What Rayman Legends: Retold Is and Why It Matters
Rayman Legends: Retold is a modernized version of Ubisoft’s acclaimed 2D platformer that combines overhauled visuals, new content, and classic mechanics, built to run at 60fps and up to 4K resolution on current consoles, including Switch 2. Rather than a simple remaster, it reshapes the original’s illustrated art into a more 3D-like style while keeping the fast, precise platforming that made Rayman Legends a genre favorite. Ubisoft’s goal is clear: introduce a new generation of players to what many consider the best Rayman game, while giving returning fans a technically upgraded version that feels at home alongside today’s leading Switch 2 games. With added realms, expanded music, and extra gameplay segments, Rayman Legends Retold aims to be both a definitive edition and an accessible starting point.
How Switch 2 Delivers 4K Gaming and 60fps
On Switch 2, Rayman Legends Retold targets 60 frames per second while supporting 1080p in handheld mode and 4K output when docked through DLSS upscaling. Ubisoft told VGC that the amount of visual detail on PS5 is “approximately the same” as on Switch 2, a clear statement that this portable hardware is no afterthought. The studio also confirmed that the detail level remains consistent even with four players and that performance stays at 60fps in four-player sessions. That makes Rayman Legends Retold one of the more technically ambitious Switch 2 games, especially for a side-scrolling platformer release. Ubisoft further claims the Switch 2 version is “on par with the Xbox Series S [version in terms of] quality,” positioning the hybrid console as a first-class platform for 4K gaming in this remake.
Ray Tracing and the New Art Direction
The original Rayman Legends used hand-drawn, storybook-style art, but Retold shifts toward a 3D-like aesthetic enhanced by modern lighting and ray tracing. On Switch 2, ray tracing adds depth to environments with more convincing reflections and subtle light bounces, making backgrounds feel richer without sacrificing clarity in motion. Preview impressions note that portals now replace the old painting frames as level entrances, matching the updated visual style even if some players may miss the gallery feel. For newcomers, the result is a colorful, animated world that looks closer to contemporary hits and should age better on 4K displays. Combined with higher resolution and stable 60fps, the visual overhaul aims to make Rayman Legends Retold feel fresh while still highlighting the expressive characters and exaggerated animations that defined the original release.
Classic Platforming, New Content, Same Smart Level Design
Under the new coat of paint, Rayman Legends Retold keeps the platforming that earned the original its reputation. Jumping, gliding, punching, wall-running, and bouncing all return, alongside puzzles, collectibles, and music-driven stages that reward tight timing. Previews stress how rarely the game dwells on a single gimmick; as soon as you master a mechanic, a new twist appears, keeping stages brisk and surprising. Retold expands that formula with new story beats, a brand-new realm, dragon-riding sequences that play like on-rails shooters, and the return of Kung Foot party modes. While the dragon segments may not redefine the genre, they add pacing variety between worlds. Together, these updates help Rayman Legends Retold feel like a full-featured platformer release for modern systems rather than a simple port, while preserving the sharp level design longtime fans remember.
Positioning Rayman Among Modern Switch 2 Platformers
Rayman has long stood slightly outside the platforming mascot spotlight, but Rayman Legends Retold aims to change that by meeting modern expectations for 4K gaming, responsive controls, and polished content on day one. Ubisoft Montpellier and Ubisoft Milan are co-developing the remake, signaling a balance between respecting the 2013 blueprint and tuning it for new hardware and audiences. With an expanded soundtrack, added story content, and performance parity claimed across PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Switch 2, this platformer release is clearly designed as a foundation for rebuilding the Rayman fanbase. For players who missed the Wii U-era original, Rayman Legends Retold on Switch 2 offers a strong entry point: a technically updated, visually enhanced version of one of the few non-Nintendo platformers often mentioned in the same breath as the genre’s best.
