- Release Year: 2005
- Platforms: Windows
- Publisher: Ubisoft Entertainment SA
- Developer: Ubisoft
- Genre: Compilation
- Perspective: Third-person
- Game Mode: Single-player
- Gameplay: Action, Adventure, Puzzle
- Setting: Fantasy
- Average Score: 83/100
Description
Rayman: Special Edition is a Windows-exclusive compilation featuring two iconic platformers: Rayman 2: The Great Escape and Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc, alongside the Rayman 3 Print Studio. Players join Rayman, the limbless hero, as he battles through vibrant, fantastical worlds filled with quirky enemies, environmental puzzles, and action-adventure challenges. Set in a whimsical universe, this bundle offers a blend of fast-paced platforming, creative level design, and the series’ signature humor, making it a nostalgic treat for fans and newcomers alike.
Rayman: Special Edition Reviews & Reception
mobygames.com (83/100): Everything about this game is good, it’s only too hard.
Rayman: Special Edition Cheats & Codes
PC Original 1995 Version
For all codes, letters must be typed with no shift, alt or control keys. All numbers must be entered by using the keys on the top row of the keyboard, not the numeric keypad. Cheat codes may be entered any time during a level; it may be easier to press PAUSE to freeze the game, type the code, then unpause.
| Code | Effect |
|---|---|
| kom0ogdk | Restores 5 energy points |
| 86e40g91 | Get 10 tings |
| 2x2rmfmf | Golden fist |
| trj8p | 99 lives |
| en5gol2g | All powers |
| o8feh | Skip to next level |
| 4ctrepfj | Access to all 6 worlds (map screen only) |
| b76b7081 | After you have found all of the cages and defeated the final bosses, type this code at the map screen to play a hidden breakout game. |
PC Rayman Gold / Rayman Forever CD
For all codes, letters must be typed with no shift, alt or control keys. All numbers must be entered by using the keys on the top row of the keyboard, not the numeric keypad. Cheat codes may be entered any time during a level; it may be easier to press PAUSE to freeze the game, type the code, then unpause.
| Code | Effect |
|---|---|
| raypoint | Restores 5 energy points |
| raywiz | Get 10 tings |
| goldfist | Golden fist |
| raylives | 99 lives |
| power | All powers |
| winmap | Skip to next level |
| alworld | Access to all 6 worlds (map screen only) |
| cbray | After you have found all of the cages and defeated the final bosses, type this code at the map screen to play a hidden breakout game. |
PlayStation (PAL)
Enter passwords at the corresponding level completion screens. Button combinations must be entered precisely as described.
| Code | Effect |
|---|---|
| G6X4?XP!9Z | Band Land Complete |
| 87XL?XP!WF | Blue Mountains Complete |
| JCTD?RF54F | Picture City Complete |
| S2?2D19!4Q | The Caves Of Skops Complete (Access to Final Level) |
| Q6MTZC6NHM | The Dream Forest Complete |
| XNB9FM!Z2? | Ninety-Nine Lives |
| FJSJ!CS20P | ALL Levels to ALL Abilities |
| Up, Down, Right, Left | Ten Continues (when there are 3 or less continues remaining on the ‘Continue’ screen with the alarm clock) |
| Hold L1 + R1 and press L2, R2, L2, R2 | Baby Soccer secret map |
| Select any map excluding the 1st map, then options screen and select “Sound”. Highlight the “Mute” option. Hold L1 + R1 and press L2, R2, L2, R2, L2, R2 | Cheat mode |
| Select the first map, then enter the options screen. Select “Language”, then select “Voices” | Secret multi-player maps |
PlayStation (NTSC)
Enter passwords at the corresponding level completion screens. Button combinations must be entered precisely as described.
| Code | Effect |
|---|---|
| J5VLFP58VB | Band Land completed |
| J5K!ZZC8MD | Blue Mountain completed |
| SM!KV7WSXD | Cave of Skop completed |
| SX2!ZP58MD | Picture City completed |
| SD3BKFOOMN | All cages, all abilities at last level |
| 942KV3W9XD | Last level with 99 lives |
| XNB9FM!Z2? | Ninety-nine Lives |
| Hold Triangle, Square and Start until screen shakes, then select level(s) to skip | Disable levels |
| Circle, Circle, Left, Circle, Circle | Picture in Picture (simulated view) |
| Press Start, then hold L2 + R1 + L1 + R2. Release L1, L2, R2, R1. Press Circle. Hold Left + Circle + Square + Triangle. Release Left, Triangle, Square, Circle. | Full Power Up With 99 Lives |
| Press Start, then hold L2 + R1 + L1 + R2. Release L1, L2, R2, R1. Press Triangle. Hold Right + Circle + Square + X. Release Right, X, Square, Circle. | Full Power Up With 99 Lives (alternate method) |
| D0039850 7B37 | Master Code (GameShark) |
| 801E4D50 0060 | Infinite Lives (GameShark) |
| 801F6200 0002 | Infinite Health (GameShark) |
| 800AE9C8 0D0D | Mega Glove Power (GameShark) |
| 800AE9C8 0F0F | Glove Looks Demented (GameShark) |
Rayman: Special Edition: A Timeless Portal to the Glade of Dreams
Introduction
In 1995, Michel Ancel’s limbless hero, Rayman, redefined platforming with his debut on the Atari Jaguar and PlayStation. A decade later, Rayman: Special Edition (2005) bundled two of the franchise’s most transformative titles—Rayman 2: The Great Escape (1999) and Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc (2003)—into a single package for Windows. This compilation not only preserves Ubisoft Montpellier’s groundbreaking work but also encapsulates Rayman’s evolution from 2D whimsy to 3D ambition. While the collection lacks major enhancements, it remains an essential artifact for understanding how Rayman bridged eras of gaming history.
Development History & Context
A Studio’s Ascent
Ubisoft Montpellier, under Ancel’s visionary direction, faced immense pressure following Rayman’s (1995) success. The original game’s hand-drawn 2D artistry pushed hardware limits, but by the late ’90s, the industry demanded 3D innovation. Rayman 2 debuted during a golden age of platformers (Super Mario 64, Banjo-Kazooie), yet Ancel’s team resisted sheer imitation. They opted for linear, cinematic level design—a stark contrast to open-world trends—while leveraging the Nintendo 64 and Dreamcast’s power for fluid animations and dynamic lighting.
Technological Trials
The leap to 3D posed challenges. Rayman 2’s prototype began as a 2D sequel before pivoting, a decision that required reimagining controls for analog sticks and camera systems. Budget constraints forced cuts, including multiplayer modes, but birthed iconic mechanics like Rayman’s helicopter hair. By Rayman 3, Ubisoft refined the formula with tighter combat and comedic storytelling, though critics noted its uneven pacing amid a crowded market (e.g., Jak & Daxter).
Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive
A Hero’s Dual Journeys
Rayman 2 pits Rayman against Admiral Razorbeard’s robotic pirates, who shatter the world’s “Heart” and enslave its inhabitants. The plot is a mythic quest—collecting four magical masks to awaken Polokus, the sleeping deity—infused with environmental themes. Ruined temples and polluted waters mirror industrialization’s toll, while allies like Globox and Ly the Fairy underscore camaraderie’s sanctity.
Rayman 3 shifts to dark comedy. After Globox accidentally swallows André, a malevolent Black Lum, Rayman embarks on a globetrotting cleanup mission. The narrative satirizes consumerism (e.g., Hoodlum armies as corporate drones) and existentialism, with André quipping, “I’m evil, not stupid!” Yet beneath the slapstick lies a meditation on identity: Rayman, limbless yet limitless, embodies resilience against societal norms.
Gameplay Mechanics & Systems
Precision Platforming Meets Experimentation
Rayman 2’s gameplay revolves around Lums (energy orbs) and cages holding Electoons. Rayman’s moveset—charged fists, gliding, and zip-line grappling—shines in inventive set pieces: outrunning lava flows, piloting rockets, and skimming tides on a shell. Vehicle segments, though divisive, showcase Ubisoft’s ambition.
Rayman 3 refines combat with combos and power-ups like the LockJaw (hookshot fist), rewarding skillful play. However, its platforming takes a backseat to arena battles, a trade-off that divided fans. Both games suffer from occasional camera hiccups, a relic of early 3D design.
UI and Progression
The minimalist UI keeps focus on vibrant worlds. Rayman 2’s hub system allows non-linear progression, while Rayman 3 adopts a score-based structure, incentivizing replayability. The Special Edition includes Rayman 3: Print Studio, a trivial but charming addition for crafting custom posters.
World-Building, Art & Sound
A Canvas of Dreams and Nightmares
Rayman 2’s biomes—from the mystical Tomb of the Ancients to the eerie Prison Ship—are masterclasses in environmental storytelling. The pre-rendered backdrops, though dated, evoke a painterly surrealism. Rayman 3 amplifies whimsy with LSD-inspired realms: the Land of the Livid Dead’s gothic circus contrasts sharply with the toybox chaos of the Teensie Highway.
Sonic Alchemy
Serge Fiori’s Rayman 2 score blends tribal drums, ethereal choirs, and synth melodies, creating an otherworldly soundscape. Rayman 3’s David Bergeaud leans into jazz and funk, underscoring the game’s zany tone. Both soundtracks remain benchmarks of auditory world-building.
Reception & Legacy
Critical and Commercial Impact
Rayman 2 garnered universal acclaim (93% on Dreamcast, per Metacritic), praised for its artistry and innovation. Rayman 3 faced harsher critique (77% on GameCube) but sold robustly. The Special Edition itself earned an 82% average (PC Action Germany), lauded for value despite lacking upgrades.
Echoes Through Gaming
The compilation’s legacy lies in its preservation. Rayman 2’s linear design influenced Ratchet & Clank, while Rayman 3’s humor paved the way for Raving Rabbids. Ubisoft’s later Origins (2011) and Legends (2013) owe their UbiArt Framework engine to these pioneers.
Conclusion
Rayman: Special Edition is more than a nostalgia trip—it’s a testament to Michel Ancel’s fearless creativity. While the package omits extras like developer commentary, its core games remain timeless. For historians, it captures a studio transitioning from 2D purism to 3D experimentation. For players, it’s a portal to the Glade of Dreams, where limbless heroes and psychedelic frogs remind us that games, at their best, are worlds unto themselves. Final Verdict: A foundational anthology, imperfect but indispensable.