Best N64 game not made by Nintendo or Rare?

[Jumpin]

NightlyPoe said:

Jumpin said:

Then by your definition, since Rare was technically independent, they’re not a second party dev either, and so your previous post is invalidated.

You’re even more invalidated by the fact that Rogue Squadron was published by Nintendo and Diddy Kong Racing was not.

I'm not sure what definition I gave, or how a company that Nintendo owned 49% of wouldn't qualify.  But, this was well known 20 years ago.  Here's a couple articles I googled in two seconds.

Nintendo World Report: March 3, 2001

Is Factor 5 a Nintendo Second-Party Developer?

Nope. Surprisingly, Factor 5 is not among the ranks of Nintendo's numerous second-party developers. Despite close ties to Nintendo, Factor 5 enjoys its independence as a third-party developer. It is also believed that becoming a second-party might conflict with Factor 5's partnership with LucasArts. Second-party or no, Factor 5's assistance & support is certainly appreciated by Nintendo.

Gamespot: April 15, 2004

Even though Factor 5 was technically not a second-party developer, the studio was perceived as such. "We've never been a Nintendo shop," President Julian Eggebrecht told GameSpot.

You don't recall what definition you gave? Funny considering I directly referenced it in my post. But let me refresh you: "They worked closely with Nintendo developing games and middleware in that era to the point that 2nd party lists often included them as an honorary member, but were always independent."

Second-party devs are just a colloquial term used to define third parties that develop exclusively for a console, it's not actually a real thing; technically speaking, all second party devs are actually third party devs. But Factor 5 was exclusive to Nintendo consoles during most of the N64 generation, GBC, GBA, and early Gamecube generation. While it's accurate to say "we've never been a Nintendo shop" that wouldn't necessarily be untrue about other second party devs either.

While Nintendo owned 49% of Rare, the control was still with the Stampers who owned 51% of the company. Technically, Rare could have quit developing games for Nintendo at any time, that's why Microsoft was able to cancel their exclusivity to Nintendo when the Stampers sold the 51% to them and forcing Nintendo's hand to sell off the remaining 49%.  contracts allowing - similar to what DMA did after they completed the development of Space Station Silicon Valley and Body Harvest.

And if you're going to complain about someone listing Diddy Kong Racing, then it's hypocritical to pick Rogue Squadron, especially considering it's published by Nintendo while Diddy Kong Racing is not. Rogue Squadron is a first party published game.