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E3 06: Microsoft's Rare working on DS game

Developer debuts on Nintendo's handheld with a follow-up to its 1997 Nintendo 64 kart racer Diddy Kong Racing.

When Microsoft purchased longtime Nintendo partner Rare, it ensured the developer would not be making games for its rivals' home consoles. However, Microsoft's acquisition has continued to support Nintendo's Game Boy Advance with offerings such as It's Mr. Pants!, Donkey Kong Country 3, and Sabre Wulf. Now, Rare is expanding its support to the Nintendo DS.

The company is working on a DS follow-up to its 1997 kart-racing game Diddy Kong Racing, which its Web site said is "based on the N64 classic but improved and expanded in ways that only the DS allows."

Details are scarce, but the developer said it will use the system's touch screen and microphone and have support for eight-player match-ups from a single copy of the game, as well as Wi-Fi support. As far as gameplay goes, Diddy Kong Racing will feature new modes, weapons, challenges, and playable characters, revamped tracks from the original game, and "TT's Wish Races, where you can create your very own tracks."

97 Comments

  • Eloy

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 11:35 am GMT

    It's a huge step, smelling me Conquer, Perfect Dark, Banjo and others again in our Nintendo sistems? Uhmmmm!.... ;-)

  • Lasafrog

    Posted Jan 6, 2007 8:28 pm GMT

    Hey Chewonthestraw - Banjo Kazooie 3 was announced last year, and there is even a fun trailer for it. Check it's gamespace. Rare has stated they have a ton of folks working it, too.

    I'm excited about that one myself

  • Sinheart

    Posted Oct 16, 2006 6:52 pm GMT

    sooo..... does MS make money off of DKR sales for DS? Or does nintendo, since nintendo owns the donkey/diddy kong license. I think it says somewhere that nintendo is the publisher while rare is the developer.

  • jakeboudville

    Posted Aug 25, 2006 7:37 pm GMT

    really impressive

  • chewonthestraw

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 2:09 pm GMT

    screw didy and donkey kong, screw joanna dark, screw james bond... all i want is.....
    BANJO KAZOOIE
    i really hope tht rare decides to make a BK game for 360 or DS (360 preferred) like they did with conker

    HEAR ME RARE! HEAR ME!

  • LinkRemembered

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 7:22 am GMT

    I hate to admit it, but I absolutely loved DKR on the N64. One of my favorites on the console, besides Mario and Zelda of course.

  • Rediahs

    Posted May 27, 2006 7:09 am GMT

    I don't care about all the Nintendo vs Microsoft stuff. All I care about is... I'm already getting a DS Lite, and I want to play Diddy Kong Racing, because I LOVE that game.

  • ThePatinator

    Posted May 21, 2006 5:49 am GMT

    I wanted a Wi-Fi Perfect Dark port, or, even better, a Wi-Fi new PD, set after the first one, and with an interesting storyline *glares at PDZ*

  • jnthnknx

    Posted May 15, 2006 12:20 pm GMT

    Diddy kong's a beast, Can't wait till it comes out!

  • dekasuperlink

    Posted May 14, 2006 3:57 pm GMT

    Hey Oni, Nintendo couldn't offer them the kind of $$$ that MS offered so they didn't even bother.

  • MrTuski

    Posted May 13, 2006 10:01 pm GMT

    i hated the hovercraft!!! i still have nightmares about missing a turn on a third lap!

  • thatguyoncheese

    Posted May 13, 2006 5:58 pm GMT

    OMFG. DKR was the best game ever!! I've waited for this my entire life. I wanted a sequel on Gamecube, but that didn't happen. I hoped for one on Wii, but as far as I know that is not happening. Then they go and put it on DS!! I did not see that coming! Eight-player multiplayer, Wi-Fi, new levels, new modes... EVERYTHING!!! I read this and I flipped out! I ran to tell my brothers and tripped over a chair, but it doesn't matter because it's here!! Now I can't wait for it!! I've waited nine years and they have finally answered my prayers!

  • soulless4now

    Posted May 13, 2006 10:23 am GMT

    I've waited so long for a sequel to that game. *cries*

  • delirium1

    Posted May 13, 2006 9:53 am GMT

    WHERE'S THE PRAYING SMILEY?

  • nsoufiani

    Posted May 13, 2006 4:48 am GMT

    i personally thought DKR was much better than mario kart. I thought Mario kart was too overrated. DKR is hwat Mario kart shouldv been

  • gtimandan

    Posted May 12, 2006 8:39 pm GMT

    While we have Rare's ear...I only have this to say:

    Conker: ReloadeDS

    It's only the best game ever, IMHO.

    MAKE IT SO! [priddy please?]

  • PS-king-llV

    Posted May 12, 2006 4:54 pm GMT

    We got a close-up look at the Halo 3 trailer--which is reportedly rendered in real-time--with Bungie representatives; its setting is a Covenant-occupied Earth. Coming to ......Nintendo Wii .........Nintendo ds
    fall 2006

  • PS-king-llV

    Posted May 12, 2006 4:51 pm GMT

    We got a close-up look at the Halo 3 trailer--which is reportedly rendered in real-time--with Bungie representatives; its setting is a Covenant-occupied Earth. coming to ..........Nintendo Wii and Nintendo ds

  • PS-king-llV

    Posted May 12, 2006 4:48 pm GMT

    Microsoft gone lowww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Nintendo is getting help from them?
    wiil sony.




    I dont think so.

  • playwrite

    Posted May 12, 2006 2:04 pm GMT

    i don't care if you have planes, Mario kart is more fun. having said that, this might be the first really good game from rare since the N64 days.

  • stlthriot

    Posted May 12, 2006 11:14 am GMT

    this was definitely one of my favorite N64 games

  • chrisdojo

    Posted May 12, 2006 11:13 am GMT

    cool.

  • Koen-Rio

    Posted May 12, 2006 10:03 am GMT

    diddy kong racing was and still is better than mario kart, with its adventure mode and battle modes and planes,hovercraft and karts it jus cant be beat!

  • priest17

    Posted May 12, 2006 9:16 am GMT

    I know this is a crack-pot theory, but I think that Microsoft will help the DS library so the PSP will lose sales and thus Sony will put more money into it and thus crippling Sony's resources for PS3. "But thats just one little bear's opinion"

  • Sweendrix

    Posted May 12, 2006 8:04 am GMT

    RARE! We want Goldeneye DS! We want it now! With Wireless Multiplayer! Re-name it, license the music, whatever u have to do...JUST GET ER DONE!

    GOLDENEYE DS!!!!! GOLDENEYE DS!!!! GOLDENEYE DS!!!!!! PLEASE RARE...PLEASE!?!?!?!?!?!

  • videogamr49

    Posted May 12, 2006 7:44 am GMT

    Can't wait to own everyone when it comes out with NWC XD.

  • FallenOneX

    Posted May 12, 2006 7:02 am GMT

    While it may be nothing, I think we can take this as proof that MS doesn't have any handheld plans for the immediate future. "Immediate" meaning the next 3 years at the latest.

  • sasuke55

    Posted May 12, 2006 6:52 am GMT

    Cool its nice to see M$ letting games come through on the handhelds

  • sasuke55

    Posted May 12, 2006 6:39 am GMT

    Cool its nice to see M$ letting games come through on the handhelds

  • drangel_jam

    Posted May 12, 2006 6:38 am GMT

    it's about the $$$ baby!

  • joyer

    Posted May 12, 2006 12:01 am GMT

    if microsoft had a handheld i doubt there would be any rare game anywhere else

  • SoralinkGS

    Posted May 11, 2006 9:36 pm GMT

    sweet! Diddy Kong Racintg was an awesome Racer on the N64.

  • rbarahona

    Posted May 11, 2006 8:35 pm GMT

    As long a as Microsoft doesn't have a portable device, Rare can work for Nintendo or Sony. It's good to read that they are still developing games for the Nintendo DS. They are a very capable studio and I'm willing to see more games from Rare in a Nintendo platform.

  • phSychO_AtDawn

    Posted May 11, 2006 8:22 pm GMT

    Rare feels so sorry for itself it knows it can only do good for nintendo

    Rares excellent games for NINTENDOKR,Perfect Dark, and Conkers Bad Fur Day(and they all have awesome potential for multiplayer capabilities)Nintendo Please allow These games to be downloaded on the Wii.PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE dont dissapoint me.

    FOR MICROSOFT:...none(gasps)you know why? because rare tried to be all fancy with Graphics.though it didnt help or make the game/ CONKERS BAD FUR DAY is a CLASSIC dont go and ruin that. Its a way better(1000000000000000X) version of conkers live and reloaded...Rare you shouldve just made it like the old conkers I loved the old Multiplayer styles(Raptors and War) I LOVED THEM and now its all ruined because of you..........................................................................................................................................NOW GO BACK TO WORK with these two magnifecent companies and you better be the best company that you were...

  • ElBarto08

    Posted May 11, 2006 8:05 pm GMT

    According To IGN, There Was Also A Diddy Kong Racing Game Announced For Wii.

  • LinkErdrich

    Posted May 11, 2006 7:58 pm GMT

    Let's hope Rare can recapture a fraction of the magic they had in the n64 days.

  • Maquis_UK

    Posted May 11, 2006 6:35 pm GMT

    [This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

  • Maquis_UK

    Posted May 11, 2006 6:15 pm GMT

    Keep it, Rare !! ...I won't be fouling up my DS Lite with your 'humour' or 'skills'... You're BORING go back to making Conker - Aint What It Used To Be vol5 or whatever.

  • SCARFACELP

    Posted May 11, 2006 6:02 pm GMT

    this is to the kiddies who talk all that smack without so much as a trace of any knoledge of what goes on in the industry but still run their mouths: Nintendo
    sold Rare ltd. Its not like Rare decided to "betray " Nintendo . This was just a business deal . Rare was great back in the day . They were doing everthin right on the N64 , I mean they came up with blast corps , banjo, perfect dark,etc, . The problem is that they never evolved. They are stuck in the N64 era(gameplay wise), you don't agree? Play Perfect Dark Zero... Go now , I'll wait....Done? Looks kinda pretty huh? Plays just like its predecessor huh? Kameo was jus stunning to look at ...in some areas. But what a chore it was to play. I bought the 360 when ghost reccon came out and that was the first game on it i played to the end. I mention this because when i bought the system my brother had his already since launch
    with 3 games project gotham racing , and the 2 Rare games. He gave me the Rare games as a gift , and Kameo was still factory sealed. I asked him about perfect dark and he replied ,"well its not G.R.A.W.". He didnt want to say "oh its ok " , because he has fond memories of the original. I could go on and on , but the point is this, Rare dropped the darn ball and have not hurried to pick it up . They proved that they can still make pretty games , but have forgotten how to make them fun. Oh well , i guess Nintendo must have used some kind of crystal ball to look into the future, but then again they would have forseen the cube failing. At leat they walked out with a good chunk of change. just play thegood ones in the virtual console and be happy for the good times you had.

  • dennis_phong

    Posted May 11, 2006 5:57 pm GMT

    never played the original, so this could be interesting

  • troakun

    Posted May 11, 2006 5:06 pm GMT

    I hope they ditch the hovercraft, that thing was unsteerable, even with the benefits of an analog stick.

  • tenorio_rotc

    Posted May 11, 2006 4:50 pm GMT

    For racing games, they need to make the AI better, and Polyphony could learn a thing or too. They cant have them follow a path and they cant be cheap and just make everyone faster if they are behind. You could race perfect in Mario Kart but never blow anyone out because they would somehow always catch up to you.

  • anjul

    Posted May 11, 2006 4:45 pm GMT

    It's cool that u can make ur own traks too......I wonder how many u'll be able to save.......

  • anjul

    Posted May 11, 2006 4:42 pm GMT

    It'd be cool if Microsoft gets them to make a port of Halo for the DS, though it's highly unlikely. They want to make money off it, but i dont think they are willing to risk giving TOO much money to nintendo off of their IP.....then again, ya never know.......and we can always dream/ hope.

  • patton101

    Posted May 11, 2006 4:30 pm GMT

    DKR was better than Mario Kart in my opinion. It had a longer replay value by far and it'll be nice to see an updated version of it.

  • Oni

    Posted May 11, 2006 4:12 pm GMT

    Matress_Of_Evil, Rare aren't traders Nintento was the one who didn't want them.

  • faridmon

    Posted May 11, 2006 3:52 pm GMT

    why does theu betrey nintendo and try to come back, i don't think that nintendo sold them because they want some money (because the make great games) but rare want some pitiful money that bill gates offer them.
    they can rot in the hell all i care.
    and beside that wii have Retro studios, intelligent system and brownie games, we don't need them.

  • SAJJAD1717

    Posted May 11, 2006 3:51 pm GMT

    are u insane nintendo is way better than microsoft.

  • halomankid

    Posted May 11, 2006 3:29 pm GMT

    yay
    !

  • comthitnuong

    Posted May 11, 2006 3:13 pm GMT

    sweet

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