My Played Video Games Review: Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind for the Super Nintendo

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Bubsy in: Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind, often shortened to Bubsy, is a platform game first released for the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo/Super Famicom by Accolade (now Infogrames North America, Inc.) in 1993. It is the first game in the Bubsy series of video games.

I remember the hype on this game on video game magazines at that time. It was supposed to be the "Sonic killer". There was no social media back then to debunk that claim. I was mighty glad that I did not believe that crap.

It was titled as "Yamaneko Bubsy no Daibouken" in Japan. (Image source)

The Story

As Bubsy the Bobcat, your goal is to save the Earth from the Woolies, an alien race trying to steal the planet's yarn balls. You navigate through various platform levels and defeat enemies to stop the Woolies and save the Earth ultimately.

Box, manual and cartridge of the game. (Image source)

The Graphics and Sound

I am okay with the visuals in this game. The character Bubsy, a cartoon cat, is rendered with good detail and looks striking in the large, well-designed levels. Each level has its own distinct look and feel, and the game has fantastic backgrounds. Bubsy and the other alien characters are rendered with care. The amusement park level, in particular, stands out as the graphics here are particularly striking. The game creates an immersive atmosphere with the huge roller coaster in the background, the candy stands, and all the mini-games are all depicted with good realism. It's worth noting that this game is now quite old, but the graphics still hold up well.

Most of the music in the game is decent, but it becomes monotonous and grating after some time, especially when you have to repeatedly retry a level after dying. The highlight of the game's sound design is the inclusion of Bubsy's spoken dialogue. The developers included this feature, as it adds a lot of humor to the game. Bubsy has several funny one-liners that I found amusing, even if they do get repetitive after a while. The voice acting of Bubsy truly adds a character to the game and it’s one of the best things. Although the game's music may not be a standout feature, the addition of Bubsy's voice definitely makes up for it and will give you a good chuckle in some situations.

Gameplay video sample of Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind on the Super Nintendo. Watch in 360p for near TV resolution of that time.

The Gameplay

The gameplay falls short of expectations. You control Bubsy, as he scurries through levels collecting yarn balls. You are given nine lives, but they are easily lost with one hit taking Bubsy out of commission, causing frustration. Bubsy's movement can be unruly, causing him to slide all over the place, leading to death. Despite these issues, the game is a solid platformer. It features different levels including amusement parks, deserts, and outer space. The variety keeps the game interesting, even though it can be challenging to progress. You'll enjoy seeing Bubsy's next move.

This game can become quite challenging as you progress to later levels. Although it starts off easy, it quickly becomes difficult. The gameplay is frustrating as Bubsy dies in one hit, requiring extra caution. There are several sections within each level and if you lose all nine of Bubsy's lives, you are given a continue and must start the level again. One good aspect of the game is that it includes passwords, which is helpful. The key to beating the game is to carefully navigate through obstacles. Rushing and acting recklessly with Bubsy will only make it harder. Patience is a must if you want to reach the end of the game.

Replay value is good. Like the Sonic and Mario games, Bubsy the character has charisma and this is a fun game to play on a regular basis.

My Verdict

Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind is not the best platformer on the Super Nintendo, but it is certainly a great one that you should go out and play or own.

Play it on the Super Nintendo/Super Famicom or play it on a dependable emulator.

Let's keep on gaming in the free world!