[z3c0]

Maybe it's not shovelware, but there's a pretty stark difference in the caliber of games that Rare released after their acquisition.

This is the company that made Donkey Kong Country, Banjo & Kazooie, Goldeneye, Perfect Dark, Conker, etc, so anything short of iconic is a step down.

However, I'll add that Viva Piñata is an oft overlooked gem.

[frenchie14]

That's a pretty reasonable assessment.

Honestly, I wonder how much of this has to do with how much things have changed in the last 25 years. Games have gotten so much more complex and shifted their focus to multiplayer. It feels like it's no longer possible for a single developer to have so much impact. Rare developed multiple iconic games _per year_! Nowadays, developers can barely release one game every few years.

[indigodaddy]

It’s Wizards and Warriors for me.. loved that game.