Approximately one year ago, Xbox made headlines by announcing its decision to release four exclusive first-party titles on PlayStation and Nintendo consoles. This unexpected shift surprised many within the gaming community, as Microsoft had historically focused on keeping its first-party releases exclusive to the Xbox ecosystem. Although the company’s intentions to maintain exclusivity had been communicated clearly, this sudden pivot raised questions about the future of Xbox exclusives. Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, sought to ease concerns among dedicated Xbox followers by asserting that the company’s fundamental strategy would remain intact. However, skepticism lingered within the gaming population.
Fast forward to today, the landscape of the Xbox brand appears to be evolving significantly. Numerous insiders suggest that Microsoft is gearing up to extend most, if not all, of its gaming portfolio to PlayStation and Nintendo consoles. Flagship titles such as Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, and Forza Horizon 5 are reportedly on this list. Speculations indicate that the company may be considering a move away from Xbox exclusivity altogether, transitioning into a platform-agnostic third-party publishing model. Such rumors might typically be approached with caution; however, Phil Spencer’s recent comments hinting at Xbox’s potential to become fully multiplatform lend credibility to these claims.
Rare Replay: Likely to Remain Exclusive
Unique Position of Rare Replay as an Xbox One Exclusive
Even if Microsoft expands its library of Xbox games to PlayStation and Nintendo consoles moving forward, it does not guarantee that every existing exclusive will receive the same treatment. A notable example of this is Rare Replay, a critically-acclaimed title likely to remain exclusive to Xbox platforms. Launched in 2015, Rare Replay stands out as one of the few true Xbox One exclusives, given that it has not been made available on PC. This exclusivity is particularly intriguing when considering the game’s nature.
A Rich Collection: 30 Titles from Rare’s Legacy
Rare Replay is not just a single game; it is a compilation that houses 30 distinct titles from the iconic British developer Rare, along with its predecessor Ultimate Play The Game. Launched to mark Rare’s 30th anniversary, the collection offers insights through cheats, mini-games, and behind-the-scenes interviews, celebrating the legacy of various renowned titles.
In January 2023, Microsoft surprised fans by adding a 31st game—GoldenEye 007—to the collection, enhancing its appeal more than seven years post-launch. Included in Rare Replay’s impressive lineup are legendary games such as Killer Instinct Gold, Banjo-Kazooie, and Perfect Dark, complemented by lesser-known yet cherished titles like Kameo: Elements of Power and Lunar Jetman. To accommodate these diverse offerings, Rare employed emulation techniques, utilizing four distinct hardware emulators for various original consoles, including Xbox 360, ZX Spectrum, and Nintendo 64.
Emulation Challenges: Why Rare Replay Is Hard to Port
It’s crucial to recognize that the Xbox 360 emulator powering Rare Replay is the same one used in Microsoft’s backward compatibility initiative. This reliance on a specific emulator complicates the task of transferring the compilation to other platforms. Systems like the PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Windows PCs lack compatibility with Xbox 360 titles, making it significantly challenging to run Rare Replay on these consoles. Unless Microsoft opts for an extensive remake of the compilation, it appears unlikely that Rare Replay will venture beyond the Xbox platform anytime soon.
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