Rayman Raving Rabbids Review

By Keza MacDonald Published 7 December, 2006

Stark raving mad.

Version tested: Wii

Even after years being forced to be professionally impartial, there are always going to be some games that you approach with a prejudice. In the interests of providing adequate background to this review, then, I feel compelled to admit that I've never liked Rayman. I don't hate the games, you understand - just the character, the world he inhabits, the weird little deformed things he usually has to rescue and, most of all, his silly early-90's fringe. Raving Rabbids also seems to represent everything that is a bit dodgy about the whole Wii concept - it is a sequence of mini-games, nothing more and nothing less, all based around controller movement. Whenever I played it at various preview stages, its wacky humour came across as trying a bit too hard and the mini-games themselves all seemed to involve the same three repetitive actions. I wasn't expecting to take to this at all on a professional level, let alone find any personal fondness for it.

Now, though, I find myself unexpectedly charmed. Raving Rabbids is funny. Properly funny, too, not just immediately-forgettable, infantile funny. It's slapstick and bizarre and occasionally quite dark, and importantly, it makes no pretence of depth. Yes, it's just a series of mini-games, and no, it doesn't exactly exemplify the sophistication of control that the Wii is capable of (you'll want Trauma Centre: Second Opinion for a taste of that), but it does do a good job of showing how fun it can be. Played in a group, Raving Rabbids is surprisingly entertaining and often laugh-out-loud funny - occasionally because many of the games require you to move the nunchuck up and down as rapidly as possible in a vaguely suggestive manner, but more often because of its character design, variety and general silliness.

'Rayman Raving Rabbids' Screenshot carrot

That's carrot juice you're pumping into their visors. Not urine. That would be horrible.

Raving Rabbids dispenses with every established Rayman character except the limbless nonce himself, allowing the titular Rabbids to take centre stage. Rayman is kidnapped by these ridiculous little sado-masochists at the beginning of the game and forced to perform for their entertainment, which provides the somewhat flimsy justification for the fifty-odd consecutive minigames that make up the story mode. The Rabbids themselves account for a lot of this game's appeal - unlike the rest of the Rayman universe, they are instantly likeable. Expressive and often hilarious, their over-the-top screaming, vacant stares and bizarre design are certain to provoke a laugh - they are perfect characters for movement-based slapstick comedy, which is exactly what Raving Rabbids is all about.

The mini-games themselves cover everything from basic rhythm-action to on-rails shooting to drawing shapes on the screen, although a tediously large proportion of them employ the same vigororous-shaking-with-one-hand-whilst-pointing-with-the-other control method. They range from the reasonably normal - cow-throwing, say, or free-falling, or annihilating a level full of Rabbids with a plunger gun - to the completely deranged and frankly terrifying (there's one where you have to carry a pig around a minefield whilst horrible demonic voices and anguished squeals emanate disturbingly from the Wiimote's little speaker). You'd think that waving and shaking could be stretched to the very limits of their entertainment capabilities in maybe ten different games, but there are more than forty completely unique ones here and a good measure of them are ingenious. Twisting left and right steers a bird through the air in one game, tilting the Wiimote around guides a ball around a maze in another; some require you to just wave like a madman, whilst others demand precision and patience. It's difficult to fault Raving Rabbids' variety, except to say that the mini-games begin to repeat themselves rather more than is acceptable towards the end of the story (which, by the way, has the most unexpectedly sinister ending I've seen in a long while).

'Rayman Raving Rabbids' Screenshot gangster

You can change about Rayman's outfits for funsies - when you select 'gangsta', he magically becomes black.

Having seen that ending, though, you have seen everything that Raving Rabbids has to offer, and that really is the crux of the matter. It's a reasonably long sequence of minigames, and those games are intuitive, inventive and often very funny, but that's all there is to it. This will not entertain any discerning gamer for very long at all, especially not on your own. It needs to be played in a group, where people can take turns at the games and laugh together at the madcap humour. Its value is as an introduction to the Wii, a launch title to show friends and family and have a bit of fun with before going back to something more substantive. It fulfils that role admirably, but expect anything more from it and you will find yourself disappointed. In that sense, it's rather like a more expansive version of Wii Play.

I'm very conflicted with Raving Rabbids. In a year's time, when we'll probably have mini-game-heavy Wii party games coming out of our ears, Raving Rabbids may well be sitting at the back of the shelf, never to be touched again. It's so very, very simple and essentially basic that it somehow feels wrong to enjoy it. I am not at all convinced that this sort of motion-based mini-game tomfoolery is going to retain its novelty for more than a couple of months, and with Wario Ware: Smooth Moves on the horizon it's difficult to recommend this as a definitive party game.

Right now, though, as a launch title, Raving Rabbids is very good fun, especially in the right company. It doesn't have any depth to speak of, but it's unique (for the moment) and has a genuine sense of humour, a quality few games can boast. It's an apt launch title, lacking in polish but rich in character and laughs. It's probably not worth buying just for yourself, but if there's somebody else that you're hoping to entertain with your newly-purchased Wii - especially kids, who seem to find the Rabbids even funnier than the rest of us - then this is a lively, inventive and fun introduction to Nintendo's new way to play.

7 / 10

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Picture of Keza.

About Keza MacDonald

Read more articles from Keza by visiting the Keza MacDonald archive page.

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Comments (47) Latest comment 5 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Kelduum #1 5 years ago

    Yay! A game featuring slightly less freaky looking spongmonkeys!

  • GiantHaystax #2 5 years ago

    2nd! Not sure wether to get this along with sports, play and monkey ball. Maybe mini game overload.
    Edited by 2 at 07/12/06 @ 13:12

  • Der_tolle_Emil #3 5 years ago

    [link url=http://www.eurogamer.net/vi ew_screenshot.php?image=assets/articles//a70764/carrot.jpg
    ]    http://ww w.eurogamer.net/view_screenshot...[/link]

    Those dumb looking things make me laugh everytime I see them. The urine comment isn't bad either. But in the end I could not be less interested in this game. Nice to see though that it is a very decent game.

  • Zomoniac #4 5 years ago

    Thank you.

  • Phattso #5 5 years ago

    I have this and Zelda arriving in the morning. I'm not really an huge fan of Rayman, but I do like Ancel's recent output so I'm sure this will be entertaining enough.

  • Genji #6 5 years ago

    "It's so very, very simple and essentially basic that it somehow feels wrong to enjoy it."

    O...kay
    Edited by 1 at 07/12/06 @ 13:16

  • Psi #7 5 years ago

    eep 7 :( was hoping for more, think ill leave this one

  • jmctavish #8 5 years ago

    I think this is one to get when it's reduced.

  • dog2_99 #9 5 years ago

    'limbless nonce himself' Classic!

  • HazyUK #10 5 years ago

    I'm getting either this or Monkeyball at midnight tonight.
    I cannot decide which one to get.
    Anyone help?

  • Whitewalker #11 5 years ago

    Still...sounds like raving fun to me...might give it a try.

  • Triggerhappytel #12 5 years ago

    So, are we to assume it's more like a 5 or 6 sans companions?

    I wasn't aware this was simply a collection of mini-games until I read the review. Is it the same on other consoles?

    Anyway, not very interested TBH. The Wii has a very underwhelming launch line-up, IMO. I'm getting Zelda on the Cube, anyways.

  • jmctavish #13 5 years ago

    I would go for MonkeyBall over this purely for the single player.

  • gypsumfantastic #14 5 years ago

    Rabbits don't make minigames? YES THEY FRAKKING CAN.

    Whoop!

  • Genji #15 5 years ago

    I can attest to the sheer enjoyment of playing Wii Sports and Monkey Ball with friends. Wii is definately going to be king of the party consoles. I haven't had so much fun in ages.

  • Der_tolle_Emil #16 5 years ago

    If I had the choice I would pick monkeyball. I enjoyed it quite a lot on the GC. It feels different because with monkeyball you don't have to simply control your character but you have to get the camera down to. Usually this sounds bad but with monkeyball it allows you to do some crazy things. It's a good thing.

  • gypsumfantastic #17 5 years ago

    I will say, though, that reviewing a game by comparing it to theoretical titles that may *or may not* exist a year from now is the utmost in lazy journalism.

    Review it on its own merits, and try to do it in a way that's a tiny bit less... soulless.

    Review metareview: 3/10.

    Rabbids: 8/10, 9/10 if pissed with mates.

  • foxy2006 #18 5 years ago

    Triggerhappytel

    agreed
    pickign up the cube zelda as well
    can't be frakked with this wavy wand nonsense.
    I really feel that Nintendo have produce a short lived gimmick here.

    yeah i am grumpy today FYI.
    i have no central heating and had to take a cold shower b4 work.

  • Genji #19 5 years ago

    Yeah, I was a bit confused at that before. Why should I feel guilty for enjoying something that's simple? If you enjoy something, just say so! There's nothing wrong about having fun.

  • playgen #20 5 years ago

    i think the score will be justified, not that ive played it.

    These sort of games are great fun with friends, but not so great for playing by yourself. The Eyetoy was brilliant when played with friends, but its limitations made it grow stale pretty quickly. Does the same fate await the Wii

  • Cubfan #21 5 years ago

    Yeah this game deserves of an 8/10... it's at least as good as Gears of Bore.

  • floppylobster #22 5 years ago

    It's a big call to say a game in truly funny when everybody's sense of humour can be so different. I know people who found Conker's Bad Fur Day funny, and others who thought it was lame. I've got a friend who thought Abe possessing his farts in Oddworld was funny. But it wasn't. (although reading it there it sounds funny).

    How many funny games are there?
    Wario Ware?
    Day of the Tentacle?
    Monkey Island?
    A lot of people are saying Pheonix Wright is funny.
    Star Wars Lego?
    Mario Superstar Saga? (do you want to play Super Mario Jump Rope Shine?)
    Tingle? Or the guy who runs the battleships game in Wind Waker?
    I once laughed for 10 minutes over one of the Mario Party 4 games. (it would take too long to explain why)

    Anyone got anything that truly made them laugh and laugh hard? (I'm not just talking about those smiles brought on by recognition or things friends did while playing).

  • Pac-man-ate-my-wife #23 5 years ago

    Don't think so as the Eyetoy didn't support games such as Zelda, Madden, Red Steel or Call of Duty.

    The Wii has far more potential than the Eyetoy solely because the controller comes with the console.

  • mazzl #24 5 years ago

    @gypsumfantastic
    couldn't agree more :)

    it's fresh, it's mostly fun, it's simple, so it's good for party's.
    it IS a party game.. so i think it does it's job very well.

  • kissthestick #25 5 years ago

    when i get a wii i'll def buy this

  • step #26 5 years ago

    So is it in 4:3, 16:9, 480p or whatever? If not, does it matter? Do the options in the manual actually exist in the game (not that I ever read manuals anyway)? Fairly trivial stuff, but things that should at least be mentioned in a review imo.

  • Rusta #27 5 years ago

    I wish I was 14 again, I'd buy a Wii then

  • Psychopompus #28 5 years ago

    So that's what the Wii is about; kids - and partyfodder.

  • Keza #29 5 years ago

    Rayman looks pretty basic whatever resolution it's set at, to be honest...

  • theweaze #30 5 years ago

    Whats with all the wii bashing here, give the console a chance these are only launch titles. and a 7/10 is very respectable considering, the poor offerings on other consoles. lets not make any judgements yet please. if ur happy with your console good, go and play it and dont slag off others.

  • Rusta #31 5 years ago

    I have no friends and I'm an adult = loser

  • ghearoid #32 5 years ago

    um, i'm pleased that the Wii will have good multiplayer and party games. i still have my ps2 to play solo RPGs on, so the Wii will definitely be the console of choice for playing videogames with my other half

    ;op

  • MadMirko #33 5 years ago

    I have no friends and I'm an adult = loser

    You might make friends if you have a Wii. At least it's cheaper than the console for your target demographic comming out middle next year. ;)

  • Dezm0nd #34 5 years ago

    " Rusta : I wish I was 14 again, I'd buy a Wii then "

    Yeah pull your head out of your arse mate, you're being more like a 14 year old by saying stuff like that.

  • smelly #35 5 years ago

    TOTALLY Disagree!

    5/10 easily. Too long load times, and some mini games are boringly hard. And you cant play 2 player until you've played single player *yawn*

  • Rambaldi #36 5 years ago

    "It doesn't have any depth to speak of, but it's unique"

    The Wii you mean?

  • MrFlintBlackman #37 5 years ago

    Rayman is quite simply the worst videogame character ever made, HOWEVER those little bunny rabbits need thier own 3D platformer!

    DIE! Rayman DIE!

  • smelly #38 5 years ago

    >It can't be jealousy so whats causing this ill feeling?

    For some reason people have decided to get another console, but are feeling insecure in their choice and are therefor wanting this to fail.

    .. i think.. never really understood hardware fanboys.

    I understand people who like their machine for whatever reason (even though its the games that matter), I can understand people who dont like a machine for its games. But all this "mines better than yours" or whatever rubbish belongs in the playground (notice how many of these kids keep pointing out it's "for kids".. thus pretty much proving they're pre-pubescent themselves?)
    Edited by 1 at 08/12/06 @ 00:27

  • HappyTreeFriend #39 5 years ago

    I have my Wii right now, just picked it up at Game. Its so small, smaller than i expected. Was told they had no accessories though, like extra wiimotes etc, so bought Wii play, gonna hook this up right now at work. Fingers crossed my boss doesnt catch me!

  • Muddtallica #40 5 years ago

    Ah, I can't be botherred involving myself in the hardware debate today, so I'll just say that this game looks quite fun, from what I've seen, and potentially pretty funny. If WarioWare wasn't approaching fast, I might have given it a go...

  • SBfistfun #41 5 years ago

    "Why knock the Wii? Nintendo decide to freshen up video games and drop out of the rat race and everyones on a downer with them. It can't be jealousy so whats causing this ill feeling? "

    I want the wii to do well, nothing ms or sony is doing interests me really (same games, now with shiney filter...woop...), but I can't help get the feeling the wii is a one trick Pony.

    Meh maybe I should take up model boat building or something

  • Rambaldi #42 5 years ago

    Guys, I've nothing against the Wii or Nintendo, I merely comment on what I think I'll feel about the console if I get one, which, as I've said before, would be a quick ride from novelty to boredom. If it does well, great!

    If more good games come out and early adopters get bored of theirs I'll probably get one second hand just to satisfy my curiosity. At least it offers a fresh approach over the 360 instead of a bigger pricetag for exactly the same thing 'a la' PS3.

    In the meantime: have a nice Wii ;)
    Edited by 1 at 08/12/06 @ 09:35

  • protragic #43 5 years ago

    yes 48th !!!!!111!!!
    btw crash > rayman

  • Darkedge #44 5 years ago

    Michael Ansell needs a good firm KICK IN THE TEETH for not properly testing this title - it's a damn good game but some levels just DO NOT WORK.
    Bunnies have natural rhythm for example you flick the wiimote to kick or punch dancing bunnies out, however it only detects the motion when it feel like it and you can spend 30 seconds of a 1 min level trying to get it to recognize the SAME GESTURE YOU DID FOR THE FIRST 30 SECONDS.

    Sloppy french gits.

  • BBIAJ #45 5 years ago

    Dude, it's Michel Ancel I believe... ;o)

  • Eighthours #46 5 years ago

    Bunnies have natural rhythm for example you flick the wiimote to kick or punch dancing bunnies out, however it only detects the motion when it feel like it and you can spend 30 seconds of a 1 min level trying to get it to recognize the SAME GESTURE YOU DID FOR THE FIRST 30 SECONDS.

    Ah good, I'm glad it's not only on my Wii that it does this! Can't complete the level as a consequence!

  • bdgr #47 5 years ago

    Ok so I (with the help of a friend) completed the story mode (at 92% - those tilting maze games are HARD!) in 3 days but I don't care - this is the funniest game I've ever played!

    Didn't seem to have any trouble on the dancing games except the latter ones were faster,

    Bunnies don't milk cows - But they can dance!

    Edited by 1 at 23/12/06 @ 20:32