I didn’t have a big Bubsy comeback on my 2026 bingo card, but I’m here to be proven wrong.

The bobcat is really back, and perhaps the biggest surprise of all – in a good way! Serving as something of a spiritual successor to Bubsy 3D, likely retconning the slew of sequels that have followed since, Bubsy 4D sees Bubsy come back into the 3D realm after learning the Woolies are back. Only their plans are a bit different this time.

The sheep woolies have freed themselves and made BaaBots out of new fangled technology that can essentially get to space and take control of planets for themselves. I mean, it’s about time we all adhered to our sheep overlords, to be honest!

They’re not after Bubsy’s Golden Fleece this time, but he’s definitely not about to let them get away with it, even if he causes more trouble than good and doesn’t really have a clue what he’s doing so relies on his friends and family who all think he’s a bit of a joke.

Such is the meta nature of the game. Bubsy’s convinced he’s some sort of major celebrity, but everyone else grounds him by saying he’s really not. It’s a cheeky dynamic and one that actually livens up the vibe of the game itself.

And as you travel between the different planets, you’ll be picking up balls of wool and facing down wooly sheep bosses who seem determined to turn Bubsy into a cyborg. Which might serve the bobcat for the best, in all honesty.

As you run through the levels, you’ll be able to grab upgrades from a shop run by your family, like new jumps, strengthening claws as you climb walls, and even get new outfits and gear to kit Bubsy out to look more stylish.

In terms of how tight the game feels, it can be a bit loose at points with you sailing through the sky and overshooting or slipping when landing, the camera can also be a bit hit and miss, and some level design is a little bland, but this game absolutely provides a fun, well-rounded platform experience that you’ll find yourself pulled into.

It’s also a little on the short side between the small amount of worlds on offer, with frantic action inbetween, but there’s absolutely a stint of quantity versus quality here and this is a really well put together platformer, all told.

The game has a good sense of humour and the characters have some really witty back and forth that raises a smile and silliness coming out of its pores (paws?).

If we’re comparing this to other platformers on the market, it’s a tougher ask. Almost every Nintendo game is better and then we’ve had the likes of Yooka Replaylee and more recently that have been a lot more engaging and entertaining.

But as a standalone game, with a tongue very firmly lodged in its cheek and a fun mix of content to cast players into, Bubsy 4D is a more than successful return for the Bobcat and a pleasure I enjoyed from beginning to end.

Verdict

Bubsy 4D is a mostly successful return for the Bobcat and a real vibe check for other platformers. It’s entertaining, feels solid and has something distinct to offer. In terms of the content, it’s a bit on short side and some environments feel a tad bland, but Bubsy 4D is a solid game and might just be one of the biggest surprise comebacks in video game history!