Modern reviewers forget that this was among the very first 3D platformers, developed simultaneously with Mario 64. Neither team knew about the existence of the other until near the release. They had to invent the 3D camera, controls, and everything else from scratch.
If Nintendo hadn't happened to be working on their masterpiece on a new, far superior console — or if this had just been released a few weeks faster — Bubsy 3D would've been considered a groundbreaking game that invented a new genre.
Unfortunately for the devs, Mario 64 ended up setting the bar so high that Bubsy ended up looking terrible by comparison.
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...2023-12-20 21:30:18.06204+00
eh, if this came out first it will have still been reviewed negatively, just not as negatively. Was this ambitious for its time? Sure. Unfairly slammed? You bet! But the PlayStation would have had Jumping Flash for a year now and Tomb Raider also came out around this time. Both lacked SM64's analog controls and haven't aged the best by modern standards, but are more polished and better designed.
But I agree that this isn't even the worst 3D platformer on the PS1.
very fair point. the dev team were completely unfamiliar with the technology at the time. it was uncharted territory, so you can't be too hard on them. the people at nintendo were just on another level of talent and artistry.
I disagree. I give an A for effort to the design team's creativity, but this game is so messed up. Indiana Jones on Atari was innovative too, as it incorporated adventure game elements, but it was also bad for its time and is just as bad today.
If Nintendo hadn't happened to be working on their masterpiece on a new, far superior console — or if this had just been released a few weeks faster — Bubsy 3D would've been considered a groundbreaking game that invented a new genre.
Unfortunately for the devs, Mario 64 ended up setting the bar so high that Bubsy ended up looking terrible by comparison.
But I agree that this isn't even the worst 3D platformer on the PS1.