Rare’s 40th Anniversary Celebration Has Us Feeling All the Feels

Picture this: a legendary game studio, a company we all grew up loving, turning a monumental 40 years old. That’s Rare for you. This UK-based developer is the genius behind classics like Banjo-Kazooie, GoldenEye 007, and Perfect Dark. They even rolled out the whimsical Sea of Thieves. For four decades, they’ve been at the forefront of innovative game design, etching unforgettable memories into the hearts of gamers around the globe.

Now, Rare’s reaching a huge milestone. But, instead of a giant party, this celebration feels… bittersweet. Why? Well, Rare’s anniversary comes just weeks after Microsoft unceremoniously canceled their long-anticipated project, Everwild, and waved goodbye to veteran developers, including Gregg Mayles, who brought us the Banjo-Kazooie we adored. Ouch.

But despite the chaos, Rare has managed to keep the celebrations alive (sort of) by rolling out some swag and updates that might make you smile.

What’s New? A Swanky Controller and a Virtual Hat

Amid the layoffs and cancellations, Microsoft decided that this anniversary deserved some tangible flair. Enter the Rare 40th Anniversary Controller. Created in collaboration with 8BitDo, it’s a blue-and-gold stunner sprinkled with Sea of Thieves branding and Rare’s iconic logo. For collectors, it’s an “I-need-this-on-my-shelf” kind of deal. But hey, $89.99 feels steep, especially when most of us just wanted, you know, another game or something with a bit more substance.

There’s also a virtual hat. Yes, you read that right. A hat! Sea of Thieves players can snag a Rare Ruby Hat through the Microsoft Rewards app. Because nothing screams “Happy Anniversary!” like a digital accessory for your pirate avatar, right? (Cue the sarcasm font.)

And it doesn’t stop there. Sea of Thieves fans, brace yourselves for a whole wave of anniversary-themed treasures. Think Ruby Ship cosmetics, a new Ruby Eyepatch, and seasonal goodies galore in the Pirate Emporium. But wait! There’s more! The game’s developers are working on a fancy “multi-year vision,” complete with updates and a subscription service set to drop in 2026. (Yep, because what every gamer wants is another subscription bill!)

The Rare Legacy That Shaped Our Gaming Souls

Okay, sarcasm aside, Rare’s influence on gaming can’t be understated. If you grew up glued to a Game Boy, SNES, or N64, Rare practically raised you. They’re the studio responsible for Donkey Kong Country’s catchy beats, the jaw-dropping level design of GoldenEye 007, and the sheer silliness of Conker’s Bad Fur Day.

Rare built worlds that were clever, colorful, and downright unforgettable. But their trajectory changed when Microsoft acquired them. While they’ve produced gems like Sea of Thieves in recent years, fans haven’t seen nearly enough of their creativity shine through on the blockbuster scale we once took for granted. (Everwild, come back, we barely knew ye).

That’s what makes this 40th-anniversary celebration feel so… complicated. On one hand, it’s a chance to honor Rare’s legacy. On the other hand, it’s a stark reminder of the turbulence behind the studio doors. Their canceled projects, along with the loss of major developers, raise questions about what the next 40 years will look like.

A Bitter Brew, But Worth Celebrating

Amid all the layoffs and canceled dreams, this celebration comes with mixed emotions. Sure, there’s some cool fan merch (hey, that four-disc vinyl soundtrack sounds pretty sweet), but the timing feels like one of those balloon-a-party-after-a-fire moments. Instead of looking forward to Rare’s next big adventure (Everwild, sigh), fans are left reminiscing about the good ol’ days.

Still, if we look past the digital hat and pricey controller, this anniversary is a chance to appreciate everything Rare has done. It’s about cherishing 40 years of creative magic, reliving the soundtrack that defined our childhoods, and popping on those nostalgia goggles to remember why we fell in love with their games in the first place.

Rare’s future? Murky, but hopefully full of promise. For now, we’ll don our Ruby Eyepatches and raise a cup of digital Grog to the studio that taught us that creativity, like a pirate ship, has no limits.