Bully: Scholarship Edition Xbox – Complete Game Guide

Forget the usual open-world crime story. Bully: Scholarship Edition takes Rockstar's trademark open-world style and places it inside a boarding school and the surrounding town.

Jimmy Hopkins arrives at Bullworth Academy with a reputation for causing trouble. Instead of simply following a straight path through the story, players have to deal with different groups of students, school rules, teachers, rivalries, and Jimmy's own unpredictable behavior.

The result is an unusual combination of open-world exploration, school-life simulation, action, comedy, exploration, and mission-based gameplay.

Rockstar describes Bullworth Academy as a fictional New England boarding school where Jimmy has to navigate its complicated social hierarchy.

The Story of Jimmy Hopkins

Jimmy Hopkins has already been expelled from several schools before arriving at Bullworth Academy. His mother leaves him at the school while she goes on another honeymoon, giving Jimmy an entire school year to deal with Bullworth's strange collection of students and teachers.

Jimmy quickly becomes involved with the different social groups at the academy. Bullies, nerds, preppies, greasers, and jocks all have their own personalities and rivalries.

Jimmy's goal gradually becomes bigger than simply surviving school. He has to build relationships, confront rivals, complete missions, attend classes, and work his way through Bullworth's social hierarchy.

At the center of the story is Gary Smith, whose manipulative behavior creates one of Jimmy's most important rivalries.

Bullworth Academy and Its World

Bullworth is more than a backdrop. The school and its surrounding areas provide the game's main playground.

Players can explore:

• Bullworth Academy
• School buildings and classrooms
• Dormitory areas
• The surrounding town
• Shops and recreational locations
• Streets and outdoor areas
• Areas connected to different student groups

The changing school environment gives the game a distinctive personality. One moment Jimmy may be attending class, while the next he could be involved in a fight, completing a mission, riding around town, or getting into trouble with teachers.

Gameplay Overview

Bully: Scholarship Edition combines several styles of gameplay into one school-themed open-world adventure.

Open-World Exploration

Players can move around Bullworth and its surrounding areas rather than being restricted to individual mission locations.

Exploration is useful for discovering activities, missions, collectibles, shops, characters, and optional challenges.

Story Missions

Story missions gradually introduce Jimmy to Bullworth's major characters and social groups.

Completing missions advances the story while opening up additional activities and areas.

School Classes

Classes are an important part of Jimmy's life at Bullworth. They are presented as gameplay challenges rather than traditional educational simulations.

Classes can reward successful players with useful benefits, making them worth completing instead of simply ignoring school.

Fighting and Self-Defense

Jimmy frequently encounters hostile students and other characters. Combat is based around close-range attacks, counters, grabs, throws, and learned techniques.

Timing and positioning are particularly important when facing multiple opponents.

Pranks and Mischief

Bully's humor comes from the freedom to cause smaller-scale chaos around school.

Pranks, teasing, tricks, and mischievous activities are woven throughout the experience and help separate Bully from more conventional open-world action games.

Main Characters

Jimmy Hopkins

Jimmy is the game's protagonist. He is rebellious, sarcastic, stubborn, and surprisingly determined.

His position as an outsider allows the player to interact with nearly every social group at Bullworth.

Gary Smith

Gary is one of Jimmy's most important rivals. His manipulative personality and willingness to cause conflict make him a major force within the story.

Pete Kowalski

Pete is one of Jimmy's closest allies and provides a more grounded perspective on the strange events happening around Bullworth.

The Bullworth Students

The school is populated by students belonging to different social groups, each with distinct personalities, attitudes, and rivalries.

These groups are an important part of the game's story and mission structure.

Student Cliques and Rivalries

One of Bully's most memorable features is its collection of student factions.

Bullies

Aggressive students who frequently pick fights and intimidate others.

Nerds

Intelligent and socially isolated students who often become involved in Jimmy's conflicts with other groups.

Preppies

Wealthier students who take pride in their social status and athletic abilities.

Greasers

A rebellious group with its own style, territory, and rivalries.

Jocks

Athletic students who dominate many of the school's sporting activities and social hierarchy.

Townies

Students and young people outside the traditional Bullworth social structure who become increasingly important as the story develops.

Classes in Bully: Scholarship Edition

Classes provide a break from the game's missions while giving Jimmy additional rewards and abilities.

Depending on the class, players may encounter different gameplay mechanics and challenges.

Some of the subjects associated with Bully include:

• English
• Art
• Chemistry
• Photography
• Gym
• Shop

Successful class performance can provide practical advantages and unlock additional possibilities during the game.

Missions and Progression

Bully: Scholarship Edition uses a chapter-based story structure.

As Jimmy progresses through the school year, he becomes involved with different groups and characters. Missions gradually expand the story and introduce new challenges.

A good progression strategy is to combine:

1. Main story missions
2. School classes
3. Optional activities
4. Exploration
5. Collectibles
6. Side objectives
7. Achievement hunting

This keeps the experience varied instead of rushing through the main storyline.

Combat Guide

Combat is straightforward but becomes more interesting as Jimmy learns additional moves.

Basic Combat Tips

• Learn enemy attack patterns.
• Use counters whenever possible.
• Avoid fighting large groups in confined spaces.
• Separate opponents when you can.
• Use the environment to your advantage.
• Practice new fighting techniques as they become available.
• Don't rely exclusively on basic punches.

The most effective approach is usually to stay mobile and react to opponents rather than repeatedly attacking without a plan.

Items, Weapons and Tools

Jimmy has access to a variety of unconventional tools and prank-oriented items throughout the game.

These include items designed for distractions, ranged attacks, pranks, and general mischief.

The game's equipment fits its schoolyard setting rather than following the traditional military-style weapon systems found in many action games.

Transportation and Exploration

Getting around Bullworth is an important part of everyday gameplay.

Jimmy can travel around the school and surrounding areas using different forms of transportation. Exploration becomes particularly useful when completing side activities, collecting items, and traveling between mission locations.

Game Modes

Story Mode

The primary experience follows Jimmy through his school year at Bullworth Academy.

Side Activities

Optional activities provide additional ways to explore the world and take a break from the main story.

Free Exploration

Players can spend time exploring Bullworth, interacting with characters, discovering locations, and creating their own schoolyard adventures.

Achievement Hunting

The Xbox version provides a collection of achievements connected to story progression, combat, activities, collectibles, and unusual challenges. The Xbox 360 version has 38 achievements worth 1,000 Gamerscore.

Bully: Scholarship Edition Achievements

Achievement hunters can expect objectives covering many different parts of the game.

Examples include:

• Completing story chapters
• Spending time outside after curfew
• Picking flowers
• Kissing girls
• Egging cars
• Kicking soccer balls
• Tripping people with marbles
• Beating opponents
• Completing arcade-related challenges

The achievement system encourages players to explore activities beyond the main story.

Beginner's Guide

If you're starting Bully: Scholarship Edition for the first time, don't rush through the main missions.

1. Attend Classes

Classes are more useful than they initially appear. Completing them can provide rewards and make later gameplay easier.

2. Explore Between Missions

Bullworth has plenty to discover, so use free time to explore rather than immediately starting another mission.

3. Learn Combat Moves

Improving Jimmy's fighting ability makes encounters with aggressive students much easier.

4. Complete Side Activities

Optional objectives can provide useful rewards while adding variety to the game.

5. Watch the Clock

School rules and curfew restrictions are part of the game's identity. Getting caught breaking them can create additional problems.

Advanced Tips and Strategies

Experienced players can make their playthrough more efficient by combining story missions with optional objectives.

Try to:

• Complete nearby side activities while traveling between missions.
• Finish classes instead of leaving them until later.
• Keep track of collectibles as you explore.
• Learn which student groups are hostile toward Jimmy.
• Use counters effectively during difficult fights.
• Explore new areas after major story developments.
• Save time by grouping activities by location.
• Work toward achievements naturally during the main playthrough.

Difficulty and Challenge

Bully: Scholarship Edition is generally approachable, but some missions and optional challenges can become demanding.

The greatest difficulty often comes from situations involving multiple opponents, time limits, specific objectives, or unusual minigame mechanics.

The game rewards players who understand its mechanics rather than simply relying on fast reactions.

Graphics and Presentation

Scholarship Edition was designed as an enhanced version of the original Bully experience. The Xbox listing specifically highlights enhanced graphics and enhanced gameplay.

Its visual style remains distinctive, with Bullworth Academy combining a traditional boarding-school appearance with Rockstar's exaggerated characters and dark humor.

Sound and Atmosphere

The soundtrack and sound design help create a memorable school environment.

The atmosphere moves between lighthearted comedy, adolescent drama, tension, action, and mischief. The game's setting gives it an identity that is very different from Rockstar's other open-world titles.

What Makes Bully: Scholarship Edition Different?

Bully stands out because it turns everyday school life into an open-world adventure.

Instead of playing as a professional criminal, soldier, superhero, or fantasy warrior, you play as a troublesome teenager trying to survive one chaotic school year.

That unusual setting creates opportunities for:

• School-based missions
• Student rivalries
• Classes
• Pranks
• Open-world exploration
• Sports activities
• Fighting
• Relationships
• Collectibles
• Achievement hunting

Xbox Version and Compatibility

The Xbox store listing identifies Bully: Scholarship Edition as an action-adventure title published by Rockstar Games and developed by Rockstar New England. The current Xbox listing states that it can be played on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.

The listed release date for this Xbox version is February 1, 2010.

The Xbox listing also gives the game a Teen rating and lists animated blood, crude humor, language, sexual themes, use of alcohol, use of tobacco, and violence among its content descriptors.

Supported Languages

The Xbox listing identifies support for multiple languages, including English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish.

Players Experience

What makes Bully particularly memorable is its personality.

The game doesn't take itself completely seriously. Its characters are exaggerated, its missions can be ridiculous, and its school setting creates situations that would feel out of place in most open-world games.

At the same time, the underlying story gives Jimmy's journey enough structure to keep the experience moving forward.

For players who enjoy character-driven open-world games, Bully offers something that remains difficult to find elsewhere.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Unique school-based open-world setting
• Memorable characters
• Strong sense of humor
• Varied missions and activities
• Classes integrated into gameplay
• Interesting student factions
• Exploration and side activities
• Achievement support
• Distinctive Rockstar presentation

Cons

• Some mechanics show the game's age
• Certain missions can feel repetitive
• Older gameplay systems may take time to adjust to
• Some achievement tracking has historically been reported as unreliable by players

Who Should Play Bully: Scholarship Edition?

Bully: Scholarship Edition is a strong choice for players who enjoy:

• Open-world action-adventure games
• Story-driven games
• Rockstar Games titles
• Character-focused adventures
• School-life settings
• Comedy and satire
• Exploration
• Achievement hunting
• Classic Xbox games

It is particularly appealing to players looking for an open-world game that feels substantially different from the usual crime and military settings.

Bully: Scholarship Edition vs. Other Rockstar Games

Bully shares some design philosophy with Rockstar's larger open-world games, but its setting changes almost everything.

Instead of focusing on organized crime and large-scale criminal activity, Bully centers on school politics, rival student groups, classes, friendships, pranks, and teenage conflict.

That smaller setting gives the game a more personal and unusual atmosphere.

Is Bully: Scholarship Edition Worth Playing?

Yes, especially if you enjoy distinctive open-world adventures.

Its school setting, memorable cast, humorous storytelling, varied activities, and unusual mission design give it a personality that separates it from many other Rockstar titles.

Even years after its original release, the combination of open-world exploration and school-life gameplay remains one of its biggest strengths.

Expert Rating

Overall Rating: 9/10

Story: 9/10
Gameplay: 9/10
Exploration: 9/10
Characters: 9.5/10
Replay Value: 8.5/10
Originality: 10/10
Xbox Experience: 8.5/10

Final Verdict

Bully: Scholarship Edition remains one of Rockstar Games' most distinctive action-adventure experiences.

Its combination of open-world exploration, school classes, student factions, combat, missions, pranks, and character-driven storytelling creates an experience unlike most other games in the genre.

If you're looking for an Xbox game with personality, humor, exploration, and a memorable setting, Bullworth Academy is still worth visiting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bully: Scholarship Edition?

Bully: Scholarship Edition is an action-adventure game from Rockstar Games set at the fictional Bullworth Academy. Players control Jimmy Hopkins as he navigates school life, rival student groups, missions, classes, and conflicts.

Who is the main character in Bully?

The main character is Jimmy Hopkins, a 15-year-old student sent to Bullworth Academy after being expelled from several previous schools.

Can you play Bully: Scholarship Edition on Xbox One?

Yes. The Xbox listing states that Bully: Scholarship Edition is playable on Xbox One.

Can you play Bully: Scholarship Edition on Xbox Series X|S?

Yes. The current Xbox listing includes Xbox Series X|S among the supported platforms.

How many achievements does Bully: Scholarship Edition have?

The Xbox 360 version has 38 achievements worth a total of 1,000 Gamerscore.

Is Bully: Scholarship Edition an open-world game?

Yes. Players can freely explore Bullworth Academy and its surrounding areas while completing story missions and optional activities.

What classes can Jimmy attend?

Classes include subjects such as English, Art, Chemistry, Photography, Gym, and Shop, with successful completion providing gameplay benefits.

Is Bully similar to Grand Theft Auto?

Both games use open-world design ideas associated with Rockstar Games, but Bully focuses on school life, student rivalries, classes, pranks, and teenage drama rather than organized crime.