Arguably the two best 2D platformers of last gen were DKCR and Rayman Origins. And both these games are launching their sequels the same year! (mindblown).

We already know how great Rayman Legends is. Does Retro Studio still have enough gas in the tank to step it up from DKCR, or will they fail to improve the way Ubisoft Montpelier did?

Which game do you think will be the better game and why? Also feel free to mention which one between Origins and Return you prefered. So far this is mainly a prediction thread since we can't put our hands on Tropical Freeze yet, maybe after both are out I will revisit this thread or make a new thread comparing the two.

My personal prediction: Like almost everything Nintendo is doing recently, I feel that they will play it to safe, giving us to much of the same and failing to improve and reach the new standards that Rayman Legends reached. I'm sure it will be a great game, and the Nintendo fanboy in me is cheering for Retro, but I think it will be a 8.5ish/10 compared to Legends that reviews tend to be closer to 9s/10.

I think Retro will make the better game, regardless of what Nintendo wants...

Did something like this a while back with more options.  Personally I think Rayman is better, but it isnt the most popular which will give you your answer
 
http://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/thread.php?id=164430&page=0#1

As for metacritic, I think Rayman but as for sales it will be a different story.

But they don't seem to be taking risks on that game tho. Sure all we seen was a trailer and footages from a demo, but nothing in this trailer showed some new ground breaking mechanic. It seem to be all of the same. Jump on enemies...Collect Bannanas... Throw barrels... Some cart levels. Retro needs to be taking risks and give us something really new in order to beat Rayman Legends. So far the only ''new'' thing that have been described to us by Nintendo are ''The toke time to make the fur really realistic'', ''the enemies are now penguins and walruses Vikings'' and ''the game is more 3D like and less 2D sidscrolling when you are inside barrels''. This is laughable. Who cares if enemies are penguins, crocodiles, robots or zombies if what you do to them remains the exact same thing?

@JayWood. You just resumed my thoughts exactly. I think Legends will be better but DKC will have much better sales.

It'll be just like DKCR vs. Rayman Origins. Rayman will be the critical darling while Donkey Kong is actually popular and successful.

Donkey Kong Country Returns strenghts weren't the mechanics. It was the level design, it was masterful. And we still have to see the fourth Kong.

Legends is good, but Murfy sucks and I don't think that's exclusively the fault of the last gen consoles.

From the first ~10 levels I've played: Origins > Legends.

I'm wanting to say Rayman but my mind wont let me bet against Retro Studios and what they were able to do with DKR on a non HD console mind you.

Either way us Platforming fans have nothing to complain about :D

I agree, the Murphy Stages are just boring and annoying, I hate them.

I predict Tropical Freeze will be better, for the same reasons that DKCR was better than Origins.

As excellent as Origins was, its level design was less flexible than DKCR's. Both worked well as full-speed roller coasters, but DKCR allowed for more variation in play style; in most cases you could take your time if you were a more cautious player, and the level designed still flowed at a slower pace.

Controls were also better in DK. Rayman was felt a bit floaty, and it didn't have the visceral kick that using motion controls to pound the ground and beat up barrels and bosses had in Returns.

Both will be awesome games, as Origins and DKCR were, but if their predecessors are anything to go by, I expect Kong to once again take the thrown.