Bubsy 4D launches on Xbox, returns bobcat to 3D

Fabraz developed Bubsy 4D and published it with Atari. The 3D platformer launched May 22 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC and Xbox Cloud and is available through Xbox Play Anywhere for a $19.99 price.

The studio framed Bubsy 4D as an update of the franchise for contemporary players while keeping elements familiar to long-time fans. Fabraz described its design approach as “expressive platforming,” focusing on a broad set of movement options that players can combine to overcome level challenges.

In the game’s story, the Woolies steal Earth’s sheep and the animals return as mechanized enemies called BaaBots. Bubsy travels across themed planets to recover the Golden Fleece. Levels include collectible yarn, robotic-sheep encounters, time challenges and online leaderboards for fastest completion times.

Core player moves are a double jump, the franchise’s glide, a pounce used for long jumps and enemy tackles, and a new hairball transformation that lets Bubsy roll at speed. Fabraz layered additional effects onto those moves: pouncing can trigger an animal run on certain surfaces or be used to scale short walls; holding jump in hairball form enables rapid wall-jumping; and holding jump after a pounce can convert the landing into an additional jump. The studio said these interactions are intended to support both new players and speedrunners.

The game includes extensive control options. Players can remap buttons, change hairball mode from toggle to hold and select a tank-control configuration intended for a more traditional feel.

Fabraz founder Fabian Rastorfer called bringing Bubsy back “great” and described the team’s goal as balancing a refreshed look with moves from earlier entries while adding what he described as “Fabraz DNA.” Rastorfer highlighted the expanded move set and the variety of movement combinations available to players.

Fabraz positioned Bubsy 4D as the character’s return to full 3D platforming after decades and said the project aligns with the studio’s interest in platformers that emphasize player-driven movement systems rather than a single traversal path.