Nearly thirty years after Bubsy last stumbled into 3D territory, Atari and Fabraz have decided it’s time for gaming’s most infamous bobcat to have another shot. Surprisingly, Bubsy 4D actually looks… decent?
Available now on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC with Xbox Play Anywhere support, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch for £16.74, Bubsy 4D throws the chaotic mascot into an intergalactic platforming adventure packed with alien worlds, robotic sheep and more cat puns than anyone strictly asked for.
Which, to be fair, is probably exactly what a Bubsy game should be.
At A Glance
- Game: Bubsy 4D
- Developer: Fabraz
- Publisher: Atari
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Play Anywhere, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
- Genre: 3D Platformer
- Price: £16.74
What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
Yes, they’re still using that catchphrase. What of it!?
This time around, Bubsy’s old enemies, the Woolies, have managed to lose control of Earth’s sheep, which promptly return as dangerous robotic BaaBots determined to steal Bubsy’s prized Golden Fleece. Naturally, the solution involves launching a wisecracking bobcat into space.
Across a range of colourful craft-themed alien planets, players will run, jump, glide and roll through large 3D levels while battling robotic enemies and collecting yarn by the truckload. Fabraz has also expanded Bubsy’s movement set quite a bit compared to previous games, giving him wall climbing, gliding, enemy bouncing and a new rolling hairball form designed for faster movement and speedrunning routes.
A Very Different Bubsy Vibe
The interesting thing here is the team behind the game.
Fabraz previously worked on games like Demon Turf, and there’s definitely a more modern platforming feel to Bubsy 4D compared to the older games in the series. The movement looks faster, smoother and far more expressive than you might expect from a franchise that has spent decades as an internet punchline.
That doesn’t mean people have forgotten Bubsy’s reputation though.
When we reviewed Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection, we said: “Even with the modern additions to make them palatable, these are bad platformers.” That review landed with a 2.5/5 score, largely because the older games themselves simply weren’t especially good.
Which is exactly why Bubsy 4D feels oddly fascinating. It’s not trying to remake the classics – it’s trying to give Bubsy the game people always joked he never had.
Beyond the platforming itself, Bubsy 4D also includes online ghost races and leaderboard support for players wanting to chase faster completion times. There are unlockable outfits, hidden blueprints to discover and a supporting cast featuring returning characters like Terri, Terry, Virgil and Oblivia. And yes, the dialogue appears fully committed to the cat pun bit.
One Of 2026’s Weirdest Comebacks?
The mascot platformer revival has already brought back plenty of unexpected faces over the last few years, but Bubsy always felt like the one character nobody expected to see again – especially not in full 3D.
Whether Bubsy 4D finally gives the bobcat his redemption story remains to be seen, but there’s no denying it’s one of the more curious platforming launches of the year. Stay tuned for our full review of Bubsy 4D.
You’ll find Bubsy 4D on the usual storefronts. We’ll send you the way of the Xbox Store.
