Software:Bubsy 2

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Bubsy II
Sega Genesis cover art
Developer(s)Accolade
Publisher(s)Accolade, Retroism
Designer(s)Cyndi Kirkpatrick[1]
Programmer(s)Paul Kwinn
Russell Shiffer
Composer(s)Chip Harris
SeriesBubsy
Platform(s)Sega Genesis, Super NES, Game Boy, PC
ReleaseSega Genesis
Super NES
Game Boy
PC
Steam re-release:
  • WW: December 17, 2015[4]
Mode(s)Single player
2-player (Alternating)

Bubsy 2 is a platform video game, the sequel to Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind, and the second game in the Bubsy series.[5] It was originally released by Accolade in 1994 for the Sega Genesis, Super NES, and Game Boy, and re-released for Windows through Steam on December 17, 2015.

Story

A new theme park is announced. Bubsy, Arnold, and Bubsy's younger twin relatives are excited. Fearing that the place might get too crowded, the twins decide to break into the theme park on the eve of its opening day. The theme park, operated by a corrupt entrepreneur, Oinker P. Hamm, features virtual worlds of certain themes.[6]

Gameplay

The game plays very similar to the prior game in the series, as a 2D sidescrolling platformer.[5] Unlike the first game where playing through the stages is linear, in Bubsy II the player gets to choose stages.[1] The player must still maneuver Bubsy through the level through jumping and gliding, and Bubsy still collects objects, only now they're marbles instead of yarn balls. The game features more variety than its predecessor. One new feature in the game was the ability to shoot a Nerf Ballzooka gun.[7] A multiplayer mode was added as well, where a second player could control one of Bubsy's younger relatives.[8] Bubsy can now take three hits before losing a life.[9]

Development

Planning for the game started as early as a few months prior to the release of the first Bubsy game, with team members coming up with three possible scenarios for the game, none of them involving the first game's antagonists "The Woolies".[10] A pilot for an animated TV show adaptation titled What Could Possibly Go Wrong? aired on Thanksgiving Day.[11] Some characters from the TV pilot appeared in the second game.[6] The sequel moved into full production after the first game was released and was a commercial success.[5] However, a different, new development team within Accolade was responsible for making the game, without original designer Michael Berlyn's assistance.[5][12] Like the original, the Sega Genesis and Super NES versions are virtually identical, but the Game Boy version is drastically different, with different level designs and only black-and-white graphics, unless played on a Super Game Boy, which applied very basic coloring.[8]

Promotion

A lottery was put up where the grand prize winner would have a 3-day trip to Hollywood as well as a tour of the studio where the Bubsy TV special was created. First prize winners were awarded shirts, while second prizer winners were awarded patches.[13]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
Consoles +84% (SMD)[14]
CVG80/100 (SMD)[15]
79/100 (SNES)[15]
EGM6/10 (GB)
GameFan55/100 (SMD)[lower-alpha 1]
GamePro15.5/20 (SMD)[17]
16.5/20 (SNES)[18]
Hyper61/100 (SNES)[21]
Electronic GamesA− (SNES)[24]
A (SMD)[25]
A (GB)[26]
TodoSega90 (Genesis)
Mega force90% (Genesis)[27]
Consolemania83 (Genesis)[28]
Supersonic91% (Genesis)[29]
Computer+Videogiochi85 (Genesis)[30]
Play Time80 (Genesis)[31]
Mega Console84 (Genesis)[32]
Ação Games4/5 (Genesis)[33]
Games World83 (Genesis)[34]
Player One70% (Genesis)[35]

Much like the first game, Bubsy II received mostly positive reviews. Mean Machines Sega Magazine gave the Genesis version a rating of 84 and a very positive review stating "The sequel has cleared up all the problems in the playability stakes - Bubsy is given a chance to show us his tricks."[22] Italian magazine Consolemania gave the Genesis version 83.[28] Spanish magazine Super Juegos gave both the Genesis and SNES versions 88.[9] TodoSega, another Spanish magazine, gave 90 for the Genesis version.[36] French magazine Supersonic gave the Genesis version 91%.[29]

Electronic Games gave the SNES version an A−, praising the humor and non-linear game play.[24] The magazine gave the Genesis version an A, approving the visuals, music, and game play.[25] They also gave the Game Boy port an A, highlighting the game play, and the graphics which they regard as outstanding for a game of the system.[26]

GamePro gave the SNES version a positive review. While they commented that the new features are initially confusing and that some of the level designs are not as charming or original as those of the first game, they concluded, "Bubsy's personality is still the top draw in Bubsy II, a new kind of adventure that's a definite change of pace for the irascible feline."[37] They were generally complimentary to the Genesis version as well, voicing approval for the multiple paths through each stage, the special items, the new minigames, and the improved controls over the first game. However, they commented that the game is boringly easy for experienced players.[38] GamePro thoroughly panned the Game Boy version, saying that none of the character's charming personality is retained in this version, which also suffers from sloppy controls, dull enemies, slow-paced gameplay, and graphics which are poor even by Game Boy standards.[39]

Electronic Gaming Monthly, in sharp contrast, commented of the Game Boy version that "Even if you never played [Bubsy] before, this is a good introduction." and scored it a 6 out of 10.[40]

In retrospect, IGN conceded that the gameplay had generally been cleaned up, but still felt the game lacked originality, stating "...the game just never quite gelled. Coming in only a year after the original Bubsy meant corner-cutting, which manifested itself in the art direction and enemy design. Too many assets are reused and some of the stages, such as the music levels, are just uninspired."[5] Hardcore Gaming 101 echoed these sentiments, saying the game "Bubsy 2 is definitely an improvement,...but the designers simply cranked the dial up from 'pile of junk' to 'terribly mediocre'."[41]

Original Bubsy creator Michael Berlyn, who was not involved in this game of the series, has strongly criticized the game, stating that it "just about killed the franchise"[42] and that "Accolade’s choices about doing Bubsy II in-house with the development team selected was a mistake that pretty much buried him...Bubsy II failed due to mismanagement of the character. It was done by people who, no matter how talented and interested they may have been, had not understood the original vision".[12]

Notes

  1. ↑ In GameFan's review of the Genesis version, three critics scored it differently: 50, 56, and 60.[16]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Ahead of the Game". Game Players: 23. May 1994. https://archive.org/stream/Game_Players_Issue_40_May_1994#page/n23/mode/2up. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Electronic Gaming Monthly Volume 7, Issue 9 pg. 85". Sega Retro. September 1994. https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=File:EGM_US_062.pdf&page=85. 
  3. ↑ Nintendo staff. "Game Boy (original) Games". Nintendo. https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/gameslist/manuals/dmg_games.pdf. 
  4. ↑ "Steam Community :: Error". https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=553404370. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Buchanan, Levi (7 November 2008). "What Hath Sonic Wrought?, Vol. 1". http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/11/07/what-hath-sonic-wrought-vol-1. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Kunkel, Bill (January 1994). "Bubsy's Back… and He's Lost His Marbles!: A Bobcat for All Seasons Takes the Fall". Electronic Games: 48. https://archive.org/stream/Electronic-Games-1994-01/Electronic%20Games%201994-01#page/n47/mode/2up. 
  7. ↑ Network, All Media. "AllGame - Game Over". http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1540. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Hardcore Gaming 101: Bubsy". http://hardcoregaming101.net/bubsy/bubsy.htm. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 TOP HERO (December 1994). "BUBSY II: MAS GARRA TODAVIA" (in es). Super Juegos: 124. https://archive.org/stream/Superjuegos_032#page/n123. 
  10. ↑ Katz, Arnie (March 1993). "Boppin' with BUBSY: America's newest hero says, 'Cheese!'". Electronic Games: 45. https://archive.org/stream/Electronic-Games-1993-03/Electronic%20Games%201993-03#page/n43/mode/2up. 
  11. ↑ Worley, Joyce; Chamberlain, Ross (September 1993). "EG Hotline". Electronic Games: 10. https://archive.org/stream/Electronic-Games-1993-09/Electronic%20Games%201993-09#page/n9/mode/2up. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Sega-16 – Interview: Mike Berlyn (Creator of Bubsy Series)". https://www.sega-16.com/2006/08/interview-mike-berlyn/. 
  13. ↑ Grand Prize
  14. ↑ "BUBSY II" (in fr). Consoles +: 104. October 1994. http://www.abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=51&num=7825&album=oui. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Lord, Gary; Ahmet, Deniz (October 1994). "Bubsy 2". Computer and Video Games (155): 100–101. https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=File:CVG_UK_155.pdf&page=100. Retrieved April 12, 2021. 
  16. ↑ Skid; K. Lee; The Enquirer (October 1994). "Viewpoint". GameFan 2 (10): 30–31. https://archive.org/details/GamefanVolume2Issue11October1994/page/n31/mode/2up. Retrieved April 12, 2021. 
  17. ↑ Rider, CC (November 1994). "BUBSY II". GamePro: 94. https://archive.org/stream/GamePro_Issue_064_November_1994#page/n103/mode/2up. 
  18. ↑ "File:GamePro US 062.pdf - Retro CDN". https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:GamePro_US_062.pdf&page=76. 
  19. ↑ "Bubsy 2 'Lost in the Amazatorium'" (in es). HobbyConsolas (37): 94–97. https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:HobbyConsolas_ES_037.pdf&page=94. Retrieved April 9, 2019. 
  20. ↑ "File:HobbyConsolas ES 038.pdf - Retro CDN". https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:HobbyConsolas_ES_038.pdf&page=122. 
  21. ↑ Clarke, Stuart (December 1994). "Bubsy 2". Hyper (13): 50–51. https://archive.org/details/hyper-013/page/50/mode/2up. Retrieved April 12, 2021. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Gus; Paul (October 1994). "Megadrive Review: Bubsy 2". Mean Machines Sega Magazine: 70. https://archive.org/stream/mean-machines-sega-magazine-24/MMSega_24_Oct_1994#page/n69/mode/2up. 
  23. ↑ Bros, Marjorie (September 1994). "Bubsy II" (in pt). Super GamePower: 24. https://archive.org/stream/SuperGamePower_Ano_01_No._006_1994-09_Nova_Cultural_BR_pt#page/n23. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Hardin, John Wesley (September 1994). "BUBSY II: Bubsy and the twins go for all the marbles". Electronic Games: 45. https://archive.org/stream/Electronic-Games-1994-09#page/n65/mode/2up. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Yates, Laurie (January 1995). "CARTRIDGE". Electronic Games: 100. https://archive.org/details/electronic-games-1995-01/page/100/mode/2up. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Hardin, John W. (April 1995). "PORTABLE". Electronic Games: 95. https://archive.org/details/electronic-games-1995-04/page/94/mode/2up. 
  27. ↑ "BUBSY 2" (in fr). Mega force: 82. November 1994. http://www.abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=40&num=8906&album=oui. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Sogni, Raffaele (December 1994). "BUBSY II" (in it). Consolemania: 66 and 67. https://archive.org/stream/Consolemania-036#page/n65. 
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Longan and Oulan Bator (October 1994). "MEGA DRIVE TEST: BUBSY II" (in fr). Supersonic: 67. http://www.abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=68&num=1504&album=oui. 
  30. ↑ "BUBSY 2" (in it). Computer+Videochi: 96. November 1994. https://archive.org/details/computer-videogiochi-42/page/n95. 
  31. ↑ "File:PlayTime DE 1994-11.PDF - Retro CDN". https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:PlayTime_DE_1994-11.pdf&page=103. 
  32. ↑ "Mega Console 08". October 1994. https://archive.org/details/MegaConsole08/page/n77. 
  33. ↑ "Ação Games". http://archive.org/details/acao_games_50. 
  34. ↑ "File:Games World The Magazine UK 06.pdf - Retro CDN". https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:Games_World_The_Magazine_UK_06.pdf&page=13. 
  35. ↑ "Le site des anciennes revues informatiques - www.abandonware-magazines.org". https://www.abandonware-magazines.org/erreur404.php. 
  36. ↑ "Locuras gatunas II" (in es). TodoSega: 78. November 1994. https://archive.org/stream/Todosega_20#page/n69. 
  37. ↑ "ProReview: Bubsy II". GamePro (IDG) (62): 74. September 1994. 
  38. ↑ "ProReview: Bubsy II". GamePro (IDG) (64): 94. November 1994. 
  39. ↑ "ProReview: Bubsy II". GamePro (IDG) (66): 136. January 1995. 
  40. ↑ "Review Crew: Bubsy 2". Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM Media, LLC) (66): 46. January 1995. 
  41. ↑ "Bubsy". Hardcore Gaming 101. http://hardcoregaming101.net/bubsy/bubsy.htm. 
  42. ↑ "News - Playing Catch-Up: Bubsy's Michael Berlyn". Gamasutra. http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=6716. 
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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