it!

Whatever you’re playing, have fun y’all!
The Dude Abides

Between stock
Those prices for the Nintendo Switch 2 are genuinely really great; I pushed the button on it because I don’t think we’re going to see better than that this year. I suspect maybe it’s old stock of the old version with the non-removable battery (or the new screen, I forget which is the newest change).

I’m not sure why Argos and Smyths would want to sell them off cheap – it’s not like ordinary people are going to care about the different versions – but it might explain why Amazon don’t have any in stock at the moment, as they wait for the new version.

If that is the reason then it’s even less likely they’ll be this cheap again, so I advise anyone that’s interested to take advantage of it.
Bolan

Beyond 16-bit
The hill I’ll die on: if you’re older than nine years old and in any way interested in what a teraflop is, and how many of them a piece of technology may have, you’re an idiot.

All serious people know that bits is where it’s at!
Chris

End of an era
I sold my Xbox Series X today. CeX gave £364 cash, only £116 less than I paid for it a few years ago.

It’ll mark the end of a 25 year period owning and using Xbox hardware. I was there day one and fully agreed with Edge’s front cover assessment of the original Xbox. But the Xbox 360 was peak Xbox for reasons we are all familiar with.

It’s been a struggle since then though, with first party software taking a nosedive, leading to unprecedented acquisitions for IP and Game Pass filler that backfired somewhat and resulted in the massive restructuring we see today.

As much as I rate the Xbox Series X/S hardware I can’t see any scenario where Xbox hardware or ecosystem would be something I use going forward.

I do rate Game Pass, but it sounds like that’s going to change pretty dramatically with the restructuring, features spun off, ad tiers, less day one games, etc… But even if none of that came to pass, I’ve not the time to get the most out of it these days, so won’t be subscribing again when my current sub ends soon. As Xbox games will release on PC the future choice will be a PlayStation 6 or PC paired with a Nintendo console.

On a side note, had really good service from CeX. Dropped the machine off as a Drop and Go item at 11am, money was in my bank account by 4pm.
Simundo

Inbox also-rans
GTA 6 merchandise collector’s edition. 100% pure tat. Alternatively, put the money towards a Switch 2 and get the Zelda: Ocarina Of Time remake. You know it makes sense.
Paul C.

Looking forward to playing Silent Hill: Townfall this weekend. Now it gets dark earlier it’s the perfect time for scary video games!
Limpton

Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

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