Bubsy 3D’s Legacy Lives On: Limited Run Games and Fabraz Revive Infamous Platformer for Nintendo Fans

Bubsy 3D, regularly cited as one of the most controversial entries in platforming history, has experienced an unexpected renaissance in recent months.

Developed for the original PlayStation and infamously panned for its awkward controls and design, the Bubsy series is now drawing renewed interest from both long-time fans and a new generation thanks to two major projects: Bubsy In: The Purrfect Collection, spearheaded by Limited Run Games, and the upcoming Bubsy 4D, being developed by indie studio Fabraz for modern platforms including the Nintendo Switch. Bubsy In: The Purrfect Collection was announced in 2023 by Limited Run Games, known for their preservation and celebration of gaming history.

The comprehensive package collects several of Bubsy’s early outings and introduces a "Refurbished Edition" of Bubsy 3D, offering updated analog controls and widescreen compatibility, making the divisive classic more accessible for today’s players.

Meanwhile, Fabraz, the noted indie developer behind titles such as Slime-san, revealed Bubsy 4D—a new platformer continuing the story after Bubsy 3D, with a scheduled release window set for 2025.

Both projects seem unafraid to acknowledge the original game's complicated reputation, engaging with its legacy through humor and improved design choices. To gauge how the original creators feel about these revival efforts, we reached out to Richard Ham, who worked as a designer on Bubsy 3D and has since become known for his board game channel, Rahdo Runs Through.

Ham admitted he hadn’t been aware of these new projects but expressed genuine enthusiasm about Bubsy’s renewed attention.

He remarked that he was pleased to see interest in the franchise revived, especially given the passing of Bubsy creator and his own mentor, Mike Berlyn, in 2023.

In Ham’s words, “It makes me happy to know that Bubsy is getting another chance because Mike Berlyn is no longer with us.

It’s nice to know that what he created might find new fans out there.” During our conversation, Ham also disclosed details of a previously unannounced Bubsy 4D prototype developed at Eidetic (now known for the Syphon Filter franchise) that was ultimately shelved.

In a series of fan Q&A videos Ham provided, he described how the prototype aimed to address major criticisms of Bubsy 3D.

Key improvements included reworking the player controls to better reflect the mechanics introduced by Super Mario 64 and reducing the screen resolution to allow for richer, fully-textured environments—an approach similar to that used in genre contemporaries like Crash Bandicoot.

The game demo featured Bubsy scaling the side of a volcano, inspired by Mt.

Vesuvius, with plans for levels set across different eras and locations, lending credence to the theoretical 'fourth dimension' of the title, time travel. Ultimately, publisher Accolade decided not to proceed with further Bubsy releases at the time, prompting the development team—eventually known as 989 Studios—to pivot toward the production of the critically acclaimed stealth-action title Syphon Filter, launched in 1999 on the original PlayStation. With projects like Bubsy In: The Purrfect Collection and Bubsy 4D, Limited Run Games and Fabraz are not only reviving the nostalgia around Bubsy on platforms like the Nintendo Switch and eShop but are also offering the infamous mascot a genuine opportunity for redemption.

Their efforts underscore the enduring fascination with video game history and the potential for beloved—or notorious—franchises to find new audiences and appreciation, decades after their debut.

Nintendo Limited Run Games Bubsy developer Limited Run Bubsy 4D Fabraz Bubsy 3D Bubsy In: The Purrfect Collection Richard Ham Nintendo Switch Accolade 989 Studios Syphon Filter Mike Berlyn Eidetic