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Buck Bumble
Buck Bumble
Buck Bumble
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Buck Bumble
European Nintendo 64 cover art
DeveloperArgonaut Software
PublisherUbi Soft
ProducerNick Clarke
DesignerSimon Keating
ProgrammerCarl Graham
ComposerJustin Scharvona
PlatformNintendo 64
Release
GenreThird-person shooter
ModesSingle-player, multiplayer

Buck Bumble is a 1998 third-person shooter video game developed by Argonaut Software and published by UbiSoft for the Nintendo 64. A special Buck Bumble rumble pack was packaged with the UK version.[1] The game's premise centers around anthropomorphic insects that were created as a result of a chemical spill in London, which are split into two factions at war.

Plot

[edit]

The year is 2010, and as the result of a spill at a chemical factory in London, England, the insects in the surrounding area have mutated. Several different types of these mutated insects gather together and become the evil "Herd", that are determined to take over the garden, and eventually the whole world. The game casts the player as Buck Bumble, a volunteer bumblebee that is implanted with cyborg technology. He is part of an organization known as "The Resistance", which is trying to stop the evil Herd Army. Buck's missions send him on multiple tasks, such as defending the resistance base, attacking Herd supply lines while travelling through sewers, and eventually fighting the Herd's mantis-like Queen.

Gameplay

[edit]
Buck Bumble is a third-person shooter where the player controls a bee.

The game features 3D graphics. Buck can be armed with up to eleven different weapons, including a stun gun, a laser, a rocket launcher, and a guided missile launcher. While the levels are height-restricted, Buck can fly around in nineteen missions, some requiring the placement of a bomb without bumping it into anything. The player or players in two player mode can also perform various aerial acrobatics, similar to a fighter plane. In fact, the game was originally programmed as a flight game before it "evolved into a flying bee".[4] The player controls the bee with moves such as loops and banking to the sides. At the top of the screen, the player is given a radar which can be used to locate enemies within the level, a damage metre, and the current weapon. One level can have multiple locations which the player can reach by passing through teleporters, or gates. There are several items the player can collect while in each level, such as weapons, nectar from flowers to regain energy, and bonus points. Several of the enemies such as beetles and wasps have special generators that release another enemy when the first enemy is defeated. This requires the player to destroy the generator itself to defeat the enemies and clear the stage. Besides the enemies, the player can also drown from being submerged in water for more than a couple of seconds.[5]

Multiplayer

[edit]
Buzz Ball, a football-like game, is one of the multiplayer modes.

Buck Bumble has two multiplayer modes. The first, Buck Battle, allows up to two players to engage in an airborne dog-fight on a preset map. The second is a football-style game called Buzz Ball. The goal is to hit a giant football into the opposing player's net. As in Buck Battle, the player has the ability to kill the opponent in the process. Players are able to use two weapons from the game: a simple zapper, which gently moves the ball along, and a rocket launcher, which sends the ball flying in a different direction.

Development

[edit]
The companion "Buck Bumble Pack" made by Joy Tech

The game was built with the rumble feature in mind, allowing the player to feel the impact of getting hit, supposedly increasing the sense of realism. This feature was capitalised on by Joy Tech, which made an official "Buck Bumble Pack" that was sold with the game exclusively at Dixons and Currys,[6] however it was a third-party peripheral not licensed by Nintendo.[1] The soundtrack was composed by Justin Scharvona[7] and consists entirely of speed garage. "I've intentionally tried to go for something that fits in with the futuristic, and not cutesy, something a bit harder", Scharvona explained. "We didn't want to do sort of boring techno stuff as well, or jungle, so we picked speed garage, it's funkier than house and garage".[8]

Reception

[edit]

While not heavily praised, and widely regarded as below contemporary N64 standards, Buck Bumble was met with generally positive reception from various gaming critics. Narayan Pattison of the Australian magazine N64 Gamer gave the game several compliments, comparing it to Star Fox for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, which was also partly developed by Argonaut Software, saying it avoids Star Fox's "restricted preset paths that had to be followed." They also compliment the designers for the added features, like the player being able to hover in the air, and drop down and walk across the ground, thus providing "the ability to try some new gameplay techniques that have never been used before." He describes the main theme as being a "very catchy dance beat that even has clear vocals." However, he was disappointed with the thick fog, repetitive textures, and that the save feature after each level, "makes the game too easy".[11]

Next Generation reviewed the Nintendo 64 version of the game, rating it three stars out of five, and stated that "Overall, Buck Bumble is most like a diamond in the rough. There are a few edges that need to be polished, but as a whole, it still shines."[12]

Matt Casamassina of IGN called it "the epitome of 'first generation' Nintendo 64 products" and compared it to a lower-quality version of the bee level in Banjo-Kazooie. This is largely due to its heavy distance fog, low frame-rate, and low-resolution graphics. Casamassina also considered the single-player levels too short and too easy. However, he praised the flying controls, the design of the title character, and the addictiveness of the Buzz Ball multiplayer mode.

Fabian Blache, III, of Dimension Publishing's Q64 magazine, compared the game's shooter style to the PlayStation game WarHawk. His first response to seeing the game was: "I was almost dreading having to labor through (what I perceived would be) inane gameplay at the hands of a childish premise." Praising the sound and graphics, he excused the fog because the game was "set in England".[citation needed] He finishes the review with "There aren't many games of this quality on the market today, and Argonaut should be proud to have this one as their own."[15]

Another positive review came from Nintendojo. They stated that while fog makes navigation difficult, "the graphics do not disappoint." In terms of multiplayer, the "extremely difficult" Buzz Battle was considered much less enjoyable than Buzz Ball. The review concluded by stating, "Buck Bumble is definitely worth playing. While it isn't perfect, it's a fun game, and that's what really counts."

GameSpot's Lauren Fielder gave the title a significantly lower review than most publishers and echoed the belief that it "missed the boat" of lower-quality first-generation N64 games. She criticized the flying and walking controls and deemed the multiplayer modes "seemingly quite literally thrown in." She closed by saying "In spite of all the obvious flaws, Buck Bumble is not a terrible game. It's just not a good game, and the rewards do not make up for the dull, tugging experience it quickly becomes."

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Buck Bumble

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Buck Bumble is a 1998 third-person shooter developed by Argonaut Software and published by Ubi Soft for the console. In the game, players control a cybernetic named Buck Bumble, who navigates through various environments in rural to combat an army of pollution-mutated insects led by a tyrannical queen. The storyline unfolds in the year , where a chemical spill has transformed ordinary bees into aggressive, robotic-like foes intent on destroying all life. Gameplay emphasizes fast-paced aerial combat, with Buck Bumble equipped with upgradable weapons such as stinger shots and homing missiles to battle waves of enemies across 19 missions. Players collect pollen to power up abilities and rescue friendly insects, while avoiding hazards like pesticides and environmental obstacles. The game features a unique bee-flight mechanic, allowing 360-degree movement and hovering, though it received mixed reviews for its controls and level design. Argonaut Software, known for titles like Croc: Legend of the Gobbos, aimed to blend shooter elements with whimsical insect-themed adventure, resulting in a among enthusiasts despite modest commercial success. In 2025, the revived expressed interest in remastering the game. The soundtrack, composed by Justin Scharvona, includes memorable tracks that enhance the game's quirky atmosphere.

Story

Plot

In the year 2010, a chemical spill at an abandoned plant in rural has mutated local into a hostile known as the Herd, a swarm of genetically altered insectoids bent on conquering the garden ecosystems and eventually the world, exterminating non-mutated and ravaging the environment in the process. To counter this threat, a group of surviving benevolent insects forms the Resistance, a peacekeeping organization that develops Project BUCK—a secret initiative to create cybernetically enhanced agents capable of combating the Herd's military precision and fortified defenses. The protagonist, Buck Bumble, a volunteer bumblebee veteran, is selected for the program and outfitted with cybernetic implants and weaponry, transforming him into a specialized operative tasked with reclaiming lost territories and halting the Herd's expansion across English landscapes. Buck's campaign unfolds through a series of escalating confrontations, beginning with defensive operations around Resistance bases and progressing to offensive strikes on supply lines in sewers, fields, and urban outskirts, systematically disrupting their conquest and uncovering their hierarchical command structure. The narrative builds to a climactic on the Herd's hive lairs, where Buck faces the mantis-like Queen, the enigmatic leader orchestrating the . In the resolution, Buck defeats the Queen, dismantling the Herd's leadership and enabling the Resistance to restore balance to the insect world, preventing further ecological devastation and allowing non-mutated to rebuild.

Characters

Buck Bumble serves as the and titular character, a who volunteers for the BUCK Project, receiving cybernetic implants that enhance his flight capabilities and equip him with weaponry for combat against the Herd. Portrayed as a heroic and determined leader within The Resistance, Buck's motivation stems from protecting the from , driving his role as the primary operative executing missions to reclaim territories. The Queen acts as the primary antagonist, depicted as a massive, mantis-like insect ruling over the Herd with cunning aggression and commanding unique attack patterns in confrontations. Her motivation revolves around conquest, seeking to expand the Herd's dominance across the garden and beyond through a hive-mind collective of mutated followers. Other members of the Herd consist of generic enemies such as mutated wasps, spiders, and beetles, each altered by the chemical spill to exhibit hive-mind obedience and aggressive behaviors in defense of their queen's domain. These insects serve as foot soldiers in the Herd's army, prioritizing overwhelming numbers and coordinated assaults to enforce territorial control. Resistance allies include supporting insect characters like B. Bubbins, an authoritative figure who delivers mission briefings and coordinates efforts from a central hive, embodying wisdom and strategic oversight. Additional allies, such as native scientists, contribute by developing Buck's cybernetic enhancements and providing logistical aid to sustain the fight against the Herd.

Gameplay

Single-player

The single-player campaign in Buck Bumble consists of 19 missions set across rural environments, such as gardens, sewers, and enemy bases, structured linearly from an introductory to advanced objectives including boss encounters. Missions advance the story-driven plot against the invading Herd through tasks like destroying installations, planting explosives, and escorting devices to safety zones. Gameplay employs a third-person perspective for controlling the , with the Control Stick directing movement, the A accelerating flight, and the B enabling hovering or braking for precise positioning. Aerial incorporates maneuvers like loop-de-loops via the or C-right buttons, dives for rapid descent, and attacks, while an on-screen assists in navigation and enemy detection. The weapons arsenal comprises 11 unlockable armaments, including the unlimited-ammo Blaster as the default, alongside specialized options like the Stun Gun for capturing foes, the Laser Blaster for piercing shots, and rocket-based launchers such as the Homing ; advanced weapons are acquired mid-campaign and upgraded or replenished using collected ammo packs. Collectibles play a central role, with pollen particles yielding points (10, 100, or 500 per item) toward scoring goals—reaching 10,000 points grants an extra life—and nectar gathered from flowers restoring health or enabling power-ups. Primary objectives focus on gathering these resources while fulfilling goals such as demolishing hives, rescuing insect allies, and neutralizing threats to progress. Difficulty escalates across missions through diverse enemy types, including flying drones and ground turrets, alongside hazards like proximity mines and time-sensitive challenges, balanced by checkpoints at portals for respawning and a lives system that deducts upon health depletion or environmental falls, such as into water.

Multiplayer

Buck Bumble features two local multiplayer modes designed for two players using split-screen display on the console. These modes leverage the game's core flight mechanics while providing arena-based competition without any online connectivity options. Buck Battle is a versus dogfight mode focused on aerial , where players pilot cybernetic bees in direct confrontations to eliminate opponents and accumulate points. Taking place in five enclosed arenas adapted from single-player levels, participants select weapons from the single-player arsenal, including lasers, missiles, and homing projectiles, to engage in fast-paced battles. Power-ups are dispersed across the arenas, offering temporary boosts like enhanced firepower or shields to shift momentum during matches. The mode prioritizes skillful maneuvering in 3D over extended campaigns, encouraging short, intense sessions. In contrast, Buzz Ball introduces a team-oriented versus format resembling soccer, where the two players compete to score goals by guiding a large into the opponent's net using flight capabilities, boosts, and acrobatic stunts. Played in similar environments, it adapts the basic flight controls from single-player for ball manipulation and defensive positioning, emphasizing coordination and agility rather than weapon-based combat. This mode stands out for its straightforward rules and replayability, fostering casual play without power-ups or complex scoring systems beyond goals. Both modes require standard controllers connected to the system and support quick setup for impromptu matches, highlighting the game's emphasis on accessible, local social interaction.

Development

Production

Buck Bumble was developed by Argonaut Software, a British studio celebrated for engineering the chip that powered 3D rendering in titles such as , and for creating platformers like Croc: Legend of the Gobbos. The project was published by Ubi Soft and designed exclusively for the , leveraging the console's capabilities for immersive 3D flight-based action. The game launched on September 30, 1998, in , followed by a European release on December 18, 1998. It earned an ESRB rating of for Everyone, citing animated due to its themes. At the time, no ports to other platforms or direct sequels were developed, cementing its status as an N64 exclusive. In 2024, revived the studio and expressed interest in remastering Buck Bumble as of July 2025. A notable technical innovation was the deep integration of the peripheral, which delivered haptic feedback during key actions like stings, collisions with enemies, and firing potent weapons, heightening the tactile experience of piloting a cybernetic . In the , Ubi Soft bundled a custom-branded "Buck Bumble" with the game to capitalize on this feature. The graphics engine, adapted from Argonaut's expertise in real-time , emphasized fluid flight mechanics while navigating detailed outdoor environments. Developers encountered significant challenges in scaling the protagonist's diminutive bee perspective against vast, open-world levels, demanding tight analog controls for precise maneuvering amid swarms and obstacles. Cartridge storage constraints further complicated production, forcing the implementation of heavy fog effects to mask limited draw distances and prevent pop-in, which contributed to a persistently hazy visual style—though some observers wryly noted its thematic suitability for the game's rural English locales.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack for Buck Bumble was composed by Justin Scharvona, drawing heavily from and genres, which were unusual for titles typically featuring orchestral or styles. Scharvona, inspired by late-1990s club culture and albums like Speed Garage Anthems Volume 1 & 2, incorporated groovy basslines, chopped drums, and 2-step rhythms to create an energetic, insect-themed soundscape that evokes a atmosphere amid the game's flight-based action. He collaborated with drum 'n' bass DJ Dylan Beale on production elements and MC Cisco for vocal samples, blending electronic synths with influences from tracks like Tina Moore's "Never Gonna Let You Go" and Double 99's "Rip Groove." The iconic main theme, "Buck Bumble Theme," is an upbeat, funky track lasting about 2:26 minutes, featuring Cisco's repetitive "biggity buck bumble" vocals over swinging beats and breaks; it plays in menus and select levels, setting a playful tone for the protagonist's adventures. Other tracks, such as "Shock Strike" and " Run," maintain this non-stop barrage of short loops (around 2 minutes each) that shift intensity to match pace, emphasizing motifs of buzzing energy and rapid movement. The full comprises 13 tracks, totaling approximately 21 minutes, and was remastered and released digitally in 2024, with earlier vinyl editions in 2022 highlighting its club potential. In terms of audio design, the game's sound effects—including weapon discharges, flight propulsion, and stinger attacks—were crafted to complement the music using the N64's cartridge-based audio system, which relied on ADPCM compression to fit within the 96 Mbit cartridge capacity. This resulted in a lo-fi aesthetic with pitter-pattering percussion and layered samples, stored in a proprietary format rather than standard or , yet delivering memorable, high-quality effects for the era's hardware constraints. The overall soundscape prioritizes rhythmic immersion, with music and effects synchronized to enhance combat dynamics and exploration.

Reception and Legacy

Critical Reception

Upon its release in late 1998, Buck Bumble garnered mixed reviews from critics, with praise centered on its innovative premise and solid controls but criticism focused on technical shortcomings and lack of depth. The game holds an approximate aggregate score of 74 out of 100 across major outlets, reflecting a consensus of mediocrity amid the Nintendo 64's competitive landscape. Critics lauded the game's unique bee's-eye perspective and variety of weapons, which added novelty to the flight-based shooting mechanics reminiscent of but with a whimsical insect theme. highlighted the tight controls and smooth performance in most scenarios, awarding it 7.2 out of 10 and noting that "Buck Bumble is a fun title." The multiplayer mode was frequently praised for its replayability and chaotic enjoyment, with (EGM) giving an average score of 6.625 out of 10 and describing it as "the kind of craziness that makes you wanna keep trying until you blow the @#$% out of those mutant bugs." echoed this positivity, scoring it 4 out of 5 (83%) for its accessible dogfighting and weapon experimentation. On the negative side, reviewers commonly decried the foggy graphics, low draw distances, and occasional frame rate dips, which hampered immersion in the 3D environments. GameSpot assigned a low 5.2 out of 10, criticizing the heavy fog as a "graphical crutch" that obscured gameplay and made missions feel linear and frustrating, while the single-player campaign was seen as short, easy, and repetitive despite its mission structure. Next Generation magazine rated it 3 out of 5, pointing to technical issues like poor visibility and lack of depth in flight mechanics. Edge magazine was harsher, scoring it 5 out of 10 and acknowledging its originality but faulting the repetitive single-player levels for lacking strategic variety. Despite some acclaim for accessibility and multiplayer, the game's commercial performance was underwhelming, with estimated worldwide sales under 200,000 units, positioning it as an underperformer for Ubisoft on the Nintendo 64.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

Buck Bumble has developed a cult following among retro gaming enthusiasts, appreciated for its quirky premise of controlling a cyborg bee in third-person shooter missions and its innovative multiplayer mode supporting up to four players. The game's unique insect-scale perspective in a futuristic rural English setting has contributed to its niche appeal, often highlighted in retrospective discussions of Nintendo 64 obscurities. The game's main theme song, composed by Justin Scharvona, emerged as an in the 2010s, propelled by viral remixes and videos that amassed millions of views. Early examples include the 2015 "Super Buck World" remix with over 210,000 views and a video by AntDude exceeding 625,000 views, both emphasizing the track's catchy speed garage style. It has also been referenced in gaming podcasts, such as Easy Allies, where the song gained prominence through impromptu discussions. Remaining exclusive to the since its 1998 release, Buck Bumble has seen no re-releases on platforms like the or modern consoles. In July 2025, executives and Mike Arkin expressed interest in remastering the title, citing sustained fan demand and the potential to update its dated controls for contemporary play. As of November 2025, no remaster has been confirmed or announced for release. The game's broader legacy centers on its distinctive soundtrack, which stands out as a rare incorporation of electronic in late-1990s console titles, featuring groovy 2-step beats and vocals like MC Cisco's "biggity buck bumble." This audio element, remastered and released on vinyl and streaming in 2022, continues to draw attention through memes and fan recreations; in March 2024, the full original was released on streaming platforms by Scharvona. It overshadows the game's limited direct influence on later insect-themed titles.

References

  1. https://www.mobygames.com/game/9123/buck-bumble/
  2. https://www.ign.com/games/buck-bumble
  3. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4115140/
  4. https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/12/02/buck-bumble
  5. https://www.metacritic.com/game/buck-bumble/
  6. https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/07/after-croc-argonaut-games-wants-to-remaster-this-n64-cult-classic
  7. https://archive.org/stream/buck-bumble-1998-ucolor/Buck-Bumble-1998Ucolor_djvu.txt
  8. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4115140/plotsummary/
  9. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/VideoGame/BuckBumble
  10. https://nintendo.fandom.com/wiki/Buck_Bumble
  11. https://vsbattles.fandom.com/wiki/Buck_Bumble
  12. https://twobuttoncrew.com/2019/05/26/buck-bumble/
  13. https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/buck-bumble-theme-song
  14. https://www.video-games-museum.com/en/manual/Nintendo%252064/6126_us-Buck-Bumble.pdf
  15. https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/n64/196835-buck-bumble/faqs/8353
  16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3lZVhQlwvY
  17. https://www.vgchartz.com/game/266/buck-bumble/summary
  18. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/buck-bumble-review/1900-2544209/
  19. http://www.cheatcodes.com/guide/walkthrough-buck-bumble-n64-11654/
  20. http://www.pixlbit.com/feature/276/buck_bumble
  21. https://www.mobygames.com/company/1151/argonaut-games-plc/
  22. https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/n64/196835-buck-bumble/data
  23. https://www.vgchartz.com/game/266/buck-bumble/
  24. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/croc-studio-argonaut-wants-to-remaster-cult-n64-shooter-buck-bumble/
  25. https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/11/25/buck-rumble
  26. https://www.n-europe.com/features/all-n64-games-133-buck-bumble/
  27. https://infinityretro.com/buck-bumble-review/
  28. https://www.nme.com/features/nintendo-64s-buck-bumble-has-a-banging-uk-garage-soundtrack-3197692
  29. https://open.spotify.com/album/5KtCgeIB55ZlNuySVAGixL
  30. https://www.nintendo64ever.com/Nintendo-64-96-Mb-Cartridge-Games.html
  31. https://www.nintendo64ever.com/Tests-Nintendo-64-Game%2C47%2CBuck-Bumble%2C1.html
  32. https://www.giantbomb.com/profile/claude/blog/egm-112-november-1998-reviews-quick-lists-looking-/75518/
  33. https://www.installbaseforum.com/forums/threads/ps1-and-n64-software-and-hardware-sales-data-for-the-usa-1995-2003.3292/
  34. https://easyallies.fandom.com/wiki/Buck_Bumble
  35. https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/human-spirit-triumphs-as-the-croc-devs-announce-they-want-to-remaster-buck-bumble-and-the-greatest-main-menu-theme-song-of-all-time/
  36. https://music.apple.com/us/album/buck-bumble-original-soundtrack/1736826764
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