Rare Replay - a compilation of 30 games by Rare - is launching later today (August 4) for Xbox One.
As a celebration of Rare's 30th anniversary, the collection compiles the adventures of several of the studio's iconic characters from its earliest 2D classics to more recent Xbox 360 releases.
Early reviews applaud the title for comprising countless hours of content, serving as a fitting homage to Rare's 30-year history, and for raising the bar for compilations - especially considering its appealing price tag.
Kyle Hanson - Attack of the Fanboy
"Rare Replay is, simply put, one of the best collections in gaming history. 30 games are available here, many of which are classics of their day. Throughout the set you'll struggle to find a game that doesn't offer some semblance of fun and interesting gameplay, and even if you do, you can load up the Snapshots for a more unique spin on the game's core mechanics. Hours upon hours of gameplay await players, and with classics like Banjo, Conker, and Perfect Dark those hours won't be wasted."
Jonathan_Leack - Game Revolution
"Rare Replay is a momentous celebration of gaming history. The package has been constructed with care and attention to detail, offering gamers of all types a glimpse into the past of one of the industry's greatest studios. It's a shame that Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts' framerate isn't held to a high standard, but all 29 other games have transitioned well onto Xbox One and benefit from some of today's meaningful luxuries. The result is arguably the most thoughtful game collection in history."
"Rare Replay is a new milestone for compilations. A great deal of care was put into the project, and 30 games is enough meat to ensure that everyone will really enjoy at least half of them. I sincerely hope this is the start of a revival of the classic Rare we know and love."
"Performance concerns aside, Rare Replay demonstrates how a single developer has carried certain elements across a whole span of genres and platforms. There's a sense of ambition to Rare's catalog, of joy and whimsy, a brightness that comes through even in the more self-serious games. Rare Replay paints a picture of a studio always excited and eager to try something new, even if that new thing turned out imperfect. Whatever Rare's future, there's a history here that's worth remembering and celebrating."
"Rare Replay is a lovely collection that I can't help but feel could have been even lovelier. It seems a bit petty to be moaning when what's here is such incredible value, but we have some titles at their very peak and others simply emulated. The 360 games not being tied in with the same milestones and launching via backwards compatibility seem slightly disconnected from the rest, too, even if a handful of them show Rare at its best. But had every game been given the same treatment as Grabbed by the Ghoulies, we'd be having to pay a lot more than £20. For what it is, Rare Replay is absolutely worth adding to your Xbox One collection, even if it leaves you wanting just a little more."
"Much of Rare Replay is old material, but that's OK when so many of Rare's games easily stand the test of time. Getting the chance to play its classics in an easily accessible package is worth celebrating, whether you've played them before or always wished you could. And you should, if you haven't had the chance. Rare's games have a way of speaking to you with respect. They embrace video game conventions and rarely take themselves too seriously. Expressive characters warm your heart and catchy and complex soundtracks stick with you long after you turn off your console. Rare Replay is a great way to experience some of the best games from the studio's past, and the new videos that document Rare's storied history are the icing on the cake; it's just a shame that you can't access them from the start."
