6 Rare Limited Games You Forgot Were Awesome

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Founded in 1985, Rare quickly became a key development partner for Nintendo. This collaboration allowed the studio to grow rapidly and create beloved games like Donkey Kong Country, Banjo-Kazooie, and GoldenEye 007. In 2002, Rare joined Microsoft and continued to produce successful titles, including Viva Piñata and Sea of Thieves. Beyond its famous games, Rare has a number of lesser-known titles that still hold a special place for dedicated fans, thanks to at least one memorable feature.

Here are six Rare Limited games that you likely forgot about.

6) Killer Instinct

Killer Instinct earns a place on this list thanks to its 2013 reboot. Although Rare, the original developer, wasn’t heavily involved in the new version, they were busy with other projects. The original Killer Instinct remains a beloved fighting game from the 1990s. Despite competing with popular titles like Mortal Kombat 3, it made a strong impact in arcades and on home consoles.

KI was a beautiful game, especially for the SNES, with graphics that stood out. While mastering the combat system took effort, it was satisfying for dedicated players. The game’s unique and outlandish characters – like cyborgs battling aliens and human-velociraptor hybrids – were a major draw, helping to overcome the initial difficulty.

5) Donkey Kong Land

Everyone knows the classic Donkey Kong Country on Super Nintendo, but Donkey Kong Land successfully brought a similar style of gameplay to the Game Boy. While it wasn’t a perfect recreation of the original, it was still one of the best games available on the handheld, and players remember it with a lot of affection.

Even though the graphics weren’t top-notch, the game still played really well, making it a lot of fun. Combined with the fantastic music by David Wise and Graeme Norgate, it laid the groundwork for a new series on the Game Boy. Two sequels followed, each based on the latest DKC game released on the Super Nintendo.

4) Grabbed by the Ghoulies

Grabbed by the Ghoulies was Microsoft’s first game on this list, originally released for the original Xbox in 2003. It was initially intended for the GameCube. While the gameplay is fairly straightforward and leans towards being a family-friendly title, it’s still a genuinely enjoyable game.

Despite some repetitive moments, this game is visually striking, with a unique cel-shaded style that looks like a comic book. It’s also mildly scary, making it a good introduction to the horror genre for younger players. While not the best game here, Grabbed by the Ghoulies is worth a look for its interesting art style.

3) Kameo: Elements of Power

Kameo was one of the first two games Rare released for the Xbox 360. While Perfect Dark Zero is a stronger and more well-known game, Kameo deserves recognition too. This action-adventure game was in development for a long time, initially intended for the Nintendo 64. Development actually began after Rare finished Donkey Kong 64, and at one point, the game was planned to include features inspired by Pokémon.

Given how long Kameo was in development, it’s not surprising that the game went through many changes. Despite this, it launched successfully, selling well and receiving positive feedback from other developers who admired its graphics. In many ways, Kameo showcased the visual potential of the Xbox 360. While the ability to transform into different creatures was a standout feature, the game suffered from combat that was too easy and became repetitive. This tendency towards simple gameplay was a common issue for Rare throughout the 2000s.

2) Jet Force Gemini

Jet Force Gemini is an unusual game from Rare. After creating the hugely successful console first-person shooter GoldenEye 007, the studio was also developing its sequel, Perfect Dark. Meanwhile, a different team at Rare – the one behind Blast Corps – was creating their own shooter. This one went back to a third-person perspective, aiming to recreate the feel of classic 1980s arcade games.

The game was a thrilling experience, combining fast-paced action with cleverly designed levels. Switching between control schemes felt a bit clunky at first and could be confusing, but once you got the hang of it, it became manageable. Add in some incredibly difficult boss fights, and you’ve got a classic N64 title that’s still worth playing today.

1) Ken Griffey Jr.’s Winning Run

Ken Griffey Jr. was arguably the coolest baseball player during his prime. Given the Seattle Mariners’ strong connection with Nintendo, which has its North American headquarters nearby, it’s not surprising that several popular games featuring him were released on Nintendo consoles.

It’s interesting to note that a variety of different developers created those classic baseball games. For instance, Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball was made by Software Creations, and Angel Studios developed Ken Griffey Jr.’s Slugfest. But Rare was responsible for what many consider the best of them all. Winning Run stood out as one of the most realistic and enjoyable baseball games of its time, thanks to Rare’s attention to detail.

The game featured alternate team uniforms, and you could even play with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Arizona Diamondbacks before they officially joined Major League Baseball. It didn’t have the official MLB players’ license, but the fun gameplay more than made up for it.

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2026-01-07 23:18