Rayman Arena

Rayman Arena is a spin-off from Rayman's classic platforming adventures toward fast combat and sports minigames set in enclosed arenas. Instead of working through elaborate levels full of enemies and puzzles, players face off in short battles featuring characters from the Rayman universe – whether in shootouts with energy projectiles, races on primitive vehicles, or other competitive disciplines played against the clock or until the last opponent is knocked out of the arena.

The game is built mainly for local multiplayer on one screen, where players choose between Rayman, his allies, and the series' traditional enemies and compete in a series of short, easy-to-grasp rounds that require no lengthy tutorials or knowledge of earlier entries. The individual arenas and game modes differ in rules and setting, ranging from enclosed platforms hanging over a chasm to more open battlefields scattered with obstacles and bonuses, but the common thread remains an emphasis on chaotic fun for multiple players at once rather than the elaborate storytelling the series is otherwise known for. Unlike regular platformers, there's no progression between worlds or collecting of special items here – all the fun happens in repeated rounds against live opponents or AI, with the game supporting up to four people at once on a single TV split into screen sections.

Why play it: Rayman Arena works best as a party game for several people on one screen – fans of Rayman's classic platforming adventures will find familiar characters here in a completely different, combat- and racing-focused guise, ideal for a quick round among friends without needing to dedicate long play sessions to it.