The edition celebrates 30 years of the limbless hero with five versions of the game, a never-before-playable prototype, 120 additional bonus levels, an exclusive interactive documentary, and more.
The MS-DOS version of Rayman was the best one. All of the console versions had to cut various things from it. Lower resolution sprites, removing layers from the soundtrack, etc. The Sega Saturn was probably the closest to the MS-DOS version, and that one isn’t included in this edition.
I’m not really sure if this new $20 edition is worth it. You can get the MS-DOS version, plus the bonus levels mentioned in the blog post, for $1.50 right now. https://www.gog.com/en/game/rayman_forever
PS1 by a mile. Every other version has either worse graphics, removed cutscenes and/or fucks up the music score (including the GoG version, unfortunately). The soundtrack plays a BIG part in making the first Rayman so good, so playing a port with a worse soundtrack is not worth it, imo.
Even better, Rayman Redemption is a free fangame that contains all the content from the best Rayman, and expands upon it. I’d say it’s the best way to experience this classic.
EDIT: Although I wholeheartedly recommend Rayman Redemption, it would be a bit irresponsible from me not to mention that it is a fundamentally different game compared to the original: a non-exhaustive list of changes:
All power-ups are unlocked from the start (which makes for a less slogg-y beginning, but does make the first few levels a tad bit easier)
Most levels have been expanded, either with longer screens or entirely new levels, boss battles and collectibles.
An overall less grindy experience (more lives, being able to unlock additional hit points and gloves power-ups).
Different physics (such as: being able to hit small enemies more easily; helicopter-hair being more similar to how they work in the sequel games; Rayman now stays in place when he is hit instead of jumping backwards, which makes the eggplant-riding challenges a LOT easier).
Some QoL features, such as keyboard/controller setup, options for resolution and aspect ratio, gloves power ups being visible on Rayman’s sprite, full-charged glove having a different loop animation from the normal throw animation, etc…
TL;DR: If you want to experience the original game as it was intended, PS1 is the best port to experience it. If you want a more modernized experience, Redemption is the way to go.
Quick review: while having the choice to play the Rayman 1 port you like the most is cool, there is not much reason to play anything other than the PS1 port except for the novelty of it.
Even then, the sountrack has been altered: this new one was made by the same person who did the Origins/Legends soundtrack. While I love the soundtrack of those games, Remi Gazel’s original soundtrack for Rayman 1 is iconic and it’s a bit insulting to both the fans that grew up with it, as well as to Gazel himself who sadly passed away a few years ago, not to be able to toggle the original version. Compare Bongo Hills’ original soundtrack with the new one, it’s a completely different experience - why can I toggle between five different ports, but I’m unable to experience those games the way they were originally intended?
The hyped SNES prototype is the same rom that was dumped on the internet a decade ago. Nothing new to see here.
The artbook and dev commentary is cool, although the value for those things is subjective.
Overall, I’d say it’s not worth the price of admission unless you really, really want to take a look at the bonus material bundled with the games. Either play the original PS1 game on Duckstation, or the fanmade remake Rayman Redemption.
PC Rayman had a level editor released for it a couple years after the main game, the 120 new levels were shipped with it (at least I assume these are the same).
Hopefully this is intended to generate interest in a new Rayman game! Rayman Origins and Rayman Legends were some of the best 2D platformers in recent years. Hell, some of the best ever, in my opinion.
This 30th anniversary edition looks like it’s basically the same thing as Rayman Forever, which is currently $1.50 on GOG. It’s usually $6. https://www.gog.com/en/game/rayman_forever
This new edition says it includes versions from 5 different consoles (missing the Saturn version though, which was a really good version), plus a “making of” video. So unless you care about seeing the differences on those consoles, I’m not sure if this new one is worth $20.
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Which of the five versions would be best for someone who hasn’t played before? I’ve only played the second one
The MS-DOS version of Rayman was the best one. All of the console versions had to cut various things from it. Lower resolution sprites, removing layers from the soundtrack, etc. The Sega Saturn was probably the closest to the MS-DOS version, and that one isn’t included in this edition.
I’m not really sure if this new $20 edition is worth it. You can get the MS-DOS version, plus the bonus levels mentioned in the blog post, for $1.50 right now. https://www.gog.com/en/game/rayman_forever
PS1 by a mile. Every other version has either worse graphics, removed cutscenes and/or fucks up the music score (including the GoG version, unfortunately). The soundtrack plays a BIG part in making the first Rayman so good, so playing a port with a worse soundtrack is not worth it, imo.
Even better, Rayman Redemption is a free fangame that contains all the content from the best Rayman, and expands upon it. I’d say it’s the best way to experience this classic.
EDIT: Although I wholeheartedly recommend Rayman Redemption, it would be a bit irresponsible from me not to mention that it is a fundamentally different game compared to the original: a non-exhaustive list of changes:
TL;DR: If you want to experience the original game as it was intended, PS1 is the best port to experience it. If you want a more modernized experience, Redemption is the way to go.
Quick review: while having the choice to play the Rayman 1 port you like the most is cool, there is not much reason to play anything other than the PS1 port except for the novelty of it.
Even then, the sountrack has been altered: this new one was made by the same person who did the Origins/Legends soundtrack. While I love the soundtrack of those games, Remi Gazel’s original soundtrack for Rayman 1 is iconic and it’s a bit insulting to both the fans that grew up with it, as well as to Gazel himself who sadly passed away a few years ago, not to be able to toggle the original version. Compare Bongo Hills’ original soundtrack with the new one, it’s a completely different experience - why can I toggle between five different ports, but I’m unable to experience those games the way they were originally intended?
The hyped SNES prototype is the same rom that was dumped on the internet a decade ago. Nothing new to see here.
The artbook and dev commentary is cool, although the value for those things is subjective.
Overall, I’d say it’s not worth the price of admission unless you really, really want to take a look at the bonus material bundled with the games. Either play the original PS1 game on Duckstation, or the fanmade remake Rayman Redemption.
When I read Rayman I can immediately hear the song of the first level. Insane to replace the ost.
What about the 120 bonus levels? Do those make it worth it? I never heard of bonus levels for Rayman
PC Rayman had a level editor released for it a couple years after the main game, the 120 new levels were shipped with it (at least I assume these are the same).
Did they include the level editor from Designer/Gold or only the new levels? it wasn’t clear in the description.
If you can get past the new soundtrack, seems like a solid collection.
Can you still play with the original soundtrack?
I’ll pass. (on Steam)
Probably not very nostalgia but I wish they‘d pick up where Legends left off, that game was incredible
Hopefully this is intended to generate interest in a new Rayman game! Rayman Origins and Rayman Legends were some of the best 2D platformers in recent years. Hell, some of the best ever, in my opinion.
This 30th anniversary edition looks like it’s basically the same thing as Rayman Forever, which is currently $1.50 on GOG. It’s usually $6. https://www.gog.com/en/game/rayman_forever
This new edition says it includes versions from 5 different consoles (missing the Saturn version though, which was a really good version), plus a “making of” video. So unless you care about seeing the differences on those consoles, I’m not sure if this new one is worth $20.
Cheap bastards couldn’t even remaster it?
Blog post: Looking Back on 30 Years of Rayman
Rayman was so much fun!