Rayman Raving Rabbids

I enjoyed the many mini-games I played, had a great time watching these little punk bastards suffer at my expense and loved thrusting plungers in their furry little faces. I would have like a bit more of a multiplayer challenge and some of the mini-games are less than fun, but on the whole, I rose up and took down as many Rabbids as possible.

Aside from the seemingly requisite handful of games that just plain suck -- including a particularly painful one that has you slamming shut doors (via a shake of the Nunchuk), which sounds simple, but is infuriating as you attempt to find the sweet spot or figure out why it just doesn't respond to your commands sometimes -- the game's biggest fault is its surprising shortage of full-on multiplayer games.

In terms of quality of minigames, Raving Rabbids is probably the best the party game genre has ever seen.

More than just Mario Party with a different mascot, Rayman Raving Rabbids makes great use of the Wii technology to create a bizarrely enjoyable minigame collection.

The team obviously had a blast making Raving Rabbids; I only wish they had prolonged that enjoyment to deliver a meatier game. [Jan. 2007, p.97]

This is one of the funniest games ever made, and a fantastic way to teach yourself the controls of the Wii while simultaneously charming friends into understanding why you just spent a few hundred dollars on this new game system.

Hitting bunnies on the heads with shovels – Yeah, it’s as awesome as it sounds. Don’t worry, they have super thick skulls.

The game is almost fully realized although it suffers from some repetition, but that gives it room for improvement. I will patiently be awaiting "Rayman Raving Rabbids 2."

What you'd expect from a Wii launch game: It gives you a sampler platter of uses for the console's new tech, with plenty of exaggerated movements and bite-sized variety that's best in small doses.

The games repeat core mechanics too often, many solo games go on too long for good alternating multiplayer, and while it’s safe to say the Wii version is going to be the superior one, it doesn’t lend itself to extended play due to the repetition and possible physical strain.

It uses the Wii controller well, but it's samey and multi-player isn't as good as expected. [Christmas 2006, p.84]

One can only hope that a sequel will improve on certain issues, such as a few clunky mini-games that eat away at the fun factor, but overall, for the sense of humor, entertaining presentation, and the online scoreboards, Rayman is the winner in this launch battle.

This game is funny - and we mean genuinely laugh-out-loud hilarious at times. [Christmas 2006, p.90]

A huge demo machine that manages to show gamers what the controller is capable of while providing an entertaining single-player and multiplayer mode.

While fun, expect the bunnies to outlast the gameplay.

Following through on a game plan of innovation and entertainment, they stuffed the game to the brim with personality.

It's a neat show of some of the inventive ways developers might be able to use the Wii-mote in the future, but it's not really worth the 50 dollars unless you really dig its quirky style or absolutely love minigames.

It certainly isn’t a game you can just turn on and enjoy any time, but if you plan on throwing many shindigs, make sure and invite Rayman Raving Rabbids.

I know a lot of people will feel there are better uses for their new game system than a minigame collection, but I also know that many of these same people will be having a blast with their family playing Wii Sports during the holidays.

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.

Enjoyable in short bursts, it screams gimmicks rather than great ideas. [January 2007, p.52]

A great introduction to the Wii’s unique abilities and a party game most people will enjoy. The bunnies are the real stars of the game, and are its main source of humour and interest.

Like "Wii Sports," it is the perfect title to show off the Wii to friends, family and an excellent game to have in your library for those times where you just want to sit back, have a little fun and some laughs.

After countless releases Rayman has finally got a foothold in our hearts. It might become largely forgotten once we finally get our teeth into "Wario Ware: Smooth Moves" but for now it’s the party game of choice only slightly bettered by "Wii Sports" and "Super Monkey Ball" for sheer enjoyment on the Wii.

If you're looking for a fun demonstration of what the Wii controller can do, a strong party game, or just a game to have a good laugh over, Rayman Raving Rabbids is a great choice.

Anyone who puts a few minutes with Rayman will have a hard time walking away without having smiled or laughed, and given that the bulk of the gameplay is so incredibly infectious simply adds up to one of the best launch offerings for the Wii.

But in the end, Rabbids feels more like a Wii-mote demo than a full game--not enough flesh on the bone. [Jan. 2007, p.66]

Raving Rabbids is at its best as a single-player game performed solo or in front of onlookers unaware of Montpellier's twisted sense of humor or what the heck a "Wii" is. [Jan. 2007, p.66]

A lot of fun with a group of friends, but only after you've put the time in to unlock all the mini-games, or if you have an SD card and access to the Internet to download a completed save file.

It's also a much more entertaining single-player experience than the other party games available for the Wii, although clearly doesn't offer the depth that a Rayman platformer would have.

It may be disappointing to some that this title isn't a new platform game featuring Ubisoft's limbless hero, but what Wii owners ended up with is a pretty worthy substitute.

Served with a side dish of humor, Rayman Raving Rabbids makes use of the Nintendo Wii's motion sensor and gives the next best answer to a Wario game.

A good game without the substance to make it a great one.

A party game collection for which you have to work far too hard to get much of a chance to party. [Jan 2007, p.82]

For those with a twisted sense of humor or just a serious case of attention deficit disorder, Raving Rabbids is not to be missed.

Whoever thought the word “masterpiece” could ever be in the same sentence as “mini-game”?

Rayman Raving Rabbids is a fun-size Wii title with universal appeal. It can’t be considered a serious gamer’s game by any stretch, though it will make you laugh a lot, and even has some staying power with the multiplayer challenges and extra modes to unlock. [Jan 2007, p.108]

A funny collection of mini games. Nothing more, nothing less. [Jan 2007]

Sheer enthusiasm is what carries this product though and, when played in the right environment, it’s absolutely hilarious.

The characters are just as brilliantly executed, with a range of facial expressions, voices and movements that would do any animator proud.

There aren't many unique mini-games after the first few stages.

With innovative use of the Wii-mote and some pretty stylish graphics and sound, this game is definitely worth the price of admission.

Although the gameplay has issues and the multiplayer is weak, the variety of mini-games is a perfect way to show off exactly what the console can do.

If you're looking for a game which truly showcases what the Wii is all about, or if you're looking for a game to match your own twisted sense of humor, you'd do yourself a disservice by not picking up Raving Rabbids.

Lowbrow humor aside, Raving Rabbids still succeeds in being a far more compelling party game than a lot of its competition on the Wii.

A creative, hilarious game that everyone needs to play just for the experience.

The real downfall for the game is that there simply isn’t enough content in Rayman: Raving Rabbids to keep you interested for a great deal of time.

Even if there aren't any kids in your household, you owe it to yourself to pick this one up if you've got a Wii.

If you are a fan of mini-games, then Rayman Raving Rabbids is easy to recommend. Though some games are repeated in different forms, and some controls problems are present, there is certainly plenty of fun to be had.

A great compilation of mini-games, some of which have actual depth, and an infectious sense of frenzy and humor make this an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a Wii title that will flaunt and justify their new hardware purchase.

If every mini-game collection was as solid and cohesive as this one, it would be a beautiful time to be a mini-gamer.

Even though it's all mini-games, and as much as you may hate the association of Wii and kiddy-esque mini-games, the humour is something that everyone can enjoy.