Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind

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Bubsy in: Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind
Bubsy 1 cover.png
Sega Genesis cover art
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)
Producer(s)
  • John A.S. Skeel
  • Cynthia Kirkpatrick
  • Sandy Jackson (Windows)
Designer(s) Michael Berlyn
Programmer(s)
  • D. Scott Williamson
  • Joel Seider (SNES)
  • Al Baker (Genesis)
  • Bart Crane (Windows)
Artist(s)
  • Beckett Gladney
  • Ken Macklin
  • Ken Nicholson (Windows)
  • Mark Johnson (Windows)
Composer(s) Matt Berardo
Series Bubsy
Platform(s)
Release
  • Super NES
    • NA: May 1993 [1]
    • EU: October 28, 1993
    • JP: June 17, 1994 [2]
    Genesis
    Windows
Genre(s) Platform
Mode(s) Single-player

Bubsy in: Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind, [a] often shortened to Bubsy, is a 1993 platform game developed and published by Accolade for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. A port to the Sega Genesis was released months later. [7] It is the first entry in the Bubsy series of video games. The game's title is a play on words in reference to the film Close Encounters of the Third Kind , [8] with the game revolving around Bubsy defending the planet's supply of yarn balls from alien invaders. [9]

Contents

The game was ported to Windows in 1997 under the title Super Bubsy. A sequel, Bubsy 2 , was released in 1994. [10]

Gameplay

Screenshot of the first level Bubsy (SNES).png
Screenshot of the first level

In the game, enemy aliens called "Woolies" intend to steal Earth's supply of yarn balls. Since Bubsy has the world's largest collection of yarn balls, he has the most at stake and sets out to stop the Woolies and reclaim the yarn balls. [11] The game plays as a 2D side-scrolling platformer. [12] The player must maneuver Bubsy through the levels, jumping on Woolies, and collecting stray yarn balls (which earns the player an extra life if 500 are collected). [3] The game consists of sixteen levels, and Bubsy starts off with nine lives. [13]

Development

Designer Michael Berlyn had previously designed adventure video games, such as Altered Destiny and Les Manley in: Search for the King , prior to his work on Bubsy. [14] Eventually burning out on the genre, he came across the original Sonic the Hedgehog and ended up playing it 14 hours a day, for a whole week, in order to find inspiration to do his own take on it. [14] Development of the game began on December 6, 1991. Earlier sketches show Bubsy wearing shoes which were omitted in the final design. The Genesis version, which was the first one being worked on, was to be released in September 1992, but Accolade's legal troubles with Sega caused the game to be delayed. [15] After artists Beckett Gladney and Ken Macklin constructed the backgrounds and character animations respectively on a PC program, a group named Solid Software went on to program them for the Super NES. [16]

Director John Skeel said in an interview that they wanted to create a game "as fast as Sonic and as deep as Mario" that would be easy to play but hard to master. [17] He also had difficulty finding a good voice for the main character. After weeks of searching through voice talent tapes, Skeel received a call from Brian Silva who aided trying to find a suitable voice, until Skeel tried speeding up a recording of Silva's voice, which took inspiration from Looney Tunes characters like Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny, and added to the end result of Bubsy's design. Bubsy's catchphrase, "What could possibly go wrong?", was derived from the development team's quip. [18]

In December 1992, some children who resided near Accolade's office in San Jose, California, were invited to have pizza, soda, and to playtest the game. The children were also asked to comment on the game's aspects. Their suggestion to add more secret paths was picked up, resulting in the inclusion of some underground tube ways in the first level. [19]

A group of 20+ people worked on the game. [20] During the programming of the Super NES version of the game, one of the hazards in the game was catnip that could drive Bubsy mad. This was replaced with banana peels because of Nintendo's censorship policies. [19] The game was developed and released concurrently for the Super NES and Genesis, with each version looking and sounding almost identical. [3]

Release

Pre-release anticipation for the game was very high, with the game receiving aggressive marketing regarding the game as the next Sonic the Hedgehog or Super Mario . [14] [13] Bubsy himself even won Electronic Gaming Monthly's "Most Hype for a Character of 1993". [21] GameFan awarded Bubsy "Best New Character" for 1993. [22]

Promotion

In January 1993 at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, a Bubsy mascot leaped out of a sack to greet spectators. [23]

Months after the game's release, a lottery was put up by Accolade and GamePro . Winners of the lottery would win a 6-day trip to tourist locations in California, receive $500 in cash, and meet the game's developers. Other prizes included a Bubsy plush and shirt. [24]

In Spain, a contest of drawing Bubsy fanart was put up where the winners would receive a cap, a hairpin, a shirt, a cup, and a rain coat. [25]

Re-releases

The Super NES version was released in Japan under the title Yamaneko Bubsy no Daibōken. The release was mostly identical, except that Bubsy's voice clips and most of the in-game text were dubbed in Japanese.

Super Bubsy, a port of the game to Windows 95 developed by ATI Technologies, was released on May 19, 1997. [5] It contained completely redrawn graphics, and, if the player collects all 20 hidden TVs, this unlocks the Bubsy cartoon pilot that was never picked up for further episodes. [13]

The Super NES version was also re-released on Steam via emulation on December 17, 2015, as part of the Bubsy Two-Fur, a two games compilation which also includes the Super NES version of Bubsy 2. [26] The Super NES and Genesis versions, as well as Yamaneko Bubsy no Daibōken, are set to be re-released as part of Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection in 2025. [27]

Reception

Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind on the Super NES received generally favorable reviews. [32] [35] [54] [55] GamePro 's Feline Groovy praised its graphics and opined that Bubsy had more personality than Sonic thanks to his animations and voice clips. She considered the game's non-linear levels to be a strong point and the controls to be a weak point, elaborating that Bubsy tends to keep running even without pressing the controller. [56] VideoGames & Computer Entertainment 's Andy Eddy commended the non-linear level designs, but complained that Bubsy suffers from uncontrollable momentum and that the game's backgrounds did not move enough to give the player a frame of reference when taking leaps. [38] Electronic Games listed it as one of the best Super NES games. [57]

The game also won a Parents' Choice Award for being fun but non-violent. [58]

Genesis

The Sega Genesis version also garnered generally favorable reception from critics. [4] [30] [33] [39] GamePro 's The Unknown Gamer found the Genesis version to be graphically identical despite being limited by a weaker color palette, but noted that Bubsy's moves were easier to execute than those of his SNES counterpart. [3] Electronic Games listed it as one of the best action games for the Genesis. [59]

Windows

The Microsoft Windows version, Super Bubsy, received generally unfavorable reviews. [60] [61] [62] [63] [64] [65]

Retrospective coverage

In a retrospective outlook, IGN highlighted the classic cartoon-inspired character designs, but called Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind a "mediocre" game and a "pale Sonic imitator", criticizing its floaty, imprecise physics and odd level design. [66] Hardcore Gaming 101 , also in retrospect, deemed the game as a "Sonic rip-off", faulting its physics, collision detection, and overall level design lacking structure and cohesion. [13]

Notes

  1. ↑ Known in Japan as Bubsy the Bobcat's Great Adventure (やまねこバブジーの大冒険, Yamaneko Babujī no Daibōken)

References

  1. ↑ "Super NES Games" (PDF). Nintendo. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 14, 2011. Retrieved September 24, 2011.
  2. ↑ Nakamura, Kyōko; Yamanaka, Naoki (July 1994). "スーパーファミコン". Micom BASIC Magazine  [ ja ] (supplement). Super Soft Hot Information (in Japanese). No. 145. The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation  [ ja ]. pp. 16–20.
  3. 1 2 3 4 The Unknown Gamer (August 1993). "Genesis ProReview: Bubsy in: Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind". GamePro . No. 49. IDG. pp. 60–61.
  4. 1 2 3 Anglin, Paul (September 1993). "Review (Megadrive): Bubsy the Bobcat Claws encounters of the furred kind". Computer and Video Games . No. 142. EMAP. pp. 84–85.
  5. 1 2 "Accolade Introduces Super Bubsy" (Press release). Accolade. May 19, 1997. Archived from the original on February 1, 1998. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  6. ↑ Shirakawa, Daisuke (October 1997). "Super Soft Hot Information: Windows95". Micom BASIC Magazine  [ ja ] (in Japanese). No. 184. The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation  [ ja ]. pp. 179–184.
  7. ↑ "Accolade returns with new Bubsy game". MCV. NewBay Media. June 9, 2017. Archived from the original on June 13, 2017. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
  8. ↑ "Video Games (1993-03)(Markt & Technik)(DE)". March 1993.
  9. ↑ "Super Bubsy". IGN . Ziff Davis . Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  10. ↑ "Bubsy II". IGN . Ziff Davis . Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  11. ↑ Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind (Instruction Booklet) (North American ed.). Accolade, Inc. 1993.
  12. ↑ "Accolade returns with new Bubsy game". MCV. NewBay Media. June 9, 2017. Archived from the original on June 13, 2017. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Kalata, Kurt (September 25, 2017). "Bubsy: Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind". Hardcore Gaming 101 . Archived from the original on October 15, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  14. 1 2 3 "News - Playing Catch-Up: Bubsy's Michael Berlyn". Gamasutra . Archived from the original on December 12, 2005. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  15. ↑ Quan, Slasher (July 1992). "Bubsy: A Bobcat in the Making". GamePro . p. 54 and 55.
  16. ↑ "File:GamePro US 037.PDF - Retro CDN".
  17. ↑ "ENTREVISTA CON JOHN SKEEL, director estadounidense del proyecto". Hobby Consolas (in Spanish). February 1993. p. 17.
  18. ↑ "Bubsy Gets his Voice". Nintendo Power . No. 56. Nintendo. January 1994. p. 84.
  19. 1 2 "File:GamePro US 041.pdf - Retro CDN". retrocdn.net.
  20. ↑ "Hobby Consolas 019". April 1993.
  21. ↑ 1994 Video Game Buyer's Guide. Electronic Gaming Monthly. 1994.
  22. ↑ "GAMEFAN'S 2ND ANNUAL MEGAWARDS". Gamefan. January 1994. p. 58.
  23. ↑ "File:GamePro US 040.pdf - Retro CDN". retrocdn.net.
  24. ↑ "GamePro Issue 047 June 1993".
  25. ↑ "File:HobbyConsolas ES 024.PDF - Retro CDN".
  26. ↑ "Bubsy has arrived on Steam!". Steam . Valve. December 17, 2015. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  27. ↑ Romano, Sal (August 15, 2025). "Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection launches September 9". Gematsu. Archived from the original on August 17, 2025. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
  28. ↑ Harris, Steve; Semrad, Ed; Alessi, Martin; Williams, Ken (May 1993). "Review Crew: Bubsy (SNES)". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 46. Sendai Publishing. p. 28.
  29. ↑ McNamara, Andrew; Anderson, Paul; Petzoldt, Rick (March–April 1993). "Bubsy the Bobcat Makes His Debut in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind". Game Informer . No. 9. Sunrise Publications. pp. 20–21.
  30. 1 2 Halverson, Dave; Rickards, Kelly; Cockburn, Andrew (September 1993). "Viewpoint: Bubsy (Sega); Sega Sector - Genesis Review: Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind". GameFan . Vol. 1, no. 10. DieHard Gamers Club. pp.  14, 44–45.
  31. ↑ Halverson, Dave; Stratton, Tom; Cockburn, Andrew (May 1993). "Viewpoint: Bubsy (Nintendo); Planet SNES - Super NES Review: Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind". GameFan . Vol. 1, no. 6. DieHard Gamers Club. pp.  20, 58–59.
  32. 1 2 Lowe, Andy; Ellis, Les; Leach, James (August 1993). "Reviews (SNES): Bubsy". GamesMaster . No. 8. Future Publishing. pp. 56–57.
  33. 1 2 Swan, Gus; Hickman, Lucy (September 1993). "Megadrive Review: Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind". Mean Machines Sega . No. 11. EMAP. pp. 76–77.
  34. ↑ McVittie, Andy; Davies, Paul (July 1993). "Review (Super Nintendo Entertainment System): Bubsy the Bobcat". Nintendo Magazine System . No. 10. EMAP. pp. 68–71.
  35. 1 2 Davies, Jonathan (August 1993). "Import Review: Bubsy". Super Play . No. 10. Future Publishing. pp. 48–50.
  36. ↑ Beaven, James (August 1993). "SNES Reviews: Bubsy". Total! . No. 20. United Kingdom: Future Publishing. pp. 40–41.
  37. ↑ Siegk, Matthias (August 1993). "SNES Test: Bubsy". Total! (in German). No. 3. Germany: MVL Verlag. pp. 36–37. Archived from the original on August 22, 2025. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  38. 1 2 Eddy, Andy (May 1993). "Video-Game Reviews: Bubsy in: Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind - For the Super NES". VideoGames & Computer Entertainment . No. 52. Larry Flynt Publications. p. 41.
  39. 1 2 Mellerick, Paul (September 1993). "Game Review: Bubsy Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind". Mega . No. 12. Future Publishing. pp. 36–37.
  40. ↑ Atherton, Steve (October 1993). "Official Review: Bubsy the Bobcat". Mega Action. No. 5. Europress. pp. 20–21.
  41. ↑ Sloan, Keith; Davison, John (September 1993). "Review: Bubsy". Mega Drive Advanced Gaming . No. 13. Maverick Magazines. pp. 24–26.
  42. ↑ Perry, Dave; Handy, Dominic; Bough, Steve (September 1993). "Mega Drive Review: Bubsy". Mega Power . No. 2. Paragon Publishing. pp. 52–55.
  43. ↑ Glancey, Paul; Holmes, Mark (August 1993). "Megadrive Review: Bubsy: in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind". MegaTech . No. 20. EMAP. pp. 48–50.
  44. ↑ Waring, Adam; Clarke, Stuart (September 1993). "Megadrive: Bubsy the bobcat in Claws encounters of the furred kind". MegaZone . No. 31. Sega Ozisoft. pp. 40–43.
  45. ↑ Pitt, Adrian; Lapworth, Warren (September 1993). "MD Review: Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind". Sega Force Mega . No. 3. Impact Magazines. pp. 38–40.
  46. ↑ Winstanley, Mark (September 1993). "Mega Drive Review: Bubsy". Sega Power . No. 46. Future Publishing. pp. 54–55.
  47. ↑ Hill, Mark; Johnson, Jason (September 1993). "Mega Drive ProReview: Bubsy in: Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind". Sega Pro . No. 23. Paragon Publishing. pp. 72–73.
  48. ↑ Lopez, Amaya (September 1993). "Mega Drive Review: Bubsy the Bobcat". Sega Zone . No. 11. Future Publishing. pp. 34–37.
  49. ↑ Evans, Will; Hill, Simon (September 1993). "Review: Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind". SNES Force . No. 3. Impact Magazines. pp. 50–52.
  50. ↑ Jones, Neil (January 1994). "Official Review: Bubsy Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind". Super Action. No. 17. Europress. pp. 44–45.
  51. ↑ Boardman, Julian; Mallinson, Paul (August 1993). "Super Review: Bubsy Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind". Super Control. No. 3. Maverick Magazines. pp. 26–27.
  52. ↑ "A-Z of Games - Nintendo Games Index: Super NES". Super Gamer. No. 1. Paragon Publishing. April 1994. pp. 122–124.
  53. ↑ Wynne, Stuart (July 1993). "Official Review: Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind". Super Pro. No. 8. Paragon Publishing. pp. 82–84.
  54. ↑ "Now Playing: Bubsy (Super NES)". Nintendo Power . Vol. 50. Nintendo of America. July 1993. pp. 104, 107.
  55. ↑ "NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: やまねこバブジーの大冒険". Famitsu (in Japanese). No. 281–282. ASCII Corporation. May 6–13, 1994.
  56. ↑ Feline Groovy (May 1993). "Super NES ProReview: Bubsy". GamePro . No. 46. IDG. pp. 78–79.
  57. ↑ "State of the Art Report: SNES". Electronic Games . Vol. 2, no. 7. Decker Publications. May 1994. pp. 58–64.
  58. ↑ "Accolade Presents Super Bubsy for Windows 95; Popular Video Game Character Jumps to Windows. - Free Online Library". Archived from the original on December 2, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  59. ↑ "State of the Art: Genesis". Electronic Games . Vol. 2, no. 6. Decker Publications. March 1994. pp. 36–45.
  60. ↑ Stoschek, Monika (May 1997). "Spiele-Test: Geschicklichkeitsspiel für Einsteiger - Super Bubsy". PC Player (in German). No. 53. DMV-Verlag. p. 130.
  61. ↑ "Express: Super Bubsy". Génération 4  [ fr ] (in French). No. 101. Pressimage. July–August 1997. p. 210.
  62. ↑ Sarfati, Laurent (July–August 1997). "Test bref: Super Bubsy". Joystick (in French). No. 84. Hachette Disney Presse. p. 123.
  63. ↑ Bigge, Christian (September 1997). "Test: Super Bubsy". PC Action  [ de ] (in German). No. 20. Computec. p. 68.
  64. ↑ Wagner, Harald (October 1997). "Review: Super Bubsy - Katzenjammer". PC Games (in German). No. 61. Computec. p. 184.
  65. ↑ Ziegler, Markus (October 1997). "Action: Super Bubsy". PC Joker (in German). No. 56. Joker-Verlag. p. 85.
  66. ↑ Buchanan, Levi (November 7, 2008). "What Hath Sonic Wrought?, Vol. 1". IGN . IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
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