Quick answer
Rayman on M64 is worth replaying if you grew up with 2D platformers and want a portable version of the original's 30+ levels, ring swings, and Mr. Dark chase. Skip it if you need modern checkpoints, save states, or a slower difficulty curve. At $31.04 against a $44.99 comparison price, it's an easy yes for nostalgic platformer fans and a harder sell for newcomers.
What you actually get in the M64 version
This is the 30th-anniversary handheld release of Rayman, not a remake. You get more than 30 vibrant, action-packed levels, the full Mr. Dark storyline, and the original move set: leaping hazards, swinging from flying rings, and Rayman's iconic punch. The presentation is built for a small screen, so expect the same quirky enemies and hidden secrets rather than reworked art or new mechanics.
The value question is straightforward. At $31.04 with a $44.99 comparison price, you're paying roughly two-thirds of the listed comparison for a complete run of a classic. If you've never finished the original, this is the cheapest legitimate way to do it on M64 hardware.
How Rayman compares to other M64 platformers
M64's library leans toward racing and shooters, so a pure 2D platformer stands out. Extreme-G: Turbo Fusion covers high-speed combat racing, Xibalba 64 covers first-person shooting, and Rayman covers precision jumping. If you already own one of the other two, Rayman is the natural complement because it exercises a completely different skill set.
Xibalba 64
The tradeoff is pacing. Rayman is slower and more deliberate than a racer, and less atmospheric than a shooter. It rewards patience and memorization, which is either the appeal or the dealbreaker depending on what you want from a session.
The honest friction points
Rayman's original design is unforgiving by modern standards. Lives are limited, checkpoints are sparse, and some levels demand near-perfect ring timing. The catalog doesn't list save-state or rewind features, so don't assume them. If difficulty friction is what stopped you in the '90s, it will likely stop you again.
The other limitation is scope. This is a faithful handheld port, not an expanded edition. There's no new content promised in the product description, so buy it for the 30+ levels that exist, not for extras.
Pairing Rayman with the right hardware
If you plan to play on a CRT, the M64 AV Adapter converts your HDMI signal to analog so the game looks the way it was originally designed. It works with multiple analog connection types and both NTSC and PAL systems, and ModRetro designed it in-house to deliver analog video with well under one frame of lag.
That matters for Rayman specifically. Platformers live and die on input timing, and sub-frame lag keeps ring swings and punch timing predictable. If you're playing on a modern display instead, you can skip the adapter and put the savings toward a second game.
Decision rules for buying Rayman on M64
- You finished the original and want it portable: The 30+ levels, Mr. Dark storyline, and original move set are all here for $31.04 versus a $44.99 comparison price. Buy it.
- You've never played Rayman and like a challenge: Sparse checkpoints and limited lives are part of the design, and no save-state features are listed. Buy it, but expect to repeat levels.
- You want modern conveniences like rewind or easy mode: Nothing in the catalog facts suggests these were added to the handheld release. Skip it and look at Xibalba 64 or Extreme-G: Turbo Fusion instead.
- You're playing on a CRT: Add the M64 AV Adapter for analog output with well under one frame of lag, which keeps platforming timing tight. Bundle both.
Product facts
- Rayman: Rayman is back in handheld form for his 30th anniversary with more than 30 vibrant, action-packed levels, ring swings, and the iconic punch against Mr. Dark. Confirms you're getting the full classic level count and move set, so nostalgia buyers know exactly what they're paying for.
- M64 AV Adapter: The M64 AV Adapter converts HDMI to analog for CRT play, supports multiple analog connection types and NTSC/PAL systems, and is designed in-house for well under one frame of lag. Sub-frame lag protects the precise ring and punch timing Rayman demands, making it a sensible add-on for CRT players.
- Extreme-G: Turbo Fusion: Extreme-G: Turbo Fusion bundles Extreme G and Extreme G: XG2 into one high-speed combat racer with missiles, mines, invisibility, and the Willy Warp. Gives you a faster-paced alternative if Rayman's deliberate platforming feels too slow for your taste.
Who should buy Rayman on M64
Best for
- Players who grew up with the original Rayman and want a handheld replay
- Fans of precision 2D platformers who don't mind limited lives
- Collectors filling out a retro platformer shelf alongside shooters and racers
Not for
- Players who need save states, rewind, or a gentler difficulty curve
- Anyone expecting new levels, remade art, or expanded content
- Gamers who prefer fast arcade racing or first-person shooting over slow platforming
