Rayman Legends Definitive Edition

Rayman Legends Definitive Edition brought to Switch, shortly after the console's launch, one of the best-reviewed 2D platformers of the modern era, and it still ranks among the best the genre has to offer on the console. The game is built on very fluid movement, with the hero running, sliding, gliding on his hair, punching enemies and bouncing off walls, and the levels are designed so that a skilled player can clear most of them without ever stopping. The structure is split into worlds with distinct themes, ranging from fairy-tale groves through medieval castles to underwater and oriental settings.

The standout feature is the musical levels that form the finale of each world. The entire progression, jumps, enemies and environmental movement are precisely synced to the rhythm of a well-known song, turning the platformer into a rhythm game for a few minutes. Alongside the main campaign, the Switch version also includes reworked levels from the previous game, Rayman Origins, daily and weekly challenges, and extensive collecting of small Teensies that unlock further content. Local four-player co-op works excellently and is one of the main reasons to bring the game out for a group evening.

Technically it's a showcase of what the UbiArt Framework engine can do. The visuals look like a moving illustration, with hand-drawn characters, delicate animation and richly decorated backgrounds, all while running perfectly smoothly in both handheld and TV mode. The Switch version also adds touch controls for the Murfy sections and a few small extras, including local races. Critics received the original release extremely warmly, praising above all the amount of content, the variety of ideas and the precision of the controls. Today the game hasn't aged a bit, because its visual style doesn't rely on technical specs, and for Switch owners it's one of the easiest platformers to recommend outright.