ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron

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ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron
Developer(s) Johnson Voorsanger Productions
Publisher(s) Sega
Designer(s) Greg Johnson
Platform(s) Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Virtual Console
Release date 1993 (Mega Drive/Genesis)

June 1, 2007 (Virtual Console)

Genre(s) Platform
Mode(s) Single player, 2-player co-op
Input methods Game controller

ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron is the sequel to the 1991 game ToeJam & Earl. It was released for the Mega Drive/Genesis in 1993. The game was released through Nintendo's Virtual Console on June 1, 2007 in Europe and June 4, 2007 in North America.[1]

Contents

[edit] Overview

In contrast to its predecessor, ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron took the form of a side-scrolling platform game. In this game, it is revealed that a number of Earthlings hitchhiked on ToeJam and Earl's spaceship on their trip back home after the first game, and are now infesting Funkotron. ToeJam and Earl must capture the Earthlings in jars, and ship them back to Earth in rocket ships at the end of each level. A side-mission is to find ten beloved objects of Lamont the "Funkapotamus", the source of all funk in the universe, (seen again in ToeJam & Earl III: Mission to Earth) to persuade him to return to Funkotron.

ToeJam and Earl's primary method of capturing the escaped earthlings is through the use of jars. The characters have an unlimited amount of these at their disposal. Initially the earthlings can be captured by just being hit by one or two jars (and then the jar picked up by either ToeJam or Earl), but later in the game earthlings become harder to capture and may require as many as 6 jars before they are captured.

The player also has a variety of "funk powers" to assist in evading and capturing the earthlings, such as Funk Move (allowing the player to pass through walls and other objects) and Funk Scan (revealing hidden items). Other bonuses are also found throughout the game, including minigames such as Jam Out (a rhythm-matching game requiring the player to press the controller buttons to match patterns shown on screen) and Hyperfunk Zones (a time-limited race to pick up bonuses). Presents and food items also show up, in a manner similar to that of the original game. Progress can be saved by means of passwords that are presented at specific points.

[edit] Equipment & Funk Powers

To aid their mission, ToeJam and Earl have access to other equipment. Firstly, there are 'SuperJars'. These are a bonus item that can be picked up, and are one use, but will instantly capture any earthling they hit.

Secondly, the characters have access to an ability called 'Funk Move', which teleports the characters a short distance across the screen, allowing them to travel through impassable obstacles. These are a limited use powerup that can be found.

The 'Funk Scan' reveals hidden portals, items and earthlings. They are also limited use.

The 'Panic Button' causes ToeJam and Earl to run about manically for a few seconds, throwing jars in random directions and becoming invulnerable.

Finally, the 'Funk Vac' sucks up all earthlings on the screen and deposits them in jars. These are quite a rare item and so should be saved for tricky situations, such as the woman earthling who has several vicious pet poodles.

[edit] Mini Games

Screenshot from ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron
Screenshot from ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron

The game includes several minigames provide the player with bonus points or items.

[edit] Hyper Funk Zone

The HyperFunk Zone is an area accessed through periodic portals. In this game the only control the player has over the character is the ability to make them shrink, which avoids unwanted obstacles such as portals back to the real world. The aim is to gain as many prizes, items and points while avoiding the portals, and not running out of time.

[edit] Jam Out

Occasionally ToeJam and Earl will meet their friends, who challenge them to a 'Jam Out' where the player has to follow the on screen characters moves using the A, B and C buttons. Each button corresponds to a different dance move. The closer the player gets to repeating the on screen characters moves, the more points they get.

[edit] Fungus Olympics

Occasionally the characters come across springy fungus, which, when associated with a coin slot next to it, can enter the characters in to a competition. The competition resembles synchronised swimming or diving, and the better the moves pulled off, the more points are scored.

[edit] References

  1. ^ OFLC: ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron

[edit] External links