Ubisoft has officially revealed Rayman Legends Retold, a 3D remake of the acclaimed 2013 title, slated for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC on October 1. Despite the "3D" designation, the game maintains its core 2D platforming gameplay, enhanced with updated visuals powered by Ubisoft's Snowdrop engine, which has also been used for titles like Star Wars Outlaws and The Division 2. This approach results in a 2.5D presentation.
Development is being spearheaded by Ubisoft Montpellier, the original creators of Rayman, in collaboration with Ubisoft Milan. Hands-on impressions from playing through the initial worlds, including the Old Teensie Kingdom and The Stinkbog, alongside new dragon-riding sequences and the returning Land of the Dead from Rayman Origins, have been largely positive. While the shift from the original's distinctive hand-drawn art style to 3D visuals was initially met with some reservation, the updated look has been described as growing on players, thanks to a thoughtful design that incorporates additional foreground and background details, preserving the whimsical fantasy of the original while adding new staging depth.
The remake will retain the beloved 1-to-4 player couch co-op mode. Familiar characters such as Rayman, Globox, Teensy, and Barbara return with updated 3D models. The fan-favorite Kung-Foot minigame also makes a comeback. Crucially, the underlying gameplay mechanics are said to be identical to the 2013 original, with developers even demonstrating the 2D engine operating beneath the 3D visuals to ensure the acclaimed feel of the original is preserved, augmented by quality-of-life updates.
Parallax scrolling has been implemented to enhance environmental depth, particularly in the new dragon-riding levels that serve as transitions between worlds. These levels draw parallels to Star Fox, tasking players with piloting dragons and defending them from enemies and obstacles. Unlike standard platforming segments where the goal is to rescue Teensies, in these dragon segments, players must protect all the Teensies carried by the dragon from taking damage.
Returning musical levels, such as the one based on "Black Betty," are highlighted as continuing to be a standout feature. While the selection of new songs for these levels received mixed reactions, the core experience of platforming to a beat remains engaging. Ubisoft Montpellier is also addressing a perceived weakness of the original game by introducing a new villain for the finale, though details remain scarce, described only by glowing purple eyes and a dark shroud.
Rayman Legends Retold is set to launch on October 1 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.