Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 24
  2. Negative: 1 out of 24
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  1. Play Magazine
    100
    Rayman 3's most awesome attribute, as incredible as the movies, dialogue, and gameplay are, is a level of visual splendor that defies everything I've come to know about lighting effects in a video game. [Mar 2003, p.47]
  2. Innovation makes the experience feel awesome all the way through, whereas squirting a water pump with Mario lost its appeal to me within the first three hours of gameplay.
  3. Cheat Code Central
    90
    The one-liners and crazy situations alone are worth the price of admission. I don't want to give too much away but if the thought of being defecated on by a witch in her outhouse sounds bizarre to you, welcome to Rayman's world.
  4. 89
    Whether you're a Rayman fan who can't get enough of the limbless wonder, or an action-adventure-platforming gamer who enjoys sarcastic wit, gorgeous graphics, smooth framerates, and creative character abilities, Hoodlum Havoc is for you.
  5. The scenery looks so stunning that it tempts you to explore every corner.
  6. Nintendo Power
    86
    At times, the camera shows the action at awkward angles, but for the most aprt it's spot on. [Apr 2003, p.134]
  7. This self-referential back-and-forth sets this game apart from the crowded market of platformers that it mocks and imitates with equal finesse.
  8. A 3D platforming game set over a multitude of levels, there are lots of nifty ideas at work here... enjoyably offbeat and unexpectedly impressive.
  9. Doesn't blow the doors off Rayman 2, but it does further refine the formula, is completely worthy of the Rayman name, and is also one of the best platformers we've seen on the GameCube thus far.
  10. Aside from a few new gameplay aspects, this is "Rayman 2" all over again.
  11. I loved playing Rayman 3, its fun, colourful and very funny... Just don’t be expecting either a major leap forward for the platform game genre or a stiff challenge as its lacking in both.
  12. Special. More than just a simple upgrade, with loads of exciting and original levels, complete with a great developing storyline that will keep you pleasently happy along the way.
  13. From the story, to the music to graphics to the gameplay, Rayman 3 is fun to play.
  14. An amusing caper, but not an epic adventure like Rayman 2. Rayman 3 has some very strong qualities, but its brevity just cannot be ignored.
  15. 80
    With memorable voice acting, exciting gameplay and and great graphics, Rayman 3 is a 3-D platformers dream come true.
  16. 80
    Displays almost Zelda-like creativeness in its monsters and environments.
  17. 80
    Probably the game's biggest flaw is that it doesn't do anything new to woo over gamers who don't like platformers. But it does take a waning game style and pump it so full of energy, humor, and near-psychotic malevolence that you may have to play something tame such as "Ty the Tasmanian Tiger" just to come down afterward.
  18. “Rayman 2” was a better game, but Hoodlum Havoc nevertheless ranks as one of the best platform titles available. It's polished, smooth, and done with care and affection. The levels are gorgeous, inventive and worth exploring.
  19. It's pretty, it's quite a challenge, and is loaded with rewards. But you'll quickly come to the conclusion that for all its charms, it doesn't offer enough new ideas, and that its competition is just too strong.
  20. 70
    It’s kinda clever, but once you get the basic formula its not very challenging.
  21. 68
    The creators' scatterbrained ideas for ways to improve Rayman 3 over its direct predecessor has left the game shackled with a lot of half-baked, completely non-cohesive concepts and generally dull, repetitive, and tiresome gameplay.
  22. Edge Magazine
    50
    There's a certain amount of wit and flair evident throughout Hoodlum Havoc's cut-scenes, and there are certainly some very slick production values. The problem is that, in terms of raw enjoyment, the game is somehow underwhelming. [May 2003, p.104]
  23. GMR Magazine
    50
    Snide voice acting turns cutesy bit players Globox and Murfy into electronic annoyances, and Hoodlum Havoc revels in its lame humor. [Apr 2003, p.68]
  24. netjak
    30
    Sloppy and uninspired.

Awards & Rankings

39
47
#47 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2003
24
#24 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2003
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 39 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 39
  2. Negative: 0 out of 39
  1. JPK
    Aug 29, 2018
    8
    Not As Great As The First Two, But Still Worth It
    Rayman 3 Has All The Cleverness And Fun That The First Two Had.
  2. Aug 27, 2021
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. This is a pretty solid game with a great sense of humour and some sweet level design, yet I somehow found the earlier portion of the game funner than the later portion. Not sure what it is to be honest. Possibly because Murphy disappears very early on? I'm not sure. Full Review »
  3. Aug 24, 2021
    10
    I absolutely love this game one of my favorite games of all time and one of the most fun games of all time in my opinion!!