Does Rare or Nintendo own the characters from Diddy Kong Racing?

[Hero of Legend]

How do we find out?

It seems that Nintendo owns all the Diddy Kong Racing characters since:

1. They only appeared on the Nintendo consoles!

2. They Never appeared ONCE anywhere that's related to Microsoft! (Banjo, Kazzooie, and the goldfish Appeared in Grabbed by the ghoulies, and in the special Rare coming to the Xbox promo video!)

3. For Diddy Kong Racing DS, many are wondering the inclusion of Conker and Banjo since they belong to Rare and Microsoft!

So who does own the characters from Diddy Kong Racing?

 

[Mikau]

I think rare owns them. Though that's just me.

 

[Cless Aileron]

All I know is that if the character's a Kong (i.e. Diddy Kong), it belongs to Nintendo. Rare pretty much just made extensions on the franchise and the Donkey Kong franchise went straight back to Nintendo with everything that was expanded, like Diddy Kong. However, everyone else in Diddy Kong Racing, like Banjo and Conker, belong to Rare since they were original properties they created, not expansion to an existing property like what was done with the Donkey Kong franchise.

That's pretty much saying what I know.

 

[Omega Pirate]

Rare owns all of the characters, and they're apparantly making an appearance in Diddy Kong Racing DS. Conker and Banjo are owned by Rare, not Rare and Microsoft.

 

[Zora]

Donkey and Diddy kong are owned by Nintendo, and the other Kongs Rare created, Nintendo needs permission to use them.

 

[Sol]

Those 2 said it best. Also, what it seems that some of you automticly assume "zomg, its own my console, I must own it?!" Wrong. Stop thinking' that. lol

 

[Legendary Master]

Well, Microsoft made games on Nintendo 64 before they created the XBox. And Banjo Kazooie was made by Rare and Microsoft, but all Donkey Kong, and Diddy Kong, etc, games have been made by Rare and Nintendo. So there is a small connection between Microsoft and Nintendo afterall. Never noticed.

 

[Sol]

Well, Microsoft made games on Nintendo 64 before they created the XBox. And Banjo Kazooie was made by Rare and Microsoft, but all Donkey Kong, and Diddy Kong, etc, games have been made by Rare and Nintendo. So there is a small connection between Microsoft and Nintendo afterall. Never noticed.

My gawd, where are you getting all this stuff from. lol

 

[ForeverFlygon]

I heard somewhere that altough Microsoft bought Rare, they will still be making games for the portable Nintendo consoles. If this goes for the DS as well I'm not sure, and if it is really true I don't know, just retelling something I read.

 

[Ninjit]

Microsoft does not entirely own Rare. Rare's handheld team are being let by Microsoft to develop for the Nintendo Handhelds for now. While that's not the question, it still plays a part in developing this discussion. If Rare are allowed to develop for the DS and GBA, then are their characters allowed to be in it? That's Rare's decision. They will probably have to pay royalties to Microsoft. So yes, Rare own all the characters except Diddy Kong.

 

[RedStarWarrior]

Rare would not have to pay loyalties to Microsoft....that doesn't make any sense.

 

[XD375]

Microsoft does not entirely own Rare. Rare's handheld team are being let by Microsoft to develop for the Nintendo Handhelds for now. While that's not the question, it still plays a part in developing this discussion. If Rare are allowed to develop for the DS and GBA, then are their characters allowed to be in it? That's Rare's decision. They will probably have to pay royalties to Microsoft. So yes, Rare own all the characters except Diddy Kong.

Tiny Kong is in Diddy Kong Racing DS, too. Rare created Tiny, but they don't own the rights to her. Rare can use whatever characters they want on the DS or Advance.

 

[Zora]

Tiny Kong is in Diddy Kong Racing DS, too. Rare created Tiny, but they don't own the rights to her. Rare can use whatever characters they want on the DS or Advance.

So Nintendo asked for permission. They can not use those kongs since they were in a Donkey Kong game, so rare lets them use them since they can't use it. Nintendo needs permission so they can use it.

 

[ProtoManEXE88]

Nintendo really only owns Diddy Kong... don't expect them to use any others.

Rare is making Diddy Kong Racing DS though, so we'll probably see most of the old characters again.