On August 4, 2025, Uncommon formally turns 40 years previous, a landmark accomplishment for Xbox‘s most celebrated recreation studio. Uncommon developed a number of the most influential and greatest console games of all time, pushing boundaries for genres like FPS and platformers.
Whereas the studio has skilled some tough spots just lately with veteran employees leaving and Everwild’s cancellation, hopefully, with Rare’s 40th anniversary festivities kicking off this August, the long run is brilliant for this iconic developer. After 40 years, nonetheless, which Uncommon video games are one of the best? It is not so lower and dry, as whereas lots of Uncommon’s greatest video games have been within the SNES and N64 eras, they made some unbelievable titles after the very fact.
10
Viva Piñata Was An Xbox 360 Standout
Debatably The Greatest Life Sim Sport Of The Period
The standout Xbox 360 unique of 2006 was Gears of Warfare, however simply two days afterward, Uncommon launched Viva Piñata. Regardless of nice evaluations, Viva Piñata wasn’t extremely popular amongst 360 gamers, seemingly because of the reputation of Gears of Warfare and its gameplay. Viva Piñata won’t be for everybody, given its life-sim focus and emphasis on backyard administration, but it surely’s positively price a attempt.
When it comes to its style, Viva Piñata is totally unbelievable with easy-to-grasp controls and strategic gameplay, particularly in a while, when so many components are affecting the backyard without delay. Sadly, it will not be for everybody’s tastes, which is why it is on the backside, in comparison with the extra approachable Uncommon greats.
9
Uncommon Replay Is A Really Nice Compilation
Set The Commonplace For How Future Compilations Are Performed
It is uncommon to position a compilation among the many greatest video games, however Uncommon Replay is a real exception. The whole lot about this launch was A-grade. It had an exceptional presentation, ran nice, with no emulation hiccups, a unbelievable number of video games, plus a ton of additional content material. Challenges within the type of Snapshots can actually check your abilities, and behind-the-scenes movies are an interesting bonus.
Behind-the-scenes movies/documentaries are commonplace now for rereleases, akin to Atari 50 and Restricted Run Video games like Clock Tower: Rewind and Plumbers Do not Put on Ties. Uncommon Replay began that pattern, and as such, it is an important compilation in gaming historical past, its superb high quality however.
8
Battletoads Arcade Was The Collection Peak
A Nice 90s Beat-‘Em-Up
Whereas the NES Battletoads is essentially the most well-known title within the collection, one of the best must be the arcade recreation. The final Battletoads recreation earlier than the 2020 reboot, this 1994 arcade traditional mounted the large downside of the prior titles: the gimmicks.
Regardless of Battletoads being a beat-’em-up, the collection typically modified the gameplay virtually each degree, particularly within the NES authentic, which felt like a group of concepts relatively than a totally cohesive venture. Battletoads Arcade mounted that by merely being a hardcore beat-’em-up, and it is superior.
Since this was an arcade recreation, the builders felt they might punch up the violence a bit, and it is satisfying as hell. The graphics and animations are stellar as properly, and provides the large Japanese builders, who have been largely dominating the beat-’em-up style on the time, an actual run for his or her cash. Battletoads Arcade is a must-play for any beat-’em-up fan.
7
Diddy Kong Racing Gave Mario Kart A Actual Race
A Landmark Racing Sport
Mario Kart 64 stays the best racing game on the Nintendo 64, however proper in second place must be Diddy Kong Racing. It was an exceptional racing recreation that, by itself, felt nice to play, but it surely additionally introduced an enormous innovation to the style: a narrative mode. As an alternative of simply doing single-player cups like Mario Kart, Diddy Kong Racing boasted a whole journey mode, with a hub world and boss battle races.
The tracks have been phenomenally designed as properly, a lot in order that Naughty Canine used one of many recreation’s tracks for testing functions when making Crash Group Racing. When among the best builders in gaming historical past makes use of considered one of Uncommon’s tracks to check recreation mechanics, you realize Uncommon made an all-time traditional.
6
Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts Deserves A Higher Rep
One Of The Most Underrated Video games Of All Time
Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts had the whole deck stacked towards it. As quickly because it was revealed to be about car customization as a substitute of a standard platformer, many followers dismissed the sport totally, and in the event that they did play it, they in all probability did not even get previous the second world earlier than quitting.
Those that performed Nuts & Bolts to the very finish, nonetheless, may as a substitute suggest that this recreation rocks. The car customization is extraordinarily well-executed, and as somebody who was brand-new to this style after I first performed, it felt so satisfying and rewarding to make simply the proper car for these tough-as-nail missions, particularly the ultimate boss battle.
Whereas the sport does not have the platforming the collection is thought for, it nonetheless has the guts with that very same trademark Uncommon humor, writing, and unbelievable music. It truly is the third recreation within the collection, and it is a must-play in Uncommon’s catalog.
5
Sea Of Thieves Has Gotten So A lot Higher
One Of The Greatest Pirate Video games Of All Time
When Sea of Thieves first launched in 2018, it was fairly a bare-bones expertise. Over time, nonetheless, the sport considerably improved, and I would now say it is one of many greatest dwell service video games in the marketplace at present.
Occurring pirate adventures with your pals is nice enjoyable, the sport has a strong artwork fashion that screams Uncommon, and the costs within the storefront aren’t that unhealthy in comparison with most different live-service titles. With the current cancellation of Everwild, it’s kind of unlucky that Uncommon appears to be relegated to solely engaged on Sea of Thieves. All the identical, it is a terrific recreation, and there’s sure to be tons of further content material for a few years to come back.
4
Donkey Kong Nation 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest Is Greater & Higher
Debatably The Greatest Platformer On The SNES
Uncommon broke new floor with the unique Donkey Kong Nation, pushing the envelope for console graphics, however the sequel was even higher. Donkey Kong Nation 2: Diddy’s Kong-Quest was the whole lot you needed from a sequel after which some. It was greater and higher, that includes improved gameplay for ranges, enhanced motion with the introduction of Dixie Kong, and a far bigger marketing campaign.
Not like the unique, DKC2 had the Misplaced World, a bonus world stuffed with a number of the hardest ranges in Donkey Kong historical past. It felt so rewarding to lastly beat them and obtain the true ending. Some might imagine that Tremendous Mario World continues to be one of the best platformer on the SNES, however there’s positively an argument for DKC2‘s high quality degree design and gameplay.
3
GoldenEye 007 Modified Shooters Perpetually
The True Begin Of Console FPS Gaming
It is phenomenal that Xbox has two of the most important console FPS video games in historical past below its catalog. After all, there’s Halo, which rocked the whole gaming world, however earlier than that, there was Uncommon’s GoldenEye 007.
Taking part in GoldenEye at present continues to be a lot enjoyable, due to its superior gunplay and destructible environments. That’s, when you’re taking part in the Xbox model, which helps conventional dual-stick FPS controls, which massively improves the sport.
The story mode stays extremely enjoyable, however GoldenEye is most remembered for its multiplayer, which was a unbelievable last-minute addition by a single developer at Uncommon. It is a traditional that is one of many best James Bond games ever made, however Uncommon’s religious successor was even higher.
2
Good Darkish Improved On Goldeneye
One Of The Greatest FPS Video games Of All Time
Whereas Good Darkish by no means achieved the identical reputation or iconic standing as GoldenEye 007, it is finally a greater recreation. Good Darkish had its personal authentic story with shocking twists and turns, improved gunplay, a much bigger arsenal with some really iconic weapons just like the wallhacking FarSight XR-20, and extra constant degree design.
Taking part in on Good Agent is a wholly totally different expertise from taking part in on the simpler difficulties, and a a lot greater hole than the problem modes in GoldenEye 007. Plus, the multiplayer returns higher than ever, particularly on the Xbox model, which runs far more easily than the N64 authentic. Good Darkish is among the greatest FPS video games of all time, particularly when taking a look at extra single-player-oriented FPS titles.
1
Banjo-Kazooie Is The Good 3D Platformer
A Platforming GOAT
Banjo-Kazooie took Mario 64 and made it even higher. First off, the graphics and vibrant coloration palette nonetheless maintain up to today, particularly when taking part in the Xbox model on an HDR10 display. Then there are the degrees, that are a number of the greatest within the style.
Treasure Trove Cove, Freezeezy Peak, and Mad Monster Mansion are top-tier ranges in platforming video games, and, to be frank, there’s not one unhealthy world in Banjo-Kazooie. The platforming gameplay itself is phenomenal, however the cherry on prime must be the characters and world. Every space and character has a lot character that you would be able to’t assist however love. Banjo-Kazooie is within the prime echelon of 3D platforming video games, and it is one of many highest obtainable on Xbox.
Supply: XCageGame/YouTube
- Model
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Xbox
- Unique Launch Date
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November 10, 2020
- Unique MSRP (USD)
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Collection X priced at US$499 and the Collection S priced at US$299
- Weight
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9.8 lb
