Michel Ancel recently retired from the industry after several decades working on games for Ubisoft to work in a wildlife sanctuary. The game designer is known mostly for the cult classic Beyond Good And Evil and the legendary platformer Rayman. The following list will rank the games in the latter series from worst to best according to Metacritic.
For multiplatform titles, it will use the hardware with the highest score. The only exception will be when the other version of the game is completely different, as was the case for numerous multiplatform games of the early and mid aughts. While they are mostly platformers, a few party games are among the bunch as well.
16 Rayman Raving Rabbids DS (56)
While a party game on all other platforms, the Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance versions of this unique title were traditional platformers. The former employs 3D graphics, while the latter feels more like the first game in the series. Neither were particularly beloved.
15 Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 DS (57)
The console versions of this game were optimized the Nintendo Wii, while the handheld version did its best to use the Nintendo DS’s unique capabilities to craft a unique set of mini games. Ultimately, it is best to stick with the Nintendo Wii counterpart.
14 Rayman: Hoodlum’s Revenge (61)
This Game Boy Advance game is a sequel to Rayman 3. It did not reach the same critical heights as the mainline series. Gameplay is shown from an isometric perspective and some levels let the player control the titular character and Globox simultaneously.
13 Rayman Rush (62)
This obscure title is known by few due to it releasing on the original PlayStation in 2002. It is ostensibly a port of Rayman Arena which only includes the racing portions. Since most already had the next generation of consoles, little need for this version exists.
12 Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 (62)
The first Raving Rabbids title took both players and critics by surprise. No one expected so much fun from what appeared to be a spin-off of minigames.
The sequel unfortunately lost some of that mojo, netting lower reviews all around.
11 Rayman Arena (63)
Rayman Arena is a party game featuring two distinct gameplay types; on-foot races and battles. The former includes platforming segments reminiscent of the mainline titles, while the latter is a full on fight to the death with up to three other friends.
10 Rayman Adventures (73)
Three runners were produced for phones using the art style from the Origins and Legends games. The ability to change directions makes for more exploration opportunities in Rayman Adventures, though this did not save it from getting worse reviews than its predecessors.
9 Rayman Raving Rabbids: TV Party (73)
The last game in this subseries to feature the armless protagonist lampoons television and films with its minigames. With no PS2 or Xbox 360 versions, the titles also utilizes the Wii’s balance board. Obviously, the DS version does not use the peripheral.
8 Rayman Raving Rabbids (76)
The setup for this title involves Rayman imprisoned by the mischievous rabbids and forced to partake in numerous trials and minigames. Few expected a spin-off to be so fun, a vibe helped by its surprising sense of humor. Rabbids would go on to separate themselves from the Rayman series and become a beast of its own.
7 Rayman 3 (77)
The third mainline entry added more story and tried to have a sense of humor. Unfortunately for fans of the early titles’ challenge, the platforming is significantly easier. The jokes also mostly fall flat. Fortunately, the reboot would bring back the focus on precision jumping.
6 Rayman Advance (84)
Rayman Advance is a port of the original Rayman. Graphics and music are downgraded, and the camera is zoomed in a bit to accommodate the Game Boy Advance. Several changes to the levels make the game easier, because the original version is one of the hardest 2D platformers ever made.
5 Rayman Fiesta Run (86)
The second of the iPhone runners set in the Rayman universe, Rayman Fiesta Run adds new mechanics to the runner formula, including the ability to swim. Oddly, this and the more varied environments could not give it a higher critical score than the first spin-off for smart phones.
4 Rayman Jungle Run (88)
Many franchises received runner spin-offs earlier last decade. Rayman Jungle Run stands out from the crowded pack with its unique art style based on Rayman Origins and by simply having tight controls.
3 Rayman 2 (90)
Rayman entered the 3D realm with a bang. The Nintendo 64 and PlayStation game is significantly easier than the series’ debut, but one still has to keep on their toes to best the levels.
The story perhaps takes itself a tad too seriously, but it is sincere enough to not feel incongruous to the fun platforming and exploration.
2 Rayman Origins (92)
Ostensibly a reboot of the franchise, the series went back to its two-dimensional roots with a beautiful cartoonish art style. The levels become brutally difficult, but modern gameplay conventions make the challenge more manageable. Playing the game cooperatively with at least one friend is the ideal way to go.
1 Rayman Legends (92)
The sequel to Rayman Origins retains the same core gameplay while adding more variety. Originally built for the Wii U, the title takes advantage of the console’s gamepad. Fortunately, it plays just as smoothly on other consoles, even on the handheld systems for which it is available.
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