Rayman Origins

Rayman Origins reminds me why 2D-platform games used to be so popular, and why they are still among my favorite games of all time. It’s quite refreshing to see a modern take on the genre, and to see how well it translates on Sony’s new handheld device.

If you're new to the game and have no particular interest in playing cooperatively with anyone, ever, then this version is entirely worthwhile. So much of what made Rayman: Origins great on consoles--from the glorious visuals and music on down to the wonderfully crafted gameplay--translate just about perfectly on the Vita. Most importantly, the game is still tons of fun from top to bottom, whether you're playing at home or on the go.

There is no doubt that the omission of multiplayer is somewhat saddening, but given the PS Vita version is meant for those on the go, many will not miss this feature, although I did somewhat. Rayman has made the transition to the world of portable gaming in style, and if you are picking up a PS Vita during the official launch, or sometime there after, you can do no wrong by picking up this title at the same time.