Rayman

Amid the rise of 3D graphics, in 1995 Ubisoft played the opposite card — and won. Rayman is a gorgeous, hand-drawn 2D platformer whose colorful, picturesque worlds feel like a children's book brought to life. This is where the armless, legless mascot was born, a character who became one of the icons of the French studio and launched a long, beloved series.

Rayman saves the world by freeing the captive Electoons and facing the villainous Mr. Dark. Along the way he gains new abilities — from a punch he can fire off, to helicopter-like hovering using his own hair. But beauty comes at a price: the game became famous for its merciless difficulty, precise jump timing, and cunningly placed traps that test the patience of even the most hardened player.

Retro enthusiasts admire Rayman precisely for this contrast — a charming visual style hides one of the toughest platformers of its era. Finishing it is a badge of honor. To this day it remains one of the prettiest 2D games ever released on consoles, and a reminder of an age when hand-drawn animation could rival even fashionable polygonal 3D.