What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Beyond Good & Evil: 20th Anniversary Edition is a convenient, feature-enhanced way to play Ubisoft’s 2003 adventure, and reviews generally recommend it for newcomers and returning fans who want modern options. The catch is that new features do not erase the original game’s dated design, and performance varies by platform: Ubisoft’s “up to 4K/60 fps” is a capability claim, not a guarantee for every version.
What reviewers think of the 20th Anniversary Edition
Reviews are broadly positive about the game itself and see this edition as an accessible modern route into it. The appeal is a distinctive adventure with a colorful world and an unusual tone; the updated controls and convenience features help it fit contemporary systems.
That praise comes with reservations about the age of the design. In PC Gamer’s 2024 review, the edition is described as an easy way to play on PC, while the reviewer criticizes its appearance. In a September 2026 retrospective, PC Gamer still values the game’s colorful, unusual world but calls it brief and criticizes its combat and stealth as weak or tedious. Those are reviewers’ assessments, not universal measures of whether the game will work for you. PC Gamer’s 2024 review and 2026 retrospective.
Metacritic’s critic-review listing showed 26 reviews when checked for this article, but that count can change and is not a stable measure of the edition’s reception. Metacritic’s review listing.
#1 Best Overall
- BONKERS (SNES): This wacky platformer is packed with Easter eggs for Disney fans. Navigate six levels of Toontown in search of items that have gone missing – the Sorcerer's Hat, the Mermaid's Voice, and the Magic Lamp.
- GOOF TROOP (SNES): A family, co-op adventure starring father-son duo, Goofy and Max. Solve puzzles as they try to rescue their friends from a pirate island. Goof Troop is one of game developer Shinji Mikami’s (Resident Evil, Dino Crisis) earliest games.
- DUCKTALES (NES) and DUCKTALES 2 (NES): DuckTales for NES (1989) was one of Capcom’s biggest hits. Play as Scrooge McDuck with a cane that doubles as a weapon and a pogo stick. The multi-path levels are packed with secrets and surprises, along with a great soundtrack. The sequel is just as fun.
- CHIP ‘N DALE RESCUE RANGERS (NES) and CHIP ‘N DALE RESCUE RANGERS 2 (NES): A duo of early 8-bit, co-op platformers featuring loveable chipmunk detectives. Work together to walk and jump through levels, picking up acorns, boxes, and other objects to throw at your enemies.
- The physical edition includes a treasure trove of exclusive physical goodies: 8 retro milk caps, 3 collectible cards, and 2 sticker sheets!
What the anniversary edition adds
Ubisoft lists the edition as released on June 25, 2024. It is available for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC; Ubisoft also named GeForce Now and Amazon Luna at launch. PC storefronts named in the launch announcement include Ubisoft Store, Steam, and Epic Games Store. Ubisoft’s edition page and launch announcement.
- Presentation and controls: updated visuals and audio, updated controls, and controller or keyboard-and-mouse support.
- Convenience options: autosave and the ability to skip cutscenes.
- Additional modes and collectibles: a new speedrun mode, an anniversary gallery, and a treasure hunt with new rewards.
- Cross-save: Ubisoft lists cross-save support, but players should check the requirements and supported platform combinations for their setup.
Ubisoft says the edition was developed by Virtuos Games under Ubisoft Montpellier’s supervision. More than 15 musical tracks were rerecorded by a live orchestra under original composer Christophe Héral’s supervision. These additions make the release more than a simple resolution bump, though they do not change the underlying adventure into a new game. Ubisoft’s launch announcement.
Rank #2
- BASED ON A CLASSIC STAR WARS GAME: This retro board game is based on the Star Wars the Empire Strikes Back Ice Planet Hoth game by Kenner, released in 1980
- EXCLUSIVE LUKE SKYWALKER (SNOWSPEEDER) FIGURE: Attention Star Wars fans and collectors! The Star Wars Hoth Ice Planet Adventure board game comes with an exclusive Luke Skywalker (Snowspeeder) figure
- DEFEAT DARTH VADER: Win battles against 4 Imperial enemies: Stormtrooper, Probot, AT-AT, and Boba Fett. Earn enough Force to defeat the final foe, Darth Vader to win the game
- MILLENNIUM FALCON TOKENS: Move around the gameboard using one of the 4 Millennium Falcon tokens, or use the Snowspeeder token
- GREAT GIFT FOR STAR WARS FANS: The retro Star Wars game makes a great gift for Star Wars fans and collectors of Star Wars memorabilia; This board game is for ages 8 and up, for 2-4 players
Which platform runs it best?
There is no single platform-wide answer based on Ubisoft’s advertised “up to 4K/60 fps.” Digital Foundry’s findings concern the reviewed build and particular platform modes, rather than every patch or configuration. Its comparison reports that PS5 and Xbox Series X have resolution modes reaching 4K and performance modes running at 1440p; it also reports that Switch gameplay can dip below 30 fps. Digital Foundry’s technical review.
| Platform or mode | Reported output or performance | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| PS5 and Xbox Series X resolution modes | Reach 4K, according to Digital Foundry’s reviewed build. | “Reach” describes the tested mode, not a guarantee of native 4K in every scene. |
| PS5 and Xbox Series X performance modes | 1440p, according to Digital Foundry’s reviewed build. | Choose this mode if you prefer the performance-oriented option over the resolution mode. |
| Nintendo Switch | Gameplay can dip below 30 fps, according to Digital Foundry’s review. | This is a caveat for the tested build; it is not a current patch-by-patch performance audit. |
| Other listed platforms | Comparable measured figures: not stated in the cited Digital Foundry review. | Do not infer identical output or frame rate from Ubisoft’s “up to 4K/60 fps” description. |
If stable performance or a particular display mode matters most, check the options and current player reports for the exact platform and version you intend to use. The available comparison supports a specific distinction for PS5 and Xbox Series X modes and a Switch caveat, not a complete ranking of every platform.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- The Expanded Collection: Play through multiple different versions of the beloved Aladdin, The Lion King, and The Jungle Book games that have been created over the years, including both console and handheld versions.
- BOTH 16-Bit Console Aladdin Games included for the first time since their original release. By popular demand, two completely different and equally adored Aladdin games are finally available and enhanced for modern consoles.
- Modern Features: Rewind any of the games in real-time to retry difficult areas, view full game playthroughs with the ability to skip forward, start playing at any point, and save your progress and continue your adventure wherever and whenever you want.
- Museum Features: Take a journey behind-the-scenes and learn more about the creation of these incredible games. Watch video interviews with the original development teams or explore "
- Display Options and Updated Visuals: 1080P graphics and enhancements for modern HD TVs Adjustable screen aspect ratios and borders Custom filter options designed to replicate classic CRT TVs and other popular screen types"
How to choose a version
- Choose based on display priorities: on PS5 or Xbox Series X, Digital Foundry’s reviewed build offers the clearest resolution-versus-performance choice. On Switch, weigh portability against the reported frame-rate dips.
- Choose your preferred controls: the edition supports controllers and keyboard/mouse on supported platforms. If you prefer a traditional console setup, use a controller; PC players can choose between controller and keyboard/mouse.
- Consider the extras: the gallery, treasure hunt, and speedrun mode add reasons to revisit the game, especially if you already know the original. They are less important if you only want the main adventure.
- Check the exact format and SKU: Ubisoft announced physical and Collector’s editions through Limited Run Games, but current stock and availability are not established here. Confirm platform, edition contents, and present availability before buying a physical copy. Ubisoft’s launch announcement.
Is it worth playing?
For someone who has never played Beyond Good & Evil, this is a practical way to try a distinctive older adventure with modern convenience features. For returning players, the rerecorded music, gallery, treasure hunt, and speedrun mode offer new material, but they do not substantially alter the underlying game. Go in expecting a memorable world and an older design sensibility—not a comprehensive remake or a technical experience that performs identically on every platform.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
- Discover the story! This thrilling adventure is set in the headquarters of monochrome, Inc., a biotech company with nasty secrets.
- Once you and your teammates get inside, you have to figure out what to do: explore places, combine items, find clues, and talk to people to grasp the plot and devise a plan.
- With each new action, the story unfolds, similar to a PC adventure game.
- Replayable: enough story content to play approximately three times with different stories each time.
- For 1 to 4 players, ages 16+; can be played over multiple sessions.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
