Bubsy Is Back? Atari’s “The Purrfect Collection” Resurrects the Meme-Worthy Mascot

When Atari announced “Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection,” I had to double-check that the calendar didn’t say April 1st. Bubsy as a franchise lands somewhere between cautionary tale and low-key meme in gaming circles, depending on whether you survived his 16-bit adventures or suffered through Bubsy 3D. But here we are-Bubsy’s back, clawing his way onto PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and Switch this September, complete with all-new collector’s editions. Is this a genuine rescue of forgotten mascot history or just another nostalgia-fueled cash grab?

• The collection bundles every major Bubsy title, even the infamous Bubsy 3D.
• All games are enhanced with higher resolution and bonus goodies.
• Two different collector’s editions are up for preorder-one with ultra-premium flair.
• Physical editions are handled by Limited Run Games, fueling the retro collector frenzy.

Why This Bubsy Revival Actually Caught My Eye

I’ll be honest: I never expected Bubsy to get this level of retro treatment-especially not in 2024, when mascot platformers live and die by nostalgia’s fickle grace. Yet, Atari seems determined to tap into collective memories, warts and all. If you were a 90s gamer, Bubsy’s constant wisecracks either drove you bonkers or became a weirdly endearing part of your childhood. But does anyone remember these games for their actual platforming…or just as punchlines in “worst games ever” videos?

Breaking Down the “Purrfect Collection”—What’s Actually Inside

• Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind (Mega Drive, SNES)
• Bubsy II (Game Boy, Mega Drive, SNES)
• Bubsy in Fractured Furry Tales (Jaguar)
• Bubsy 3D (PlayStation)—yes, the “so-bad-it’s-legendary” 3D title

What jumps out isn’t just the nostalgia factor—it’s that Atari is leaning in to Bubsy’s full history, warts and all. Bubsy 3D, in particular, has become meme royalty in gaming culture (it’s practically a YouTube rite of passage to roast its abysmal design). Including it in this set almost feels like a tongue-in-cheek nod to its so-bad-it’s-iconic reputation. Are we supposed to play it for real, or just relive the cringe for laughs?

Collector’s Editions: Treasure Trove or Shameless Upsell?

For physical collectors and diehard platforming fans, Limited Run Games is offering both a standard (“Deluxe”) and a massive collector’s edition. The “Deluxe” gets you the soundtrack, double-sided poster, and the kind of Bubsy keychain no one will admit carrying. The top-tier edition (a whopping €130) packs in a hardcover artbook, gold keychain, pins, and—my favorite for pure meme potential—a low-poly Bubsy 3D figurine. That’s so ironically brilliant it almost justifies itself as a conversation piece.

But here’s where skepticism kicks in: Do these pricey trinkets and higher-res retro ports do enough to make Bubsy’s awkward legacy worth celebrating? Or is Atari just cashing in, banking on the same wave that’s seen every mascot (good, bad, or embarrassing) resurface for a new round of sales? For all the love lavished on Mario anthologies and Sonic remasters, it’s not like anyone’s been demanding a Bubsy boxed set—outside of collectors who hoard every oddity for completion’s sake.

What This Actually Means for Gamers

If you’re new to Bubsy, this collection isn’t here to change your mind about platformer design. The first two titles were average at best, and Bubsy’s world was no Mario or Sonic—his big mouth was always more memorable than tight controls or clever level layouts. Bubsy 3D, meanwhile, is infamously janky. Still, there’s weird value in seeing the entire saga presented with a wink, higher-res graphics, and plenty of bonus content. For speedrunners, retro masochists, or those who collect “so-bad-they’re-good” gaming artifacts, it’s kind of a dream come true (or a fever dream, depending on your tolerance).

If there’s one thing I appreciate, it’s that Atari isn’t trying to rewrite history or pretend these games are lost masterpieces. Instead, The Purrfect Collection looks like it’s embracing Bubsy’s full, chaotic legacy—something rare in a market that usually airbrushes failures out of the spotlight. It’s honest, self-aware fan service, and in a weird way, that’s worth celebrating—even if the games themselves are an acquired taste at best.

TL;DR

The Bubsy Collection is coming, bringing new polish and meme-worthy nostalgia. For diehards (or irony-loving collectors), it’s a quirky celebration; for most, it’s a reminder that not every mascot deserves a comeback—but at least this one makes us laugh.