Rayman 3D

It's always disappointing to see a classic gaming title of yesteryear squeezed for every penny possible, to the point that the original mastery is barely recognisable any more.

Rayman 2: The Great Escape first appeared on the Nintendo 64, Dreamcast, PC, and PlayStation, each version with its own special features, and each earning critical acclaim.

It went on to receive shoddy ports for the Nintendo DS and the iPhone many years later, with awful control and camera issues - indeed, our Rayman 2: The Great Escape iPhone review compared the game to, "an elderly man with arthritis".

Now the weary title is being brought out of retirement once again for Rayman 3D - essentially the Nintendo DS version with stereoscopic 3D graphics.

While this latest version suffers from all the same issues the DS edition had, the 3D revitalisation does bring some life back to the franchise.

Rayman 3D is a port of the Dreamcast version of Rayman 2. While it obviously can't compare to game visuals of recent times, it's really not bad-looking at all.

The stereoscopic 3D adds a depth to Rayman's world that just hasn't been possible before. Tight platforming sections feel full of life, as you can really feel the hero stretching to make the long jumps and helicopter flights.

It's also worth noting that there's a reason the original Rayman 2 received numerous Game of the Year awards. Exploring each world is addictive, and the level design is clever, constantly keeping you on your toes.

There are plenty of hidden extras and collectibles to enjoy as well, with Lums to find and mini-games to conquer. The main story is lengthy enough, with a good seven or eight hours required to finish it off.

The puzzles don't become repetitive throughout play, either - in fact, the action gets better towards the end, with a variety of different settings and fast-paced scenes.

Unfortunately, as with the Nintendo DS version, Rayman 3D suffers from problems that weren't present in the original 1999 release.

The controls aren't as tight as we would have liked. The 3DS Circle Pad definitely gives a better feel than the DS D-pad did, but still not enough to make the game an entirely comfortable fit with Nintendo's latest portable.

The camera is also a nuisance, always reluctant to go where you need it to. You can set it behind Rayman by pressing the L Shoulder button, but this feels clumsy and awkward.

Sound issues pop up again, with static noises coming from the 3DS speakers every time the music gets a little excited. It wasn't long before we'd moved the sound slider all the way down.

If you've never played Rayman 2 before, then it's worth looking past the camera and control issues and checking out Rayman 3D.

Otherwise, this is yet another average port of a classic, and you're best sticking with your memories of it. Hopefully Ubisoft can finally put this one to bed.