Rayman (PlayStation, Sega Saturn, DOS)

Hi, folks! You wanna know what's going on? Let me tell you the story of Rayman!

Rayman is a 2D platformer about the eggplant man who goes on a storied quest to save his world from the evil Mr. Dark. Rayman is a vibrant beast - it's almost as if someone plugged a controller into a painting. The PlayStation, Saturn, and DOS versions have a ton of subtle differences from the Jaguar version, such as CD audio and an actual intro sequence, although their alterations to the controls and level design turn an already demanding game into an infamously difficult nightmare.

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Prototype Info

Unused Animations#

Rayman's convoluted platform-hopping meant that content was often left in the game and then deleted across platforms. Sometimes there's an animation only in the PC version, other times in the console versions, occasionally they're left inside the files of Rayman Designer (an official level editor), etc.

PlayStation#

A death animation of Rayman collapsing. There's leftover code for it in the PlayStation and Sega Saturn versions indicating that it could only be triggered when standing on solid ground. The code was later removed in the DOS version.

DOS#

These animations are in still in various PC releases and in its ports, such as Rayman Advance.

file:Unused R1 Anim - BlinkingArrow.gif

An animation of a blinking arrow platform. It's never used in the game but is always loaded into memory. It was later intended to be used for the cancelled 2D Rayman sequel.

An alternative take of Rayman spawning in a level.

file:Unused R1 Anim - RayFloat.gif

Rayman...floating.

file:Unused R1 Anim - RayHangTalk.gif

Rayman hanging while facing forward and talking.

file:Unused_R1_Anim_-_RayJaguarUpsideDown.gif

An attack animation for Rayman handstand move, which is from the early Jaguar prototype.

Unused Graphics#

left file:R1PS1 Platform2.png

Three unused platforms.

This... lovely thing is an unused graphic for a gate. The file name for the graphic is "POR", short for the French word portail.

Regional Differences#

To do: Images are needed where necessary. Rips of the changed sound effects. Find more differences in the Japanese version.

• The European PS1, Saturn and Windows/DOS versions had full localizations in English, French and German, which are accessible from a language select screen.
• The Japanese localization varied between versions. The PS1 and Saturn versions included Japanese voices, but the text remained in English, or removed in the case of Betilla's cutscene in the PS1 version. The Windows/DOS releases contained Japanese voices and text. Additionally, many changes were made in the console versions to sounds, enemy grunts, menus, loading screens and color pallete.
• The DOS version also received Chinese (voices and text) and Spanish (English voices with Spanish text) versions in their native countries.
• The Japanese PS1 version has different sound effects, the "Loading" text was added to the loading screens, and it's possible to control and skip Betilla's tutorials.

Platform Differences#

To do: Obtain assets for the changed music, sound effects, the gun, level changes, etc.

PlayStation Version Changes#

• Changes were made to player physics, such as movement speed, jumping arc, momentum and longer knockback and hit stun. However, the levels weren't adjusted to compensate for these changes.
• Camera movement is reduced.
• The monospaced font was replaced, improving the presentation of the game's text. Some fonts were also changed out.
• A loading sequence now occurs after losing a life.
• Level hazards (spikes and enemies) were significantly increased in number.
• Slippery ground physics for ice platforms, shrinking forms, and dark levels with limited visibility (Eat At Joe's level) were introduced.
• Sections that were missing from the Jaguar version were added: Allegro Presto Section 4, Mr Stone's Peak Section 3, Anguish Lagoon Section 2.
• Sections in the Jaguar version were redesigned: Eraser Plains Section 3, Mr. Dark's Château (Mr Dark's Dare).
• The boss patterns were revised. Some of them were extended, especially the final boss.
• The Breakout minigame from the Jaguar version (unlocked at the title screen with a numerical password) was removed.
• The opening text sequence was replaced with a FMV.
• The MIDI soundtrack was replaced with CD Audio arrangements.
• Some animations were introduced, such as bosses' defeats and clouds signalling their impending disappearance.
• Improved artwork for characters and backgrounds.
• During the final boss level, the background of the stained glass drawings of the other bosses each have a subtle lighting effect as you pass each drawing.

Saturn Version Changes#

The Saturn version makes some additional changes. The Saturn and DOS versions are based on the PS1 version, but they also have some unique differences of their own.

Title Screen#

The title screen has different "licensed by" text. Additionally, The Saturn version also features Rayman's title screen animation. The PS1 version does not show it by default, but it can be triggered by holding R1 + R2at the Presents screen.

PlayStation	Sega Saturn

Level Completed Jingle#

The "YEAH!" jingle that plays at the end of a level was changed, extending it and adding guitar notes. Additionally, it is in the Japanese PS1 version, stored in the music library as opposed to sound effects, interestingly enough.

World Map Orb Color#

The orbs that connect levels on the world map were changed from red to light blue.

PlayStation	Sega Saturn

Magician Bonus Ending#

The magician bonus completed screen changed its rainbow-colored rotating background with that of a blue background with spinning red and yellow stripes.

Final Boss Room#

For the final boss level, the stained glass drawings have their color manipulation and transparency effects changed, with some variations depending on the boss phase. Additionally, there is a victory animation of Rayman with a toy gun, and the stained glass windows shatter, revealing a backdrop of a sky and moon.

MS-DOS Version Changes#

To do: Add any additional differences.

• The Breakout minigame was reintroduced with different unlock conditions, updated soundtrack and assets, and slightly different level layouts.

References#