Bubba'n'Stix (Europe) (Beta)

Bubba 'n' Stix is a side-scrolling platformer that saw a US retail release in 1994 on the Sega Genesis, Amiga, and CD32, with a promotional tie-in to Bubblicious bubble gum. This European beta build offers an early, unfinished look at the game developed and released by Core Design, known for the Tomb Raider series and other 16-bit titles. The beta itself is a rare snapshot of the development process, showing a game that never got a commercial release in Europe.

The player controls one of two characters, Bubba or Stix, who run, jump, and avoid hazards across horizontally scrolling levels. The core mechanics are standard for the era: defeat enemies, collect items, and reach the level exit. The Amiga and CD32 versions also exist, but this Genesis beta is particularly interesting for how the gameplay was tuned before finalization. There is no story beats to speak of - the focus is purely on platforming action.

For retro collectors and enthusiasts, the European beta of Bubba 'n' Stix is a curiosity - an incomplete version of a game that had a small US release. It fits alongside other early-90s platformers on the Genesis, though it lacks the polish of contemporaries. Fans of Core Design's work or those interested in proto-content will find value in seeing how the game was shaped before its final US version. Just don't expect a polished experience - it's a beta, after all.