Rare Replay Review (Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S)

I’m between two schools of thought regarding Rare Replay. It seems that, at least for the most part, I’m either rolling my eyes at a rather minimalistic arcade game about a jetpack and a confetti canon, or smiling from ear to ear at a squirrel imitating a cave man in an attempt to gain VIP access to a night club. Oddly, I’ll go from one extreme to the other in a heartbeat. In the back of my mind I think I’m enjoying certain things, but then I’ll eventually reach a bitter conclusion that I’m not, in fact, breaking free from the binds that tie me to childhood memories. I crave the nostalgia, true — but I just want more. I want to see beyond the classics; I want to remember why they were so darn good to begin with. Yet, it often seems that I’m left with the short end of the stick. I remember it all, but is nostalgia fodder alone enough to warrant such high praise?

There’s no denying the fact that Rare, a studio that helped forge the backbone for dozens of excellent video games for Nintendo during the nineties, is a fitting choice for a package of old-school revivals. Heck, it doesn’t take much to appreciate the catalog, either. Conker’s Bad Fur Day; Perfect Dark; Viva Piñata; Banjo-Kazooie; and dozens of other genre-spanning works of fiction, for example. Suffice it to say, Rare has a quality portfolio beneath its belt, which, again, makes an all-in-one bundle a bit of a perfect storm. It might not foster the white lightning of a brilliant storm, but it’s a storm all the same, and one that thankfully offers a lot of bang for your buck.

I will put my hand up and say that, although the studio has developed an enormous variety of great games over the years, Rare Replay isn’t in receipt of the world’s greatest catalog. Of course, if you can exclude several of its biggest achievements—the titles that we mentioned above, that is—then you more or less have a compressed library of arcade games that you will either enjoy for the nostalgia value alone, or play just the once and then turn a blind eye on shortly thereafter. Regardless, for the relatively low asking price, Rare Replay has a ton of excellent stories that deserve the spotlight. More to the point, with a sizable collection that boasts thirty games, with both old-old and post-2000 classics fleshing out the docket, you aren’t exactly short on things to do here.

Of course, there’s a little something for everyone here — which is precisely what Rare wants to provide. Ever since its eighties inception, the studio has been able to span a multitude of genres and themes. Again, just compare the likes of Conker’s Bad Fur Day—a game that is famous for its crude humor and adult themes—and Viva Piñata—a game that puts wholesome critter comforts and palpable gardening facets at the center of its world. The fact is, Rare Replay doesn’t just fall into the one category; it dabbles in everything. It might not boast the best of the best when it comes to classic video games, but for argument’s sake, Conker, Perfect Dark, and Banjo Kazooie are worth the price of admission alone. A matter of opinion, but one that has the support of millions of players across the globe, nonetheless.

There is one issue that dampens an otherwise great library of games: the aspect ratio. Naturally, Rare Replay is made up of older games that were designed for smaller screens and devices, and so, a 4:8 ratio is common here. That said, it can spoil the immersion ever so slightly, mainly due to the fact that it fills the remaining space with rather ugly borders. Of course, you can go out of your way to alter the settings on your own device, but it’s a bit of a pain in the neck. An option for a 16:9 aspect radio would have been great, but the sad reality is that it just doesn’t exist in Rare Replay. A small problem, but a problem, nonetheless.

As far as gameplay goes, what you see is what you get: a fairly minimalistic experience that favors one-button arcade shooting and the bare bones of old-school platforming blueprints. There isn’t anything complex here, is the point I’m trying to make. In other words, if you’re hoping to sink your teeth into a series of titles that are mechanically similar to a modern-day game, then you might be surprised with just how little Rare Replay provides in terms of technological innovation. But, again, that’s to be expected of an older library. At least it’s authentic and appropriate to the time.

Verdict

Rare Replay rekindles an old flame in the heart of Nintendo’s most beloved cortex, with its generously packed catalog of genre-spanning cult favorites and unmissable characters providing hundreds of quality hours of entertainment for both old-school fans on a nostalgia trip and newcomers alike. While it doesn’t boast a flawless portfolio with instant favorites, it does ensure that all of its greatest achievements are readily available and fit for modern interpretation. The aspect radio and irritating borders are a slight issue, but then, it’s to be expected of a catalog that primarily houses arcade staples and older software. It isn’t perfect, but it certainly amplifies the classic feel, at least.

For as little as a few dollars, I’d say that Rare Replay more than justifies the price tag. For that reason, yes, you ought to give it the credit it deserves. It might not stack up against modern standards, but, if you’re all for the idea of taking a trip down memory lane and hitting a few gargoyles with a frying pan, then I’d say that it’s worth the small investment. Chances are, you won’t return to a lot of its one hit wonders, but, you might just find yourself veering towards several of its cult favorites, if not tor the nostalgic elements, then for the easy-to-obtain achievements and “pre-historic” multiplayer experiences. Take from that what you will, folks.