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The short answer is that Nintendo is very unlikely to buy Rare back, at least not in the way most fans mean it. Rare has been part of Microsoft since 2002, and Microsoft still presents Rare as an active Xbox studio today.
The biggest thing people mix up is the difference between buying the studio and owning the games. Nintendo does not need Rare to own Donkey Kong, because Donkey Kong is still a Nintendo property. That means a Rare buyback would be about the studio and any Rare-owned IP, not about reclaiming Nintendo’s own classic characters. For a wider look at how Nintendo partnerships and ownership lines get confused, see Nintendo and Sega and Donkey Kong ownership.
So if you are hoping for a big reunion that restores the 1990s Rare era, the realistic answer is no. Even if Nintendo ever wanted to make a move, it would have to be a separate deal with Microsoft, and that would still not recreate the original team or the original business setup.
What the answer really means
Microsoft officially announced its purchase of Rare in 2002, and that remains the key fact behind any buyback discussion. Rare is still tied to Xbox in Microsoft’s current materials, including studio roundups and Xbox-branded releases like Rare Replay.
That matters because a company can own a studio, own specific franchises, license individual games, or simply publish titles without owning the underlying brand. Those are not the same thing. If Nintendo ever wanted to bring something back from the Rare catalog, the exact path would depend on which property it wanted.
What Nintendo would actually need to buy
| Thing | Who controls it now | What it would mean in practice |
|---|---|---|
| Rare as a studio | Microsoft / Xbox | Nintendo would be buying the company itself, including staff, brand, and studio operations. |
| Banjo-Kazooie, Conker, and similar Rare-created originals | Separated from Nintendo; handled on Microsoft’s side | Nintendo would need a deal for those specific IPs, not just the studio name. |
| Donkey Kong | Nintendo | No Rare buyback is needed. Nintendo already owns and publishes the franchise, including modern releases such as Donkey Kong Country Returns HD. |
This is the part many fan discussions skip. People often talk as if Rare, Banjo-Kazooie, Conker, and Donkey Kong all travel together. They do not. Donkey Kong stayed with Nintendo, while Rare’s studio identity and other original creations moved with the Microsoft deal.
Why a buyback would not recreate 1990s Rare
Even if Nintendo somehow bought the studio, the result would not be the same as getting the 90s Rare back. The classic Rare team is long dispersed, and the value fans remember is a mix of people, timing, hardware, and creative momentum. The brand name alone does not restore that.
That is why a lot of retro fans end up disappointed by corporate buyback fantasies. The studio name can be preserved, but the exact creative lineup that made Donkey Kong Country, GoldenEye 007, or Banjo-Kazooie special is not sitting in one place waiting to be reassembled.
What usually happens instead of a buyback
- Ports and remasters: Companies re-release old games on newer hardware instead of moving whole studios.
- Licensing deals: A publisher may license a character or game for a specific project without selling the whole business.
- Cameos and crossovers: Fans often get a character appearance or a reference, not a full ownership change.
- Spiritual successors: Former Rare developers and new teams sometimes build games that capture the same feel without using the same IP.
That last one is especially common in the retro space. If your real goal is “more games that feel like old Rare,” the practical outcome is usually a new project inspired by the style, not a corporate repurchase.
Best next step if you care about a specific Rare game
If you are trying to figure out whether a certain title could come to Nintendo hardware, ask these questions in order:
- Who owns the character or franchise?
- Who owns the game code and publishing rights?
- Is there already a remake, remaster, or compilation route available?
- Would a license be enough, or would a full acquisition be required?
That quick check usually tells you more than studio-buyout speculation ever will. In most cases, the most realistic outcome is not “Nintendo buys Rare,” but a one-off deal, a re-release, or nothing at all.
FAQ
Can Nintendo buy Rare without buying the IP?
Yes, in theory, but it would not automatically give Nintendo every Rare character or every old game. The studio and the individual franchises are separate assets, so the exact deal would matter a lot.
Would buying Rare bring back the old Rare team?
No. Buying the studio does not magically restore the 1990s staff, and that original creative lineup is spread across many different companies now.
Does Nintendo own Donkey Kong or Rare?
Nintendo owns Donkey Kong. Rare is owned by Microsoft. That distinction is the big reason fans keep talking past each other in this debate.
Is there any sign Nintendo is negotiating to buy Rare?
There is no official sign of a current buyback process or public negotiation. The public record still shows Rare operating under Xbox/Microsoft.