Rayman (Atari Jaguar)
- This article is about the Atari Jaguar version of the original Rayman game. For the game in general, see Rayman 1.
Rayman | ||
---|---|---|
Published by | Ubi Soft Entertainment | |
Developed by | Ubi Soft Montpellier | |
Designed by | Michel Ancel and Serge Hascoët with Bruno Bouvret, Sacha Gentilhomme, Michael Guez, Christophe Thibaut | |
Programmed by | Vincent Greco, Yann Le Tensorer, Daniel Palix | |
Art by | Alexandra Ancel (characters) Eric Pelatan, Sylvaine Jenny (backgrounds) | |
Soundtrack by | Nathalie Drouet, Rémi Gazel, Frédéric Louvre, Frédéric Prados and Olaf Zalcman | |
Release date | 9th September, 1995 | |
Genre | 2D platformer | |
Gameplay mode | Single player | |
Ratings | 3+ (PEGI), E (ESRB) | |
Distribution media | Cartridge |
Rayman for the Atari Jaguar is the most distinct version of the game. This is mostly due to the limitations of the cartridge and the Jaguar system compared to the more powerful and capable PC/consoles. Differences range from levels having major gameplay and design changes to a lower quality soundtrack.
Notable differences from the PC/console versions
- The intro is a collection of slideshow images rather than a cutscene. The Magician does not appear to tell the story; it is explained through text.
- The menu is reduced to a single screen where the player can load their saved games.
- The Swamps of Forgetfulness and Mr Dark's Dare are renamed (Forgotten Swamps and Mr Dark's Château respectively).
- Like the soundtrack, the sound effects are of lower quality.
- The word "Action" appears at the start of every level.
- The font and its colors are slightly different.
- Rayman is less responsive to the controls.
- Some backgrounds are either switched around or colorized differently.
- The scenery is altered in the Dream Forest.
- Rayman doesn't exclaim "Yeah!" when he touches an exit sign.
- The tall Livingstones run towards Rayman when he is close to them.
- The Electoons immediately fly out of the screen when they are saved.
- Rayman loses the Speed Fist and/or Golden Fist if he is hit.
- Bzzit can shoot projectiles at enemies. This was later implemented in Rayman Origins.
- The Antitoons' hair turn yellow when they fly.
- The P symbol of the Simple Power and Double Power is larger.
- There is no sliding system for the slippery slopes in Band Land, Blue Mountains, Picture City and Candy Château. Due to this the level design in these areas have been altered.
- The part where Rayman cuts the ropes in Mr Stone's Peaks is removed. The lone cage in that part has been moved to the end of the now third part.
- The fight against Mr Stone is different near the end.
- Part 3 of Eraser Plains has a much different design.
- None of the images in the credits showing notable characters from the game on holiday are seen, except for the one with Rayman and his friends.
The changed scenery in Pink Plant Woods.
A puzzle Rayman has to solve in the third part of Eraser Plains.
Candy Château design
One of the well known changes in the Atari Jaguar version is the heavily altered design of Mr Dark's Dare. Instead of riding on a frying pan in part 1, Rayman must follow several arrows of Tings to reach the exit sign. In this phase are the corkscrews and Swiss army knives; these assets are only used in this version and later on in Rayman Designer. Part 2 is also changed; Bad Rayman does not appear at all, but more exclusive dangers like the blue lemonade pools with little icing platforms appear. Part 3 is mostly the same, with few minor changes.
The battle with Mr Dark is much unlike the one in the console versions. Mr Dark has only 12 health points, he attacks Rayman for a longer period of time, he only morphs into two creatures (Mr Skops/Mr Stone and Bzzit/Mr Sax/Space Mama) instead of three and the creatures sweat and walk/jump away when they are damaged enough. When Mr Dark's health reaches 0, Rayman does his celebration dance but while he does it, a bunch of Electoon faces from the medallions appear all around him, with the colourful text saying "well done."
The first part features Swiss army knives and corkscrews.
In the second part, Rayman must cross the blue lemonade pools by jumping on the tiny floating bits of icing.
Development
Main article: Rayman (early production)
In recent years following the release of the game, several betas and a prototype of the Atari Jaguar version have been leaked. The gameplay mechanics were most notably different in the beta. Some animations Rayman did like the handstand ended up being scrapped, the Ting counter was originally an enemy counter, and the HUD was placed in the middle of the screen rather than the top left/right.
The prototype version is more similar to the final version, although there are many differences between the two. Glitches in the prototype can sometimes render it unplayable, especially if it's played on a Jaguar emulator.
Some scrapped objects like clouds with eyes can only be found through the hacking of Rayman Designer.
A mosquito standing still in the air.
A glowing arrow indicates when Rayman's telescopic fist is fully charged.
These unidentified enemies in this prototype are holdovers from the game's cancelled Super Nintendo Entertainment System version.
The world map, as seen in the early Atari Jaguar prototype.
Manual
Hi folks!You want to know what's going on? Let me tell you the story of Rayman...
In Rayman's World, nature and people live together in peace... the Great Protoon provides and maintains the harmony and balance in the world. Sorry folks, this apparently can't last. Do you want to play or what? ... one fateful day, the evil Mr Dark steals the Great Protoon and defeats Betilla the Fairy as she tries to protect it! The Electoons who used to gravitate around it lose their natural stability and scatter all over the world! Troublesome, isn't it? And untidy, too! In the now-unbalanced world, strange phenomena begin to occur: freaks and hostile characters appear, capturing every Electoon they can find! They definitely need a hero to save them now, don't you think?
Rayman to the rescue! As the guardian of this world, he must free the Electoons, recapture the Great Protoon from its mysterious kidnapper and reassemble them all to restore the world's harmony. But will the bad guys let him do it? ...
—Manual, Rayman
Click on the thumbnail to read the manual.
Gallery
Mr Dark stealing the Great Protoon.
A cage.
Mr Dark with his binoculars.