Rayman GBC (Virtual Console)

Yes, yes - Rayman Origins is utterly fantastic and should be part of everybody's game library. But you haven't really experienced Rayman properly until you've played the original. It was tough, it was exciting, and it was classic platforming.

The Game Boy Color took the much-loved PC version and cut it down to a fraction of the levels, but it's pointless to complain about this trimming exercise as Rayman was still one of the best GBC games available - and now it's available for the 3DS Virtual Console.

You control Rayman as he attempts to save the Toons from Mr Dark by means of running, jumping, climbing, and punching. Over 20 levels, you're constantly under threat from enemies, water, spikes, and other obstacles.

The platforming action feels tight, the environments are vibrant and colourful, and puzzles have plenty of variety. Rayman GBC is quite simply a joy to play.

Many portions of the game focus on quick reactions, as you need to make successful jumps to moving platforms or over pits in succession, and this makes for some exciting and tense gameplay.

There are cages and secrets to find around each level, adding oodles to the game's replay value, and the music - while a little tinny in places - is bouncy and whistle-able.

As with the PC original, Rayman GBC is very tricky in places - especially towards the end. Fortunately, the 3DS Virtual Console's ability to place save checkpoints makes the going far easier.

If you've steered clear of the Virtual Console up to this point, Rayman GBC is a great reason to finally dive in and check it out.

Whether you've played the original PC version or not, Rayman GBC is worth grabbing simply to see what so many platforming games get so wrong in the current generation of games.