Bubsy 4D Preview: What Could PAWsably Go Wrong? (PC)

Coming soon to multiple platforms pounces Bubsy 4D, a 3D platformer developed by Fabraz and published by Atari. In this upcoming title, you play the titular Bubsy, who must once again set out to protect his Golden Fleece from his long-term rivals, the Woollies. And the new villainous sheep known as Baabots! All in a title that no one was expecting would ever be announced, let alone be this good.

It feels strange to be talking about a Bubsy game at all. Bubsy is not a series known for its quality. And when it was first previewed, I probably found the fact that this was being published by Atari almost like a joke in itself. But to be blunt, oh boy, am I eating humble pie here. Even though this is just a preview, I honestly have to say that Bubsy 4D is shaping up to be a fantastic game and has been a joy to play. With that said, let’s get into the preview!

Bubsy 4D is set to release early 2026 on Nintendo Switch 1 and 2, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam, GOG, and Epic Store.

Story – The Cat Came Back

Bubsy 4D takes place an inordinate amount of time since the last Bubsy game. I know that is a vague thing to say at this point in the preview. But Bubsy 4D’s story is rather laid back and tongue-in-cheek. After getting teased for being an old git by his rambunctious younger relatives, Bubsy is horrified to learn that the nefarious Woollies are back! And rather than just stealing yarn balls, they are going straight to the source and start kidnapping sheep. Some time later, the sheep return, now transformed into Baabots. And now in command of the Woollies and with plans of domination of their own.

Most of the writing in Bubsy 4D is riffing on the cat himself.

The story is daft. It isn’t meant to be taken seriously. And honestly, it is fun enough for what the game needs. Bubsy 4D is decently written. Which might sound like hollow praise, but given the legacy of this series, having a game with actual jokes and characters is a refreshing change. Our cast is fun. And Bubsy is written almost like a put-upon everyman, and the references to his past adventures are (thankfully) minimal. For a game from a series known for doing meta and referential jokes to death, having writing that can show some restraint and build character-based jokes is, honestly, rather enjoyable. And I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next with this one.

Gameplay – Not So Woolly!

All right. Let’s just put aside any pretence here. Let’s put it off no longer. Even though I just played a preview build, I must say that Bubsy 4D is shockingly good. For someone who has spent most of his life knowing Bubsy as a punchline to countless jokes about failed gaming mascots. To have a game that is this good is mind-blowing. And don’t get it twisted, dear reader. Bubsy 4D isn’t “shockingly good” in comparison to the past games. No, it is “Shockingly good” on its own merits; This is a genuinely good game, with tight controls, and a fresh feel to the gameplay.

Bubsy 4D is a shockingly good platformer.

Yes, this is a rather typical modern platformer; by default, there are no lives, platforming gets rather elaborate, and there are unlockable moves. But it does this very well. The controls are intuitive and rather forgiving. In most platformers, some sequences require very specific actions to be carried out to succeed; to cross a large jump, you need to do a double jump, then a flutter jump, leap, and then glide. Whereas with Bubsy 4D, sure, the jumps will still be needed in that order, but the order you do the other moves doesn’t matter.

Cat’s The Way To Do It!

This might seem a strange thing to praise. But this makes the controls all the more intuitive as you are doing what feels most natural to you, rather than having to act to someone else’s skill level. This all makes the platforming feel rather free-flowing; yes, there is a right way to do this, but how you do it comes down to your choices. And yes, the demo is based upon the early game, where things will be easier, but it is such a refreshing change of pace to play a platformer that isn’t expecting or demanding me to be playing with near speed run reactions.

The hairball can be fun, but a tad overused.

The one downside in this demo preview of Bubsy 4D comes with the Hairball move. At the push of a button, Bubsy becomes a ball and controls and handles like Super Sami Roll or Monkey Ball. And whilst the controls of that are tight and fun. And this lends itself to some fun rolling sequences. It feels like it is overused. It feels like I spend more time in that form, either in those sequences or to get from one area to the other, given just how large and empty the area between set pieces can be. Nonetheless, Bubsy 4D, from the gameplay seen here alone, is setting up to be one of the best platformers of 2026 already!

Graphics & Audio – Referential References

I know that this might seem like a terribly unprofessional thing to say. But it feels weird to be praising a Bubsy game as much as I am, be that a preview, review, or whatever else. The game’s Graphics & Audio design are great. I won’t lie and say that they are some form of revolution. Or that they are doing anything that I haven’t seen done elsewhere; it does look like a very typical platformer of this era. But I still have to praise what we see and hear here.

The game worlds are bright, colourful, and do a respectable job in creating a handcrafted aesthetic. The Baabots are turning the worlds they take over into worlds made of wool and textiles. And the developers have done a decent job in conveying that. And creating a solid visual style. That contrasts with the more typically cartoony Bubsy.

Audio-wise, the music is solid. I will admit my most favourite part of it is hearing the old Bubsy music playing in the training area. In a way that sounds like it is echoing from some old tinny speakers. The voice acting is good, too. Unlike the prior Bubsy games, it doesn’t make me want to switch my speakers off whenever Bubsy opens his mouth. Though I do wish that there were more voice lines for him. All in all, I have no real complaints with the graphics, art, or audio of Bubsy 4D. And I look forward to seeing how the game evolves closer to release.

Bubsy 4D was previewed on PC.