rabbids
Latest
Raving Rabbids Redux
Not the official name, of course, but damn if we shouldn't take up careers in marketing. Rayman Raving Rabbids, a game noted for being rather dichotomous in quality, will be receiving the sequel treatment on both the Wii and the DS.Alas, the style of the game seems to be untouched: perform in various minigames and encounter some marginally bearable screaming lagomorphs en route. We're hoping that with familiarity comes refinement: this may be the first direct sequel of a game released for the Wii, and thus familiarity with programming the motion controls may bring a more natural and elegant experience. If not, Ubisoft, prepare to get market slapped, because we're kind of getting sick of minigames.[Thanks, Squishey!]
Xbox 360 Rayman hints at Rabbid return
Rayman's adventure with the raving Rabbids may return rapidly to consoles. In a book packaged with the Xbox 360 of Rayman: Raving Rabbids there is a photo that says "The End?" A sequel for Rayman shouldn't be unexpected considering the game did well in sales and the Wii version was the non-Zelda title people purchased with their system.The pessimistic gamer would say that because the teaser photo (found after the break) was in the Xbox 360 version, and none of the others, that it will be an Xbox 360 exclusive. We don't care what system it's for as long as the Rabbids and Rayman are in a classic platformer this time around instead of a collection of mini-games. Please, no more high-profile mini-game based titles for the Wii. It's time to get the Rabbids in an action platformer where they can show off their zaniness and become the stars we know they are. The new mantra should be: Rabbids don't do mini-games, but they do dance![Via WiiFanboy]
Ubisale at Toys R Us
There have been a lot of sales to report lately! If you picked up a Wii at Toys R Us yesterday, you now have an opportunity to get some relatively good games for a decent price, from now until the 10th.Toys R Us is offering three Ubisoft-published Wii games for the price of two. Your choices are GT Pro Series, Open Season, Rayman: Raving Rabbids, Red Steel, and Monster 4x4: World Circuit. This offer is valid online, but we aren't sure about its status in TRU stores. If there are three games in that list you're interested in, or two games you're interested in and one you think you could get a decent price for on eBay, then you are in luck![Via QJ.net]
360 Raving Rabbids to use Vision camera
IGN reports that the Xbox 360 version of Rayman: Raving Rabbids will contain an unexpected surprise: Vision camera support. 37 of the game's 70+ plus mini-games will utilize the Vision camera for motion based control. These mini-games will include the FPS and dancing mini-games. The Xbox 360 version of Raving Rabbids will receive some graphical upgrades and some exclusive mini-games as well. Two of the new exclusive mini-games include "Bunnies Don't Play Basketball" and "Bunnies Don't Play Rock, Paper, Scissors."The addition of Vision camera support is certainly welcome, as the peripheral's motion sensing capabilities have been underutilized thus far in its lifespan. Rayman: Raving Rabbids assaults the Xbox 360 this March. Just in case you're unfamiliar with the game, we've embedded a special Valentine's Day video after the break.[Via Digg]
Bunnies can't stand Christmas
Personally, we find ourselves filled with anger at the thought that we are unable to procure such excellent ornaments for our Christmas tree. Seriously, what kind of world do we live in where we can't hang raving rabbids like tinsel? Regardless of our anger, at least the rest of the video makes up for it in humor. Juicy, luscious humor ...As always, the video is available after the jump.
Japanese hardware sales, 27 November - 3 December: You'll Just Have To Watch And Find Out Edition
There isn't much to be said here. You wanted awesome? You got awesome.- Wii: 350,358 [New Entry!]- DS Lite: 176,901 24,477 (12.15%)- PS3: 31,436 1,226 (3.75%) - PSP: 23,917 6,898 (22.39%) - PS2: 23,115 3,148 (11.99%) - Xbox 360: 4,053 2,954 (42.16%) - GBA SP: 1,572308 (24.37%) - Game Boy Micro: 1,252 17 (1.38%) - Gamecube: 821 245 (42.53%) - DS Phat: 140 72 (33.96%) - GBA: 22 5 (18.52%) - Xbox: 11 11 (N / A)[Source: Media Create]
Metareview: Rayman Raving Rabbids
The Wii launch window is teeming with minigame madness. Between Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz, the upcoming WarioWare: Smooth Moves, and the devil bunnies in Rayman Raving Rabbids, what's a gamer to do? Time to check out the reviews. So far, Rayman and the legions of rabbids haven't seen a lot of review time, but what's out there seems solid. Looking for twisted humor, cow tossing, and freaky bunnies? Rayman's got it.Deeko - 85%: A lot of people are spoiled because of the next-gen graphics seen on the Xbox 360 and the PS3, but the fact of the matter is the graphics in Rayman are very good and serve to prove that this little system has more power than you'd think. The game's overall presentation is wonderfully colorful, superbly animated and highly detailed, running at a very fluid 30 frames per second. Those who feel jaded because the graphics aren't on par with a next-gen console need to get over themselves, because the game is visually quite impressive and that's no small feat. Musically, the soundtrack is all over the place in terms of presentation, with some very strange Rabbid renditions of classic rock tunes, coupled with a handful of interesting musical pieces created for the game. It's eclectic, most certainly, but works quite well. The voices are more like odd sound bytes, which is very traditional Rayman and that is a very good thing. The Rabbid voiceovers are particularly amusing and only add to their overall charm and allure. IGN - 83%: Purists, traditionalists, conventional snobs - none of these people will be happy to read it, but Ubisoft's Rayman Ravving Rabbids completely ditches the franchise's trademark platformer background. Let's be clear to avoid any confusion: there is no platforming to be found in this Wii-exclusive title, which arrives from the undeniably talented Beyond Good & Evil team, led by Rayman creator Michel Ancel. In place of those run-and-jump levels are mini-games designed around the Wii remote. There is a central storyline that sews the minis together, but make no mistake: this project is Ubisoft's deeper, prettier WarioWare. It may not follow the classic Rayman template, but Rabbids is nevertheless a welcomed addition to Wii's launch lineup for it is a fun and oftentimes hilarious game and an ideal choice for the old-school and new-school alike ... The majority of minis in the title are fun whether you're playing by yourself or with friends, although there are the occasional duds. The biggest drawback is that many of the minis are not designed for simultaneous play; instead you go in sequence. But even with that being true the experience is still engaging and addictive and the title's sense of humor is in a league of its own. It is almost unfair to label this effort a Rayman game because the real stars of the project are the bunnies, whose blank faces and inevitable agonized screams will make you laugh over and over again.
Rayman Raving Rabbids rumors debunked [update 1]
When a game like Rayman Raving Rabbids has this much hype, the rumors go flying. It turns into a he said, she said ordeal and 1up has put that to an end. For those of you thinking that this is strictly a platformer, you are wrong friend. This, as Nintendo cleared up, is a mini-game collection. As 1up tells us: The single-player story mode does feature Rayman running around in third-person along the lines of a platformer in places, but these places are limited to the game's overworld hub set in a gladiator arena. There is no "gameplay" connected to these scenes -- they simply involve moving Rayman from one challenge to another, without camera control, watching cinema sequences and earning prizes like costumes. Next, the rumor going around that the FPS mini-game has the player changing directions with the analog stick is false. The game automatically moves you and you aim with the Wiimote. Lastly, Rayman Raving Rabbids has not been moved to release in 2007. It is considered a launch title and looks like it will be one of the best (right after Zelda, of course). [Update: Fixed a typo.]
Raving Rabbids confirmed for DS
Crazy, crack-addict-like bunnies (er, rabbids) are threatening the world and our limbless hero, Rayman, is going to save our butts. He was originally only going to come to the rescue of those owning a Nintendo Wii. Just in case a Wii can't be purchased (even though we know you all are going to get one, right?), Ubisoft has announced that Rayman Raving Rabbids (try saying that five times fast) will also be available on the Nintendo DS. This also makes us question how Raving Rabbids will work on the DS. Stylus punching furry tails action? Or just plain 'ol directional pad plus ABXY?
Rayman exclusive to Wii until May 2007
We all knew that the Wii version of Rayman: Raving Rabbids is the main game, with ports of that version hitting other next-gen systems. What we didn't know, however, is that the Wii has exclusivity to the title for 6 months, meaning that the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game will not be released until May of 2007. Rayman: Raving Rabbids is set to release in November of this year.
A couple more Rayman videos
With the Leipzig Games Convention going on, a couple more videos of everyone's favorite crazed bunnies have hit the intertubes and are among the best of the bunch. Well, they're all among the best of the bunch, so...I guess...well...take it as you wish. While our usual procedure is to embed the video into the post, since we've got two we must ask that you click the continue link and check them both out, embedded, after the break.[Thanks Marc!]
Rayman Raving Rabbids interview, new info revealed
A Nintendo magazine in France recently held an interview with the development team of the upcoming launch title Rayman Raving Rabbids. Thanks to a wily, bilingual forum poster (thanks, Jing_Ke!), we now have some new information. The story mode of the game is divided into fifteen game days. On each day, you wake up in jail, where you can enter the hub area "Rabbit Arena". This area gives access to five mini-games per day: four regular mini-games, and a boss battle. If you do well, the rabbits will reward you with various costumes or decorations. Another mode exists where you can play the mini-games freely, multiplayer if desired. The length of the games are discussed (much longer than, say, those found in Wario Ware), and they reveal that around seventy games will be in the final version. Alas, no classic platformer for us...are you disappointed? Hopefully, Sonic and the Secret Rings can fulfill those lingering desires to fall to your death while jumping to a platform inexplicably floating in mid-air.
Fresh Raving Rabbids scans
Two new scans have hit the net for Michel Ancel's latest title Rayman Raving Rabbids. The scans, which look like they could be from a German Nintendo Power or some such other magazine, depict a sad, imprisoned Rayman, along with his purple, dance-loving, alter-ego escaping from several bunny UFOs on the wings of a hawk. It looks as if we get a peek at one of the game's many minigames as well.In what appears to be some sort of disgusting peeping Tom exercise, we assume Rayman must quickly open doors to bathroom stalls where bunnies are trying to "do their thing." We're sure this minigame will end up being a lot more fun, and less disgusting, once we actually see it in action.Honestly though, why are the bunnies holding plungers if there is obviously no plumbing?
Raving Rabbid scans and article
Some scans from what we're assuming is the latest issue of Nintendo Power have hit the net and there is a rather lengthy, screen-filled article centered around Rayman and these "raving rabbids" we keep hearing so much about. In the article, it's confirmed that the game plays more like a collection of minigames huddled around one central platforming theme, as opposed to a game that is nothing but platforming. Ancel feels that taking this approach allows him to maximize the different uses of the Wiimote. The article also begins to mention what we are assuming is some ability to share trial times and records online, but the page continuing that paragraph seems to be missing from the spread.[Via Go Nintendo]
Bunnies do not value privacy
The facts just keep on coming. As the latest video to shed light on Rayman's furry, crazed captors, this little humdinger shows that these bunnies lack basic knowledge of privacy...or just enjoy making us feel uncomfortable. Come on, we did not want to see that!He better have washed his hands...
Raving Rabbids gets the preview treatment
Now that's one ugly bunny!Apparently the ruler of the cannibalistic humanoid underground-dwelling bunnies (see: rabbids), this dude is not a member of the Rayman fan club. As such, Rayman must utilize the power of appeal and gain popularity in the underground society in order to challenge the status of this hulking behemoth. During the preview, it's revealed that Michel Ancel's major inspiration for this game was the movie Gladiator. As such, Rayman will take part in over 70 different scenarios where he must entertain the bunnies, winning them over into his fan club. These different contests is where the versatility of the Wiimote most appealed to Ancel. By winning these contests, and in turn the admiration of these insane bunnies, Rayman can then unlock items to customize his jail cell.
Bunny tries to milk prancing cow
We're just loving these little bunny factoids that keep popping up. First we found out that bunnies can't play soccer. After that, we were plunged deep into the dangerous bunny underworld of high stakes street racing to take a look at their inability to properly clean. And now, we see the above bunny attempt to extract succulent milk from the udder of a cow.Do bunnies even drink milk, anyway?[Via Go Nintendo]
Michel Ancel discusses Raving Rabbids
Michel Ancel, whom's past contributions to the gaming world give him near-godlike status, recently sat down with the resident Wii guy Matt over at IGN and discussed the upcoming Rayman: Raving Rabbids. The focus of the title, which is more humor-based rather than an epic tale of lost civilizations or some such other conflict, is about "Love and power!" Michel even goes on to discuss, rather in-depth, what the control scheme on the launch title will be. With the nunchuk attachment dictating movement, rolling, and jumping, the Wiimote will be utilized to fight, ride animals (such as that spider), and...dance. No, that isn't a joke.
