The infamous Bubsy 3D will receive an official 3D sequel after almost three decades: Bubsy 4D. The upcoming 3D platformer still does not have an official release date, but this is exciting news for nostalgic gamers who first played Bubsy 3D on the PS1 in the 90s and are curious to discover if Bubsy 4D can do better with the classic character in a three-dimensional world.
The Bubsy series started in the early '90s as 2D side-scroller platformers, receiving three games in 1993 and 1994. Trying to reach a wider audience, Bubsy 3D was launched for the PlayStation in 1996, and it quickly became known as one of the worst games of all time. Bubsy 3D was an example of a failure in the transition between 2D to 3D, and the title was criticized due to clunky controls, a disorienting camera, bland environments, and Bubsy’s uncanny voice acting. While the franchise saw Bubsy: The Woolies Strike Back in 2017 and Bubsy: Paws on Fire in 2019, it has never returned to 3D again.
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Bubsy 4D Announced With a Packed Trailer
Now, developer Fabraz and publisher Atari have brought 3D Bubsy from the dead with the announcement of Bubsy 4D for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 1 and 2, and PC. The new game will give Bubsy an “updated personality” with a fresh look and physics-based gameplay with a “deeply expressive moveset.” Bubsy 4D will feature three planets with five levels each, offering distinct challenges to gamers, as well as a spaceship hub with new characters. Atari also confirmed that the platformer will have fully voiced cutscenes, and the protagonist will be voiced by Sean Chiplock. Other features include online leaderboards and many unlockable outfits and abilities. Hopefully, it’ll also be an exciting game for the platformer genre, leaving the disappointing memories of Bubsy 3D behind.
Bubsy 4D marks another step in Atari’s return to the Bubsy franchise. Last year, Atari announced Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection, which is being created by Limited Run Games and is set to be released on September 9.
The upcoming Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection will include several games: Bubsy in Fractured Furry Tales (Atari Jaguar), Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind (versions for SEGA Genesis, Super Nintendo, and Super Famicom), Bubsy 2 (versions for Game Boy, Sega Genesis, and Super Nintendo), and Bubsy 3D (PlayStation). Obviously, Bubsy 4D won’t be featured in the collection, so gamers will still have to wait a little bit more before they can finally play the new entry in the series.