Earthworm Jim (video game)

For the series, see Earthworm Jim (series). For the TV series, see Earthworm Jim (TV series).

Earthworm Jim
Developer(s)	Shiny Entertainment Playmates Interactive Entertainment
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, Mobile phones
Release	August 2, 1994 Mega Drive/Genesis Super NES Sega CD Game Boy Sega Game Gear PC Sega Master System BRA: 1996 Game Boy Advance Virtual Console Windows (GOG.com) Xbox Live Arcade PlayStation Network
Genre(s)	Platform shoot 'em up
Mode(s)	Single-player

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, 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, and in North America on October 27, 2008. Gameloft released a version for the iPhone and Symbian S60 devices and in July 28, 2010, developed an HD version for PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade.

Plot

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.

Gameplay

Jim in the 'New Junk City' level on the SNES version.

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.

Releases

• Sega Genesis: The original release.
• Super Nintendo Entertainment System: This port has some new graphics (like additional backgrounds) but lacks the level Intestinal Distress. Also, the music in Down The Tubes (level 3) is replaced with the music from New Junk City (level 1).
• Game Boy: Compressed and rendered in black and white due to hardware limitations. The lack of background images was criticized.
• Game Gear: Virtually identical to the Game Boy release, save for the colored visuals.
• Sega Master System: Brazil exclusive, ported from the Game Gear release but with a more limited palette.
• Sega CD: Released as Earthworm Jim: Special Edition, this release featured extended levels as well as an all-new one (Big Bruty), more voice clips (some not said by Jim), a missile weapon, and a full CD soundtrack. Completing the game using the "Practice" difficulty mocks the player by presenting an absurd, rambling narrated text documentary on worms. Completing the game on "Hard" difficulty has the same narrator congratulating the player in the same absurd manner.
• Sega Channel: A special version of the game released by Shiny and Playmates Interactive as The Great Earthworm Jim Race. This version included a secret room which, when reached by the first 200 players, would display a password and a toll-free telephone number. Those that called the number were awarded special prizes.
• PC: A port of the Sega CD release, featuring improved audio and 256-color graphics. A Microsoft Plus! desktop theme is also included.
• Game Boy Advance: A port of the original releases. It was widely criticized for audio issues and a severe lack of animation frames.
• Remake for phones: A remake of the original releases by Gameloft without any involvement from the original creators. It featured redone graphics and audio, and Jim's voice clips were redone by Scott Shaw. Released for iPhone, J2ME, and BREW.
• Nintendo DSi: A port of the remake to the handheld, downloaded digitally. It featured minigames that used the camera, involving the player having to mimic Jim's expressions within a few seconds. This port does not include the Who Turned out the Lights? secret level. This port was unavailable and nontransferable for Nintendo 3DS owners until the 7/25/2011 update.
• Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network: A port of the remake released as Earthworm Jim HD. The graphics were redone, and there were more sound effects. As well, a few of Shaw's clips were replaced by remastered versions of TenNapel's clips. The port featured a comic-like intro, three new computer-themed bonus levels, more difficulties, a multiplayer mode with special levels based on already existing ones, and an option of switching between normal and plasma ammo. The full New Junk City level from the special edition is also included, but Big Bruty level, the Who Turned out the Lights? secret level, and the missile weapon are missing.

Sequels

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. 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.

Reception

Earthworm Jim was awarded Best Genesis Game of 1994 by Electronic Gaming Monthly. Earthworm Jim was rated the 114th-best game made on a Nintendo System in Nintendo Power's Top 200 Games list.

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."

See also

• 1994 in video gaming
• Doug TenNapel
• Tommy Tallarico
• Dave Perry
• tUME The Universal Map Editor

External links

• Earthworm Jim at Eurocom
• Earthworm Jim Fansite at Rocket Worm!
• Earthworm Jim Action Figure Checklist