I think Rare are going downhill too, I know some folk liked Viva Pinata but it wasn't the raging success that one usually associates with Rare.
Viva pinata was too original too be anything other than a cult hit. Its looks were decieving and packaged alongside a kids cartoon, most testosterone laced teenagers simply gave it a miss, especially as it released the same month as Gears of War.
It was however a fantastic, deep and highly rewarding game but one that you had to invest more than 30/60 brief minutes in. That was barely enough time to get through the small tutorial garden.
I congratulate both Rare and Microsoft for having the balls to do somthing utterly different on the 360. Just a shame most dont appreciate quality if it looks are slightly quirky. Just because a game does not sell - that is in no way indicative of the games quality... 'beyond good and evil', 'prince of persia sands of time', 'Fahrenheit', and heck even 'windwaker' sold badly or no way near as expected and I would hardly say that was because of their lack of quality.
You simply didn't like / get Viva Pinata, which is fair enough, but it doesnt mean Rare are now crap.
Perfect Dark Zero was a flawed 360 launch title, but one that is still amazingly fun to play online. Some great maps and great modes make it still one of the best.
Kameo was great too. A bit on the short side but it played and looked beautiful.
Personally I cant wait for the new Banjo game and whatever else Rare has coming out.