Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Rayman: Raving Rabbids on the Nintendo DS offers a unique blend of traditional platforming and stylus-based minigames that keep the experience fresh from start to finish. Players traverse a variety of Arenas, each presenting a mix of side-scrolling levels, on-rails stylus challenges, and a robust assortment of microgames. This structure balances familiar platform mechanics with creative touchscreen interactions that take advantage of the DS hardware.

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The side-scrolling sections are reminiscent of classic Rayman titles, tasking you with collecting Lums, defeating quirky enemies, and discovering hidden pathways. As you progress, Rayman unlocks new suits—such as the Ninja outfit or the Water Suit—each granting special abilities that open up alternate routes and secret areas. These abilities encourage replaying levels to fully explore every nook and cranny.

In the stylus-controlled platformer segments, Rayman sprints automatically while you use touch commands to remove obstacles and trigger interactions. Each suit comes with its own set of gestures—swipe to cut through vines with the Sword Suit or tap repeatedly to blow away hazards with the Vacuum Suit. Juggling suit swaps and stylus inputs under time pressure creates a satisfying challenge that rewards quick reflexes.

The third play mode consists of over twenty distinct mini-games, ranging from matching puzzles and memory tests to pie-throwing contests against fervent Rabbids. These bite-sized diversions serve as both comic relief and opportunities to earn trophies, which unlock further content and arenas. Their varied nature ensures that the pacing never feels stale, whether you’re piecing together jigsaw puzzles or feeding ravenous Rabbids before time runs out.

Progression hinges on earning trophies and collecting Lums to increase Rayman’s carrying capacity. Defeating enemies drops stars that fill a level-up meter; once full, Rayman’s health bar grows, allowing him to endure more hits in later stages. This RPG-lite progression loop motivates thorough exploration and consistent performance in both platforming and mini-game challenges.

Graphics

Graphically, Rayman: Raving Rabbids on DS strikes a charming balance between vibrant cartoon styling and the handheld’s technical constraints. Character models boast expressive animations, from Rayman’s signature floppy limbs to the wide-eyed, maniacal grin of each Rabbid. These animations breathe life into the world, making each level feel energetic and full of personality.

The Arenas themselves are richly detailed, with colorful backdrops and dynamic foreground elements that pop on the DS’s dual screens. Parallax scrolling in side-scrolling stages adds depth, while the mini-games feature crisp, clear visuals that ensure stylus interactions feel precise. Although the resolution is modest compared to home consoles, clever art direction and bold color choices compensate for hardware limits.

Special effects—such as splash animations when Rayman uses the Water Suit or sparkles when he collects Lums—are rendered cleanly and playfully. The interface is intuitive, with icons and prompts that stand out against the background art without feeling intrusive. Overall, the graphics do an excellent job of translating Rayman’s whimsical universe into a portable format.

Story

The plot of Rayman: Raving Rabbids leans heavily into slapstick comedy, framing Rayman as the unwitting victim of an alien rabbit invasion. After being captured, Rayman finds himself coerced into performing bizarre tasks in the Rabbids’ gladiatorial arenas. While the narrative is minimal, it serves as a lighthearted backdrop for the game’s diverse gameplay segments.

Rather than weave a deep, character-driven tale, the story unfolds through brief cutscenes and the escalating absurdity of the Rabbids’ challenges. Each Arena’s theme reflects the Rabbids’ playful cruelty—one minute you’re navigating a lava pit in the Lava Dome, the next you’re matching cartoonish carrots in a Rabbit Rodeo. The game’s humor and zany presentation drive the storyline forward more than any epic quest or dramatic twist.

Dialogue is sparse but effective, delivered in the series’ trademark gibberish “rabbid speak,” which adds to the comedic charm. Fans of the series will appreciate the nods to Rayman’s past adventures, even as the focus shifts squarely onto the Rabbids’ mayhem. For players seeking a narrative-rich experience, the story may feel lightweight, but as a vehicle for fun and variety, it hits the mark.

Overall Experience

Rayman: Raving Rabbids on DS delivers a highly entertaining package that showcases the platform’s strengths. The seamless integration of side-scrolling levels, stylus gameplay, and minigames results in a well-paced experience that never overstays its welcome. Each play session feels fresh, whether you’re chasing high scores in a memory match or exploring secret chambers in a platform stage.

The control scheme is generally responsive, though some gestures demand precision and speed, which can be challenging on the smaller touch screen. Fortunately, the game is forgiving with retries—trophies and medals can often be earned on subsequent attempts, reducing frustration and encouraging experimentation with different strategies.

Replaying levels to collect every lum and trophy adds substantial longevity, especially for completionists aiming to unlock all arenas and special features. The humor is infectious, and the Rabbids’ antics provide plenty of chuckles alongside the core gameplay. Whether you’re a longtime Rayman fan or a newcomer looking for a quirky handheld adventure, this DS entry offers hours of diverse, smile-inducing fun.

In summary, Rayman: Raving Rabbids on the Nintendo DS is a standout title that makes excellent use of the handheld’s dual screens and touch capabilities. Its eclectic mix of platforming and microgames ensures that players of all skill levels will find something to enjoy, making it a solid choice for solo play or on-the-go entertainment.

Retro Replay Score

6.3/10