Leaping off a craft-themed wall, snapping into a tight glide, and then instantly swelling into a frantic hairball to rocket across open-world alien landscapes at breakneck speeds is not what anyone expected from gaming’s most famously mocked mascot.
Yet, against all historical precedent, developer Fabraz has managed to turn the punchline of 90s platformers into a legitimately thrilling, momentum-focused speedrunner’s dream. Best known for their precision-platforming pedigree with titles like Slime-san and Demon Turf, the developers have stripped away the frustrating design choices of Bubsy’s past and replaced them with a mechanically deep, physics-defying playground. In this new outing, the fleece-obsessed alien Woolies have stolen Earth’s sheep, only for those sheep to overthrow their captors and return as deadly, cybernetic “BaaBots.” They are after Bubsy’s prized Golden Fleece, sending our orange protagonist on an intergalactic chase across bizarre, craft-like planets constructed out of cardboard, felt, and digital yarn.
At its core, Bubsy 4D is a complete mechanical reinvention that focuses heavily on the joy of movement. Rather than fighting clunky physics, players guide Bubsy using a highly expressive and fluid moveset. He can run, double-jump, glide to clear massive gaps, claw his way up vertical walls, and pounce off enemies to launch himself higher into the air. The real game-changer is his new hairball form, which allows Bubsy to curl up and roll at blistering velocities, bouncing off walls and launching over ramps. The levels are designed like massive, open-ended skate parks that encourage you to maintain your momentum. As you explore, you will collect yarn to buy stylish new outfits and hunt down hidden blueprints that unlock brand-new traversal moves and character upgrades.
When you are not hunting down collectibles, the game shifts its focus to competitive speedrunning. Each of the craft-themed worlds ends in a unique BaaBot boss battle, but the real longevity lies in the game’s robust time-trial system. Players can tackle individual level times, upload their best runs to global leaderboards, and race directly against the ghost data of other players. Accompanying this high-speed gameplay is a wonderfully brassy, energetic soundtrack by Fat Bard, which mixes jazz, big band, and electro-swing to keep the pacing feeling frantic and fun.
Early player reviews are a mix of absolute shock and genuine praise, resulting in a flawless 100% positive rating at launch. The consensus is clear: the movement mechanics are incredibly smooth, offering a flow state that rivals modern precision platformers. Some players have compared the wide-open, high-speed level design to a successful open-world Sonic the Hedgehog game, praising the sheer joy of just navigating the environments. The humor, historically a major sore spot for the franchise, is actually landing this time, with players finding the character design and writing genuinely charming instead of grating.
However, it wouldn’t be a Bubsy game without a few bizarre, polarizing edges that might split players. The game boldly opens with Bubsy completely naked in the very first minute, an aesthetic choice that has delighted meme-loving players but might leave others scratching their heads. On a more structural level, the transition to open-world traversal means that environments can occasionally feel empty, with some reviews pointing out a light enemy density that places the focus almost entirely on platforming traversal rather than combat. Additionally, some players have pointed out a highly specific, distracting censorship block on a certain “gotta go fast” homage skin—a playful gag that might slightly annoy completionists who prefer clean cosmetics.
Ultimately, Bubsy 4D is a shocking redemption story. It is a game tailor-made for speedrun enthusiasts, fans of classic 3D platformers, and anyone who enjoys high-momentum physics. If you can set aside the legacy of the name and embrace the absurdity, you’ll find one of the most mechanically satisfying, fluidly animated platformers of the year.
Key Facts
- Developer: Fabraz
- Publisher: Atari
- Release Date: May 22, 2026
- Price: $19.99