Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition

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If you’re a super fan of the original game and want every possible version of it, the package totally delivers. But considering how many Rayman games there were, including its sequels and spin-offs, it would have been nice to at least have had Rayman 2 included.

More of an archival project than a remaster or remake then (though I would admittedly *love* to see the original Rayman remade in 4K & 60 FPS with all new, hand drawn Ubi-art assets), Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition nonetheless comes recommended to fans of Ubisoft's forgotten mascot and gaming history. Taken in tandem with the forthcoming release of Rayman Legends Untold, it would certainly appear that Ubisoft has just woken up to the fact that one of the best platforming franchises in decades remains under their stewardship. As it is, Rayman 30th Anniversary Edition is a fine, though slightly flawed way, to experience the series' genesis on the gaming platforms of yesteryear, all the while soaking in a veritable bounty of behind the scenes material.

" Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition " is a fantastic way to relive a piece of iconic platforming history on various retro platforms, complete with numerous convenient features.

By and large, Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition is a very nice bundle if you loved the original Rayman and would like a nice, concise package of its history. You are effectively only getting mostly slightly remixed versions of the same game, so it depends on whether the price tag is worth it for essentially one platformer. The lack of the original soundtrack is probably the big blemish on the collection, but it's still a solid package for those who want to see where the weird, limbless hero began his adventures.

As it stands, the Rayman 30th Anniversary Collection feels a bit slight, and a missed opportunity. If there are licensing issues with the other games in the franchise - and the original soundtrack - there could have instead been a lean into behind-the-scenes details and snippets for those that love the character and worlds, as Rayman is certainly a world worth returning to!

Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition shows obvious affection for the series and the game that started the franchise, with behind-the-scenes stories from the development of what became the first Rayman. However, it feels like something is missing, especially in a celebration of the franchise's 30th anniversary.

Rayman: 30th Anniversary is a solid revival of a classic game that, for better or worse, makes very few changes to the original material, keeping the experience of playing the first game in the series accessible for new players and old time fans alike.

Is the Rayman 30th Anniversary Edition worth it? Yes and no. On the one hand, it is substantial and perfectly captures the spirit of the original game—including its challenging difficulty. On the other hand, it is essentially the same thing four times over, with only minor differences at best. The original soundtrack is also missing.

Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition is the tribute the limbless hero deserved: a respectful, complete playable encyclopedia packed with living history for nostalgic fans and newcomers alike.