History AwesomeMusic / Rayman

For an obscure game this game has a surprisingly good, complex and dynamic soundtrack. It has two gameplay styles, Racing and Battling. In Battle mode each arena has its own musical track with the music getting more frantic as the match comes to a close. All of them feel otherworldly. But the race music works like this: each character has his/her own {{Leitmotif}}, each with a different genre, that plays [[VariableMix when you're in first place. The longer you race, the better it gets.]] The four main worlds have different themes ([[AncientTomb The Crypts]], [[PalmtreePanic The Lagoon]], [[GangplankGalleon The Pirate Stronghold]] and [[EternalEngine The Factory]]) that change each characters' themes to fit that world. The NSTC only Gamecube and Xbox versions (''Rayman Arena'') of the characters' leitmotifs often have different instrumentations than the PAL and NSTC PC and PS2 versions (''Rayman M'').

** [[http://hosting.raymanpc.com/raytunes/music/RM/011%20-%20The%20Crypts%20~%20Rayman%20(Rayman%20M).mp3 Rayman's theme]]. The ''Arena'' Factory is more [[http://hosting.raymanpc.com/raytunes/music/RM/083%20-%20The%20Factory%20~%20Rayman%20(Rayman%20Arena).mp3 electronic.]]
** Globox's theme is really silly, this one is different between ''M'' and ''Arena'', each uses a different horn: [[http://hosting.raymanpc.com/raytunes/music/RM/059%20-%20The%20Pirate%20Stronghold%20~%20Globox%20(Rayman%20M).mp3 M's Pirate's Stronghold]] and [[http://hosting.raymanpc.com/raytunes/music/RM/060%20-%20The%20Pirate%20Stronghold%20~%20Globox%20(Rayman%20Arena).mp3 Arena Pirate's Stronghold]].
** [[http://hosting.raymanpc.com/raytunes/music/RM/015%20-%20The%20Crypts%20~%20The%20Teensies%20(Rayman%20M).mp3 The Teensies' techno theme is fenonminal.]]

** [[http://hosting.raymanpc.com/raytunes/music/RM/023%20-%20The%20Crypts%20~%20Razorwife%20(Rayman%20M).mp3 Razorwife]] has Opera of all things. Still really good, especially when there are strings in the arrangemnt. In ''Arena'''s Factory the singer gets a [[http://hosting.raymanpc.com/raytunes/music/RM/095%20-%20The%20Factory%20~%20Razorwife%20(Rayman%20Arena).mp3 robotic filter]].

** [[http://hosting.raymanpc.com/raytunes/music/RM/079%20-%20Ly's%20Palace.mp3 Ly's Palace.]]

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN5FR3wYYAA The Walk of Life.]] The opening is slow and funkalicious, and then the main melody kicks in... And it's interspersed with what can only be described as a flute teasing you by going "Nyeh-nyeh nyeh nyeeeeh nyeh!"
** The first ''Rayman'' GameBoy game featured [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SdXXvbfHsM an epic 8-bit remix of this song.]] Used in--where else?--''BandLand!''

For an obscure game this game has a surprisingly good, complex and dynamic soundtrack. So let's explain:
This game has two gameplay styles, Racing and Battling. It can be described as Rayman 2's long lost multiplayer brother of a different engine. Both modes have do different things. In Battle mode each arena has its own musical track with the music getting more frantic as the match is coming to a close. All of them feel otherworldly.

But he race music works like this:
1: Each character has his/her own [[{{Leitmotif}} leitmotif]], each with a different genre, that plays [[{{VariableMix}} when you're in first place. The longer you race, the better it gets.]]
2: There four main worlds with different themes (''[[AncientTomb The Crypts]]'', ''[[PalmtreePanic The Lagoon]]'', ''[[GangplankGalleon The Pirate Stronghold]]'' and ''[[EternalEngine The Factory]]'') that changes each characters' theme to fit that world. Most of the times its the beat.
3: The NSTC only Gamecube and Xbox versions (Which we're calling ''Rayman Arena'') of the characters' leitmotifs have often different instrumentations than the PAL and NSTC PC and PS2 versions (of which music were referring as ''Rayman M''). And it still has different instrumentation. This is the most obvious with Globox and Tily Leitmotifs.
We left Rayman Rush out because to make it less difficult to explain. It has only the Racing portions of the other versions and the same music as Rayman M.

With that said, the changes are most of the time minor and sometimes non-existent. What version you prefer is up to you. If it's not specified what version it is, it is the ''Rayman M'''s The Crypt variant.

Racing:
* [[http://hosting.raymanpc.com/raytunes/music/RM/011%20-%20The%20Crypts%20~%20Rayman%20(Rayman%20M).mp3 Rayman's theme]]. The ''Arena'' Factory is more [[http://hosting.raymanpc.com/raytunes/music/RM/083%20-%20The%20Factory%20~%20Rayman%20(Rayman%20Arena).mp3 electronic.]]
* Globox's theme is really silly, this one is different between ''M'' and ''Arena'', each uses a different horn: ''[[http://hosting.raymanpc.com/raytunes/music/RM/059%20-%20The%20Pirate%20Stronghold%20~%20Globox%20(Rayman%20M).mp3 M's Pirate's Stronghold]]'' and ''[[http://hosting.raymanpc.com/raytunes/music/RM/060%20-%20The%20Pirate%20Stronghold%20~%20Globox%20(Rayman%20Arena).mp3 Arena Pirate's Stronghold]]''
* [[http://hosting.raymanpc.com/raytunes/music/RM/015%20-%20The%20Crypts%20~%20The%20Teensies%20(Rayman%20M).mp3 The Teensies' techno theme is fenonminal.]]
* Razorbeard's theme fits great in [[http://hosting.raymanpc.com/raytunes/music/RM/064%20-%20The%20Pirate%20Stronghold%20~%20Razorbeard%20(Rayman%20Arena).mp3 ''The Pirate Stronghold''.]]
* Henchman 800 is a nice rocking piece. It, perhaps, works the best in ''M'''s ''[[http://hosting.raymanpc.com/raytunes/music/RM/090%20-%20The%20Factory%20~%20Henchman%20800%20(Rayman%20M).mp3 Factory]]''
* Tily's just whimsical. Just like Globox's theme, her main are different between ''M'' and ''Arena''. Get's a lovely sax at the end of [[http://hosting.raymanpc.com/raytunes/music/RM/068%20-%20The%20Pirate%20Stronghold%20~%20Tily%20(Rayman%20Arena).mp3 ''Arena'''s ''Pirate Stronghold'']]
* [[http://hosting.raymanpc.com/raytunes/music/RM/023%20-%20The%20Crypts%20~%20Razorwife%20(Rayman%20M).mp3 Razorwife]] has Opera of all things. Still really good espesceally when there are strings the arrangemnt. In ''Arena'''s ''Factory'' the singer gets a [[http://hosting.raymanpc.com/raytunes/music/RM/095%20-%20The%20Factory%20~%20Razorwife%20(Rayman%20Arena).mp3 robotic filter]].
* [[http://hosting.raymanpc.com/raytunes/music/RM/071%20-%20The%20Pirate%20Stronghold%20~%20Henchman%201000%20(Rayman%20M).mp3 ''The Pirate Stronghold'' Henchman 1000]]

Battle:
* [[http://hosting.raymanpc.com/raytunes/music/RM/031%20-%20Shadow%20Plain.mp3 Shadow Plain is suitably creepy for its location.]]
* [[http://hosting.raymanpc.com/raytunes/music/RM/032%20-%20Rise%20and%20Shrine.mp3 Rise & Shrine]] might just be the most beautiful in this game, both audibly and visually. It's almost a precursor to Rayman 3's Land of the Livid Dead
* [[http://hosting.raymanpc.com/raytunes/music/RM/033%20-%20Sunset%20Coast.mp3 Sunset Coast]] the relaxing part doubles as the pause music in ''Arena''
* [[http://hosting.raymanpc.com/raytunes/music/RM/054%20-%20Haunted%20Yard.mp3 Haunted Yard's]] music does it job really well.
* [[http://hosting.raymanpc.com/raytunes/music/RM/055%20-%20Palm%20Beach.mp3 Palm Beach]]
* [[http://hosting.raymanpc.com/raytunes/music/RM/078%20-%20Spellbound%20Forest.mp3 Spellbound Forest]] knows how to make itself enchanted.
* [[http://hosting.raymanpc.com/raytunes/music/RM/079%20-%20Ly's%20Palace.mp3 Ly's Palace]]
* [[http://hosting.raymanpc.com/raytunes/music/RM/102%20-%20Forgotten%20Dungeon.mp3 Forgotten Dungeon]] is a remix of the menu theme.
* [[http://hosting.raymanpc.com/raytunes/music/RM/106%20-%20Spooky%20Towers.mp3 Spooky Towers]]

Other:

* The title screen, also used for the first part of the Fairy Council level.
* The Fairy Council features ethereal, beautiful music that, coupled with some SceneryPorn, takes your breath away.
* The music that plays during the Funkyboard segments fits the kaleidoscopic background and surrealness of the segments quite well.
* Razoff's Mansion, played while Rayman chases him through his mansion. A Baroque-style piece that evokes the culture of aristocracy- though Razoff proves to be anything but.
* The theme of the Land of the Livid Dead is absolutely beautiful and matches the otherworldly/beautiful landscape. The theme is remixed through the various levels, but the very first version might be the best of them all.
* "Hoodoo Sorcerer" is one incredibly funky and catchy song.
* The latter half of the Tower of the Leptys, with the Armiguiddon, features some of the most twisted, bizarre music in the game.
* Reflux's battle theme is ''ridiculously'' intense. The didgeridoo-like melody and vocals all combine into one awesome track that's fitting for the strongest of the Knaaren.
* The Snow Board theme in the Summit Beyond the Clouds is a funky track that demonstrates both the wonders of a snowy land and the rush of adrenaline you get while riding down the mountains.

* The Precipice perfectly captures the frantic pace of the level as Rayman, high up in the mountains, desperately attempts to out-run a pirate ship destroying the bridges under his feet. Especially noteworthy is the way the track alternates between the pirates' and Rayman's motifs.
* Tomb of the Ancients (non-N64) is a severe case of NightmareFuel in an otherwise kid-friendly game. As such, it's awesome.
* Both the regular and final boss themes. Shit goes ''down''.

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQHsB0YNBpo The Cave of Skops]] has a varied musical selection. From serene loneliness, to the feeling of wonder inherent in entering an expansive underground cavern, to the tense funkiness in being deep underground, to what sounds like a tropical drink stand theme, every track feels cohesive with its fellows yet distinct. Special mention goes to Skops's boss music, which is both whimsical and full of dangerous suspense.

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSGtmexUwos Candy Château]] bucks the trend of a game's levels becoming [[DarkerAndEdgier darker and spookier]] the closer you get to the boss. The mood of the whole place is jovial and sweet; in the case of the latter, quite literally, and the music tracks reflects this. They are circus themed, bouncy, happy, and all around celebratory, as if to mock how hard you had to work just to get there. Overall the themes of this world are all very uplifting and fun.

[[AC: ''Rayman'' 1]]
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yIwDhfQ1G8 The Magician's Challenge]] which, fittingly enough, plays during the challenge levels. Equal parts mysterious, energetic, and simply pretty, it holds its own as one of the more ear-catching songs in a game that's chalk full of fantastic music.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twOqyz4Ba1o The Dream Forest]] starts the game off on the right foot with fanciful tunes reminiscent of carefree wandering in the woods with just enough hints of peril and uncertainty to keep you on your toes, and the levels featuring the boss have a very appropriate swarm-like sound to them.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQHsB0YNBpo The Cave of Skops]] has a varied musical selection. From serene loneliness, to the feeling of wonder inherit in entering an expansive underground cavern, to the tense funkiness in being deep underground, to what sounds like a tropical drink stand theme, every track feels cohesive with its fellows yet distinct. Special mention goes to Skops's boss music, which is both whimsical and full of dangerous suspense.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSGtmexUwos Candy Château]] bucks the trend of a game's levels becoming [[DarkerAndEdgier darker and spookier]] the closer you get to the boss. The mood of the whole place is jovial and sweet; in the case of the latter, quite literally, and the music tracks reflects this. They are circus themed, bouncy, happy, and all around celebratory, as if to mock how hard you had to work just to get there. Overall the themes of this world are all very uplifting and fun.

[[AC: ''Rayman'' 2]]

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yIwDhfQ1G8 The Magician's Challenge]] which, fittingly enough, plays during the challenge levels. Equal parts mysterious, energetic, and just plain old pretty, it holds its own as one of the more ear-catching songs in a game that's chalk full of fantastic music.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQHsB0YNBpo The Cave of Skops]] has a varied musical selection. From serene loneliness, to the feeling of wonder inherit in entering an expansive underground cavern, to the tense, funkiness in being deep underground, to a tropical drink stand theme, every track feels cohesive with its fellows yet distinct. Special mention goes to Skops's boss music, which is both whimsical and full of dangerous suspense.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQHsB0YNBpo The Cave of Skops]] has a varied musical selection. From serene yet lonely, to the feeling of wonder inherit in entering an expansive underground cavern, to the tense, funky feeling of being deep underground, to a tropical drink stand theme, every track feels cohesive with its fellows yet distinct. Special mention goes to Skop's boss music, which is both whimsical and full of suspense.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtamPZzWmCg Castle Rock]] is a part metal, part banjo, part [[SpeakingSimlish gibberish]] rendition of ''Black Betty'' by ''Music/RamJam''. "Woah bah bee noy!" '''"BUM BA-LUM!"'''

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDciQ07XrJ8 Betilla the Fairy's Theme]] is so wonderful especially when it hits the 20 second mark.

This game has a lot- its eerily beautiful soundtrack is a major factor of its success.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-jGmCHsOgU The Woods of Light.]] Beautiful and mystical, with an absolutely ''fantastic'' guitar line. A ''gorgeous'' atmospheric piece.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN5FR3wYYAA The Walk of Life.]] The opening is slow and funkalicious, and then the main melody kicks in... And it's interspersed with what can only be described as a flute teasing you by going "Nyeh-nyeh nyeh nyeeeeh nyeh!"
** The first ''Rayman'' GameBoy game featured [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SdXXvbfHsM an epic 8-bit remix of this song.]] Used in--where else?--''BandLand!''

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSCWKidgaUY First Staffs.]] Appropriately, BandLand's revamped counterpart also gets great music, following the more "peaceful" trend in the first game. Although simplistic, there's something very soothing and meditative about this track.
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN7A50fFCOM Land a Chef.]] An amazing, high-energy jazz track. Not only does it mesh wonderfully with the cocktails-and-punch atmosphere of the [[HailfirePeaks ice half]] of Gourmand Land, the track also uses sound effects made by clinking silverware, glasses, and pouring liquids. It doesn't just sound great, it's also thematically ''creative.''

* Speaking of the singing Lums, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXbey-I8_qQ Panic at the Port.]] "Whackadoo Whackadoo Whackadoo!" is a pretty good onomotopoeia for [[AttackAttackAttack what goes on in the level,]] to be honest.
* The eerie, SpaghettiWestern-esque whistling of [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Rs-CHD5Y8o Nowhere to Run]] really makes it clear what you're in for when you enter [[PlatformHell The Land of the Livid Dead.]] Those zombie grannies are cackling ''directly at you.''

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbvXqdGA9C0 The Medieval Theme.]] It really sets up the more fantastic theme of ''Legends,'' and sounds like setting off on a fantastic new adventure.
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRTIr8ek7eM Mariachi Madness.]] "Eye of the Tiger" was ''made'' for mariachi bands. Somehow, the fact that one of the main instruments is a ''kazoo'' doesn't ruin the gravitas of the song at all.
* The silky-smooth, ''Film/JamesBond''-inspired riffs of [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7nNDnv-M4o 20,000 Lums Under the Sea.]] Complete with radar boops for atmosphere and emphasis, the music sets a tense tone for the stage's stealth-inspired stages, and makes you feel like a true super-spy! And then comes the music from the LaserHallway segments...

[[AC: Rayman 1]]

[[AC: Rayman Origins]]

[[AC: Rayman Legends]]

* The silky-smooth, JamesBond-inspired riffs of [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7nNDnv-M4o 20,000 Lums Under the Sea.]] Complete with radar boops for atmosphere and emphasis, the music sets a tense tone for the stage's stealth-inspired stages, and makes you feel like a true super-spy! And then comes the music from the LaserHallway segments...

[[WMG: Rayman 1]]

[[WMG: Rayman Origins]]

[[WMG: Rayman Legends]]

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DU5-5akDVuc Grannies World Tour.]] A ''face-melting rock'' version of "Nowhere to Run" from ''Origins.'' Played by ''zombie old ladies with electric guitars.'' It kicks precisely as much ass as it sounds like.