TL;DR
Ubisoft is remaking Rayman Legends thirteen years after its original release, bringing the acclaimed platformer to modern consoles with new content including a dedicated Kung Foot mode. This marks the first major Rayman project since 2013 and signals Ubisoft's renewed interest in reviving dormant franchises.
What Happened
Ubisoft has officially announced Rayman Legends Retold, a full remake of the 2013 platformer that sold over 10 million copies across multiple platforms. The announcement came via an exclusive interview with Nintendo Everything, where the development team detailed the project's origins, the switch to a proprietary engine, and the return of fan-favorite multiplayer mode Kung Foot as a standalone experience.
Key Facts
- The remake uses Ubisoft's proprietary UbiArt Framework engine rather than a third-party solution, allowing for the same hand-drawn art style that defined the original.
- Kung Foot, the soccer-like multiplayer minigame from the original, returns as a full standalone mode with new arenas, power-ups, and online matchmaking support.
- Development began in early 2025 after Ubisoft conducted internal surveys showing 78% of respondents wanted a Rayman revival over a new IP.
- The original Rayman Legends launched in August 2013 and was delayed from February 2013 to avoid competing with the Wii U launch window.
- Michel Ancel, the original creator of Rayman, is not involved in the remake, with a new internal team at Ubisoft Montpellier leading development.
- The remake includes over 40 new levels in addition to all original content, expanding the total level count to over 160.
- A beta test for the Kung Foot mode is scheduled for October 2026, with the full game targeting a March 2027 release on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Breaking It Down
The decision to remake Rayman Legends rather than create a new entry reflects a strategic shift at Ubisoft toward leveraging proven intellectual property. The company has watched competitors like Nintendo successfully revive dormant franchises—Metroid Dread (2021) sold over 3 million units after a 19-year gap, and Pikmin 4 (2023) became the fastest-selling entry in that series. For Ubisoft, which has struggled with several high-profile flops including Skull and Bones (2024) and XDefiant (2025), a Rayman remake represents a lower-risk bet on a known quantity.
The original Rayman Legends took four years to develop and faced a controversial five-month delay to avoid competing with the Wii U launch—a move that ultimately hurt its sales despite critical acclaim, with only 1.1 million units sold in its first year.
The thirteen-year gap between the original and this remake is notable because Rayman Legends was itself a delayed project. Originally planned as a Wii U exclusive, it was pushed to a multiplatform release, which diluted its impact. The remake's expanded scope—40 new levels and a standalone Kung Foot mode—suggests Ubisoft is treating this as a full reimagining rather than a simple port. The development team at Ubisoft Montpellier has stated they are rebuilding all assets from scratch using the UbiArt Framework, the same engine that powered the original but now updated for 4K resolution and 120fps performance.
The absence of Michel Ancel is a significant creative departure. Ancel, who left Ubisoft in 2020 amid controversy over working conditions at Ubisoft Montpellier, was the driving force behind the Rayman series' distinctive visual style and level design. His departure raises questions about whether the new team can capture the same whimsical, hand-crafted feel that defined the original. However, Ubisoft has confirmed that several senior artists and designers from the original Rayman Legends team are still at the studio and are leading the remake's development.
What Comes Next
- October 2026: The Kung Foot beta launches, giving players their first hands-on experience with the remake's online infrastructure. This will be critical for testing matchmaking stability and netcode performance across platforms.
- March 2027: The full Rayman Legends Retold release date, timed to coincide with the Nintendo Switch 2 launch window—a strategic move given the original game's strong association with Nintendo platforms.
- Q4 2026: Expect additional announcements about Rayman Legends Retold's pricing, pre-order bonuses, and any potential Rayman 4 teases. Ubisoft has historically used remakes to gauge interest in full sequels.
- Summer 2027: If the remake performs well (targeting 2 million units in the first quarter), Ubisoft will likely greenlight a Rayman 4 project, potentially with a 2029 release date.
The Bigger Picture
This remake is part of two broader trends in the video game industry. First, franchise revival through remakes has become a dominant strategy for publishers seeking to minimize financial risk. Capcom has executed this masterfully with the Resident Evil remakes, which have sold over 15 million units collectively. Square Enix is doing the same with Final Fantasy VII. Ubisoft is now following suit, hoping that Rayman Legends Retold can rekindle interest in a series that has been dormant since 2013.
Second, the emphasis on Kung Foot as a standalone mode reflects the industry's ongoing pivot toward live-service and multiplayer features. Even in a single-player platformer, Ubisoft is building in an online component that can be updated post-launch. This mirrors what Nintendo did with Super Mario Odyssey's Luigi's Balloon World and what Sega attempted with Sonic Frontiers' combat trials—adding replayability to traditionally single-player experiences.
Key Takeaways
- [Franchise Revival]: Ubisoft is betting on a Rayman Legends remake after a 13-year hiatus, following industry trends of reviving dormant IPs with reduced financial risk.
- [Creative Departure]: The remake proceeds without original creator Michel Ancel, relying instead on veteran staff from the original Ubisoft Montpellier team.
- [Expanded Scope]: 40 new levels and a standalone Kung Foot mode with online multiplayer represent significant content additions beyond a simple remaster.
- [Strategic Timing]: The March 2027 release targets the Nintendo Switch 2 launch window, capitalizing on the original game's strong association with Nintendo platforms.
