Certain segments also sees players riding a mosquito, where players can shoot enemies or suck them up and fire them. As the game progresses, players gain new abilities such as running up walls, gliding in midair, swimming and shrinking in size to reach new areas. Players travel through each level, fighting enemies and rescuing imprisoned Electoons. Players can choose to control either Rayman, Globox or two Teensies, with additional costumes available as the game progresses. Rayman Origins is playable with up to four local players who may drop in or out at any time. Rayman Origins is a side-scrolling platformer, the same style as the original Rayman game. In an interview with Nintendo Power, Ubisoft revealed that the majority of the single player campaign will be platforming with Rayman or one of the other characters, temporarily switching to Murfy during certain sections. These offer a range of levels in which co-operation is required to progress, such as levels that mix platforming for Rayman and friends with rhythm gameplay for Murfy. Murfy can perform various actions such as cutting through ropes, activating mechanisms, grabbing hold of enemies and assisting in gathering Lums. With up to four players controlling the main characters, an additional player can control Murfy using the Wii U GamePad's touch screen.

Along with Rayman, Globox, and the Teensies returning as playable characters, players can control a new female character Barbara. Lums can be collected by touching them, defeating enemies, or freeing captured Teensies. The game carries on the style of gameplay from Rayman Origins in which multiple players run, jump, punch, and kick their way through tricky levels.

Rayman shooting