The news we all knew was coming was officially confirmed by all three parties. Nintendo had sold its 49% share in the infamous Rare to ubber-company Microsoft for an estimated $375 million. The sale is an end to a long and prosperous relationship between the worlds greatest games publisher in the world, Nintendo, and one of the most talented developers in the world.

Though the developers' quality has dipped ever since Perfect Dark (or even Goldeneye some would claim) there is no doubt that they provided some of the N64s finest games. Goldeneye was genius, Perfect Dark was mind-blowing and Banjo-Kazooie was wholely lovable. But you have to look at the recent years to see why it doesn't really matter that much. At least not as much as it would've 2 or 3 years ago.

To lose rare during the N64 days would've been crippling to Nintendo, but with GameCube it still is a blow, but not all that big a one. We've got more than enough quality developers beavering away on GameCube to compensate for their loss. On the matter of franchise licenses, Xbox is getting Perfect Dark, Conker, Banjo and Kameo while Nintendo is keeping Donkey Kong and Starfox. And they're not wasting them, it is well known that namco are developing a Starfox game while the next DK game is being handled internally by Nintendo. What's the odds it'll be better than Rares efforts?

One thing that has got me angry recently is how some Nintendo fans have taken the news, called rare "traitors" and other unpleasent names. IT WAS NINTENDOS DECISION PEOPLE! THEY decided not to renew their contract with Rare, not the other way round. Effectively, Rare did not abandon Nintendo, Nintendo abandoned Rare. Of course, even that is wrongly worded. Business is the bottom line in any industry, games as much as any other. Rare simply weren't producing. That's it.

Furthermore, I believe that Rares exclusitivity to Xbox in terms of home consoles (they are still developing for the GBA remember) holds little benefits for Rare, besides financially. Microsoft aren't interested in the Rare deal because it "significantly broadens our already outstanding portfolio of games that will be available for Xbox". They just want the name, the franchises. All that matters is that they have "RARE". The name itself sells. Yes, yes, I know I said business is the bottom line, but it doesn't haveto be all about business.

In a few days we'll be doing a feature celebrating Rares history with Nintendo.

Was anyone else dissapointed with the Tokyo Games Show? I mean, Nintendo games aren't exactly the biggest attraction at the TGS, but I was actually looking forward to it this year. Where was the new games promised? Where was Project Devil? It's becoming more and more apparent that E3 is the show. The only show.