10 Video Games That Wasted Your Money

The first three Bubsy games – debuting between 1993 and 1994 – were certainly lower tier than the majority of their 2D platformer rivals (especially Mario and Sonic). They were decent enough, though, and definitely had a devoted following eager to see where the franchise would go next.

Unfortunately, those defenders were subsequently duped into buying 1996’s Bubsy 3D, an unmitigated catastrophe that essentially failed to capitalize on the success of the groundbreaking Super Mario 64 and Crash Bandicoot from earlier that year.

Admittedly, neither of those titles looks great today, but they’re bona fide works of art compared to Bubsy 3D’s frustrating camerawork, outrageously bland visual palette, and incoherent level design. Plus, its rigid tank controls were egregiously counterintuitive and challenging, just as the audio (in particular, Bubsy’s personality) was largely irritating rather than endearing.

There’s a reason Bubsy 3D was the last entry in the series until 2017’s Bubsy: The Woolies Strike Back, and we can’t help but feel bad for anyone who purchased it thinking it was an equal alternative to the 3D adventures of those other console mascots.