Review: Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection (PS5)

Much like a stubborn cockroach scuttling back from commercial failures that buried worthier franchises, Bubsy In: The Purrfect Collection bundles every one of the wisecracking bobcat’s so-called “classics,” tossing in alternate console builds and even a polished-up take on the series’ most infamous entry. Expect the usual retro trappings—save states, rewind trickery, decorative bezels, CRT overlays—plus a museum stuffed with concept sketches, dev chats, and other memorabilia for the diehards.

The original Bubsy borrows liberally from Sonic when it comes to velocity; nail the rhythm and the furball rockets forward. Trouble is, the entire world is made of instant-death hazards, so flick on the invulnerability toggle or spam that rewind button unless you enjoy endless game-over screens.

Its sequel shows modest improvement yet remains mediocre. Foes and hazards still pop up like cruel pranks, and blind jumps at top speed are practically scripted demises. The bundled Game Boy port even greets you with the disclaimer: “You really ought to quit while you’re ahead.”

Fractured Furry Tales repeats the same sins—sloppy stage layouts, twitchy handling, and the return of single-hit obliteration. Worse, there’s no god-mode toggle this time; you’re stuck with endless credits and the rewind crutch.

And then there’s the elephant—er, bobcat—in the room. Bubsy 3D has long sat atop “worst ever” lists, and the label still fits. Slippery steering, shrill one-liners, and barren, hideous polygons offer zero charm. The “refurbished” re-release smooths the controls slightly, yet the core experience remains agonizing.

In short, Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection is Atari and Limited Run resurrecting a litter of notoriously lousy platformers, slapping on convenience features that nudge them from unplayable to merely unbearable. Lifelong Bubsy apostles who’ve clung to these cartridges since the Clinton era may find nostalgic joy; everyone else should grab the compilation only if morbid curiosity demands witness to just how dire the franchise truly is.