I’ve been hesitant to talk about these games, simply because they’re not terribly well documented on the Internet, or at least would require more research than I have done. I’m satisfied to be able to talk about them briefly though, based on the Rayman Pirate Community’s wiki and various YouTube videos showing the games themselves (thanks to Eshap and bekyjewell). The information here is as far as I could grok it; it may not be entirely accurate.

So there’s essentially five major releases in the “educational” sub-series of Rayman games. They’re mostly based on the aesthetics of the first game, with a few exceptions. They’re interesting though and generally add some significant things to that universe, including new characters, and also feature voice acting ranging from cheesy to bland to actually quite good. In chronological order, then:

1. Rayman Junior/Rayman Brain Games/Maths & English with Rayman/Amazing Learning Games with Rayman

Released in 1996 for the Playstation 1 and DOS, Rayman Junior sticks very close to Rayman 1’s formula. It shares the mechanics, the UI, the platforming, and the world map. What it adds is voice acting, a new plot with intro and ending FMVs, and a loose “educational” theme that involves you interacting with numbers and letters. Said interaction is by way of Rayman’s normal techniques: platforming, punching, and so on, along with enemies and obstacles ripped straight from Rayman 1. It seems easier but is built directly on Rayman 1’s engine, so any problems I had with its gameplay are carried over. The plot is straightforward: Mr. Dark has stolen the secrets from a magic book that the Magician is supposed to be guarding, so he and Betilla ask Rayman to get them back, which is presumably what all the letters and numbers are about.

2. English with Rayman/French with Rayman

The second edutainment release in 1997 had multiple alternate versions, based on region. This has bearing on the Rayman universe: in English-speaking countries, the game was French with Rayman and involved the Magician getting Rayman’s help to decipher a recipe his French cousin Pierre sent him. He has to learn French to read the formula, giving the game more of a clear focus and goal and arguably being more educational in teaching you vocabulary and so on. It’s still heavily based on the locations and mechanics of Rayman 1, much like Rayman Junior, but the world map is new, strangely incorporating landmarks from our world, in addition to the references to France which are obviously included. It’s conceivable that these are mere analogues to the locations we know that were incorporated into the Glade of Dreams… with Polokus, anything’s possible.

Getting back to the regional differences though: the release in France and other regions was called English with Rayman and required Rayman to translate a letter from the Magician’s English cousin Andrew. So, how to reconcile this? Mere localisation choices? No sir, we have here two different magicians speaking corresponding languages. I propose that there are two alternate universes: if you speak French, then your Rayman games take place in a world where French Rayman associates with a French Magician named Pierre, and if you speak English, then your Magician is named Andrew. Two Magicians, one Rayman. It makes sense, and my long-ago discussed theory about their mutual demise by Rayman 2 holds (sorry, Magicians).

3. Rayman Dictées

Not related to Rayman 1 at all, 1998’s Dictées for PC (only available in French) uses Rayman’s design from 2 and curiously, is largely based on another French edutainment game called Tim 7’s Adventures, making this a crossover of sorts. Gameplay footage is scarce but it appears to be in point and click adventure style with pre-rendered CG backgrounds and FMVs, leading to typing-related games and tasks. It’s most well known for its CG intro showing Rayman’s house and his interactions with human characters. These characters are all native to the other game I mentioned, so strictly speaking Clara the Witch, Patrick, Landra, Dr Gaaf, Sam, some other guy, a dog, and Tim (who does not appear in the intro but drives the plot) are not Rayman universe characters. Makes it easier to keep track of Rayman lore, at least.

4. Rayman Activity Centre/Rayman Maternelle/Rayman CP

These three releases from around 1999 are linked and share many elements and minigames, but also have their differences. The French versions were published with the branding of Accompagnement Scolaire, which some editions of Dictées shared. Along with the next game down (Rayman Premier Clics for 2-4 year olds), they cover a range of ages: Maternelles for ages 4-6, CP for 6-7, and Dictées for 9-10. Maternelles and CP (which I think refer to age groups) are more closely linked, though, and were likely developed simultaneously.

Activity Centre was released for English speakers, and features a point and click interface to access various minigames of dubious educational value. The aesthetic is heavily Rayman 1, and introduces new characters who are members of enemy classes from the first game: a clown and one of the Band Land insects. Betilla is the main contact to help you and introduce the game.

Maternelle and CP, on the other hand, have shifted the branding somewhat, with some aesthetic elements from Rayman 2 and even the short-lived animated series that was based on 2, while still retaining much of the look and minigames based on Rayman 1. They share some minigames from Activity Centre but also have unique ones, with different sets presumably skewed slightly towards different age groups.

5. Rayman Premier Clics

Translated as Rayman First Clicks (I think), this 2001 release for PC and Mac was intended to introduce very young (French) children to computers and provide simple, entertaining activities for them. Unlike other games on this list, it’s mainly Rayman 2-based, although it’s fairly shallow so there’s not much to go on. It does feature some of Globox’s children, so there’s that. The games are simple and the art is flat and not very appealing. As the final game on the list, it’s not very exciting. Sorry.

If you want to know more about any of these, I recommend the wiki I linked or the YouTubers I mentioned. They’re all passionate members of the Rayman community, and some of that voice acting needs to be heard. Some of these games are also quite well documented on their channels, with full playthroughs and text commentary. I wouldn’t say any of the games are worth playing, unfortunately, but they each add that little bit extra to Rayman’s world (or Raym'n’s world, as Andrew seems to pronounce it in French with Rayman). Well thanks for putting up with my long-winded enumeration of these obscure and silly games. It’s all good fun!

PS. Rayman vs Cullcut

Sorry to bother you, but I found another “educational” game. It’s a typing test thing, a Flash game for browsers that was available in French around 1999 and recently fan-translated into English, and is based on Rayman 2 with Robo-pirates and baby Globoxes. You have to type the words it shows you quickly to avoid getting chomped by Cullcut, which apparently shows up in Rayman 2 spinoff Rayman M/Arena.