Castle of Illusion – World of Illusion

[Hunchman801]

Castle of Illusion and World of Illusion are two very nice games based on Walt Disney characters that came out respectively in 1990 and 1992. The reason I'm posting this topic is because I have read several comments according to which the original Rayman was heavily based on those games, especially as concerns Picture City and Candy Château.

As I think it's better to let you judge on your own, here are the playthroughs of both games:

Castle of Illusion – Part 1
Castle of Illusion – Part 2

World of Illusion – Part 1
World of Illusion – Part 2
World of Illusion – Part 3

I personally don't see much resemblance between those games and Rayman, but I don't exclude the possibility of Ancel being influenced by the imaginary worlds of Castle and World of Illusion. What do you guys think?

[Cairnie]

There were loads of games in the early 90's with candy and library levels and I can think of at least 2 more.

* James Pond 2 Codename Robocod had a sweets level as well as a bathroom and music level.
* The sequel after that, James Pond 3, was a game almost consisting entirely of food levels including ice cream and cake worlds, there were even points where you'd find cake and strawberry costumes to hide in.
* This I never liked so much, but I was pretty sure I remember a music level in Bubsy 2. I'll have to look that up.
* Then there is of course Zool, which as it was sponsored by Chupa Chups, was mainly sweets levels if I remember rightly.
There are probably billions of Amiga games that had cake levels as well but I can't remember any more at the moment.

Regarding Castle and World of Illusion FFFF absolutely loved those games! There is some sort of resemblance to Picture City and Candy Château but I don't see it as anything more than just coincidental.

[Hunchman801]

There is some sort of resemblance to Picture City and Candy Château but I don't see it as anything more than just coincidental.

Pretty much my opinion as well; I find it weird to accuse Rayman of being a plagiary given its huge load of novelties.

[spiraldoor]

Plok is another possible influence on Rayman. He was a limbless platformer character from 1993 who threw his fists. He also travelled through worlds that were vaguely similar to Picture City.

[Haruka]

Wasn't there a japanese game quite influenced in Rayman? With yellow shoes and all?

[Rayfist]

I still own world of illusion for my genesis

[Adsolution]

I still own world of illusion for my genesis

Nice. How is it?

[Cairnie]

I have both Castle [in a double pack with Quackshot] and World of Illusion on original carts too and they're pretty much the two best ones despite the latter being so easy. Even with all these Sega collections for PS3 etc it's still worth keeping a real megadrive for games that will never be put on such like these ones.

@Haruka: Dynamite Headdy? Never really got on with that or Plok tbh.

[Haruka]

@Haruka: Dynamite Headdy? Never really got on with that or Plok tbh.

No, I think the character was a star one.

[Wiiola]

Star one? Such as SEGA's Ristar? That game was released in february 1995!
I doubt it was influenced on Rayman, especially since the gimmick characteristical for that game was in development since 1991 (but the character was originally supposed to be a rabbit, later they changed it to a blue hedgehog because 'they wanted a fast game'). Made a mistake, corrected it...