A reader has explained why, despite one entry being a candidate for the worst video game of all time, he remains a devoted Bubsy Bobcat fan and advocates for more sequels.
The Bubsy Bobcat series launched in the 1990s on the Sega Mega Drive and Super Nintendo. The reader first discovered it while watching an episode of the then-popular show GamesMaster and was curious whether it was a good platformer. He later played the first game at a market stall selling used Mega Drive games, bought it, and immediately knew he would enjoy it.
The First Game's Appeal
The original Bubsy Bobcat saw the character take on alien invaders called Woolies, who had chosen to attack Earth. The game featured 16 levels and was praised by many reviewers as a good alternative to Sonic The Hedgehog. It also won a parent's choice award for being fun and non-violent, and it had a strong soundtrack that helped it succeed despite stiff competition.
The second title, however, did not appeal to players, offering recycled content, confusing layouts, and bland presentation. These problems hurt the series, and the release of Bubsy 3D essentially killed the franchise for two decades.
Revival and Future Hopes
The series returned with Bubsy: The Woolies Strike Back in 2017, followed by a collection of the Bubsy Bobcat series in 2025 that included the first game and the 16-bit and 3D titles, which ensured a fourth game, Bubsy 4D, would be released.
Despite the failures of earlier games, the first Bubsy title did so well that it kept the series alive. The reader suggests future games could learn from past developers by using clever ideas such as changing enemy positions, items, and power-ups each playthrough to add replay value. He also proposes multiplayer modes with unique maps and exclusive enemies, as well as bosses that appear on different maps each time. Introducing new playable characters could offer unique perspectives and multiple endings, while an unlockable theatre mode would let players enjoy the soundtrack and endings.
Bubsy Bobcat, the reader concludes, will always remain one of his favourite Mega Drive platformers.
