In the competitive landscape of video game mascots, few have managed to rival the enduring popularity of Mario and Sonic. Many have faded into obscurity, despite featuring in games with solid potential, such as Sparkster (Rocket Knight Adventures), Zool, Croc, and Sackboy.
One character that often sparks recognition, even if their games weren’t always critically acclaimed, is Bubsy. First appearing in 1993 with “Bubsy in Claws: Encounters of the Furred Kind,” he was marketed as a fast-paced “Sonic killer.” The game sold well and spawned several sequels. However, the developer, Accolade, eventually ceased operations and was acquired by Infogrames in 1999, a company that also ultimately did not survive.
This hiatus lasted for 21 years until the series made a comeback in 2017 and 2019 with “Bubsy: The Woolies Strike Back” and “Bubsy: Paws on Fire,” respectively. Unfortunately, both titles were met with mediocre reception. Now, seven years later, a fresh start is on the horizon with “Bubsy 4D,” slated for a full release on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X on May 22nd.
Early impressions from those who have had a chance to play Bubsy 4D at events have been positive. You can now experience it for yourself. A playable demo for Bubsy 4D has been released for consoles, following its earlier availability on PC. Accompanying this release is a new trailer, which you can find below. If you’ve already tried the new Bubsy adventure, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section.