`GoldenEye N64` gaming company Rare snapped up by Microsoft

Rare, the UK based games house that released the classic "GoldenEye 007" for the Nintendo N64 on August 25th 1997 (still considered one of the best games of all time by many), have been bought by Microsoft.

Since 1997, the company has developed other classics for Nintendo such as "Donkey Kong Country", "Banjo-Kazooie" and "Perfect Dark" - a game seen as a "GoldenEye" sequel without the Bond licence.

Since "GoldenEye", despite the huge success Rare enjoyed, MGM granted the 007 licence to Electronic Arts who went on to develop "Tomorrow Never Dies", "007 Racing", "The World Is Not Enough", "Agent Under Fire", "NightFire" and the forthcoming "Everything or Nothing".

Software giant Microsoft has now bought "Rare" and shifted all development onto the Xbox.

With EA`s Bond licence running until 2010, it is unlikely Rare will get to develop a Bond game again.

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