Rayman

Rayman is a franchise of platform video games, created by video game designer Michel Ancel for Ubisoft.[1] Since the release of the original Rayman game in 1995, the series has produced a total of 45 games across multiple platforms.

This article is about the video game series. For the first game in the series, see Rayman (video game). For other uses, see Rayman (disambiguation).

Rayman
Genre(s)Platform
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)
Creator(s)Michel Ancel
Platform(s)
List
First releaseRayman
1 September 1995
Latest releaseRayman Mini
19 September 2019
Spin-offsRaving Rabbids

The series is set in a fantastical, magical world which features a wide range of environments that are very often based on certain themes, such as "the Eraser Plains", a landscape made entirely of stationery. The core games of the series are platformers, but there are several spin-off titles in other genres. The protagonist is Rayman, a magical being renowned for his courage and determination who, with the help of his friends, must save his world from various villains.

Games

Main series
Title Details
Rayman

Original release dates:
  • EU: 1 September 1995
  • NA: 19 September 1995
 Release years by system:
1995 - Atari Jaguar, PlayStation, Sega Saturn, MS-DOS
2000 - Game Boy Color
2001 - Game Boy Advance
2009 - Nintendo DSi
2016 - iOS, Android
Notes:
  • Developed by Ubisoft Montpellier.
  • A PC version titled Rayman Gold was released with additional features including levels, online features, and level creator Rayman Designer.
  • The Game Boy Color version was re-released for 3DS Virtual Console in 2012.
  • A version was released on the Game Boy Advance titled Rayman Advance.
  • Rayman Advance was re-released for Wii U Virtual Console in 2017.
  • Part of the lineup of the 20 games that come pre-loaded on the PlayStation Classic.
Rayman 2: The Great Escape

Original release dates:
  • EU: 29 October 1999
  • NA: 6 November 1999
 Release years by system:
1999 - Nintendo 64, Microsoft Windows
2000 - Dreamcast, PlayStation, PlayStation 2
2001 - Game Boy Color
2005 - Nintendo DS
2010 - iOS
2011 - Nintendo 3DS
Notes:
  • Developed by Ubisoft Montpellier.
  • The first 3D Rayman game.
  • A version was released for the Game Boy Color, titled Rayman 2 Forever.
  • An updated remake was released for the PlayStation 2, titled Rayman Revolution. This version added upgraded graphics, the inclusion of new areas, bosses, and mini-games.
  • A port of the Nintendo 64 version was released for the Nintendo DS, titled Rayman DS.
  • A port of the Dreamcast version was released for the Nintendo 3DS, titled Rayman 3D.
Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc

Original release dates:
  • NA: 21 February 2003
  • EU: 4 March 2003
 Release years by system:
2003 - GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Microsoft Windows, OS X, Game Boy Advance, N-Gage
2012 - PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Notes:
  • Developed by Ubisoft Montpellier.
  • The sequel to Rayman 2.
  • Re-released in HD for PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade in 2012, titled Rayman 3 HD.
  • The Game Boy Advance versionwas re-released for Wii U Virtual Console in 2017.
  • The GBA version focuses on Razorbeard, the main antagonist from Rayman 2, instead of the Hoodlums.
Rayman Origins

Original release dates:
  • NA: 15 November 2011
  • AU: 24 November 2011
  • EU: 25 November 2011
 Release years by system:
2011 - PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360
2012 - Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation Vita
2013 - OS X
Notes:
  • Developed by Ubisoft Montpellier, Ubisoft Paris, and Ubisoft Casablanca.
  • The first original 2D Rayman game since the first Rayman.
Rayman Legends

Original release dates:
  • AU: 29 August 2013
  • EU: 30 August 2013
  • NA: 3 September 2013
 Release years by system:
2013 - Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Wii U, Xbox 360, PlayStation Vita
2014 - PlayStation 4, Xbox One
2017 - Nintendo Switch
2021 - Stadia
Notes:
  • Developed by Ubisoft Montpellier.
  • The direct sequel to Rayman Origins.
  • An updated version, titled Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition, was released for Nintendo Switch in 2017.

Raving Rabbids
See also: Raving Rabbids
Title Details
Rayman Raving Rabbids

Original release dates:
  • NA: 19 November 2006
  • AU: 7 December 2006
  • EU: 8 December 2006
 Release years by system:
2006 - Wii, PlayStation 2, Microsoft Windows, OS X, Game Boy Advance
2007 - Xbox 360, Nintendo DS
Notes:
  • Developed by Ubisoft Montpellier and Ubisoft Sofia.
  • The console versions are minigame-based party games, with the Wii version taking advantage of the motion control capabilities of the Wii Remote.
  • The Game Boy Advance version is notably different from the console versions, being that it is a 2D platformer developed using the same engine as the Game Boy Advance port of Rayman 3. This version includes characters from previous Rayman games that do not appear in the console versions.
  • The DS version is also notably different as it combines parts of platforming and party game elements. This version uses the same engine as Rayman DS.
  • Both the Game Boy Advance and DS version are based on a canceled Raving Rabbids prototype known as Rayman 4.
  • The Wii version of Rayman Raving Rabbids was re-released on the Wii U eShop in 2017.
Rayman Raving Rabbids 2

Original release dates:
  • NA: 13 November 2007
  • AU: 15 November 2007
  • EU: 16 November 2007
 Release years by system:
2007 - Wii, Nintendo DS, Microsoft Windows
Notes:
  • Developed by Ubisoft Paris (Wii) and Ubisoft Casablanca (DS).
  • The sequel to Rayman Raving Rabbids.
  • Unlike the DS version of Rayman Raving Rabbids, the DS version of Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 is primarily a party game like the Wii version.
Rayman Raving Rabbids: TV Party

Original release dates:
  • EU: 13 November 2008
  • AU: 14 November 2008
  • NA: 18 November 2008
 Release years by system:
2008 - Wii, Nintendo DS
Notes:
  • Developed by Ubisoft Paris.
  • The third game in the Raving Rabbids series.
  • The final Rabbids game to feature Rayman until Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope.
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope

Original release date:
October 20, 2022		 Release years by system:
2022 - Nintendo Switch
Notes:
  • Developed by Ubisoft Paris, Ubisoft Milan.
  • The second game in the Mario + Rabbids series.
  • The first appearance of Rayman since TV Party, as a downloadable content.
  • Rayman's first console game since Rayman Legends.

Other
Title Details
Rayman Junior: English

Original release dates:
  • EU: 10 November 2000
 Release years by system:
2000 - PlayStation
Rayman Junior: Level 1

Original release dates:
  • EU: 15 December 2000
 Release years by system:
2000 - PlayStation
Notes:

UK version of Rayman Brain Games that was split into multiple games

Rayman Junior: Level 2

Original release dates:
  • EU: 15 December 2000
 Release years by system:
2000 - PlayStation
Notes:

UK version of Rayman Brain Games that was split into multiple games

Rayman Junior: Level 3

Original release dates:
  • EU: 12 January 2001
 Release years by system:
2001 - PlayStation
Notes:

UK version of Rayman Brain Games that was split into multiple games

Rayman Brain Games

Original release dates:
  • NA: 11 August 2001
 Release years by system:
2001 - PlayStation
Notes:

North American version of the Rayman Junior games combined.

Rayman M

Original release dates:
  • EU: 30 November 2001
  • NA: 24 September 2002
 Release years by system:
2001 - PlayStation 2, Microsoft Windows
2002 - GameCube, Xbox
Notes:
  • Titled as Rayman Arena in North America
Rayman Rush

Original release dates:
  • EU: 8 March 2002
  • NA: 26 March 2002
 Release years by system:
2002 - PlayStation
Rayman Golf

Original release dates:
  • EU: 1 June 2002
  • NA: 2 July 2003
 Release years by system:
2002 - Mobile
Rayman Bowling

Original release dates:
  • NA: 16 July 2003
 Release years by system:
2003 - Mobile
Rayman Garden

Original release date:
 Release years by system:
2001 - Mobile
Rayman: Hoodlums' Revenge

Original release dates:
  • NA: 15 March 2005
  • EU: 18 March 2005
 Release years by system:
2005 - Game Boy Advance
Rayman Kart

Original release dates:
  • NA: 12 March 2009
 Release years by system:
2009 - BlackBerry
Rayman Jungle Run

Original release dates:
  • NA: 20 September 2012
 Release years by system:
2012 - iOS, Android
2013 - Microsoft Windows, Windows Mobile
Rayman Fiesta Run

Original release dates:
  • NA: 7 November 2013
 Release years by system:
2013 - iOS, Android
2014 - Windows Mobile, Microsoft Windows
Rayman Adventures

Original release dates:
  • NA: 5 December 2015
 Release years by system:
2015 - iOS, Android
Rayman Mini

Original release date:
  • NA: 19 September 2019
 Release years by system:
2019 - iOS
Notes:
  • Nominated for the A-Train Award for Best Mobile Game at the New York Game Awards[2]
  • Nominated for "Best Mobile Game" at the Pégases Awards 2020[3]

Characters

Playable Characters
A sketch depicting an early iteration of Rayman where he has limbs
  • Rayman is the main protagonist of the series. He is a “thingamajig” who has no arms, legs or neck, though he has hands, feet, and a head that are able to move independently from his body.[4] Due to his lack of arms, Rayman is able to throw his fists in long-range punches at his enemies, and in some games is even able to project balls of energy from his hands. He is able to glide by spinning his hair like helicopter blades. He is typically found wearing white gloves, a red neckerchief on a purple body with a white ring in the center (the neckerchief was replaced with a hood in later entries), and yellow trainers (again, slightly modified in the later games). He is voiced by David Gasman in Rayman 2 and Rayman 3.[5][6]
  • Globox is a frog who is Rayman's dimwitted best friend and sidekick.[7] Although easily frightened, he has often demonstrated his courage and has a heart of gold. He and his wife Uglette have over 650 children. In Rayman 2, he is voiced by Christian Erickson, but in Rayman 3 is voiced by John Leguizamo.[5][6]
  • Grand Minimus is the king of Teensies, magical creatures created to protect the Heart of the world. In Rayman 2, after Rayman saves 4 Teensises with one being the Grand Minimus, they're having trouble remembering who is the king. Grand Minimus is a playable character from Rayman Origins onward.
  • Goth Teensy is a playable character from Rayman Origins onward, he is the guardian of the door to the Livid dead world to keep them from coming to the surface, his snorings with Rayman and his friends on the job angered the Livid Dead and so they invaded the Glade of Dreams.
  • Barbara is a spunky, red-haired princess warrior and barbarian who first appeared in Rayman Legends, becoming the first human being to be playable in the main series, simultaneously with another sister and eight other cousins who can be rescued throughout Legends. She is armed with a flail battle axe, whose head can be launched forward from the shaft to strike foes from a distance, and uses a magical winged helmet to float through the air, mimicking Rayman's helicopter hair ability. Barbara also returns in Rayman Adventures, having cut her long hair to neck level and exchanged her axe with a shovel.

Supporting characters
  • Betilla the Fairy is a benevolent fairy and Rayman's creator. After failing to stop Mr. Dark from stealing the Great Protoon, Betilla assists him in his quest by granting him various new abilities as the game progresses. Betilla reappears in a similar role and with a new curvaceous design in Rayman Origins, where it is revealed she was the one who created Rayman and that she also has 5 sisters, who may also have contributed to the creation of Rayman.
  • Ly the Fairy is a benevolent fairy, an ally of Rayman who assists him through the course of the second game and in other versions of Rayman 3 (Game Boy Advance) and Rayman Raving Rabbids (Game Boy Advance).
  • Murfy serves as a guide to Rayman. He has a hasty nature, unable to deal with failure. He appears bored with his job and cannot be bothered with trivial details. His race is depicted as mischievous and described as "cultivated hedonist". He is voiced by Billy West.[6]
  • The Teensies are a magical race of ancient, diminutive and wise creatures created by Polukus.
  • Polokus, known as "Bubble Dreamer" in Rayman Origins and Legends, is a divine being and, according to Rayman 2, is the creator of Rayman's world. During the plot of Rayman 2, Polokus is sleeping and can only be awoken with four masks that Rayman is tasked with collecting.

Villains
  • Mr. Dark is Rayman's archenemy and the main antagonist of the first game. In the game, he stole the Great Protoon and by doing so threw the world into chaos and Rayman went after him to bring it back. He later kidnaped Betilla who was helping Rayman by giving him powers. Rayman faced him and defeated him. In Rayman Origins, his influence inspired the Magician to become a villain.
  • Admiral Razorbeard is the leader of the Robo-Pirates and the main antagonist of Rayman 2: The Great Escape. He invades Rayman's world and captured its inhabitants and destroyed the Heart of the world, causing Rayman to lose his powers. throughout the game he tries to prevent Rayman from getting the four masks and awakening polukus, who can destroy his troops on the land. At the end of the game, Razorbeard uses a robot called Grolgoth to fight Rayman. After his defeat he sets Grolgoth to self destruct while he escapes. Razorbeard returns as the main antagonist of the Game Boy Advance version of Rayman 3,[8] he kidnaps Globox to harness the energy of the Black Lum he has swallowed. He is voiced by Ken Starcevic in the PlayStation version of the game,[9] and by Matthew Géczy in other ports.[10]
  • André is a Black Lum and the main antagonist of Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc. He was created after Rayman's hands accidentally scared a Red Lum while he was sleeping, since then he has been creating more Black Lums. He was accidentally eaten by Globox. At the end of the game he teamed up with Reflux, an enemy Rayman encountered along the way, to defeat him, but was ultimately defeated and turned back to normal. André returns as the main antagonist of Rayman: Hoodlums' Revenge, a part of his spirit remained in Globox after he was swallowed and extracted out of him. He slowly started to possess Globox, causing him to become mean, but is eventually expelled out of him. He is voiced by Ken Starcevic.[11]
  • The Magician is a supporting character in the original Rayman and the main antagonist of the Rayman Origins. In the first game the Magician is the same “thingamajig” as Rayman. At the end of Rayman Origins, The Magician, now a Teensie, is revealed to be the villain of the game, having been inspired by Mr. Dark and replacing him. He returns as the main antagonist of Rayman Legends and clones himself into five separate Dark Teensies for Rayman and his friends to battle.

Reception
Aggregate review scores
Game Metacritic
Rayman (JAG) 85%[12][lower-alpha 1]
(SAT) 85%[13][lower-alpha 1]
(GBA) 84/100[14]
(PC) 77%[15][lower-alpha 1]
(PS1) 75%[16][lower-alpha 1]
(DSi) 66%[17][lower-alpha 1]
(iOS) 60%[18][lower-alpha 1]
Rayman 2: The Great Escape (DC) 93%[19][lower-alpha 1]
(PC) 91%[20][lower-alpha 1]
(N64) 90/100[21]
(PS2) 90/100[22]
(PS1) 87%[23][lower-alpha 1]
(3DS) 61/100[24]
(NDS) 58/100[25]
(iOS) 53/100[26]
Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc (GBA) 83/100[27]
(GC) 77/100[28]
(PS2) 76/100[29]
(Xbox) 75/100[30]
(PC) 74/100[31]
(PS3) 72/100[32]
(X360) 69/100[33]
Rayman Origins (Wii) 92/100[34]
(Vita) 88/100[35]
(X360) 87/100[36]
(PS3) 87/100[37]
(PC) 86/100[38]
(3DS) 71/100[39]
Rayman Legends (WiiU) 92/100[40]
(XOne) 91/100[41]
(PS3) 91/100[42]
(PS4) 90/100[43]
(X360) 90/100[44]
(PC) 89/100[45]
(Vita) 87/100[46]
(NS) 84/100[47]

Rayman was named the Best New Character award of 1995 by Electronic Gaming Monthly.[48] Since his debut in 1995 on the Atari Jaguar, Rayman has become a popular and recognisable video game character, known for his trademark helicopter power and lack of limbs.[4]

Other media

Rayman appears as a collectible trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, appearing as a fully rendered model sent to the developers by Ubisoft themselves along with Globox and Barbara.[49] Rayman appears as a playable character in Brawlhalla.[50] Rayman also makes an appearance in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as a spirit.[51]

Rayman has been the subject of a short-lived animated television series in 1999, Rayman: The Animated Series, which was produced as a tie-in to the video games, though significantly different from the source material. Only four episodes were made.

In 2019, another animated TV series was announced to be in works at Ubisoft Film & Television.[52]

Notes
  1. GameRankings score

References
  1. "Rayman Origins Michel Ancel Video Interview". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  2. Sheehan, Gavin (2 January 2020). "The New York Game Awards Announces 2020 Nominees". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on 4 January 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  3. "All the categories (2020)". Pégases Awards. 7 February 2020. Archived from the original on 3 March 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  4. "IGN Presents: Run Through Rayman History". Archived from the original on 12 March 2015. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  5. "Rayman 2: The Great Escape". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  6. "Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc (2003 Video Game)". Behind The Voice actors. Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  7. "Video Game Characters That Are Blue ⋆ Gamer Problems". gamerproblems.net. Archived from the original on 3 December 2017. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  8. "Rayman 3 (Game Boy Advance) - RayWiki, the Rayman wiki".
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  10. "Rayman 2". IMDb.
  11. "Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc".
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  13. "Rayman Reviews". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 7 January 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
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  21. "Rayman 2: The Great Escape Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  22. "Rayman 2 Revolution Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 16 October 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  23. "Rayman 2: The Great Escape Reviews". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 24 January 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  24. "Rayman 3D Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 23 January 2019. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  25. "Rayman DS Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 29 September 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  26. "Rayman 2: The Great Escape Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  27. "Rayman 3 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 21 April 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
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  29. "Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 21 April 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  30. "Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 21 April 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  31. "Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 21 April 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
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  48. "Electronic Gaming Monthly's Buyer's Guide". 1996. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  49. "Miiverse - Sakurai's post - Nintendo". Miiverse - Nintendo. Archived from the original on 11 October 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  50. @Brawlhalla (2 September 2018). "Rayman is coming to Brawlhalla on..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  51. Beckwith, Michael (1 July 2020). "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: 10 Spirits that Should be Playable". Game Rant. Archived from the original on 7 October 2020. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  52. Stanley, Patrick (10 October 2019). "Ubisoft Planning Animated TV Adaptations of Popular Game Franchises (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 10 October 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
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