Bubsy is back in Bubsy 4D, and I’m happy to see he’s looking very good so far. With an updated art style, strongly improved gameplay, and a mission by developers Fabraz to bring the infamous orange bobcat back with a serious game, Bubsy 4D already feels like a dramatic improvement from the much maligned Bubsy 3D.
Bubsy still jumps and glides, but he’s got a new Hairball Mode where he turns into an orange ball. The best way to describe this is “Super Monkey Ball but not punishingly cruel.” Maneuvering through tunnels was pretty simple. I was impressed that the developers took this task of making a pretty unforgiving gameplay mechanic and made it work in a series not known for ever working well.
Hairball Mode, activate!
There’s also an in-game shop with unlockable outfits and abilities. I loved the classic Bubsy 3D costume and the incredibly disturbing Hedgehog costume. That last one is haunting to say the least. Bubsy also has his trademark fourth wall-breaking humor that’s slightly updated for a modern game. I’m happy to say that he’s still the same lovable character he was in the 90s.
I had a couple of minor issues with the demo though. It crashed once on my Steam Deck, but played fine after I restarted it. Bubsy fell into the void a few times when I was trying to make a jump over water. I trust that these issues will be worked out by the time the game launches since the developers really want to make a serious Bubsy game.
Bubsy’s looking… good!
I love the intention of taking a game character that got turned into meme fodder and treating him and his world with respect. It would be great to see other forgotten 90s mascots like Aero the Acrobat and Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel make a comeback. The characters here are cute and fun and the comic book art style translates really well.
With a little more fine tuning and working through the bugs, Bubsy 4D can turn out really special. I make no secret of the fact I have a real love for this franchise since it was one of my childhood favorites. I’m excited to see what Fabraz will be able to do by the time the game comes out and hope other 90s mascots forgotten by time can make a comeback.
Bubsy is back in Bubsy 4D, and I’m happy to see he’s looking very good so far. With an updated art style, strongly improved gameplay, and a mission by developers Fabraz to bring the infamous orange bobcat back with a…
Bubsy is back in Bubsy 4D, and I’m happy to see he’s looking very good so far. With an updated art style, strongly improved gameplay, and a mission by developers Fabraz to bring the infamous orange bobcat back with a serious game, Bubsy 4D already feels like a dramatic improvement from the much maligned Bubsy 3D.
Bubsy still jumps and glides, but he’s got a new Hairball Mode where he turns into an orange ball. The best way to describe this is “Super Monkey Ball but not punishingly cruel.” Maneuvering through tunnels was pretty simple. I was impressed that the developers took this task of making a pretty unforgiving gameplay mechanic and made it work in a series not known for ever working well.
Hairball Mode, activate!
There’s also an in-game shop with unlockable outfits and abilities. I loved the classic Bubsy 3D costume and the incredibly disturbing Hedgehog costume. That last one is haunting to say the least. Bubsy also has his trademark fourth wall-breaking humor that’s slightly updated for a modern game. I’m happy to say that he’s still the same lovable character he was in the 90s.
I had a couple of minor issues with the demo though. It crashed once on my Steam Deck, but played fine after I restarted it. Bubsy fell into the void a few times when I was trying to make a jump over water. I trust that these issues will be worked out by the time the game launches since the developers really want to make a serious Bubsy game.
Bubsy’s looking… good!
I love the intention of taking a game character that got turned into meme fodder and treating him and his world with respect. It would be great to see other forgotten 90s mascots like Aero the Acrobat and Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel make a comeback. The characters here are cute and fun and the comic book art style translates really well.
With a little more fine tuning and working through the bugs, Bubsy 4D can turn out really special. I make no secret of the fact I have a real love for this franchise since it was one of my childhood favorites. I’m excited to see what Fabraz will be able to do by the time the game comes out and hope other 90s mascots forgotten by time can make a comeback.
by Kayla Merritt
