It has been three decades since Bubsy's last 3D adventure, leading most people to forget his existence. The anthropomorphic bobcat, originally debuting on the SNES in 1993, returns in a new title cheekily dubbed '4D'. Despite a built-in lore, sidekicks, and enemies, Bubsy has never reached the heights of contemporaries like Sonic and Mario. Many of his previous games were poorly received, especially the notorious Bubsy 3D on PS1, widely considered one of the worst video games ever made.
A New Attempt by Fabraz
Atari has handed the reins to indie studio Fabraz, known for the excellent Demon Tides. They have given Bubsy a fresh look, complete with a snazzy shirt and tie, and sent him to fight his old enemies, the Woolies, specifically a sub-faction called the Baabots. The plot revolves around the Woolies stealing Bubsy's Golden Fleece, triggering a race across three fabric factory worlds, including cities and paper planets. The graphics are basic, teetering between minimalist and cheap.
Gameplay and Controls
Bubsy's controls are simple: jump, lunge, glide, and transform into a buoyant hairball for high speed. Zooming around collecting wool and tackling Baabots is initially fun, and the levels offer inventive challenges. However, the controls are clumsy, and narrow paths above voids make death inevitable. Cannons are underpowered and inaccurate. Save points are scarce, and after losing three lives, players respawn far back, leading to tedious repetition. The challenge feels unfair rather than rewarding.
Character and Humor
Fabraz leans into Bubsy's aging persona, but his wisecracking is tiresome. Dialogue is repetitive, with lines like 'Whoever thought checkpoints should be litterboxes probably thinks they’re real funny!' appearing frequently. The humor is stuck in the '90s, with cringe-worthy phrases like 'Yo!' and 'Am I coming through to you losers?' Some jokes land, such as the running gag that Bubsy's friends despise him, or the in-game shop selling a Sonic-inspired hedgehog outfit. However, these moments are rare in an otherwise groan-inducing experience.
Verdict
Bubsy 4D is a frustrating and frequently cringe-worthy 3D platformer with clunky gameplay. Pros include occasional humor when Bubsy is the butt of the joke, engaging levels, and amusing skins and power-ups in the shop. Cons include frequent falls off the map, infrequent save points, cheap graphics, overly sensitive controls, and an exceptionally annoying protagonist. Score: 4/10. Formats: PlayStation 5 (reviewed), Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC. Price: £15.99. Publisher: Atari. Developer: Fabraz. Release Date: 22nd May 2026. Age Rating: 7.
