| Earthworm Jim | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Shiny Entertainment Playmates Interactive Entertainment |
| Publisher(s) | |
| Designer(s) | David Perry Doug TenNapel |
| Artist(s) | Nick Bruty |
| Composer(s) | Mark Miller (Sega CD version by Tommy Tallarico) |
| Series | Earthworm Jim |
| Platform(s) | Mega Drive/Genesis, SNES, Sega CD, Game Boy, Sega Game Gear, DOS, Sega Master System, Game Boy Advance, iOS, Windows, Virtual Console, Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, WiiWare,[1] Mobile phones |
| Release date(s) | |
| Genre(s) | Platform shoot 'em up |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
| Rating(s) |
RSAC: V1: Creatures killed VRC: GA |
| Media/distribution | 24Mbit cartridge (Original Mega Drive/Genesis version) |
Earthworm Jim is a run and gun platform video game starring an earthworm named Jim in a robotic suit who battles evil. Created by Doug TenNapel and designed by David Perry, the game was developed by Shiny Entertainment and Playmates Interactive Entertainment, released by Sega for the Mega Drive/Genesis in 1994, and subsequently ported to the SNES, Game Boy, Game Gear, Sega Master System, and years later, the Game Boy Advance. Upon its release it was praised for its detailed animation, polished gameplay and surreal humor; it became the first game ever to receive a 100% review in GamesMaster magazine. A special edition of the game was released for the Sega CD/Mega-CD which features a Red Book audio soundtrack, improved graphics and expanded levels,[5] and an even further enhanced version with redrawn, 256 color graphics and an Earthworm Jim desktop theme, as well as all the Sega CD improvements, was released for Microsoft Windows 95. An Atari Jaguar port was planned, but cancelled, due to the system's low popularity. The original Mega Drive/Genesis version was released through Wii's Virtual Console service in Europe on October 3, 2008,[4] and in North America on October 27, 2008.[3] Gameloft released a version for the iPhone and Symbian S60 devices and in July 28, 2010,[6] developed an HD version for PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade.
Contents |
The storyline involves many colorful characters. Jim (voiced by TenNapel) was at first an ordinary earthworm who did very earthworm-like things such as flee from crows and eat dirt. One day, in the space above Earth, the evil Psy-Crow had cornered a rebel spaceship pilot who had stolen an "Ultra-high-tech-indestructible-super-space-cyber-suit" built by Professor Monkey-for-a-Head. The suit had been commissioned by the evil Queen Pulsating, Bloated, Festering, Sweaty, Pus-filled, Malformed, Slug-for-a-Butt so that she could further conquer the galaxy. In the ensuing space fight, the suit was dropped to Earth, and fell on Jim. By a stroke of luck, Jim managed to land within the collar of the suit, and it ended up mutating him into the large and intelligent (at least by earthworm standards) superhero he is today.
Jim overhears Psy-Crow talking to Queen Slug-for-a-Butt about the scorch marks left by the suit and her plans for her sister, Princess What's-Her-Name. Jim thus sets out to rescue the princess, fighting many enemies along the way, such as Major Mucus, Chuck and Fifi, Evil the Cat and Bob the Killer Goldfish, although none of this is apparent throughout the game.
The gameplay of Earthworm Jim could be considered bizarre. Launching cows, using Jim's head as a whip, and other bizarre twists add to the insanity. The player controls Jim at all times of the game. In the level sections, Jim can run, use his gun, swing on hooks and get power-ups for the blaster. The in-between levels, called Andy Asteroids, place Jim in a semi-3D race against the evil Psycrow. If Psycrow wins, then Jim must fight him in one-on-one combat in order to progress. Throughout the game are many added features, such as mini-bosses whose weaknesses Jim needs to find through trial and error. Crystal treadmills, underwater pod races and other related events also appear.
A sequel, Earthworm Jim 2, was released in 1995 for the Mega Drive/Genesis, Sega Saturn, PlayStation, SNES and PC, and a port was later released for the Game Boy Advance.
Two further games, Earthworm Jim 3D (1999, PC, Nintendo 64) and Earthworm Jim: Menace 2 the Galaxy (1999, Game Boy Color), were produced without the involvement of Shiny and were mostly met with negative reviews.
An enhanced remake by Atari (with a working title of Earthworm Jim PSP) was planned for a 2007 release for the PSP, but was ultimately cancelled.
On April 22, 2008, Earthworm Jim 4 was announced, though details were scarce and no solid platform or release date had been revealed.[9] It was later announced by TenNapel himself that the rumors of Earthworm Jim 4 were untrue; however, he stated that he still had interest in the future of the series should the opportunity ever come.
Earthworm Jim was awarded Best Genesis Game of 1994 by Electronic Gaming Monthly.[10] Earthworm Jim was rated the 114th-best game made on a Nintendo System in Nintendo Power's Top 200 Games list.[11]
GameZone's Dakota Grabowski took a look back at Earthworm Jim and what made the game so appealing. "Back when platformers were the king of genres, Earthworm Jim made its presence known as the “cool kid on the block” by appealing to many demographics. Obtaining a moderate difficulty level and establishing itself with stylish humor, Earthworm Jim was a financial and critical success for Interplay and Shiny Entertainment." Even after 16 years, the game still holds up to the standards of gamers today. "Even though I feel the sequel is the best of the series, the original still is able to stand out on its own. The soundtrack from Tommy Tallarico is a testament to the amazing work that was done back in the 16-bit era. From beginning till the end, Tallarico’s work is a triumph. After multiple playthroughs, Earthworm Jim consistently provides enough charm to fill 10 Grand Canyons."
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