Davide Soliani, the creative director behind Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope, has expressed a strong interest in creating a new game for the beloved Rayman franchise. The third and final DLC for Sparks of Hope, titled “Rayman in the Phantom Show,” was released in August 2023. This DLC features Rayman in a leading role, marking his return after over a decade in a dimension inspired by various movie genres. While Rayman has taken a backseat to the more prominent Rabbid characters in recent years, this crossover DLC has given fans, including those with a fondness for the whimsical, limbless hero, a chance to celebrate his return.
The last main entry in the Rayman series was 2013’s Rayman Legends, with a definitive edition re-release on the Nintendo Switch in 2017. Despite his recognition among long-time gamers, Rayman has been overshadowed by the Rabbids in recent times and has made only occasional cameo appearances. However, Soliani, the director of Mario + Rabbids, is eager to bring Rayman back into the spotlight with a brand-new game.
In an interview with NintendoEverything, Soliani expressed his willingness to work on a new Rayman game if given the opportunity. He highlighted that Rayman’s world doesn’t adhere to realism, allowing the team to be creative in designing environments and enemies. He mentioned that their experience working on Sparks of Hope allowed them to create unique enemies and artistic environments.
Soliani’s passion for the Rayman character is evident, as the first game he worked on at Ubisoft was the original Rayman released in 1995. He hopes that the recent DLC release for Sparks of Hope will rekindle enthusiasm among Rayman fans and bring the character back into the gaming spotlight.
Additionally, Soliani has expressed hid desire to see Rayman as a guest character in games like Super Smash Bros. or the Mario Kart series. However, he acknowledges that such decisions are up to Nintendo. While Rayman has appeared as a trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS and as a Spirit in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, he has not yet become a playable character in the crossover series.