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We’ve been following the release of Bubsy 4D and are excited to bring you our review of the Steam port. It’s worth mentioning that Bubsy 4D is quite a short game, and this is reflected in the budget price of $19.99. The game is out tomorrow and also available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Epic Games Store, Windows, GOG, and Xbox Play Anywhere. There is also a physical release on Switch available to order directly from publisher Atari.
Bubsy 4D has been developed by Fabraz and is the second 3D outing for the famous bobcat, following the 1996 PlayStation game that didn’t live up to expectations. It’s fair to say that Bubsy has had a bit of a bad time of it following the original 2D games in the mid-90s. Following the disastrous PlayStation game, two more 2D adventures were released, both being panned by critics and players. But here we are, in 2026, and a chance to forgive all the past mistakes and give Bubsy a new lease of life.
Set many years after the events in the original games, Bubsy 4D‘s story centres around the sheep that have evolved to overtake Bubsy’s old enemies, the Woolies. The sheep now control the universe and have stolen the golden fleece. It’s up to Bubsy, and his gang of feline friends, to stop the sheep, now called BaaBots, and reclaim the fleece. Yes, the story is silly. All the cutscenes are ridiculous, there are awful jokes, and even more awful story arcs. But that is exactly what we want from a Bubsy game. It would’ve been worse if the story had been taken seriously, and the fact that the game rips itself apart is actually refreshing.
As you progress, Bubsy will come up against more BaaBots, and each world ends with a tough boss fight before moving on to the next planet in search of the fleece. Each world is broken down into five different levels, each with things to collect. Picking up the woolen balls allows you to buy cosmetics in the shop. Finding an upgrade piece can be used to bolster Bubsy’s move set and is crucial as the difficulty starts to spike. There are other secrets to uncover for completionists, and we did find that there was a tough challenge in finishing every level 100%. For those not particularly into collect-a-thon-type platformers, you can just blast through each level.
Bubsy 4D isn’t doing anything particularly new in terms of game structure, level design, or general gameplay. Everything you would expect to find in a 3D platformer is here, and the only really new idea is Bubsy’s ability to transform into a giant ball and roll down halfpipes and fire himself like a cannonball. While this mechanic is fun to play with, it does feel a little forced at times and as if parts of the levels were made in such a way to make sure the mechanic is used enough. And we don’t say this to be mean, the mechanic works well, it just felt a little overused at times.
The other interesting mechanics in Bubsy 4D are Bubsy’s ability to climb and, once upgraded, his ability to grip on walls. We found these factors very useful as the game progressed and helpful in trying to uncover secrets. Gripping onto a wall and then having the time to rotate the camera was a great way to work out where to aim next. As you would expect, Bubsy can double jump, run, and still has his signature glide, although this is slightly limited in this particular game and can’t be relied on as much as it is in previous titles.
The controls in Bubsy 4D work well overall, and after getting used to the speed and agility of Bubsy, it was fun to jump around and explore. We did have issues with the camera, though. Occasionally, it would get stuck behind buildings or objects or spin out during a crucial moment, causing a death. This does feel like the kind of annoyance that will be ironed out in a future patch, and didn’t spoil the game, as there are logical checkpoints to get back to when you fall and die or are killed by an enemey. Bubsy 4D may have become a frustrating experience without the checkpoints, as some of the platforming sections are very difficult to master.
The only other negative we had in the platforming was slipping around or falling off certain platforms. It wasn’t clear if this was intentional to create some extra challenge or just poor design, but again, this didn’t happen often enough to be a problem. In terms of platforming action, Bubsy 4D is the best Bubsy game in 30 years, and we’re glad to see him back to his best. The range of moves and platforming sections is quite vast for a game at this price point, and most platform fans will see the qualities shine through. That said, some of the levels do feel a little sparse at times, but this is nitpicking in an otherwise well-designed platforming experience.
The presentation in Bubsy 4D is certainly colorful and will please fans of the series. The outlandish worlds make little sense, but this is a good thing, as it falls in place with the story and overall world of evil sheep and downtrodden aliens. Even the menus and maps have a messy look, and it’s clear the developer has thought about paying homage to the series, hopefully with longtime fans in mind. That said, and as previously mentioned, some of the levels feel a little sparse, with large areas only having a few wool balls to collect. There is also a lack of enemies, with some levels only having a small handful to take down.
Overall, Bubsy 4D is a decent platformer that should please old and new fans alike. Its best strength is its challenge; this does have some tough levels and bosses that will take some beating. Another positive is its collect-a-thon nature that provides some longevity in an otherwise fairly short game. It isn’t perfect, though; the camera can be awkward, and some of the levels are a little forgettable and sparse. We’re glad to see Bubsy back to his best and hope this is the start of a new era for a much-loved but also maligned character from gaming’s history. We recommend this one to platform fans looking for a challenge above longevity.
