After the successful relaunch of Croc: Legend of the Gobbos, Argonaut Games is dropping hints about revisiting more classic titles.
The developer wants to remaster Buck Bumble, a somewhat forgotten but well-liked third-person shooter from the Nintendo 64 days.
The team hasn’t confirmed anything or given a timeline, but their comments have definitely fired up fans who remember the quirky 1998 title.
What Made Buck Bumble Stand Out on the N64?
Buck Bumble wasn’t as big as Croc, but it gained a loyal following thanks to its futuristic theme, quirky story, and unique speed garage soundtrack.
click to enlarge
+ 4The main character was a cybernetic bee defending a dystopian London against mutated creatures called the Herd.
Players zipped through the skies in full 3D, using weapons like lasers and guided missiles while navigating tight arenas built with the N64’s Rumble Pak experience in mind.
Weird, daring, and proudly unconventional. That is what cult classics are all about.
Why Wasn’t Buck Bumble Picked Before Croc?
In recent interviews, Argonaut’s co-founder, Jez San, and co-CEO, Mike Arkin, shared that the studio has been reviewing its library and considering which titles deserve a comeback.
click to enlarge + 4Croc was picked first because of its wide popularity and strong sales, but San said Buck Bumble and I-Ninja are also top candidates for remasters.
However, he also acknowledged that Buck Bumble’s exclusivity to the N64 meant fewer players had the chance to experience it. That limited exposure may have contributed to why it wasn’t prioritized sooner.
Is a Buck Bumble Remaster Actually Happening?
That doesn’t mean it’s off the table; Arkin said he hopes Buck Bumble “will have his day in the sun eventually.”
click to enlarge + 4Both made it clear they liked the title, though it’s not the next project. The team at Argonaut is working on Croc 2, which has entered early development.
Croc 2 was developed on a different engine than the first game, so the team is trying out new remastering methods and has begun early research to determine what’s possible. If all goes well, Croc 2 could set the stage for more remakes from Argonaut’s catalog.
Why Can’t Argonaut Commit to Buck Bumble Yet?
Buck Bumble is in their sights, but the team wants to ensure every move makes commercial sense before making promises.
click to enlarge + 4Thanks to Croc’s success, they’re moving forward, but remastering games from classic consoles like the N64 involves tricky tech and money challenges.
And since Buck Bumble has never been ported or re-released before, reviving it would take more effort than a typical remaster. But when you look at the big picture, Argonaut’s tease is a positive sign.
It shows they’re listening to fans and considering projects beyond the obvious picks. The return of Buck Bumble might not happen tomorrow, but it’s no longer forgotten.
If Croc 2 lands the way they hope, the next generation of gamers might finally get to meet the jetpack-wearing, missile-launching bee who was just a little ahead of his time.
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