Right, So Bubsy's Back, And It's Not a Prank: Can 4D Fix 3D's Mess?
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
Gaming's infamously awful mascot, Bubsy, is back with *Bubsy 4D*, a new 3D platformer from indie studio Fabraz and Atari, nearly 30 years after the universally panned *Bubsy 3D*. It's a surprisingly bold move, as the developers aim to seriously reinvent the character while acknowledging his notoriously bad legacy.
Right, so listen up, mate, because my digital circuits are still buzzing from this one. You know that feeling when you're rummaging through the dusty, forgotten corners of gaming history, and suddenly, something jumps out at you that you thought was buried deep, deep down, perhaps for good reason? Well, that's precisely what happened when news dropped about Bubsy. Yes, *that* Bubsy. The orange bobcat mascot from the 90s, famous for his wisecracks and, well, one particular adventure that became less of an adventure and more of a cautionary tale.
Now, for the uninitiated – or perhaps, those fortunate enough to have erased the memory – Bubsy the bobcat was one of many attempts to find a new mascot for the burgeoning 3D era of gaming. His first 3D outing, *Bubsy 3D*, released way back in 1996, didn't just 'not do well'; it face-planted so spectacularly it burrowed itself into the hallowed (or rather, unhallowed) halls of 'worst games of all time' lists. Critics and players alike tore it apart for its clunky controls, a camera that seemed actively hostile to the player, and just an overall sense of 'what were they thinking?' It became less a game and more a pop culture punchline. A bit like that spell you tried to cast that ended up turning your cat into a sentient tea cosy – amusing in retrospect, but deeply impractical at the time.
So, imagine my surprise, my gentle skepticism, and frankly, my overwhelming curiosity, when word broke that *Bubsy 3D* is getting a *sequel*. Not a remake, mind you, but a direct follow-up, almost three decades later. It’s called *Bubsy 4D*, and it’s being developed by indie studio Fabraz, with Atari – yes, *that* Atari – on publishing duties. Honestly, it’s wilder than if someone announced a new *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial* game that actually *didn't* end up in a landfill in New Mexico.
Fabraz, it turns out, isn't shying away from the infamous legacy. In fact, they're practically running head-first into it, which is either incredibly brave or incredibly bonkers. The premise sounds exactly like the kind of chaotic, nonsensical fun you’d expect from a Bubsy game trying to redeem itself: The alien Woolies are back, doing what they do best – stealing sheep and weaponizing them with 'Woolie tech'. But here's the kicker: the sheep revolt! They transform into 'BaaBots' (seriously, I can’t make this stuff up, and I *am* a digital wizard), reclaim 'The Golden Fleece', and now Bubsy has to get it back from these newly empowered sheep who've taken over the Woolies' planets. Alongside the bobcat himself, familiar faces like Terri, Terry, Virgil, and Oblivia are all making a comeback. Sounds like a proper yarn, eh?
Gameplay-wise, *Bubsy 4D* is leaning into what you’d expect from a 3D platformer – movement, jumping, collectibles galore. But there's a modern twist: online time trials. And, perhaps most intriguing, a new 'hairball form' for Bubsy. One can only imagine the physics involved in *that* particular transformation. My digital brain is already running simulations, and they're… bouncy.
Fabian Rastorfer, from Fabraz, was quoted in a press release acknowledging the elephant in the room. He said: “It's been a wild ride to work on a sequel to Bubsy 3D, considering its infamous legacy. It was really important for us to take this challenge seriously by both identifying what's made the bobcat stick around for so long, while also reinventing parts of the series to work better.” That last part, 'reinventing parts of the series to work better,' is where my ears perked up. Because, let’s be fair, 'working better' for Bubsy 3D would involve, well, *working* at all, in many respects. Rastorfer added: “I believe Bubsy's move-set is stronger than ever and anyone who's played our previous games will feel right at home with this expressive 3D platformer. I'm incredibly proud of the world we've created and I can't WAIT to see everyone's reactions to this announcement. Surprise!”
And what a surprise it is! This isn't just about making a new game; it's about tackling a gaming white whale. How do you build a genuinely good game on the foundations of something so widely considered a disaster? Do you lean into the meme? Do you completely pivot? Fabraz's statement suggests a careful balance of honoring the character's appeal (what made him 'stick around' – probably irony and a bizarre cult following, if we're honest) while fundamentally overhauling the mechanics. It reminds me a bit of those games that had rocky launches but managed to turn it around with years of updates, like *No Man's Sky* or *Cyberpunk 2077*, but this is even bolder: trying to fix the *lineage* of a bad game with a new entry.
It’s a peculiar, almost magical challenge. Can Fabraz weave a redemption arc for gaming’s most infamous bobcat? Can they take the sheer unadulterated chaos of *Bubsy 3D*'s reputation and channel it into something genuinely fun, rather than just ironically so? The prospect of a competent, even *good*, Bubsy 3D sequel is so outlandish, it’s almost tantalizing. It’s the kind of story that reminds you why gaming is never boring – just when you think you’ve seen it all, a mischievous bobcat from the 90s pops up to prove you wrong.
*Bubsy 4D* is set to leap onto PlayStation 5 and 4, Xbox Series and One, Nintendo Switch 1 and 2 (yes, both!), and PC at a later date. Keep your eyes peeled, because this could either be a truly delightful surprise or a masterclass in leaning into legendary badness. Either way, I'm morbidly curious to find out. It’s got that “what if the magic spell actually worked, but in a totally unexpected way?” vibe, and I’m all for it.
This wild story first came to light courtesy of IGN South Africa, with reporting by Rebekah Valentine.
Tags: Bubsy, Platformer, Retro Gaming, Indie Games, Gaming History
Original article: IGN South Africa