Rayman DS

Rayman DS
Published by	Ubisoft
Developed by	DC Studios (UK/Canada)
Directed by	{{{directed by}}}
Produced by	{{{produced by}}}
Designed by	{{{designed by}}}
Programmed by	{{{programmed by}}}
Art by	{{{art by}}}
Written by	{{{written by}}}
Soundtrack by	{{{soundtrack by}}}
Release date	2005
Genre	3D Platformer
Gameplay mode	Single player
Languages	{{{languages}}}
Platforms	Nintendo DS
Ratings	3+ (PEGI), E (ESRB)
Distribution media	Cartridge
Game engine	{{{game engine}}}

Rayman DS is a remake of Rayman 2: The Great Escape that was released especially for the Nintendo DS in March 2005. It is almost identical to the original Nintendo 64 version of the game, only that it now includes a new, optional method of control which makes use of the touch-screen and stylus.

Logo

French advertising poster.

Differences from Rayman 2: The Great Escape

• Rayman DS shares many similarities to the N64 version of Rayman 2. The lower-quality MIDI music from the N64 version is used.
• The textures in Rayman DS are generally more jagged than the N64 version of Rayman 2 due to the DS's lack of texture filtering. The actual textures are the same, however.
• The conversion didn't go without any hiccups: See Technical issues
• Due to the Nintendo DS not having analog controls, the player has the option to use a virtual analog stick on the touch screen. This is also the only way to change the speed Rayman moves in.

Technical issues

Unlike any other version of Rayman 2, Rayman DS included many technical problems in its gameplay. The swirls that radiate from the Four Masks of Polokus or the Guardian of the Cave of Bad Dreams' staff, for example, are not located exactly where they should be. Another particularly troubling problem is experienced during the encounter with Umber and in the flower ride in the Sanctuary of Rock and Lava: in both cases, Rayman should be locked to the respective surfaces, but can slip off, even during Umber's cinematic. The only way to lock Rayman back to the surface's center is to press the R button, which is used for strafing. Also, when replaying the Marshes of Awakening, Sssssam can completely disappear during his cinematic. Sometimes the spider at the beginning of The Tomb of the Ancients will disappear a few seconds after the cutscene in which he appeared.

Gallery

The back cover of the EU version of Rayman DS.

The cover of the US version of Rayman DS.

Trivia

• This was the first Rayman game to use the new Ubisoft logo.
• The US cover for Rayman DS is in the same style as the cover for Rayman: Hoodlums' Revenge and the European cover for Rayman Advance. Likewise, the European cover for Rayman DS is in the same style as the US cover for Rayman Advance.
• Rayman DS was one of the Nintendo DS titles shown on the back of the original Nintendo DS box.
• Rayman 3D, another remake of Rayman 2 for the Nintendo 3DS, was released under similar conditions to this game: close to the console's launch.

See also

• Rayman 2: The Great Escape
• Rayman 3D