Bubsy 4D Review - The Bobcat Returns, For Better and Worse
- XPN Network
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Bubsy has always been gaming’s most persistent houseguest — the one who keeps showing up uninvited, tracking mud across the carpet, and insisting he’s still got “it.” Bubsy 4D is the latest attempt to convince us that the bobcat deserves a place in the modern platforming landscape. And to its credit, this is the most ambitious Bubsy game in years. Unfortunately, ambition and execution are two very different things, and Bubsy still struggles to land on his feet.
Booting up Bubsy 4D feels like stepping into a time machine that overshot its destination. It’s part retro throwback, part surreal fever dream, and part “what if a mascot platformer was designed by someone who only vaguely remembers the 90s.” The game leans hard into its own weirdness — fourth‑wall jokes, self‑aware narration, and a tone that wavers between ironic and genuinely confused.
There’s a charm to that, in a “mascot revival gone rogue” sort of way. But the moment you take control, the nostalgia haze evaporates. Bubsy still moves like he’s wearing ankle weights, the camera has the attention span of a caffeinated squirrel, and the platforming physics feel like they were tuned by committee.
The plot is a meta‑narrative about Bubsy trying to reboot his own franchise, complete with jokes about critics, forgotten mascots, and the nature of “relevance.” It’s occasionally clever, occasionally exhausting, and often feels like the writers were trying to pre‑emptively apologise for the game you’re playing. Still, it’s the most personality Bubsy has had in decades, and that counts for something.
The core loop is a mix of 3D platforming, light puzzle‑solving, and occasional “gimmick” levels that try to shake things up — hover‑suit sections, rail‑grinds, and a bizarre stealth sequence that feels like it escaped from a different game entirely.
When it works, it’s… fine. Not great, not awful — just serviceable. But the inconsistency is constant. Some levels are tightly designed with clear flow and playful ideas. Others feel like they were assembled from leftover geometry and a shrug.
Combat is similarly uneven. Bubsy’s pounce attack is floaty and imprecise, and enemy hitboxes seem to operate on vibes rather than rules. You’ll miss hits you should land and land hits you absolutely shouldn’t.
Visually, Bubsy 4D is a strange beast. The art direction is colourful and intentionally kitschy, but the textures and models often look a generation behind. It’s not ugly, just oddly dated — like a remaster of a game that never existed.
The soundtrack is surprisingly catchy, leaning into Saturday‑morning‑cartoon energy with a few genuinely fun tracks. Bubsy’s voice acting, however, remains an acquired taste. If you’ve ever wondered what it would sound like if a mascot tried stand‑up comedy at an open mic night, this is your answer.
Pros
Some genuinely fun level concepts
Colourful, energetic presentation
Catchy soundtrack
Self‑aware humour occasionally lands
Runs well on Xbox hardware
Cons
Sloppy platforming physics
Inconsistent level quality
Camera issues throughout
Bubsy’s dialogue can grate
Feels dated despite being new
Bubsy 4D is a game that wants desperately to be in on the joke — and sometimes it is. Other times, it’s the punchline. There’s a scrappy charm here, and fans of oddball platformers might find something to enjoy, but it never rises above “curiosity piece.” It’s not a disaster, but it’s not a comeback either. It’s Bubsy, doing Bubsy things, in a Bubsy way.
If nothing else, it proves one thing: You can’t keep a bobcat down. You can only hope to contain him.
XPN Gaming: 3 out of 5 (SILVER)
Bubsy 4D is available now!
We were also sent a copy of the Pawsome Edition of the game on Nintendo Switch 2! Which is perfect for physical collectors and comes with a host of cool additional items including:
• Physical Nintendo Switch game
• Deluxe collector’s box
• Double-sided poster
• 24-page game manual / booklet
• Softcover art book (“The Art of Bubsy 4D”)
Comments