Gameplay

Rayman games are typically platformer games, although spin offs have had radically different gameplay. The original Rayman was a 2D sprite based platformer similar to those of the 16 bit era. Rayman 2 moved the series into 3D, and added more variety to the gameplay with new actions such as riding a rocket, being pulled through a marsh by a snake, and an entire level where Rayman's hair allows him to fly instead of simply hover. Rayman 3:Hoodlum Havoc kept the same core platforming of Rayman 2, but added timed power ups and had a bigger emphasis on combat. The handheld entries in the series have remained similar to the sprite based original in gameplay in that they are 2D. Rayman DS, which was a port of Rayman 2, is an exception. Rayman Raving Rabbids, which was at first planned to be a traditional platformer, turned into a mini-game collection late in development after the developers got their hands on the Wii Remote and Nunchuck. Early trailers for the game and early information portray it having a darker atmosphere than is typical of a Rayman game, and show Rayman riding animals including a giant spider. Rayman could alter his appearance, and his dancing style with it, and dance to entrance the Rabbids. Ultimately this idea was scrapped, replaced with motion based mini-games similar to WarioWare: Smooth Moves. Rayman: Raving Rabbids was also released on the Xbox 360, despite being made around the motion-sensing Wii controller, and simply replaced physical actions with traditional button presses. Rayman had two racing games (Rayman Arena and Rayman Rush) that saw characters from the Rayman universe racing on foot through platformer like stages, and battling in a separate arena mode. There have also been Rayman educational games, which focused less on gameplay and more on learning.

Characters

• Rayman is the protagonist of the series. He has no arms, legs, or neck, though he has hands and feet that are able to move independently from his body. Rayman is able to launch long range punches, but when he is on a vine or climbing he has the ability to throw his shoes. He has the ability to use his hair to glide and float by spinning it at a rapid speed. This is called the Helicopter. He is typically found wearing white gloves, a purple and red hoodie with a white "O" on it, and yellow sneakers. In Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc Rayman seemed to act most like a teenager (ex. not listening to warnings, being in dangerous situations). He is voiced by Steve Perkinson and David Gasman in the video games, and by Billy West in the animated series. His age is unknown. He was awarded the Best New Character award of 1995 by Electronic Gaming Monthly.

• Globox is a gentle, sensitive creature, who acts as Rayman's sidekick. He is very cowardly, fleeing at the sight of any enemies, leaving Rayman alone to fight them. Rayman though can manage himself without Globox. Globox's magic power is the ability to create a small cloud that rains over fire and machinery after performing a rain dance. Amongst the pirates he is known as Undesirable #2, because he used his rain dance to rust several pirates. He is married to Uglette, with whom he has countless children.