Bulby – Diamond Course

Bulby – Diamond Course, developed by Rafael Senne and published by Paperdog Games, is a bright and energetic 3D platformer that pays tribute to the colorful, collectathon-style adventures of the late ’90s and early 2000s. It tells a simple story of Bulby, a cheerful protagonist embarking on a quest to recover stolen diamonds from Princess Natasha, but narrative depth isn’t its focus. Instead, the game builds itself around pure platforming mechanics, exploration, and level creation. It feels like a passion project that aims to recapture the spirit of games like Super Mario 64 or Banjo-Kazooie, but on a smaller, indie scale, mixing nostalgia with a few modern twists.
At its core, Bulby – Diamond Course revolves around precise movement, exploration, and a steady rhythm of collecting items while navigating tricky terrain. The controls are fluid enough to allow for freedom of movement, though the sense of weight and momentum can take a little getting used to. Jumps feel slightly floaty at times, and the camera—an inevitable challenge for smaller 3D platformers—occasionally struggles to keep up in tighter environments. Despite these minor setbacks, the gameplay loop is satisfying. Levels are filled with collectible gems, hazards, and hidden paths that reward curiosity and observation. The sense of discovery is constant; players are encouraged to experiment with movement, look behind structures, and approach each stage from multiple angles to uncover all its secrets. There’s a genuine sense of joy in the way the game encourages you to engage with its spaces, and while the platforming isn’t as refined as the giants of the genre, it has an endearing charm that carries it through.
One of Bulby’s most distinctive features is its inclusion of multiple modes and a fully functional level editor. The game supports both single-player and local multiplayer, allowing friends to compete or cooperate in creative, fast-paced challenges. The editor is impressively flexible for an indie title, letting players craft their own obstacle courses and share them with others. This system injects replay value and creativity into a package that might otherwise feel straightforward. The built-in community tools, though modest compared to larger titles with user-generated content, offer a glimpse of the developer’s ambition to create a game that could evolve with its players. The result is a title that’s as much about personal creativity as it is about traditional platforming, encouraging experimentation beyond the confines of its story mode.
Visually, Bulby – Diamond Course adopts a lighthearted, cartoonish art direction that emphasizes color, contrast, and simplicity over realism. Its design philosophy echoes early 3D platformers—rounded edges, bright hues, and clear shapes that make it easy to read the environment even at a distance. The stages themselves range from grassy fields and floating islands to industrial areas and temple-like structures, all rendered with a sense of whimsy. The textures and models are simple but effective, conveying the developer’s intent to keep the focus on readability and flow rather than technical spectacle. There’s an undeniable sense of charm in how unapologetically playful the world feels, and even though the graphics may not be cutting-edge, the game’s personality shines through in its colorful environments and cheerful presentation. The music complements this tone, offering upbeat, looping tunes that enhance the atmosphere without dominating it. Sound effects are basic but functional, maintaining the game’s light and approachable vibe.
In terms of structure, the game’s pacing can be uneven but rewarding. Early stages serve as gentle tutorials that introduce jumping mechanics, collectible gathering, and basic traps, while later levels grow increasingly complex with more demanding precision jumps and multi-step puzzles. The variety keeps things fresh, and the lack of excessive handholding allows players to feel a sense of accomplishment when they master difficult sections. However, the difficulty curve can occasionally spike without warning, particularly when camera angles obscure a jump or moving platforms require perfect timing. These moments can frustrate, but they also reinforce the nostalgic challenge that older 3D platformers were known for—sometimes imperfect, sometimes clumsy, but always encouraging persistence and skill. It’s a design philosophy that trusts the player to adapt rather than guiding them too closely, and for fans of the genre, that’s part of the appeal.
Bulby – Diamond Course also benefits from its accessibility. It’s a game that can be played casually, enjoyed in short bursts, or approached as a creative outlet through the level editor. The simplicity of its design means that players of all ages can pick it up quickly, while the variety of its features gives more dedicated fans something to tinker with long-term. The co-op and versus modes further broaden its appeal, turning what could have been a purely solitary experience into something social and dynamic. Even though the online community is small, the potential for shared creativity remains one of the game’s strongest points. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the joy of platforming doesn’t come from elaborate narratives or advanced physics engines, but from the basic act of jumping, collecting, and experimenting with design.
Ultimately, Bulby – Diamond Course is a humble but heartfelt celebration of classic platforming. It doesn’t aspire to redefine the genre, nor does it have the production value of larger contemporaries, but it succeeds in offering a light, joyful experience that embraces creativity and exploration. Its rough edges—the occasional camera mishap, the uneven pacing, the simple visuals—are balanced by its sincerity and charm. This is a game made by someone who clearly loves the genre, and that passion shines through in every level, every collectible, and every jump. For players who grew up on 3D platformers and crave something familiar yet open to their own imagination, Bulby – Diamond Course offers exactly what it promises: a fun, flexible, and genuinely cheerful return to the roots of play.
Rating: 6/10

Bulby - Diamond Course
Has a total of 5 trading cards.