Bubsy 4D

Against all odds, Bubsy 4D is an incredible 3D platformer. I promise this isn't a bad joke, although there are plenty of them here.

Bubsy 4D is a short and sweet platformer that miraculously breathes life into one of gaming’s most forgettable heroes.

Bubsy 4D has the makings of a modern classic, helmed by a team that has a clear ambition and design philosophy. It’s issues are more fundamental, and in the fabric of Bubsy himself. I can take self-deprecation, but there comes a point where it stops being funny and becomes borderline pathetic. A mismatched level approach to level design means that both feel weak in spots, and I think you could have done more to bring those together. This is the best Bubsy game, but I can’t say it isn’t without fault.

Bubsy the Bobcat, an infamous mascot from the 90s, isn’t known for being the star of good games. In fact, I think the damn thing’s notoriety has only grown over the years, as some kind of punchline for the desperate attempt to capitalize on Sonic the Hedgehog‘s fame. That led to (terrible) modern sequels being developed over the past few years, as well as the release of a full-fledged compilation of his entire gaming catalogue, Bubsy 3D included. I still don’t understand how the Bubsy...

Why did they bring Bubsy back? Who cares? Bubsy 4D is fun stuff that doesn't take itself seriously at all and Fabraz is a great dev so let's play.

Bubsy 4D does one thing, and it does it well, but there’s nothing here for someone looking for anything more in-depth.

It's pretty remarkable how Bubsy has bounced back time and time again, despite numerous games that, by rights, ought to have seen him never return.

Bubsy 4D is definitely an improvement over the last 3D outing for the wise-cracking bobcat, but there's still lots of room for improvement. Both the camera and controls will feel like your biggest enemy here at times, and unless you're into speedrunning the experience may feel rather brief.

There is apparently a storied and infamous history to the Bubsy series, but I know little of it. And after enduring Bubsy 4D, a modern platforming take on the orange and obnoxious bobcat, I have no desire to learn of it. Bubsy 4D features a passable platformer style built upon comboing from one move to the next. I rarely felt the tight control I wanted over the mascot character, and it’s held back by repetitive and bland level design. That this platforming is placed within a nonsensical wor...

Given the franchise’s history, Busby 4D shocked me with how exceptional it is as a game. The movement feels delightfully smooth, the levels have the perfect amount of challenge, and the sardonic tone of dialogue is far more charming than in previous Bubsy games. Outside of a couple of camera issues, this is a mind-blowingly high-quality return for one of gaming’s less favored mascots.

Bubsy 4D tries to modernize, yet still feels stuck in the past. Uninteresting level designs, underwhelming bosses, and a short game overall leave one wanting more.

I wasn't sure what to expect from Bubsy 4D, and I'm someone who was excited to play it. The platformer genre is arguably in a golden age, with Nintendo firing on all cylinders following Super Mario Odyssey and Donkey Kong Bananza. Sony's been in on the action with the 2024 Game of the Year winner, Astro Bot. To see Bubsy finally overcome its infamous legacy and deliver a fun, albeit flawed, experience has me hopeful that Atari will build on what's a solid foundation in place and give a possible Bubsy sequel the polish and investment that could truly (I can't believe I'm saying this), make it g...