Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection Review – Limited Run Delivers Definitive Bubsy Experience on Nintendo Switch

Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection Arrives on Nintendo Switch: A Definitive Look at Gaming’s Most Infamous Bobcat The platforming world is once again graced by Bubsy, the bold bobcat with a reputation as notorious as it is beloved.

Since developer Limited Run and publisher Atari announced “Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection” for Nintendo Switch, scheduled for release on September 9, 2025, anticipation and curiosity have surged among genre enthusiasts and preservationists alike.

With an industry legacy stretching back to the original 1993 debut of Bubsy in: Claws Encounter of the Furred Kind, the series has long been synonymous with both cult appeal and a checkered critical past—a legacy this comprehensive new collection hopes to both honor and elevate.

This collection compiles the entire original Bubsy run, including Bubsy in: Claws Encounter of the Furred Kind, Bubsy 2, Bubsy in: Fractured Furry Tales, the contentious Bubsy 3D, and—for the first time outside of Japan—the rare Japanese release of the original Bubsy game.

Fans will also discover portable versions like Bubsy 2 for Game Boy, along with a major new highlight: Bubsy 3D: Refurbished Edition, which offers a thorough reimagining of the ambitious, if divisive, original 3D title.

Much more than a mere bundle, The Purrfect Collection brings modern quality-of-life upgrades.

Players can now activate a rewind feature—a true lifesaver during Bubsy’s infamous sudden deaths and tricky enemy placements—by pressing both shoulder buttons, letting fans retry tough sections with ease.

As seen in the acclaimed Gex Trilogy, this collection also introduces a dynamic options menu via the right stick, letting users tweak screen aspect ratios (native, 4:3, or 16:9), activate a CRT filter, change screen borders, or quickly save and load progress.

With universal save files for every title, the collection modernizes notoriously unforgiving platformers without compromising their classic charm. Each game shows its unique strengths.

Bubsy 1 is a fast-paced, single-hit 2D challenge where the titular character races against time to thwart the alien Woolies’ yarn heist—a mechanic now softened by the welcome addition of the rewind.

Bubsy 2 stands out as the collection’s most refined entry, introducing an overworld structure, multihit health, more varied stages (including vehicle segments), and a forgiving design that encourages replayability.

Meanwhile, the Game Boy version of Bubsy 2, though a curiosum, gains accessibility and staying power through these user-friendly improvements. Perhaps the greatest surprise is Bubsy 3D: Refurbished Edition.

Notorious for its tank controls and confusing camera, Bubsy 3D has been transformed—presenting smoother movement, more responsive gliding, and a vastly improved camera system.

While core gameplay and visuals evoke the original, these changes create a far more approachable entry point for new players and a nostalgic delight for returning fans. Beyond gameplay, The Purrfect Collection’s Meowseum Mode cements its status as a landmark preservation effort.

The included Mewsic jukebox hosts the entire Bubsy soundtrack library, while the museum mode offers a rich archive: concept art, marketing materials, design documents, developer interviews, promotional comics—even the complete pilot episode of the Bubsy cartoon.

This curated content reveals the broader impact of Bubsy on platforming history and is a treasure trove for fans and game historians. As the bobcat’s latest adventure lands on Nintendo Switch, it’s evident that Limited Run and Atari have succeeded in not just preserving, but reviving, a quirky franchise with a new level of polish.

For devoted Bubsy fans, The Purrfect Collection is a must-own archival masterpiece; for platformer aficionados or those seeking a slice of gaming history on the eShop, this definitive package is well worth a try.

Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection will be available for Nintendo Switch starting September 9, 2025.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Atari Switch Bubsy Limited Run Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection Limited Run Games Bubsy 3D Bubsy 2 Bubsy in: Claws Encounter of the Furred Kind Bubsy in: Fractured Furry Tales