Bubsy

"Bubsy Raises Claws For Alarm!"

Bubsy is the eponymous protagonist of the Bubsy franchise, debuting with the 1993 release of Bubsy in: Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind.

He is also a playable character in Nexed.

Real-World History
The concept for Bubsy was thought up by Accolade designer Michael Berlyn due to burnout regarding developing adventure video games. After discovering the Genesis' Sonic the Hedgehog, he played it for fourteen hours a day for an entire week to find inspiration for his own take on Sonic gameplay.

Development on the first Bubsy title would begin in 1991, with the aim being to develop a game "as fast as Sonic and as deep as Mario". Director John Skeel had trouble finding a suitable voice for the title character, having searched through audio tapes for weeks. Eventually, he would be contacted by Brian Silva, who attempted to help him find a voice. Eventually, a sped-up version of Silva's voice, inspired by Looney Tunes characters Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, would become Bubsy's voice for the first game.

After legal issues with Sega put an end to Accolade's hopes of a late 1992 release, Bubsy in: Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind would be released on the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis in 1993. Praise for the game was high at release, leading to the development of two sequels (Bubsy II and Bubsy in: Fractured Furry Tales) and a brief animated pilot, with renowned voice actor Rob Paulsen providing Bubsy's voice in each (although he would later come to regret this role).

The fourth entry in the Bubsy series, Bubsy 3D, was released in 1997. However, due to rushed development and a multitude of other design choices, the game recieved mixed reviews at launch, with retrospective reviews being even harsher. This led to Bubsy being shelved, with the character and series becoming infamous through internet gaming culture. However, Bubsy would eventually make a return with the 2017 release of Bubsy: The Woolies Strike Back and 2019's Bubsy: Paws on Fire!, both of which faced mixed reception.

Gameplay Information
"Bubsy is one of the biggest personalities in gaming - and we aren't kitten! He's got quite the ego when he's feline fine, but once the going gets tough, he tends to chicken out. Regardless, he's managed to have some pretty pawsome adventures... and that one he doesn't like talking about.

Even though his heyday is over (even if he'll never admit it), it seems like Bubsy's back fur more! Seeing the Nexus Tournament as the purrfect chance to get back on top, he'll stop at nothing to take on the tournament's best! It's time for Bubsy to claw back into the spotlight... Okay, we'll stop now."

Bubsy is an all-around fighter with average mobility and attack power. Many of his attacks have snappy frame data, while his specials all have different utilities. For example, his Neutral Special gives him a decent spacing option, while his Up Special and gliding mechanics give him a stellar recovery game. Overall, Bubsy is a character with tools to cover many different options.

However, Bubsy's weaknesses cannot be overlooked. He is a fairly lightweight character, so while his recovery game may be strong, he is prone to being launched off the stage fairly early. In addition, he struggles to get KOs with quite a few of his attacks. Overall, Bubsy is a "jack of all trades, master of none" in nearly every sense of the word, being an easy-to-learn character for beginners.

Moveset

 * Wall Jump: Bubsy is able to jump off of walls.
 * Wall Cling: Bubsy is able to cling to walls for a short period of time.
 * Hydrophobia: Bubsy takes damage while swimming.

Grounded Attacks

 * Jab: Bubsy throws a quick claw swipe.
 * Dash Attack: Bubsy slips on a banana peel, causing him to slide forward a short distance.
 * Forward Light: Bubsy claps forwards.
 * Up Light: Bubsy paws the air, being able to hit opponents twice.
 * Down Light: Bubsy swipes both paws at the ground. The low launch angle of this move makes it good for combos.
 * Forward Strong: Bubsy holds out an atom which explodes in his hands, covering him with soot.
 * Up Strong: Bubsy throws an overarching headbutt.
 * Down Strong: Bubsy sticks out his leg and spins around with it, appearing dizzy afterwards. This is his best kill move.
 * Counter: Bubsy pounces on the opponent, covering them with a cartoonish ball of dust before launching them upwards.

Aerial Attacks

 * Neutral Air: Bubsy performs a mid-air somersault with his limbs outstretched.
 * Forward Air: Bubsy throws a corkscrew battering ram.
 * Back Air: Bubsy throws a dropkick behind himself.
 * Up Air: Bubsy claps his paws above himself.
 * Down Air: Bubsy stomps downwards multiple times, being able to deal multiple hits of damage.

Grabs / Throws

 * Grab: Bubsy grabs the opponent with both paws.
 * Pummel: Bubsy headbutts the opponent.
 * Forward Throw: Bubsy pounces on the opponent, covering them with a cartoonish ball of dust before launching them forwards. This is his best kill throw.
 * Back Throw: Bubsy spins the opponent around before throwing them behind himself.
 * Up Throw: The opponent falls into a portable hole from Bubsy II as Bubsy peers in. The hole then spits the opponent upwards, causing Bubsy to fall over.
 * Down Throw: Bubsy pushes the opponent over, causing them to trip. This is his best combo throw.

Stage Intro
Bubsy jumps out of a portable hole from Bubsy II, being able to say a few different phrases:
 * "What could possibly go wrong?"
 * "The claws are coming out!"
 * "Guess who's back?"
 * "I love the smell of wool in the morning."
 * "What, and give up show business?"

Taunts

 * Bubsy poses with his arms in the air.
 * Bubsy turns his back to the camera, points over his shoulder, and rolls his eyes, resembling his animation on the title screen of Bubsy II. He has a few phrases which he can say during this animation:
 * "What could possibly go wrong?"
 * "Hey, I didn't write this stuff!"
 * "Woah, are you still playing this thing?"
 * "Add that to my demo reel!"
 * "Remember, I am a trainer purr-fessional!"
 * "Pain is not in my contract!"
 * Bubsy plays around with a TV remote, changing his hue. This references an idle animation from Bubsy 3D.
 * Bubsy looks panicked for a moment, giving the camera a nervous look. He quickly shakes it off.

Victory Animations
Bubsy's victory theme is a remix of Field Yield from Bubsy in: Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind, which replaces the standard results music.
 * Bubsy raises his fists in victory before hugging a giant ball of yarn, referencing his victory animation from Bubsy in: Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind and the ending of Bubsy: The Woolies Strike Back. During this, he says one of three phrases:
 * "I'm gonna knit the biggest sweater EVER!"
 * "I made it! ...Naturally!"
 * "I win! I win!"
 * Bubsy is seen sitting in a director's chair, eventually turning to face it with a pair of sunglasses on. During this, he says one of three phrases:
 * "Y'know, it's not easy being your in-game avatar!"
 * "Next time, I get a stunt cat!"
 * "Who wrote this stuff?"
 * Bubsy poses with an atom spinning on his finger, resembling the title screen of Bubsy 3D. During this, he says one of three phrases:
 * "Oh, yeah, I win! I'm UNSTOPPABLE!"
 * "I like it!"
 * "Do you believe in miracles!?"

Colors / Costumes


Trivia

 * Bubsy's title references the opening of Bubsy II, where a similar pun is made in regards to Accolade, the game's developers.

Gameplay-Related

 * Bubsy vocalizes in pain when landing from a long fall, referencing his fall damage mechanic from his games.
 * If Bubsy is KO’d in Stamina mode or by an Insta-KO attack, he shatters into pieces, referencing a death animation from Bubsy 3D.
 * If he was on his last stock, his spirit can be seen flying upwards, referencing another death animation from the same game.

Credits

 * Ryan's Art Account: Creator of a Bubsy moveset which inspired this one. Also created the art seen in Bubsy's Up Special.
 * TransparentJiggly64: Creator of the Bubsy render seen in his Side Special.