Rayman could have had a SNES version that never saw the light of day

The Rayman saga, known for its iconic platforming adventures, has had a fascinating development since its beginnings. However, few know that one of its early projects, a video game for the Super Nintendo, was canceled despite being practically finished. This attempt to bring Rayman to life focused on a story very different from the ones we know today.

A completely crazy premise worthy of 16 bits

The game was set to narrate the story of Jimmy, a boy who gets absorbed into a fantasy world called Hereitscool that he created himself. When facing a virus that threatens his creation, Jimmy adopts the identity of Rayman to fight it. This premise, which strayed from traditional heroism, promised to offer an innovative and fresh narrative experience.

In addition, the development included the inclusion of a cooperative multiplayer mode that would allow a second player to control Simohne, Rayman’s girlfriend. This functionality, which was not implemented in later games, provided a different gameplay dynamic, making the collective experience more fun and varied.

However, creator Michel Ancel faced great challenges in adapting the game to cartridge format, at a time when optical discs were beginning to gain ground. Despite the technical adaptation becoming complicated, the project left an indelible mark on Ancel and his vision of video game development. The cancellation of the game was three times as frustrating, as many of its elements, including characters and innovative enemy scenarios, were lost in the process.

The story of this forgotten project raises questions about how the Rayman saga could have developed differently, had it been released in the 90s. Although it remains a benchmark in the world of video games today, its beginnings continue to be a fascinating mystery.

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