13 Years Ago, One of the Best Platformers of All Time Came Out
Rayman Legends is the best game of all time that nobody talks about, and it's 13 years old today. The game is critically acclaimed, is getting a remake, and is historically considered a modern giant in the platforming genre, but it doesn't get remembered the way a Mario or Sonic game does.
The sequel to Rayman Origins, Rayman Legends remains one of the most fluid platforming experiences of all time over a decade later. The controls are smooth as butter, the music is jovial and unforgettable, and the difficulty ramps up with just the right balance to elicit both moderate frustration and complete satisfaction.
Reviewers were so impressed with the game back in 2013 that some even said it was better than any of Mario's offerings.
Eurogamer Italy said, "Rayman Legends is the best 2D platform of this generation, hands down. No modern 2D Mario game is as good, brilliant and fun as the Ancel's newborn. Hail to the new king!"
Cubed 3 said, "Building upon the superbly solid foundation of Rayman Origins is no mean feat, but Ubisoft has indeed managed to out-do the House of Mario in the genre in which many thought Nintendo was untouchable."
Rayman has long been one of the underrated gaming mascots in the industry. His games helped give Ubisoft a face for the company back in the late 1990s, but that was a short-lived reality. The company eventually tried to remove Rayman from his own games and change their genre when the Raving Rabbids party franchise was born in the mid-2000s. Ubisoft turned its focus to Assassin's Creed and Just Dance to sell more copies rather than take the time to foster growth for Rayman .
Hopefully, the remake of Rayman Legends will help Ubisoft realize the value of one of their oldest characters, and if the game sells well, there will be new Rayman experiences on the way.
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Sep 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
