From Ultimate to MGS-era Rare: the full story Now into its third decade and still going strong, read up on Rare's origins and the major events in its lifecycle to date... 1 .2 .3 Next    Again, in 2002, only one title was released: the long-awaited Star Fox Adventures for Nintendo's new GameCube. But there was a much bigger Rare story in the wind as rumours of the company's buyout flew thick and fast, finally being addressed at Microsoft's September X02 event in Seville, Spain, where it was confirmed that Rare had now become part of Microsoft Game Studios. From this point on, the company would bring its development talent to bear on the Xbox range of consoles.    This was a drastic change for Rare, and the period following the acquisition was turbulent as teams faced up to the process of creating and converting properties for a brand new system. The first title to be ready for launch was the Banjo team's haunted house romp Grabbed by the Ghoulies, released under the MGS label in late 2003.    After Ghoulies came Conker's return in radically upgraded two-games-in-one package Conker: Live & Reloaded in 2005, the months between filled by GBA output: new ports of the classic DKC series plus original THQ-published titles Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge, Sabre Wulf, It's Mr. Pants and Banjo Pilot. Meanwhile, two of the biggest ongoing projects – epic shapeshifting adventure Kameo: Elements of Power and massive prequel Perfect Dark Zero – would ultimately be carried over to bolster the launch of the Xbox's successor.    A year on from the simultaneous Xbox 360, PD Zero and Kameo launches, with DLC packs for both games under its belt, Rare let loose its third 360 title. Viva Piñata was a wildly imaginative customisation-fest and the boldest attempt yet to broaden the console demographic, well supported by an animated TV series. Adding to the momentum, MGS' X06 event in Barcelona prior to Piñata's launch promised a brand new third instalment in the Banjo-Kazooie franchise.    Ever busy, Rare debuted on two new platforms in 2007: Diddy Kong Racing DS appeared on the dual screen handheld (to be followed in 2008 by Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise), while Jetpac Refuelled emerged as a downloadable Xbox Live Arcade release. Late 2008 saw the launch of Xbox 360 sequel Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise with Banjo's return in Nuts & Bolts hot on its heels. And after that? Wait and see... 1 .2 .3 Next