Battle of the Ports - Rayman 2 The Great Escape (レイマン 海賊船からの脱出！) Show - 419 - 60fps

[@pcachu]

When someone asks you if any platformer besides Mario made a genuinely good transition from 2D to 3D, the correct answer is this game.

[@RetroCore]

Absolutely. Rayman 2 is a fantastic move from 2D to 3D.

[@ChadKimberly01]

There's a reason it's been ported multiple times, much like Mario 64 (even though saying M64 "ports" is wrong since most official ones are emulated. Good thing the fans pick up the slack.)

[@mortenera2294]

Man, the memories! I played this amazing game on Dreamcast

[@RetroCore]

That's where I first played it too. 👍

[@kamilpotato3764]

@@RetroCore That's the best version. Can't stand ps2 version. Textures look blurry mess there and loadings are atrocious.

[@SiincereARC]

This youtube series is well needed and well loved.

[@RetroCore]

Thank you 👍

[@ats2099]

After playing the first Rayman game late and not understanding what all the good press was about, I hesitated a long time before I played this on PS2. The hours I spent listening to that 12 string guitar playing on a loop still takes me back. Thanks for showing the different versions! They really did some great work on most of the ports and this game should be given more credit for being a good example of a 3D platformer of back when.

[@g412bb]

One of the best platform games I played both on DC & PC. Always felt it never got the attention or praise it deserves.

[@yukatoshi]

It got 10/10s at the time IIRC.

[@RetroCore]

I think g412bb means that people soon forgot about this while everyone bangs on about Mario 64, 😅

[@g412bb]

@@RetroCore Exactly. Maybe also people on consoles were getting tired of platform games at that time. It came after Mario / Banjo / Spyro / Crash so there was already a plethora of great ones available.

[@mole28]

Awesome video! This was my favorite platformer on the Dreamcast.

[@MagisterHamid]

Nice to also see a few “newer” games being compared!

[@RetroCore]

Indeed. I'll try to add some newer games from time to time.

[@thepirategamerboy12]

I just finished playing through this game on Windows not too long ago. Really good stuff, I honestly enjoy it a lot more than the original.

[@RetroCore]

It's a very good game. Especially for the first 3D Rayman title.

[@Holothurion]

Gamers: We want more Rayman games. Ubisoft: More Rabbids games, got it!

[@RetroCore]

It's a shame there's no more Rayman.

[@Holothurion]

@@RetroCore Certainly 😕

[@Quirino26]

Above all, I would love a new 3D Rayman platformer. Perhaps following the current open world trend :)

[@SimianScience]

i stopped gaming in 1994. i came back in 2000 and i got this game for my dreamcast. i loved every bit of it. its still my favorite 3d platformer ever 20+ years later. alot of people say mario 64 and zelda was their game in that era but for me it was rayman 2 and soul reaver dreamcast port is still king to me.

[@RetroCore]

Oh, I'd rather play Rayman 2 on Dreamcast than Mario 64 😁. Now I better hide for telling my true opinion 😮

[@ToruKun1]

I remember playing this on my neighbor's N64 back in the day

[@zubiac]

I guess the "ORIGINAL Battle of the Ports" in your intro is due to a certain american 'Lord' who recently brought up a video with the exact same name...

[@andreasnagel9377]

I have noticed that too

[@RetroCore]

Yep, you could say that.

[@martinholden9686]

Was just thinking the exact same thing! I love both retro core & Sega lord X but when i saw his virtua racing title recently i grimaced & thought yikes, cmon way too close to retro core contents name! Ah well. You'll always be the original 👍

[@bombjack1984]

The 'other' video is called 'Battle of the HOME Ports' though... or was it changed?

[@johnebbs3819]

If you need a solicitor let me know. My guy would sue his own granny if he had to, and is open on Saturdays also.

[@metalcoola]

Got it on Christmas 2000 for PC, time flies. Im ashamed to admit that it took me several years to beat final boss.

[@aerisgainsborough2141]

ooof, that motion sickness moving in 360 degrees...

[@RetroCore]

No shame in that. The final boss is a proper challenge.

[@KISSbestfan]

Rayman 2 may not be my most favourite platformer of all time, but I will always remember the OST from the game. Hearing the main theme is basically something you can't confuse with anything. It just sounds like a video game. Mysterious, and out of this world. Thats something they did really great. Its a shame that once again Dreamcast proves its version is the best one, and it still had the fate it got. Im glad that people still port games, and make homebrews for the system.

[@RetroCore]

The best thing with owning the Windows version from GOG, is that you also get the soundtrack for free 👍

[@LeShark75]

I loved this on the DC, cracking game and a brilliant soundtrack.

[@Colin_Ames]

I loved the O.A.P. - Jam Jar analogy. Fortunately I have a tool for that! Great video, as always.

[@SombraSR]

The PC and Dreamcast versions will always be my favorites, along with the PS1 port somehow being impressive imo

[@RetroCore]

It's funny seeing a game from more powerful systems ported down to the PlayStation.

[@Cyberbrickmaster1986]

For some reason I assumed the PS2 version would be the best. This is exactly why I subscribed to this channel, so I can know what version of each game is superior

[@RetroCore]

Thanks. Yeah. It's best to have an open mind for these things.

[@Vltros]

Wow you just read my mind! Yesterday I was replaying Rayman 2 and was thinking it would be a great game to be in Battle of the Ports!

[@RetroCore]

Now that is a coincidence.

[@virgogaming6488]

The only versions I've played through are the 3DS and N64 versions. I wish Ubisoft would port the game again on Switch.

[@SarahWestCrazyTaxiQueen]

to me, The Sega Dreamcast and The PlayStation 1 Ports of Rayman 2 really rock, although the PlayStation 1 port of Rayman 2 is missing so much of that game.

[@JorgeAraujo97]

I do have some respect for Ubisoft pre-666 logo. They used to try different stuff without the fear of failing. Now it's just Assassin's Creed and Far Cry variants.

[@RetroCore]

I agree. The older UBI Soft were an interesting company. Games like this just go to show that.

[@Midekai]

I had no idea rayman 2 got ported to so many platforms, though it makes sense as it was a pretty competent 3D platformer, one of the better non-first party n64 ones out at the time. My first time playing it was the dreamcast version, but it was a demo compilation. Made me want to pick it up really quick though. I'm not even a massive rayman fan, but it is one of ubisoft's flagship franchises for sure.

[@MaidenHell1977]

Hahahaha, nice touch with the "Original" Botp in the intro... While I do love the other channel a lot, I find it rather strange he went with that title for his video...that was no coincidence.

[@RetroCore]

I think so. Rather cheeky I thought

[@SomeOrangeCat]

Rayman is one of gaming's strangest stories. Top of his own series once, but now he's barely a blip anymore. The Rabbids having completely overshadowed him. What ultimately happened to him would be like if Mario had been completely supplanted by Rex, that very first dinosaur enemy you meet from Super Mario World. That said, my kids and I had more enjoyment out of those silly Rabbids games than I ever did with any of the Rayman titles.

[@RetroCore]

Poor Rayman. I actually prefer him to the Rabbids.

[@amerigocosta7452]

I liked Hoodlum Havoc on the PC and of course the excellent first Rayman on the PS1 (and Origins and Legends are very good as well) but this second game totally flew under my radar then. From your assessment and other comments I understand the Dreamcast is the version to get.

[@RetroCore]

Oh for sure, the Dreamcast game is easily the best. Smooth with much more content. The next best option is the PC version.

[@Valkian24]

Sad that you couldn't cover the 3DS version (since that was the one I played the most out of this game) but regardless, a great ep altogether! Gonna have to track down a copy of the DC version one of these days.

[@Anex952]

The 3ds version is based on the dreamcast port iirc

[@RetroCore]

Yeah, 3DS stuff is tricky to cover as my real "new" 3DS can't run roms and running them via emulation required special decriped roms from what I understand.

[@tidepoolclipper8657]

The Dreamcast version is what the developers always envisioned and is overall the greatest. Though the PS2 version also deserves kudos; especially compared to the PS1 version.

[@datasoftinc]

I love the Dreamcast Version because it has 60fps

[@Pridetoons]

The Great thing is the N64, Dreamcast, and PS1 version all play at full speed on RK3326 devices.

[@RetroCore]

Now that is cool.

[@spectrumbots4268]

This game is a classic!

[@matttheshadowman2790]

Nice to see a game get good ports all around, probably helps most were done in-house at Ubisoft. It's a shame that 3D Rayman games are even more dead than Rayman as a franchise itself as I feel Rayman 2 especially was a good time. Got to agree that the Dreamcast version is the best version of the game though the PS2 version has that early release for a console feel to it where you get the feeling Ubisoft were still getting to grips with the console at the time with its bugs and long loading. It can look better than the Dreamcast version at times but that is compromised by the worse performance overall though. Have to say, the original PlayStation's own limitations with the wobbly textures aside (which to be fair the game could do little about) is actually an excellent port, yeah it's a downgrade on the N64 version but for the system it was very good. Even had reasonable load times for the system if memory serves me right...

[@kamilpotato3764]

I prefer ps1 version over ps2. Ps2 version is blurry mess with atrocious loadings. Best version for me is DC one.

[@tumtum-7260]

Nostalgia! Thanks

[@Charlie-Cat.]

Can never go wrong with Rayman Mark. This will be fun for sure. 8^) Anthony..

[@bombjack1984]

Love that Dreamcast version, it's the best platformer on the system. Never understood why the PS2 version was only 30fps, but then the first couple of years for the PS2 were absolute crap.

[@RetroCore]

Same as PS3 compared to the 360 but it still sold like crazy. I'll never have a PS3. All multi-platform games on that suck. PSX, PS2 and PS4 for me.

[@KISSbestfan]

PS2 wasnt so easy to get along with for the devs, especially in the beginning of its lifespan. This was still the era of the bit war, that was finished by Xbox, being "only" 32-bit, but more powerful than Dreamcast, PS2 or Gamecube. Im sure the system could do better, but they probably just made it a "filler" game, considering the fact Rayman 3 was being developed, and you still could play your PS1 version on PS2. I believe the same happened f.ex. with Theme Park World, that got released on both consoles (also originally in 1999).

[@TheAlphaOmegaX3]

@RetroCore No PS3? Oh I'm sure you could find some excellent exclusives that you would enjoy very much. Never say never 😃. Probably plenty of Japanese hidden gems too.

[@InfernoHabanero]

What about the 3DS version?

[@RetroCore]

Opening tells it all.

[@yukatoshi]

Does the PS2 version only run at 30FPS?

[@matttheshadowman2790]

Yep! Not only that it had drops too which was definitely a disappointment

[@RetroCore]

As matttheshadowman mentioned, yep, it's a pretty shoddy port.

[@daniel_lucio]

"Yep, digital only distribution will ALWAYS SUCK!" - This is the way!

[@MistaMaddog247]

@5:35 "Yep, Apple App Store versions will ALWAYS SUCK!" Fixed ;)

[@RetroCore]

Fair enough 😁

[@thrillington2008]

N64 is a standout for 3d platformer on the system. Windows 98 is great. Dreamcast made drastic improvements. PS1 isn't a pushover within limitations. PS2 is a huge missed opportunity. GBC is solid on the go. DS is one of the better N64 ports there.

[@williamhowe1]

Everybody loves Rayman.

[@martiusr2404]

Normally in case of platform game series I prefer 2D iterations over 3D, but in case of Rayman 2 I do appreciate that it's not so incredibly hard as the first game in the series (first levels in Rayman 1 are beatable, but those later are very tough).

[@googleboughtmee]

Haha is that a Sega Lord X reference at the start

[@RetroCore]

It had to be done 😁

[@arthurcarneirolopes6383]

I have the 3DS version, it's exactly like the Dreamcast version but without the Globox Village and the minigames, it has some times when the frame rate goes down on the base models, but I believe the New* 3DS models fix that since this is almost always the case with 3DS games that have slowdowns, also, the bottom screen displays the UI and something else I don't remember. If you want you can pin this comment for people that want to play the best version of the game but don't own a Dreamcast.

[@DeskoDev]

The 3DS port performs exactly the same on the New models compared to the base models unless you have custom firmware, unfortunately. With CFW to enable the New 3DS's enhancements it does run a lot more smoothly, though you have to turn them off during the Foutch fight to prevent the game from crashing. However, even with that (and as someone who played through it first on an old 3DS) I still wouldn't recommend it as a good port of the game thanks to the multitude of newly introduced bugs and the severe difficulty nerf to what was already a pretty easy game.

[@RetroCore]

I'd like to try it on my "new" 3DS but sadly I have no way of running roms on that

[@arthurcarneirolopes6383]

In my country at least this game is around 10$ physical, but it might be more expensive elsewhere.

[@104d_3rr0r_vince]

The PSX version is enhanced from the emulator. I would like to see the original resolution with no texture filtering. In the end though, this is your video and you can do whatever you like :-)

[@tgheretford]

It is something I have noticed in content where people using emulators to compare the PSX to the Saturn use up-scaled polygons for the PSX version and the original resolution for the Saturn, giving a false impression that the PSX was far more powerful than the Saturn when on real hardware, things were a lot closer - the PSX being a lot easier to code for meaning 3D ports fared better while the Saturn could be a beast in the right hands (think Lobotomy Software or talented Sega programmers). Upscaling for Saturn has only been a very recent thing emulation wise for the Saturn. Yabause has support but a number of games can't be run on the emulator and it is not getting updates as things stand. Yaba Sanshiro also has support but needed a powerful Android device until recently for those up-scaled graphics.

[@RetroCore]

Now that, I would never do. Saturn is my most loved system.

[@magoid]

5:26 Unfortunately, a good chunk of today's physical releases have online DRM. Once their servers are gone, you can kiss goodby to your game...

[@RetroCore]

That is so true. Thankfully Rayman 2 from GOG is drm free. That's the version I have. Works great on modern PC's too.

[@MsModestyBlaise]

It’s clear to see why the Dreamcast version is considered the best one. The game also highlights the weaknesses of the original PlayStation. Worse 3D engine than the N64 and substantially worse 2D than the Saturn. While Sony got lucky while their competition were stumbling, they won the generation through aggressive marketing, partnerships and pricing. The hardware was the weakest but that didn’t matter, it was easy to program and get games released on.

[@kinnikkuman]

Wasn't there a 3DS versión?

[@RetroCore]

Yep, it's mentioned in the intro.

[@kinnikkuman]

@@RetroCore Sorry, I was a bit distracted at first and didn't notice. Thak you.

[@MrNightshade2010]

i was never into rayman until the rabbid games

[@RetroCore]

Ooh, you've missed out.

[@csikocska]

I loved to play this game on PSX while I borrowed that game from a bit farer family. :) I didn't know about the better ports until I have bought the Windows version on GoG. That version has smoother frame rates and higher resolution textures. I will play that Windows port when I will have enough freetime.

[@RetroCore]

It's the GoG version I show on this video. It's on sale right now as well.

[@csikocska]

@@RetroCore Thanks for pointing me out. I can use a mod for GoG version which has a feature to play Rayman 2 in wide screen resolution.

[@NisseDood]

I wish they rereleased Rayman 2 revolution on more modern hardware. I quite liked the more open world of it, but one big flaw is that I felt it runs quite sluggish compared to when I played the PC version back in the day.

[@Pridetoons]

Damn it, I'm at work!

[@thefurthestmanfromhome1148]

I simply fell in love with this on the Dreamcast such a gorgeous title to play, one day I swear I will return and finish it, I will... 😂 Hope work is treating you OK.

[@RetroCore]

Ah, that's where I first played Rayman 2 as well. Back in the day it was gorgeous looking. Ah, work is the same but I could relax a bit without worrying about getting videos out on time.

[@zanegandini5350]

Damn, the Windows version looks so much more crisp than the rest, even the Dreamcast. It also seems to be running just a tad smoother than the Dreamcast version. If not for the Dreamcast version having a bit more content and widescreen support, I'd say the Windows version is the winner. As it is, I'd say it depends on whether or not widescreen and a few extra mini games and lums are worth it over a higher resolution and framerate.

[@31leoceara]

Framerate on Dreamcast was butter smooth, never a slowdown. I had this game, so I can tell.

[@itsmatt517]

What, no Rayman 3d? (the 3ds version)

[@RetroCore]

See the intro.

[@NotOrdinaryInGames]

Why does your PS2 capture lag and sound wrong?

[@RetroCore]

This was probably done via an emulator. I don't have the original disc for this one and my PS2 can't play backups.

[@NotOrdinaryInGames]

@@RetroCore That is so sad.

[@Fthemalkavian]

Played It on 3DS, missed in the vídeo. The camera is terrible, but it's a very good game.

[@NP-ip3nj]

Did you skip the 3DS port because it and the DS version are the same?

[@thepirategamerboy12]

No, they're totally different ports.

[@RetroCore]

No, I can't run the 3DS one. I didnt have access to the decriped rom

[@NP-ip3nj]

@@RetroCore I wondered about that. Fair enough.

[@solarflare9078]

@@RetroCore There's an application called Batch CIA 3DS Decryptor that works wonders for that

[@jamiey5779]

Where abouts in England are you originally from? Your accent sounds familiar.

[@RetroCore]

I'm originally from Liverpool.

[@DeskoDev]

Hoo boy, I know you didn't include it in the video but the 3DS version is laughably bad. Maybe not quite as bad as DS, but that's quite literally only due to the controls and texture/sound quality. Compared to the Dreamcast version it was ported from (if it wasn't ported from the iOS version, because I'm starting to have a feeling it was), it's a buggy mess. Not just that, and I almost completely forgot about this, but they changed how the health system works and got rid of game overs entirely. When Rayman's health hits 0, he respawns like he would if he fell into a pit or other similar hazards with his full health restored, and anything that would formerly cause him to respawn now instantly "kills" him... though it basically amounts to respawning at full health instead of losing a small chunk of health. In other words, it's impossible to die in the 3DS port. By the way, I believe the PS2 version was entirely redubbed compared to the PS1 release on top of including a mode with the original gibberish, with some extra lines on top of the originals. It still has all of the Dreamcast minigames too, aside from the invasion one.

[@RetroCore]

Interesting to hear about the 3DS version. In would imagine it was ported from the iOS version.

[@KacperSobierajVargskeletor5421]

WAIT A SECOND…… YOU’RE telling me that the Dreamcast version DOESN’T EVEN HAVE VOICE ACTING?!?!?!?!!!?!? Improvement over the N64 my ASS.

[@KacperSobierajVargskeletor5421]

Rayman 2 is a good Game tho. I G N O R E T H E C O M M E N T A B O V E. I F. Y O U. D O N’ T A G R E E

[@naswinger]

wow the gameboy color music :-(

[@RetroCore]

Lol. I guess they thought nobody would care.

[@theobserver4214]

@@RetroCore it likely sounds better through the tinny speaker of the GBC.

[@dandonovan4850]

Dreamcast 😍

[@timkasansky2528]

there's also a 3DS port.

[@uubrmanx]

There's also the GBA port of Rayman *3,* which is a weird half remake of 2 with 3's story!

[@RetroCore]

Oh. I never knew about that. May have been worth adding to this video.

[@philipcohen7192]

The original!

[@RetroCore]

100%!

[@waterheart95]

The 3DS version is a buggy and last performant port of the dreamcast game on a standard 3ds. On a hacked New 3DS the game runs at 60fps with no drops. Doesn't fix the bugs. Ubisoft was lazy with the port, especially including a bug that makes 100% completion only almost impossible without doing a gitch. The port also has sound bugs. The IOS version isn't good with the touch controls and needs a iphone 3gs or higher to run at a smooth framerate. Less buggy than 3ds version.

[@exitplanetduster]

Why is the PS2 version so clunky? Is it a grabbing related issue? The GBC version looks like the one that aged better, I would love to have and play it on Steam today.

[@Aki_Lesbrinco]

If I remember correctly the PS2 had half of the Dreamcast VRAM and that is why some ports looked and ran worse than the Dereamcast.

[@zanegandini5350]

@@Aki_Lesbrinco Not only that but the PS2 generally output 480i over component rather than the Dreamcast's 480p through VGA and it was much less sharp as a result.

[@theobserver4214]

@@zanegandini5350 Even when 480p is forced the image isn’t clear. The PS2 has a very noisy component output and I remember hearing it either got worse over later model revisions or better.

[@zanegandini5350]

@@theobserver4214 That explains why even SCART on the Dreamcast looks better than the PS2's output

[@solarflare9078]

@@zanegandini5350 Man, the PS2 really was weaker than I thought. I knew it couldn't hold a candle to the GameCube and Xbox if multiplats are anything to go by, but looking worse than the Dreamcast? Wow

[@JustPeasant]

Very clever what they did with GBC port. Re-using the assets from the original game (1995). It looks good!😌 But, that soundtrack (or BGM)... it makes my ears bleed...😣😣😣

[@RunplaysinHD]

Golden age of gaming, when each port had something the others are missing. Nowadays it doesnt really matter whan console or computer you have - all games will be the same (boring)

[@RetroCore]

Absolutely! It was much more interesting back then. Now it's all about framerate which don't really make for interesting comparisons.

[@bhirawamaylana466]

yeah MY PS1 is the best, and I agree with DS, not everything must have gimmick, but I guess every game release for Nintendo Console MUST have Gimmick gameplay huh.

[@RetroCore]

Nintendo sure love their gimmicks.

[@aj_gen_ace]

I remember first playing the PS1 version back in 2004 or 2005. The music was beautiful. Then I played the N64 version in 2014. I was a bit disappointed because the music was different. Of course being an inferior console it's gonna be different.

[@solarflare9078]

I kinda disagree on the PS1 port. The voice acting is crap and they removed half of the game’s content for some reason. It also proved the N64 was the more powerful console of its generation.

[@RetroCore]

Oh, I'm not saying the voice acting is good. It sure is crap. I prefer the original fake language.

[@WeskerSega]

@@RetroCore It may be crap in English but I can guarantee you it's not in some of the other languages, so this is a very relative matter. The bad boint about the fake language is the fact that the characters are only repeating the same gibberish over and over, especifically done for the Nintendo 64 cartridge size limitations ala the Banjo games. It's not as developed as, say, the panzeresque language in the Panzer Dragoon games (except for Panzer Dragoon Saga, which used Japanese except for the intro). Too bad only the Sony versions have the real languages voice acting up to this point, the PC and Dreamcast versions should have had the real languages fully implemented (in the Dreamcast version they added an spoken intro, but that was about it).

[@spacefractal]

A good game that got ruined for me by a stupid final boss on the very last level, and have all the bad game design how not to do a boss battle: little space to navigation, easy to disorientation, got hit once, then you die , and require to start over in a long battle. Yep im newer beated it. PS1 version seens to avoid that and is simpler, but much better. Here its was the PC version.

[@ryukishi8492]

Calling the PS1 version a good port and not even mentioning that half the game is missing?

[@RetroCore]

What's there is good.

[@cnk9822]

Rayman DS has to be the worst version of Rayman 2, it's biggest downfall it its control, it's very rough.

[@virgogaming6488]

I have the 3DS version and it's probably the 2nd worst. Sound cuts out, graphical glitches and bugs.