I already have a hard time with the original LOZ, so turning things into a tough-as-nails side-scroller doesn't do the first few Zelda games any favors, at least in my opinion. I can see the appeal & it's technically put together pretty well. The gameplay overall is still just a bit too obtuse & punishing for my taste. Greatness was still ahead for TLOZ, but it was still kinda just finding its footing back in the 80s.
1986
I'll probably get some flack for this, but pretty much any Zelda game is better than the first one, at least from my perspective. I get it was supposed to evoke the feeling of getting lost exploring a vast world, but literally getting lost isn't my idea of fun or engaging gameplay. Every time I attempt this without a guide, I run around aimlessly & get beat up by Octorocks. I'm beyond glad that this game laid the groundwork for an awesome franchise to bloom from... but eh, the original LOZ just isn't a whole lot of fun for me.
It's the only NES version of Jeopardy I can actually stand a chance of winning consistently. And yes, it's because it's the kid-friendly version. I have no shame in admitting that. Other than that, it's identical to the original NES Jeopardy in nearly every way. Again, some may not like having to type out answers, but at least it's more accurate to the show than the multiple-choice approaches later Jeopardy video games take.
1988
A fun little way to feel like you're on the TV show. I still have a decent time with it even though I'm nowhere near the title of "trivia buff." What makes it better than more modern video game takes on Jeopardy, at least for me, is the fact that it doesn't take the multiple choice approach like later ones do. Yes, it's a bit more tedious to type out answers, but at least that's staying more true to the source material.
2021
Top-tier fangames are a real treat. Shoutouts to Ryemanni for not only giving us the solid Rayman Redemption, but also this intuitively-designed level editor to mess around with. One quick tutorial video on YouTube & I was off to the races creating with this game. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to create OG Rayman-like levels with a modern flair, or those who simply enjoy 2D platformers/level editing in general.
2002
Never really wound up playing the Battle Mode a whole lot, but when I was younger I had a good time with the races. It was one of the first times I played a game that took the concept of something like Mario Kart, but had players run & jump down the course instead of driving a vehicle. It's a nifty enough twist to keep me entertained. Good gameplay loop & a dash of slapstick humor.
2013
I don't have as many memories with this one as I do Origins, but that's not a slam on this game by any stretch. Legends is every bit as polished & well-executed as Rayman's previous outing, if not more so. The ridiculously fun music-themed levels are worth the price of admission by themselves. Another vibrant, cartoony, high-octane & creative entry in the Rayman canon. Bonus points for the Mario Bros. costumes in the Wii U version.
2011
When Rayman finally came back to the spotlight after the Rabbids took over, hot damn, did he come back in style. Origins is fast-paced, well-crafted, slightly silly 2D platform action at its finest. I have some particularly fun memories of playing this co-op with my sister. Good times. Recommended to anyone who needs another silky-smooth entertaining platformer to sink their teeth into.
The only Raving Rabbids game I played before they forced Rayman to take the backseat for a while. It's an honestly not-too-bad compilation of motion control minigames. This kind of thing was all over the place back then, helping showcase the Wii's capabilities, so it makes sense. The on-rails plunger-shooter segments are a highlight. Mildly entertaining overall & reminds me of fond memories of my first year or so with the Wii.
2003
Rayman 3 on GBA is a little odd. It's a decent game nonetheless, but still odd. It seems to combine aspects of both Rayman 2 & 3 on console without realizing the full potential of either of them. Still plays solidly as a 2D platformer, though & has strong visuals & audio for a handheld game of its time period. I don't think I ever played it enough to finish it, but it was still alright for what it was.
While maybe not as classic as Rayman 2, I definitely had a blast with Hoodlum Havoc. The voice-acted dialogue is pretty funny & the levels are huge & make for great 3D platforming fare. There's even a slew of nifty bonus unlockables for folks looking to go the extra mile. A solid albeit pretty goofy platformer that looks good, sounds nice & plays well.
The N64 is a great place to go for a classic 3D platformer, isn't it? Rayman 2 delivers in that aspect very well. Imaginative worlds, fun ideas, memorable soundtrack & gameplay that keeps you engaged from beginning to end. Childhood me had some trouble here & there with some of the challenges, but finally getting to the next level after many attempts was exhilarating & always worthwhile. A late 90s gem for sure.
2001
All of the jank from the original Rayman on GBC is copied over wholesale, but now you've just got new locales to explore based off the console iterations of Rayman 2. If I'm being honest, I don't even remember a whole lot from this version. Kinda speaks to it being forgettable in a way. Controls, sounds & looks almost identical to the previous GBC outing, so overall it's decent, but that's about it. Nothing terrible nor terrific.
2000
It's still got plenty of solid 2D platforming that early Rayman games did well, but with a little side of jank. Control can feel a little sluggish in spots, the OST & sound effects have a hard time balancing with one another & overall just doesn't play quite as well as others in the series. Still have some nostalgia for it though. Learned a couple speedrun tricks for it too. A decent platformer to blast through in a quick session.
1995
The original Rayman is a satisfying platformer filled with whimsy & fun levels to explore. It's got a lovely cartoony aesthetic, good control, excellent music & tough but fair challenge. (Eh, for the most part. I feel like requiring all cages for the final world was a bit much.) Crash Bandicoot & Spyro had great 3D platforming on PS1, but for the pure 2D platform fans, OG Rayman definitely has your back.