Surprise! Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition Arrives On Switch This Week

Cool this exists, happy for the preservation, but Ubisoft still sucks and I'm not giving them a dime. If you want a modern way to play the original game, just play Rayman Redemption.

Ha good timing. Hard pass, Ubisoft.

Sucks that there aren't more games, mainly just variations of the first game. This would have been a great opportunity to include the neglected Learn With Rayman games. Would have preferred those finished games over a prototype.

In any case, I'll consider this if a physical release materialises. The digital price will probably be too absurd to justify an impulse download.

Man, Ubisoft is an absolutely awful company. I don't think I could ever support them-- did someone say Rayman!?

I'm genuinely impressed that everything I was hoping for seems to actually be included???

Jaguar version, MS-DOS version, and including all the Gold and Forever levels too? And the GBC game thrown in for good measure? AND a never-before-released SNES prototype too??
Genuinely amazing collection.

...
I suppose the only thing that isn't here is the level editor that came with Rayman Designer....
but that thing was kind of jank anyway - you had to design the terrain in a completely separate Windows application, by copy+pasting tiles from a preset tileset graphic sheet. And then in order to populate the levels with objects and enemies, you had to launch the game and add them from an in-game debug tool. And if the terrain needed adjusting again, you had to quit the game, and relaunch the tileset editor program thing.... Not surprised they didn't bother including this.

anyway. I'm definitely getting this. I hope it runs well, and I hope Ubisoft doesn't try to make me sign up for an account when I press start on the title screen or some other unnecessary rubbish like that.

@SillyG I'd argue the SNES prototype is cooler than the learning games, but I guess it would've been kinda neat if those were included too. I mean, this does include the MS-DOS version.

Also, the price is confirmed to be $19.99. Take that as you will.

Yep, I'm here for it

Yes Ubisoft are awful and give Scrooge a run for their money as to how greedy they are.

But also annoying are grown adults who can't separate the art from the artist.

This collection actually looks pretty solid to me. I can definitely see myself playing this game sometime this year to be honest!

No PS4 version. Maybe an update to include it.

@Viator_ : The price is what I expected it to be on the conservative side (though I wouldn't have put it past Ubi to high-ball it either).

I'll still hold out for a physical release, otherwise, I might just download the PC release.

On the one hand, support new Rayman games if sales are good.

On the other hand, giving money to Ubisoft.

Maybe wait till it's $5 to balance it out.

Absolutely excited for this one!

I have my original copies of Rayman on PC and Gameboy Advance. One of my absolute favourite 2D side scrollers. I haven’t played it in at least 20 years and I still remember that level with the pencils and erasers like yesterday.

@Dee123 In this instance I think it's more of a problem with the benefactor (Ubisoft as a company and the execs) than the artist (Michel Ancel and the devs).

Nice, I'm glad it's a collection of the first game and the fact that they also include the prototype Super NES version and the GBC version too even though it's not really a port of the first game but was a totally different game. They should do this for the anniversary of the second game too where it's a collection of Rayman 2 from GBC, PS1, N64, PS2, DS, 3DS, and Sega Dreamcast with again the GBC version being a different game altogether and was not a port.

This will be a “wait for a sale” purchase for me. These collections always feel so appealing until I actually purchase them and they just sit in my endless backlog. 🫤

@N00BiSH Except Rayman Redemption is not on Switch 1 & 2 or PS4 and PS5. Heck some people don't even know what a Rayman Redemption is. Also by buying into this collection you are supporting the actual creators of the series, not a cheap plagiarize version of their work.

@SillyG That's cause it's only the anniversary of the first game so that's all you'll get. It's not too bad though cause those different versions had their own unique charms. Remember these are games from when UbiSoft were still great and not scummy like today.

@Serpenterror Fair enough, the 30th anniversary port is probably the most accessible way to play these games on modern platforms for the average non-PC having consumer, but people can easily find out what a Rayman Redemption is by looking it up, or on this site by clicking the link or watching the video in my original comment. While we're at it, "sUpPoRtInG ThE AcTuAl cReAtOrS" doesn't really work here since we're not talking about a small indie developer here, we're talking about multimillion dollar company Ubisoft, who haven't done diddly with Rayman to warrant asking for support. Also, the "cHeAp pLaGiArIzE VeRsIoN" is the better way to play Rayman in a lot of cases, with better balanced gameplay and a smattering of quality of life choices that don't seem to be present in this port.

I'm glad to see Rayman back in any form, but even as someone who tends to rely on official releases (see: NSO), the fan remake was so good that it does kinda risk actively replacing the original release for me. Or at the very least its like the swift sail in Wind Waker HD where it would be difficult to ever go back to this.

Though I appreciate the ability to actually unlock everything instead of trying to play an actively unfair game fairly. No game justifies having new cheats added more than an unfair game that partially exists to be a documentary as much as a video game.

Rayman on PS1 was amazing during it's launch in 95', which released I think around the same time as Astal(Another 32 bit stunner) on Saturn. For the peeps coming from SNES & Genesis, Rayman was their first forayee into 32-bit SideScroller Sprites/graphics, and it was glorious.

Punishingly difficult once you make it midway, but i still feel like it's easily the most charming, best looking and sounding Rayman to date. But ya, if you want the real Rayman deal, get the actual disc off ebay for $20, a PS1, composite cables and hook it up to a 27" Sony WEGA CRT and you're good instead of ugly raw sprites or a half baked weak sauce CRT Filter.

No latency, perfect motion clarity and it looks how it's actually supposed to look. I'll still be getting the collection. It's always fun to go in both directions for authenticity or an 'in the now' modern way to play.

@NeonPizza I get so happy whenever someone remembers Astal, such a great little game.

And calling the original Rayman “difficult” is an understatement haha.

I also wanted to say, I really like the direction they went with this collection.

When you have a game that has so many ports that each have their own unique differences in content, releasing it as a collection like this is actually a really cool way of keeping everyone happy.

Actually, Rayman 1 and 2 are quite similar to each other in this regard - all the different versions of Rayman 2 also feature significant differences, and there is no agreed-upon definitive version of the game.

If Ubisoft has the same idea of including multiple versions for a potential Rayman 2 collection, we could get:
PC, PlayStation, Dreamcast, PS2
(plus the GBC game thrown in)

...I think the N64 version isn't so necessary since it's almost identical to the PC version but worse (and it's on NSO anyway)
and the DS and 3DS versions are very much not necessary - DS is just N64 but worse, 3DS is just Dreamcast but worse.

And to finish up this thought, if they want to go ahead and do Rayman 3 too.... I think just a port of the HD version that released on PS3 would be fine - unlike Rayman 1 and 2, the different console ports of 3 didn't really have too many differences. I think the GameCube version might have had GBA link cable functionality - maybe they could put that content in as a bonus if they wanted.
And of course they should throw in the GBA Rayman 3, GBA Hoodlum's Revenge, and also the GBA and DS Raving Rabbids games, since they were actually platfomers despite appearances.

Very excited this has finally been officially confirmed--and releasing tomorrow!

This was honestly the best Sony presentation since the State of Play that came before the PS5 even released back in 2020, when they announced Astro's Playroom, Sackboy, Kena: Bridge of Spirits, Bugsnax, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, Little Devil Inside (which still hasn't released??), Horizons Forbidden West, and probably more I'm forgetting.

This one had Rayman, a Kena sequel, Metal Gear, a God of War trilogy remake and new 2D spinoff, Silent Hill, Castlevania, a release date for Beast of Incarnation, a Ghosts of Yotei DLC, and more besides. We also just had the recent announcement of a multiplayer Horizon game, and although I know the reception to it has been negative, you can't say the PlayStation doesn't have exclusives to play this year. It'll be good to dust off the ol' PS5.

I won't be playing all these titles, as I tend to stick with family-friendly games that aren't Mature-rated, but I can't deny they made a lot of announcements for highly revered game franchises. I feel like there was at least one game there for everybody.

Konami is really coming back with a vengeance, between the games I already mentioned and the Bomberman collection earlier this month. It's great to see these tone-deaf companies finally get the much needed hearing implants.

Rayman is definitely a game I'll be getting on my Switch, though. A lot of people in the comments say they'll be passing because of Ubisoft, and that's their prerogative. But, for me, if I were to stop doing business with every company I felt was unethical, I probably wouldn't even be able to have my basic needs met. I'll be picking it up at launch with no conviction.

Anyway, let's see if Sony can maintain this momentum. They piqued this Nintendo fanboy's interest for the first time in almost 6 years. Their 2020 presentation is why the PS5 is my first-ever PlayStation console I've ever owned. Try not to lose my attention again, Sony.

@Astal
I remember my dad buying me Astal, which launched around 20 days earlier than Rayman for PS1, around the time it came out in 95', and it was a total visual spectical. It may not technically be the greatest platformer purely based on game play mechanics(etc) & platforming but the art style, SFX, Voice Overs and OST were just sooo incredibly good that they made up for any other little short coming.

Great opening FMV too, and probably has my favourite NA box art for any Saturn title. My best friend at the time, was a Ninten-Diehard. When i brought my Saturn over to his place back in 95', he couldn't stand that it was boasting twice the power of his SNES.

He was impressed by Astal, but did everything he could to ignore it and not acknowledge it. He was such a Sega hater. lol If i brought over a 'Nintendo' Saturn he would of 100% embraced it.

Let’s gooooooooo! Finally get to try the OG Rayman!

Im confused, is this game now playable in widescreen? The first few seconds of the trailer looks like it.

I'm glad that Ubisoft is actually including multiple versions, and getting an unreleased SNES build is huge! That said, though, this is still Ubisoft, and I need to see what they're doing in the future before I start supporting them. This will be on my wish list though for when I can comfortably say that Ubisoft has redeemed themselves, but they have a long way to go.
Would be nice if Splinter Cell got some re-releases/remakes. I never actually owned any Splinter Cell games, but I did play the demo of the first one on GameCube, and I really would like to play the whole game.

I think I'm going to celebrate Rayman's 30th anniversary by starting my playtrough of Rayman Redemption.

Another franchise binge to finally aim for, then. Figures that it would also start on Switch.

I'll stick with Rayman Redemption

no switch 2 native version is absolutely ridiculous...

@Bustacap
Why would you need an NS2 version for old PS1 & GameBoy color games? 4K support(Docked) won't do 90's 32-bit(And below) pixel art any favours. 1080p with quality CRT filters options to nail that Standard def composite CRT look options should get the job done.

@NeonPizza native handheld resolution for one. integer scaling is incredibly important and with a switch 1 only version the image will always be blurrier than it has to be

@Luffymcduck
I think I'll start the celebration buy also buying a physical copy of Rayman 1 for PS1 off eBay. No emulation latency, legit authentic CRT look on a CRT display(Using composite cabales) with perfect CRT motion clarity, just like how it all was back in 95.

@Bustacap
Ah, completely forget about handheld mode. If anything, the blurryness from 720p being upscaled into 1080p in HH mode might be a good thing if you hate raw crispy raw sprite graphics look like I do.

These games were never intended to look like that, they're supposed to be blended into art thanks to CRT technology and developers using those CRT quirks to their advantage, ultimately to look almost cartoon-like as they did way back when.

@Angelic_Lapras_King that's a real other bad thing with Ubisoft games, that "waiting till it's 5e" time period is normally just a couple of months, their games hold value like milk.

I don't have anything against sales but I do feel that some companies make a fool of early supports by reducing their titles price immediately after launch.

I'll buy this physically if and when it comes, the rewind option might make this enjoyable to play in 2026 XD
Otherwise, happy for everyone else who have been looking forward to it and will enjoy it digitally.

Is it out yet? I keep checking the eShop and I don't see it.

@N00BiSH Rayman Redemption is great, but it's not the original game, It makes some pretty big changes. Basically a reimagining.

@N00BiSH Not that I blame you about not paying Ubisoft but at least they actually done Rayman a solid for once, definitely worth getting this in a sale, there hasn't been a Rayman release in nearly a decade.

@Luminous117 ~5 hours from now

@scottdevine48 Think there phasing out PS4, I mean the bubsy collection only came to PS5 despite also coming out on Switch 1.

@Bustacap Thanks

I'll gladly pay Ubisoft when they release something good that I want, like this.

I'd think of it less as supporting Ubisoft and more as supporting Rayman. I don't follow Rayman releases too closely, but the last one was in Mario + Rabbids, if I'm not mietaken?

Thanks, Wade and Mike.

Not entirely sure why there's a 4 month gap between digital and the U&I version, but Rom Hacks being officially released is nice... despite all the mildly concerning legal ramifications it could have

@JohnnyMind

The thing is Digital Eclipse haven't had the best record when it comes to emualtion. Still, they can prove me wrong.

@Not_Soos Most of the announced games are multiplatform and I don't even need a PS5 to play most of them. Besides, most PS5's so-called exclusives come to PC after a year, just like Death Stranding 2.

@SillyG I agree. I have little desire to play fundamentally the same game 5 times. It would’ve been more enticing if this was a robust collection of the series, not just the original.

Every game released at this point should at least be Switch 2 native even if also for Switch 1...that said, this is cheaper than buying the re-released Game Boy Color cartridge from ModRetro. So of all these releases, is one viewed as the definitive/best to play?

Hoping the extra levels are playable from the jump and not an unlock. I love the original game, would just like the option to try the new levels immediately, they're the main appeal to me. The original game is one of my all time faves (using the 99 lives cheat; I find it impossible otherwise).

I'll get it in 2 weeks when the price has been reduced to a pound.

@EarthboundBenjy considering the weird love-hate relationship Ubisoft has with with Rayman... This collection is stacked! Rare Ubisoft W!!!

Though my real hope is we can get a Rayman 2 collection of this similar quality. N64, PlayStation, Dreamcast and PC ports in one collection would be incredible!

Though it's Ubisoft so highly doubt we'll get one as their legacy IPs like Rayman and Price of Persia seem to be mostly forgotten about or discarded except the rare AA title...

@StarCollector Ubisoft treats the Rabbids as their own thing. The last Rayman game was Rayman Legends on the Wii U (2013)... It's been a while since we've had a true Rayman game.

@CurryPowderKeg79 thats because it will release in an hour

@Wexter About 13 years then. I feel kinda bad for Rayman fans, then! I wonder why they treat the series with such low priority...

@StarCollector no idea... Maybe they think it does not sell? Maybe there is no internal drive there. Or maybe they're too focused on Assassin's Creed, Farcry and Siege? Even Splintercell's last mainline entry was in 2013 with Blacklist. And Prince of Persia's last 3D adventure game was the Forgotten Sands in 2010... And the Lost Crown spinoff games basically got canned almost instantly after being very well received.

Ubisoft has been burning bridges with legacy fans for a long time. Hell there is a reason Sandfall is made up of former Ubisoft devs and basically said pointblank that Expedition 33 would have taken 10 years of effort to even remotely get greenlit. And Expedition 33 has been very financially successful and critically acclaimed. Real missed opportunity by Ubisoft there.

Ubisoft kinda sucks...

This seems to be available everywhere now except Switch. Any idea what time it will be on the eShop?!?

cant wait for 6f input lag in a precision platformer.

I'll stick to MiSTER.

Yes I know Ubisoft is not a great company. But, this games takes me back to such fond memories… Playing this of DOS…drawing Rayman at school… And there is a physical release on switch. I already preordered. Feel dirty and happy at the same time…

@RoboCube well I'm hoping it would be crossgen.

....I just bought this game. ... Is there seriously no option to play with the original soundtrack??? It's just the updated version, and that's all we get?
If that's the case, then..... damn. I really really really hope they update this game to include a soundtrack toggle.
...This actually is kind of a dealbreaker? Kind of sad they thought this was acceptable.

@EarthboundBenjy yeah it's mentioned in the history section it's remixed by the guy who did origins and legends, they even changed the Gba and GBC soundtracks, only one that's untouched is Atari but it's glitches, it plays background music then plays it again on top, I don't understand why they needed to change the music when all the past ports and re releases of PS1 has the original music, the new tracks just sound out of place.

@RoboCube

I sent a complaint to Ubisoft customer support about the soundtrack just now lol.

...had to make an account on their website to send it, but if anything's gonna force me to do that, it'll be for the purposes of expressing my displeasure for sure.

Hopefully if enough fans send customer support letters regarding Rayman 30th's soundtrack, they might patch in a toggle?

I just encountered another issue!!!
The Jaguar version and MS DOS versions don't seem to save correctly.
When you go to a save point and it says "Game Saved", it doesn't seem to actually save anything to your save file. All it does is set your current savestate to the moment the "Game Saved" text appears.
If you ever select "Reset game" to see the title screen again, you'll see that all save files are blank. ... And I don't know what happened, but it also repalced my load savestate to being at the blank file select menu, which means I lost everything.

PS1 version does seem to save correctly as far as I can tell. haven't treid GBA version.

To all those who are wondering why the original music has been replaced, it seems it has to do with the death of the OG composer a few years back. Also, this isn’t just a direct re-release of the first Rayman, it’s a whole new release (even if they just pack more versions of the same game, it’s still modified) and it requires another license as a result.
Most probably there is a licensing issue involving his family/heirs that doesn’t let Ubisoft/Atari/Digital Eclipse to use it…

Good news, it would be good to have a comparison between the different versions. I assume the PlayStation version is the best but could be wrong.

Releasing all their good games before they go bankrupt is a good idea.
I'd like the 3D Raymen too !

The GBA version gives me mad nostalgia

I am so happy to see this again because I still have the PS1 Greatest Hits but also for the art style. That being said, I don't think I could get very far as a kid because the guys with hats and eyeballs were just far to terrifying for me. Run at the console and hit reset scary when they touched Rayman.

@electrolite77 I never played the Saturn version (I have the Atari Jaguar), but I heard they are essentially the same between Jaguar, Playstation and Saturn, except the Saturn version was the most difficult (also, the Jag port lacked voices). And all of them were already too hard!

@Wexter

I think its a mix of factors, but the biggest is that Ubisoft is addicted to the "All The Money" marketing mindset. Basically, they tend to only think games are worth making, if the game has the chance to turn into a giant billion dollar smash hit that dominates the medium and channels an endless stream of added revenue to the company. Hence why they mostly just make entries in a small number of mega popular series, that coincidentally have extensive MTX or GAAS aspects.

Spend money on a single player platformer, that would only sell a couple million copies with no chance of funneling people into a cash shop? Why "waste" budget on that when they could add it to the pile used for the next giant Assassins Creed game? That would definitely bring a larger return on investment!

( Spoiler: It would not, in fact, bring a larger return on investment. Adding budget to an existing project does not guarantee any greater sales. )

@Viator_ The dos version is not good I have played it. It’s really slow. (I have been lead to believe the jaguar version is the best.)

@Alcea
would be interesting if 2 and 3 got their respective collections with different versions, that said collections would include the GBC and GBA ones which iirc were pretty much different games (havent played in a while so maybe you could correct me if wrong but didnt GBA rayman 3 have more elements related to 2 than 3 or am i thinking of another one, i know one of them had razorbeard)

@TheFox The hardest version is the DSi version, with the cropped screen. After beating that, I feel entitled to play with all the enhancements (cheats) of this new release. 😁