GameTimeline

Release & story order

Rayman timeline

Rayman from the 1995 original through Rayman Legends (2013)—US release dates, classic Glade of Dreams trilogy continuity, and FAQ for the Origins reboot pair, Rayman 2 platform differences, Rabbids spin-offs, and Legends Definitive Edition.

Updated July 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When Ubisoft shipped each mainline chapter—Rayman (1995), Rayman 2: The Great Escape (1999), Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc (2003), Rayman Origins (2011), then Rayman Legends (2013). Rabbids spin-offs, Arena fighters, and mobile adventures are FAQ-only.

  • Classic saga → Story tab: Rayman → Rayman 2 → Rayman 3
  • Release order → includes Origins reboot pair after Rayman 3
  • Newcomers → Origins then Legends on modern stores—FAQ
  • Rabbids and Rayman Arena—FAQ only
Story order tips

Classic Glade of Dreams saga: Rayman → Rayman 2 → Rayman 3. Release order includes Origins and Legends as a separate reboot branch—Story order excludes them.

  • Core canon: Rayman → Rayman 2 → Rayman 3
  • Origins/Legends are a separate reboot—ignore on Story order
  • Rayman 2 N64 vs Dreamcast—same story, different levels—FAQ
  • On Story order, Rayman 3 may be hidden—reveal when ready

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Rayman

    Rayman

    PS1JaguarPCPlatformerMainline

    Rayman vs Mr Dark across the Glade of Dreams.

    Overview
    Ubisoft's limbless hero platformer—hand-drawn art and tight PS1/Jaguar launch.
    In-game setting
    Story chapter one—classic Glade of Dreams origin.
    Should you play it?
    Essential start for classic continuity.
    Release date
    US PS1 launch September 9, 1995.
  2. Rayman 2: The Great Escape

    Rayman 2: The Great Escape

    N64DreamcastPS2PCPlatformerMainline

    Robo-Pirates invade—four lums of cosmic knowledge.

    Overview
    3D platforming leap—cinematic story and hub worlds; N64 and Dreamcast versions differ.
    In-game setting
    Direct sequel to Rayman—play after classic Rayman 1.
    Should you play it?
    Rayman 2 version differences—FAQ.
    Release date
    US N64 launch November 8, 1999.
  3. Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc

    Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc

    PS2GameCubeXboxPCPlatformerMainline

    André the Black Lum—power-ups and timed score chases.

    Overview
    Classic trilogy finale—combo combat and Hoodlum army siege.
    In-game setting
    Last classic-line chapter before Origins reboot.
    Should you play it?
    Play before Origins on Release order.
    Release date
    US launch March 18, 2003.
  4. Rayman Origins

    Rayman Origins

    PS3Xbox 360WiiPCPlatformerReboot

    Glade of Dreams in chaos—hand-drawn co-op platformer reboot.

    Overview
    Ubisoft Montpellier reboot—2D art revival and four-player co-op.
    In-game setting
    Release row only—not classic Story order with Rayman 3.
    Should you play it?
    Separate reboot arc with Legends—FAQ.
    Release date
    US launch November 15, 2011.
  5. Rayman Legends

    Rayman Legends

    PS3Xbox 360Wii UPS4Xbox OnePCSwitchPlatformerReboot

    Murfy and musical levels—Origins sequel in reboot style.

    Overview
    Critically acclaimed 2D platformer—daily challenges and Kung Fu stages.
    In-game setting
    Latest mainline Rayman platformer as of June 2026.
    Should you play it?
    Play after Origins on reboot branch only.
    Release date
    US launch September 3, 2013. Definitive Edition on PS4/XOne later.

FAQ

Release vs story order, classic vs Origins reboot, Rayman 2 versions, and spin-offs.

Release order

Release order follows US launch dates and includes Rayman Origins and Rayman Legends (2011–2013 reboot pair) after Rayman 3. Story order is the classic Glade of Dreams trilogy: Rayman → Rayman 2 → Rayman 3—excluding Origins and Legends.

Classic path: Rayman 1–3 via PC/legacy console stores or Ubisoft+. Modern path: Rayman Origins → Rayman Legends (Definitive Edition on Switch/PS4/XOne/PC)—same reboot story, best on current hardware. Pick one branch unless you want both styles—FAQ.

Story & canon

Rayman Origins and Rayman Legends are a 2011–2013 soft reboot—hand-drawn 2D co-op platformers with lighter lore ties to the 1995–2003 trilogy. They appear on Release order with a Reboot tag but not on Story order with Rayman 3. Legends is a direct sequel to Origins within that branch.

Same story across versions—Robo-Pirates and the four lums. N64 (1999 US) and Dreamcast (2000) differ in levels and cutscenes; Rayman 2: Revolution (PS2) adds content. Any one version counts for Story order—pick the best port you own—FAQ.

Remasters & ports

Rayman Legends Definitive Edition (2017, PS4/XOne/Switch/PC) bundles Origins levels and extras—it is not a separate Release or Story row. Buy it instead of last-gen Legends where available.

Optional & related

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.