Rayman 1

[Bradandez]

It'd still be a mess!

Hahahahahahahaha!

[Rayfist]

I've wondered the same with R2. The amazing exploration/hub world of PS2 combined with the framerate and graphics/lighting of Dreamcast, one can dream, no?
And can someone tell me who the fuck the person who voted DSI and PC version as best is? <_<

[technology4617]

I'm also curious as to why people deem the Saturn version as best despite all the flaws they're ignoring.

These include mono music, rediciously pitched-up sound effects, no MIDI drum tracks (which are basically essential to Blue Mountains' atmosphere), longer loading times due to annoying and out-of-place transition effects, nonsensical background swapping, and crappier foreground effects (there's no transluscent fog effects for example). I'd say that a few nice background effects are somewhat less significant than all this. The only real thing it has over on the PlayStation version is the lack of lag, but that's only present on an actual PS1 system.

[saerleiya]

And can someone tell me who the fuck the person who voted DSI and PC version as best is? <_<

People who have only played these ones so far. What a question ...

[Razorbeard]

*cough*
I've had experience with a couple of versions, and I love how absolutely horrifying the cage placement in the PC version is.
It's literally so bad that it's good. Really adds to just how difficult the levels want you to think they are, which is kinda nice, even if a lot of the time I just end up yelling at everyone and searching for potent explosives.
Plus, the transitional level in Bongo Hills doesn't hurt.

[Rayfist]

And can someone tell me who the fuck the person who voted DSI and PC version as best is? <_<

People who have only played these ones so far. What a question ...

I guarantee whoever voted for PC must have played multiple versions... you'd be surprised how many people are so latched onto nostalgia. Like the people who say SM64 is better than SM64 DS in every aspect, jesus christ.

I use to think PC version was the best but I took off the nostalgia glasses and realized PS1 and Saturn version is far better.

These include mono music, rediciously pitched-up sound effects, no MIDI drum tracks (which are basically essential to Blue Mountains' atmosphere), longer loading times due to annoying and out-of-place transition effects, nonsensical background swapping, and crappier foreground effects

Good point, I still stand by my point though that the Saturn version is second best next to PS1. PC version had many problems such as missing music, and the beautiful ting sound effect was gone.

[saerleiya]

I guarantee whoever voted for PC must have played multiple versions...

Then pay me...I voted for PC AND only played the PC version (I only played a few minutes on PS1). This isn't because I'm lazy to play it on other consoles, it's just that I don't have other consoles aside from PC and PS1, and I haven't bought PS1 version yet or played it on emulators (lel).

I've had experience with a couple of versions, and I love how absolutely horrifying the cage placement in the PC version is.

It explains why I haven't been able to finish this game yet. This plus childish trauma XD.

[technology4617]

I guarantee whoever voted for PC must have played multiple versions...

Then pay me...I voted for PC AND only played the PC version (I only played a few minutes on PS1). This isn't because I'm lazy to play it on other consoles, it's just that I don't have other consoles aside from PC and PS1, and I haven't bought PS1 version yet or played it on emulators (lel).

But why would you vote for something when you know nothing about the other options?

[Rayfist]

Then pay me...I voted for PC AND only played the PC version (I only played a few minutes on PS1). This isn't because I'm lazy to play it on other consoles, it's just that I don't have other consoles aside from PC and PS1, and I haven't bought PS1 version yet or played it on emulators (lel).

Then my statement doesn't apply to you ffs.

[saerleiya]

But why would you vote for something when you know nothing about the other options?

If I only played one, it's obviously my favourite. Why shouldn't I vote?

[technology4617]

But why would you vote for something when you know nothing about the other options?

If I only played one, it's obviously my favourite. Why shouldn't I vote?

but like ignorance

Fine.

[saerleiya]

but like ignorance

Fine.

Nope. If the question is not as accurate as you want it to be, then ask for it. Otherwise I have the right to answer this way.

[technology4617]

but like ignorance

Fine.

Nope. If the question is not as accurate as you want it to be, then ask for it. Otherwise I have the right to answer this way.

Hence the "fine" at the end of my post. I don't really want to get into a debate over a technicality, though.

[Electoon]

I come back to this thread and find a versions poll. Might as well throw in my tuppence:

Jaguar - This version is practically a beta in final. It's obviously very different to the other versions of the game, and some features that were clearly always intended are missing. The developers probably realised part way through development that the Jaguar was going to be a flop and just wanted to get the game out there, so it's unfair to judge it like that. Thankfully, it made for one of the best Jaguar games, and this version is interesting because of all the differences, especially map and music wise.

PC - To me, the PC version has always felt oddly unrefined. Be it the strange additional voice acting, the frustrating new Electoon/1-up placements or the music only existing in medley form. It does make up for it's increased difficulty by upping the continues to 10. It's kind of a shame that Ubisoft keep using this version as a code base for more recent ports , but I can understand why starting with PC code is easier . The PC version is made far more interesting by it's expansion packs, most notably Rayman Designer, which makes Rayman on the PC a lot of fun.

PlayStation - I'll try to be unbiased, as this was my first version, but I think even with the nostalgia aside, it's the best. It's one of the few versions where you get the full CD soundtrack, and on top of that a load of neat touches such as additional incidental drum loops on appropriate levels, fog effects for deep forest levels etc. For me, this is the definitive version of Rayman and the one that helped the Rayman series become popular in this country.

Saturn - Despite how much I've hyped up the PSX version, I'd like to go on to say that this version is pretty much on par with it, and this is coming from someone who only got a Saturn in recent years. While it's missing some of the features from the PS1 incarnation (such as the PSF jingles), in a typical Ubisoft fashion it adds some more (perhaps most notably the bizarrely cute little transition animations between maps). You also get all the good stuff - original Electoon placement, differentiation between the two Mozzies, CD soundtrack (arguably sounding even nicer on the Saturn) etc. I strongly persuade anyone who has never played Rayman 1 before to start on either the PlayStation or the Saturn.

Game Boy Colour - I personally don't think this belongs on the list as it is an entirely different game based on the same mechanics. With it's abundance of forest levels, lack of Rayman cast (Magician, Betilla etc.), tiny fairy collectables and Eric Chevalier soundtrack, it feels like how Rayman 1 would have happened in the Rayman 2 universe

Game Boy Advance - Interestingly, as of today, this is the only version of the game I have actually seen to the end. This is by no means the best version out there with it's muted colours (namely done so as to make the game visible on the original GBA's dim screen) and occasionally glitchy behaviour, but it is a good version to play if your on the run (unless you have the PlayStation version via PSP, of course). While based on the PC version, there are some changes made to make the game fairer on the small GB screen (perhaps most notably on the infamous Space Mama's Crater stage), which (asides from the Electoon placement) probably makes it one of the easier versions of Rayman out there. While the music is naturally a little tinny and simplified to work on the GBA, the composer has done a good job in converting the tracks, and there are a couple of neat exclusives too (I sometimes wonder if these are based on cut tracks from the original game)

DSI - I can't say a lot about this as it's the only version of Rayman 1 I've never played, but it is interesting to see that even today Ubisoft are keen on making strange changes between versions (see - the black music bars in Band Land). The addition of giving Rayman a crazy amount of health allows it to work as something of a training ROM, and I can imagine people wanting to complete this version of the game first so as to master the game before playing others (also known as higher skill levels of difficulty )

Wow, this is the first time I've been on the forum in ages and I start with this Epic Megapost. I'll have to be a bit less wordy next time

[Shrooblord]

Wordy posts are fine. I enjoyed reading through a well thought-through comparison like that.

Rayman GBC is an amazing game, but in no way related to Rayman 1, except that it features Mr. Dark and Tings. I wouldn't consider it a version of Rayman 1 by any stretch of the imagination, but rather a really cool additional Rayman 1 game that happened maybe inbetween Rayman 1 and 2 if you want to include it in the storyline (though I'm not sure I'd do that either).

[Adsolution]

(arguably sounding even nicer on the Saturn)

Nope, the music in the Saturn version is low-quality and mono. That seems to be a running theme with Sega consoles, since, if I recall correctly, the Dreamcast version of Rayman 2 also had low-quality, mono music.

[Bradandez]

You guys and your spec preferences.

[THEdragon]

It still blows my mind that in the GBC version Rayman took a bite out of some random plant in the Blue Mountains.

[Shrooblord]

You guys and your spec preferences.

Well, mono sound is basically incredibly shit compared to stereo to the point where it surpasses spec preference and becomes spec necessity (not to have it, that is).

[Haruka]

My favourite version is the PlayStation. I praise it for the extra musics and better sound effects. Although it was the version I got introduced to the franchise, it was actually the PC version the one I grew up with and beated the game for the first time. It isn't perfect in the music/sound level but I like how the cages are generally harder to find and the existence of that transition level phase from Dream Forest to Band Land. It is a shame that the PS1 game hadn't this.

I also would like to manifest my opinion about the Game Boy Color version. I'm pretty sure it is one of the best platformers ever released for that system, and it has got pretty nice graphics for its time. I do like the artworks done for the cutscenes. The alternative Mr. Dark battle was more satisfatory (again, this is an opinion) than the classical versions. It was a game I did enjoy to play.

The Jaguar and Saturn versions have got their pros and cons, but I liked some exclusivities like the shattering vitrals in Mr Dark's Dare from Saturn and the alternative level maps for Anguish Lagoon, Eraser Plains and Mr Dark's Dare from Jaguar.

Now concerning the later ports, Rayman DSi is the easiest game of all and they made it so easy in a way that it becomes tedious. I also don't know why we don't have an option to disable the camera snapshot everytime we go to a Photographer checkpoint. About the Game Boy Advance version, it is a playable game but I wished that the music wasn't sounding so noisy to not say bad.