How would you Rank the Rayman 1 Versions?

[Ray502]

I see.

I'm only ranking the versions I have played.

1. Sony PlayStation: Best version of the game. No arguments. Graphics, effects, soundtrack, level design, you name it.

2. PC/MS-DOS: Second place but far from first. Even though there are some above average changes like cage/life locations, graphics are not as good, the soundtrack is reduced, less effects, questionable sound effects, etc.

3. Android/iOS: Close to second believe it or not, but the controls are just too iffy. Definitely not the same as playing with a controller, heck even a keyboard.

4. Atari Jaguar: Eh. It's different, which can be a good thing, but it's just, eh. Despite some pretty decent additions/changes, soundtrack/sound effects are poor, controlling Rayman feels weird occasionally, no sliding system, some stuff are reduced/taken out, it's just ok.

[The Jonster]

I see.

I'm only ranking the versions I have played.

1. Sony PlayStation: Best version of the game. No arguments. Graphics, effects, soundtrack, level design, you name it.

2. PC/MS-DOS: Second place but far from first. Even though there are some above average changes like cage/life locations, graphics are not as good, the soundtrack is reduced, less effects, questionable sound effects, etc.

3. Android/iOS: Close to second believe it or not, but the controls are just too iffy. Definitely not the same as playing with a controller, heck even a keyboard.

4. Atari Jaguar: Eh. It's different, which can be a good thing, but it's just, eh. Despite some pretty decent additions/changes, soundtrack/sound effects are poor, controlling Rayman feels weird occasionally, no sliding system, some stuff are reduced/taken out, it's just ok.

I'll do the same.

1. PS1: No issues that are glaring me in the face, and everything else is great!

2. PC (Forever - GOG version) - Half the soundtrack is missing (i remedied this myself), level design in some places is better than ps1 (yeah i'm talking to you bongo hills), music in one area is not specific to one stage, but I understand that's how the forever version (and possibly the pc version) is.

3. iPhone - I actually do NOT rank this as last, the control may be iffy at best, but at least you can change the difficulty (I personally liked the challenge of the original, but i doubt anyone would try doing the hardest difficulty) and the soundtrack is there....i think.

Edit1: 4. GBA - Missing much of the songs, difficulty is way too easy for me, quality of music remaining and graphics are not so good imo. Pretty good port though.

This list is subject to change as i play the other versions. I probably am wrong in some places, so feel free to correct me.

[StelzenBomber]

I see.

I'm only ranking the versions I have played.

1. Sony PlayStation: Best version of the game. No arguments. Graphics, effects, soundtrack, level design, you name it.

2. PC/MS-DOS: Second place but far from first. Even though there are some above average changes like cage/life locations, graphics are not as good, the soundtrack is reduced, less effects, questionable sound effects, etc.

3. Android/iOS: Close to second believe it or not, but the controls are just too iffy. Definitely not the same as playing with a controller, heck even a keyboard.

4. Atari Jaguar: Eh. It's different, which can be a good thing, but it's just, eh. Despite some pretty decent additions/changes, soundtrack/sound effects are poor, controlling Rayman feels weird occasionally, no sliding system, some stuff are reduced/taken out, it's just ok.

I'll do the same.

1. PS1: No issues that are glaring me in the face, and everything else is great!

2. PC (Forever - GOG version) - Half the soundtrack is missing (i remedied this myself), level design in some places is better than ps1 (yeah i'm talking to you bongo hills), music in one area is not specific to one stage, but I understand that's how the forever version (and possibly the pc version) is.

3. iPhone - I actually do NOT rank this as last, the control may be iffy at best, but at least you can change the difficulty (I personally liked the challenge of the original, but i doubt anyone would try doing the hardest difficulty) and the soundtrack is there....i think.

4. GBA - Missing much of the songs, difficulty is way too easy for me, especially with a certain cheat. Certain stages are also missing, though I think i've heard some of the other versions suffer from this also.

This list is subject to change as i play the other versions. I probably am wrong in some places, so feel free to correct me.

how is the gba version the easyest? because of one extra hit point?
also only bongo hills part 1 is missing

[The Jonster]

I see.

I'm only ranking the versions I have played.

1. Sony PlayStation: Best version of the game. No arguments. Graphics, effects, soundtrack, level design, you name it.

2. PC/MS-DOS: Second place but far from first. Even though there are some above average changes like cage/life locations, graphics are not as good, the soundtrack is reduced, less effects, questionable sound effects, etc.

3. Android/iOS: Close to second believe it or not, but the controls are just too iffy. Definitely not the same as playing with a controller, heck even a keyboard.

4. Atari Jaguar: Eh. It's different, which can be a good thing, but it's just, eh. Despite some pretty decent additions/changes, soundtrack/sound effects are poor, controlling Rayman feels weird occasionally, no sliding system, some stuff are reduced/taken out, it's just ok.

I'll do the same.

1. PS1: No issues that are glaring me in the face, and everything else is great!

2. PC (Forever - GOG version) - Half the soundtrack is missing (i remedied this myself), level design in some places is better than ps1 (yeah i'm talking to you bongo hills), music in one area is not specific to one stage, but I understand that's how the forever version (and possibly the pc version) is.

3. iPhone - I actually do NOT rank this as last, the control may be iffy at best, but at least you can change the difficulty (I personally liked the challenge of the original, but i doubt anyone would try doing the hardest difficulty) and the soundtrack is there....i think.

4. GBA - Missing much of the songs, difficulty is way too easy for me, especially with a certain cheat. Certain stages are also missing, though I think i've heard some of the other versions suffer from this also.

This list is subject to change as i play the other versions. I probably am wrong in some places, so feel free to correct me.

how is the gba version the easyest? because of one extra hit point?
also only bongo hills part 1 is missing

I don't recall saying that I said the GBA version was the easiest, I just said it was too easy for me. There are other reasons aside from one extra hit point anyway. You don't lose tings upon dying, 1-ups are easier to find, etc. And you are right, only part 1 of bongo hills is missing. I like a little challenge, so I preferred most of the other versions I played over this one.

[StelzenBomber]

I see.

I'm only ranking the versions I have played.

1. Sony PlayStation: Best version of the game. No arguments. Graphics, effects, soundtrack, level design, you name it.

2. PC/MS-DOS: Second place but far from first. Even though there are some above average changes like cage/life locations, graphics are not as good, the soundtrack is reduced, less effects, questionable sound effects, etc.

3. Android/iOS: Close to second believe it or not, but the controls are just too iffy. Definitely not the same as playing with a controller, heck even a keyboard.

4. Atari Jaguar: Eh. It's different, which can be a good thing, but it's just, eh. Despite some pretty decent additions/changes, soundtrack/sound effects are poor, controlling Rayman feels weird occasionally, no sliding system, some stuff are reduced/taken out, it's just ok.

I'll do the same.

1. PS1: No issues that are glaring me in the face, and everything else is great!

2. PC (Forever - GOG version) - Half the soundtrack is missing (i remedied this myself), level design in some places is better than ps1 (yeah i'm talking to you bongo hills), music in one area is not specific to one stage, but I understand that's how the forever version (and possibly the pc version) is.

3. iPhone - I actually do NOT rank this as last, the control may be iffy at best, but at least you can change the difficulty (I personally liked the challenge of the original, but i doubt anyone would try doing the hardest difficulty) and the soundtrack is there....i think.

4. GBA - Missing much of the songs, difficulty is way too easy for me, especially with a certain cheat. Certain stages are also missing, though I think i've heard some of the other versions suffer from this also.

This list is subject to change as i play the other versions. I probably am wrong in some places, so feel free to correct me.

how is the gba version the easyest? because of one extra hit point?
also only bongo hills part 1 is missing

I don't recall saying that I said the GBA version was the easiest, I just said it was too easy for me. There are other reasons aside from one extra hit point anyway. You don't lose tings upon dying, 1-ups are easier to find, etc. And you are right, only part 1 of bongo hills is missing. I like a little challenge, so I preferred most of the other versions I played over this one.

ok, i find it just as hard as ps1, but thats just me

[lyndo64]

Eh, why not?

1. PS1 - the extra midi music and fog effects are nice.
2. Saturn - I like the extra effects in Dr. Dark's Dare, but the higher pitched sounds don't sound that great imo.
3. PC - nice effects in The Swamps of Forgetfulness, the different cage locations suck.
4. Jaguar - the most different, I like the color pallettes in this version the best, and the different level design.
5. DSI - The mini map is nothing special, and the sound effects are weirdly low pitched, I like the achivments tho.
6. GBA - The worst version graphically, missing segments, the music isn't good, and is missing a ton a tracks, and SCREEN CRUNCH!
7. IPhone - last because of touch controls, besides that it's basically the same as the PC version.

[Greengoop]

1. PSX/PS3/PSVITA/PSP/Xperia: the only version of the game that doesn’t have at least one setback
2. Saturn: added a lot extra to the game, but has a few problems here and there
3. DOS: a pretty great version of the game, but has audio issues (which get worse depending on which version you play)
4. iOS/Android: an ok version of the game, and the only way to play the game on iOS devices prior to the allowance of emulators on Apple devices.
5. Jaguar: pretty mid version, but some of the tracks here I do prefer
6. GBC: a whole new game with a lot of fun new levels, even topping some other versions
7. Rayman Ultimate: it’s still a good way to play rayman 1, but the above 6 are better just because this one was a lot more of an ambitious port
8. GBA: still annoyed I couldn’t get this game at CeX, but there is still a lot better versions of the game
9. DSi: has a lot of problems with it, and is definitely a very cheap port of the game
10. Web Demo. No need to explain.

[dr_st]

I am yet to play the PSX version which is considered the most complete?
The DOS version is good enough for most things, and the exclusive expansions (Designer etc.) are a cool bonus.

[Mortamon Saturn]

Here's the ranking I would give for the versions of my childhood game!

(0. Redemption: Fanmade, but nearly perfect remake that improves Rayman 1 in so many ways and takes a lot from the series as a whole including Rayman GBC. It's just that it missed the mark on a few missing things like bonus levels or animations, and some questionable changes for the level design or the Hunters' bullets. and all the pirates into ugly random unfitting robots cuz Twitter Moment)

1. Saturn: Prettiest version of the original with plenty of nice extra details and changes, and a far more epic atmosphere for the final boss, including the first appearance of the Glade of Dreams' two Moons in the PAL version!
Basically a better PS1 version, though the sounds are a bit high-pitched... First game of my childhood and gave me my username.

2. PlayStation: The most balanced version of Rayman 1. It got the most iconic level design and Ting sounds, drum music and some other extras, and feels very good to play overall! THE Rayman 1 as most people know it!

3. PC/DOS: Pretty good and has the better framerate and some arguably better looking tiles (for some of them), a very pretty introduction to Bongo Hills (even if I prefer the PS1 level design), also has the Ray Breakout minigame and things like bonus animations after bosses...
But the Ting sounds are too boring, the soundtrack is very incomplete in many releases (and you don't even have the intro in those), the backgrounds lack life and aren't very good, and the cage placement has to be the most confusing in my opinion... and the added voices are a joke.
But hey, it got some forms of expansions through Designer, 60 Levels and By His Fans (even if the featured levels are... a pain )! So it's the best one for the content, and Designer's map editor makes it virtually endless and lets you express your creativity!

4. Jaguar: Didn't play it much yet, but it's pretty good despite the downgrades for the music and some of the mechanics, and it's the most unique version of the classic Rayman!
It did very cool things like the mosquito being able to shoot projectiles, its own Ray Breakout, and some exclusive pieces of music and level sections! Not a well-known version due to the console itself, but yet iconic!

5. Advance (GBA): Actually looks and feel very good when played on an original GBA thanks to the LCD screen, but overly saturated and painful for the ears on another system... That and they removed some stuff like the first part of Bongo Hills, and the soundtrack selection is a joke at times (only 17 pieces VS the 57+ originals) like Mr Dark's theme playing in that same level!
Some platforms are broken and so is the maximum momentum for ice physics, which results in various lives being impossible to get. Screen is too small for comfort, making it too hard to react to what's coming and it glitches some triggers like a cage in Gong Heights...
Still, got its charm! It gives you extra health (and lives + continues), more checkpoints, more trigger sparkles or platforms (though they took it too far in Space Mama's Crater part 2 by removing the challenge altogether ) and removes some excessive enemies for a better difficulty. Not to mention replayable Mr Dark's Dare, and the few exclusive pieces of music are nice.

6. DSiWare: Could have been much better if it wasn't for the broken knockback and invulnerability frames, the ridiculous number of health points and many flaws like highly questionable graphical changes in Band Land or missing music and weird sounds (and no Ray Breakout despite the PC content...). Also, that camera photograph feature would have been a creative and fitting addition if it wasn't so forced and annoying...
But overall, looks very great, plays pretty close to the original, has achievements (an inspiration for those in Redemption) and a convenient map for new players, extra dialogue and the ending FINALLY acknowledging the Great Protoon. Most importantly, it has plenty of quality of life improvements like keeping the grimace, more checkpoints, 30 continues, retaining Tings on death and only 50 being required for lives, and you can skip level sections when backtracking!

7. Classic (mobile): Mobile controls are a tumor on gaming, the end.
Ray Breakout is broken, and a very bland port with tons of new tiny issues overall... But hey, one of the most accurate ones with a few improvements over its PC counterpart, it was (partially) free, and it had the achievements, difficulty modes, auto-saves and Breakout mini-game on the map that inspired Redemption, I'll give it that... If only it would still work on my current phone! It's not even available in the store anymore cuz Ubey iz lazy!

8. Ultimate (Pocket PC): Didn't play, but easily seems like one of the worst versions based on the few things I know about it.
20 HPs makes the DSi version look reasonable, and bosses have been nerfed too much (unless you glitch out Mr Sax and must hit him... 2 5 5 times! )... And that soundtrack... What tunes, am I right?

9. Flash web demo: The Sonic 06 of Rayman games.

Bonus. GBC/PDA ports: Not really counting it in the ranking, it's not the same game even if it adapts Rayman 1 and takes some enemies/objects and ideas from it (like a piece of level design in Airy Tunes). It's more of a Rayman 1.5 with the Rayman 2 style and music that it has. It would be unfair to compare it when it was made for such a primitive system...
But very solid handheld adaptation for the time, with many great ideas that inspired Rayman Redemption, and Mr Dark has never felt more epic and badass!
The PDA rereleases were also nice (mainly PPC, PalmOS didn't even had music...), with better graphics and added features like online challenges or the world map accessible after every level! For its own special ranking: Pocket PC/Symbian > Game Boy Color > Palm OS (color) > Palm OS (greyscale).


Anyway, I still like most of them and there's not one that I can say I truly hate (no, we're not counting the demo, it's not even a complete game ), which is more than what can be said about Rayman DS for Rayman 2

[dr_st]

Awesome summary, Mortamon Saturn!

In my view, only the original versions count (2-5, with a big stretch to 6). Redemption is awesome, but it's not fair to compare it to contemporary releases, and 7-10 are just hacks that someone made to prove that it can be done.

[Greengoop]

Here's a "quick" ranking I would give for the versions of my childhood game!

1. Redemption: Nearly perfect remake that improves Rayman 1 in so many ways, just missed the mark on a few missing things like bonus levels or animations, and some questionable changes for the level design or the Hunters' bullets.

0. GBC/PDA ports: Not counting it in the ranking, it's too different. But very solid handheld adaptation for the time and it made Mr Dark into an epic villain!

Funny how you exclude the GBC version but keep redemption

[Mortamon Saturn]

Awesome summary, Mortamon Saturn!

In my view, only the original versions count (2-5, with a big stretch to 6). Redemption is awesome, but it's not fair to compare it to contemporary releases, and 7-10 are just hacks that someone made to prove that it can be done.

Thanks! I've just updated the list as it was Rayman Rushed during RD, so it's even more detailed now and it does a better separation for the fanmade Redemption!

That's a good way to look at these lazy ports, sometimes it's hard to believe they're even official!

Here's a "quick" ranking I would give for the versions of my childhood game!

1. Redemption: Nearly perfect remake that improves Rayman 1 in so many ways, just missed the mark on a few missing things like bonus levels or animations, and some questionable changes for the level design or the Hunters' bullets.

0. GBC/PDA ports: Not counting it in the ranking, it's too different. But very solid handheld adaptation for the time and it made Mr Dark into an epic villain!

Funny how you exclude the GBC version but keep redemption

GBC is an adaptation that had to be very different due to limitations (and a lot of it was more influenced by Rayman 2 than 1), while Redemption is a remake with nearly the same graphics and overall content... which remained so faithful in fact, that someone got mad at character designs not being updated
Anyway, I've separated Redemption as number 0 too, happy now?

[Greengoop]

The thing is, redemption was designed to build FROM rayman 1, GBC was designed to build TO it

*edit: didn’t read the final line

[lyndo64]

After playing a good chunk of the Jag version, I feel like making an updated ranking of the versions that I've played

1. PS1 - Not much to say here, it's basically the vanilla version of R1, an absolute classic.

2. PC - Hard to get working on modern systems, missing tracks on most releases (and the FMVs), don't like the voice acting. Do prefer some of the cage locations to the PS1 version however, but some are quite annoying. Despite my negatives, it's a very solid version of R1.

3. GBA - The graphics are too bright for any display that isn't an original GBA, and some of the graphics (especially the bosses and the checkpoint) look way too blocky, due to them being compressed and scaled back up. It also sports a cropped screen, which does result in many blind jumps, however overall it isn't too bad in my opinion. The converted tracks can be pretty poor at times, but the original tracks (such as the new boss victory theme) are great. I feel like the accommodations to make the game easier do feel a bit cheap, but are welcome. A pretty good conversion overall, despite the drawbacks.

4. Jaguar - Probably the most different version. The physics feel a lot more wonky compared to every other version, grabbing onto ledges feels a lot more iffy, there were times where it felt like I fell right through platforms. The lack of sliding physics render Allegro Presto an absolute slog, with cheap enemy placements, and long stretches' of just walking. I actually like the music in this version, it's obviously nowhere near as good as the CD OST, but I like it. Overall, a mixed bag.

5. DSi - This version just feels kind of cheap to me, the music is compressed, Band Land looks horrific, the knockback from enemies is awful, and the amount of the health the game gives you is absolutely ridiculous.

6. Web demo - no