From Retro Pixels to the Pondverse: The
Bovine Bomber Recreated in 3D
System 3 reveals the painstaking, human-led process behind the
transformation of an original James Pond character from retro pixels into a
modern 3D creation
System 3 has revealed a first look at the creative process behind one of the newly recreated
3D characters appearing in James Pond Legacy: The Pond is Not Enough for Nintendo
Switch 2.
The Bovine Bomber first appeared in James Pond 3: Operation Starfish as one of Dr Maybe’s
wonderfully eccentric creations. More than three decades later, the character has been rebuilt
in 3D as part of the newly created Pondverse.
The new 3D characters do not replace the original artwork or appear inside the preserved
classic games themselves. Instead, they have been built into the menus and presentation of
the Nintendo Switch 2 collection, creating a new visual world that brings the different James
Pond adventures together.
System 3 has recreated the characters from across the collection in 3D, giving each one a
modern interpretation while carefully retaining the personality, humour and distinctive
features of its original design.
Preserving the Games, Rebuilding the World Around
Them
Game preservation sits at the heart of James Pond Legacy: The Pond is Not Enough.
The collection brings together 12 different versions of four classic James Pond adventures.
The objective is to preserve and present those original games, rather than overwrite their
graphics or turn them into something fundamentally different.
The Pondverse provides a way to build a modern experience around the preserved games. Its
newly created 3D characters appear throughout the menu system, helping to connect more
than 35 years of James Pond history while leaving the original game artwork and gameplay
intact.
A comprehensive historical timeline is also built into the collection, charting the development
of James Pond across different games, platforms and generations.
Reconstructing the Bovine Bomber
The Bovine Bomber’s transformation began with the original low-resolution retro character
graphic, which was carefully cleaned up in Photoshop.
The character was then manually redrawn in Illustrator and Photoshop. This allowed details
restricted by the original pixel resolution to be restored and defined, including its distinctive
markings, cockpit, twin weapon system, rocket propulsion and electrified horns.
The redrawn artwork then provided the reference for a full 3D render. This translated the
original two-dimensional design into a modern character while preserving its recognisable
shape and unmistakable James Pond humour.
The final stage involved a detailed manual clean-up and paint-over in Photoshop by the
System 3 art team. Particular attention was given to the Bovine Bomber’s expression, surface
detail, colour, weaponry and the appearance of Dr Maybe inside the cockpit.
No generative AI was used in the creation of the artwork. Every stage began with the
authentic original James Pond graphic and was completed using traditional digital illustration,
3D rendering and manual artistic refinement.
More Pondverse Characters to Come
The Bovine Bomber is the first example of the work being undertaken to bring the characters
of James Pond into the Pondverse.
System 3 will reveal more recreated characters and show how they have evolved from their
original retro graphics over the coming months, leading up to the release of James Pond
Legacy: The Pond is Not Enough during the final week of October 2026.
The technology on games consoles may have evolved, but the characters, humour and
creative retro heritage remain unmistakably James Pond.