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Earthworm Jim (video game)

From Alfawiki
Shiny Entertainment
IndustryVideo game development
Founded1993
FounderDavid Perry
ProductsEarthworm Jim

Earthworm Jim is a 1994 run and gun platform game created by Shiny Entertainment. The title centers on Jim, an earthworm equipped with a robotic suit, as he combats various malevolent adversaries. Originally launched on the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo Entertainment System, the game was subsequently adapted for several other platforms.

The title garnered widespread critical praise, leading to the release of its sequel, Earthworm Jim 2, in 1995. In 2009, Gameloft developed a remake targeting mobile devices and the Nintendo DSi, which was later brought to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 under the name Earthworm Jim HD. Following the conclusion of Gameloft’s agreement with Interplay in February 2018, these versions were withdrawn from digital marketplaces.

Gameplay

This title is a two-dimensional side-scrolling platformer infused with run-and-gun mechanics. Players assume control of Jim as he maneuvers through stages filled with hazards and enemies. Combat involves using Jim’s firearm or utilizing his worm-like body as a whip to attack foes or swing from hooks. Certain levels introduce distinctive gameplay elements; for instance, in "For Pete's Sake," players must safeguard an AI companion named Peter Puppy by whipping him to evade threats and fend off attackers—failure results in Peter retaliating, which diminishes Jim’s health.

Stages typically culminate in confrontations with bosses such as Hickboy, Psy-Crow, Queen Slug-for-a-Butt, Evil the Cat, Bob the Killer Goldfish, Major Mucus, and Professor Monkey-for-a-Head’s Robotic Chicken. Two exclusive antagonists—Chuck, a junkyard dweller who regurgitates strange items, and Doc Duodenum, a deranged alien organ—appear solely within this installment.

Between most levels, players encounter the "Andy Asteroids" racing sequence presented from a third-person perspective behind Jim. Competitors race Psy-Crow through tubular environments while collecting pickups and dodging asteroids. Victory grants immediate progression; defeat triggers a boss battle against Psy-Crow for continuation.

Additional gameplay modes include competitive bungee-jumping contests and combat challenges, alongside an underwater maze that demands precise timing to avoid repeated collisions.

Plot

Jim begins as an ordinary earthworm until he obtains a "super suit" that bestows humanoid capabilities—his worm body serves as his head while the suit forms his torso and limbs. Throughout the story, Jim must evade numerous foes intent on seizing the suit. The narrative follows his mission to reach Princess What's-Her-Name, who humorously suffers injury after being struck by a cow Jim previously propelled into space.

Development

Playmates Toys, having found success with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles brand, sought to develop their own intellectual property. Motivated by the popularity of Sonic the Hedgehog, they opted to launch their franchise via a video game—a relatively uncommon approach at that time. The concept originated from Douglas TenNapel’s drawing of an earthworm, which attracted Shiny Entertainment’s interest. Programmer David Perry and Shiny secured the rights and spearheaded development; TenNapel contributed to design work, level concepts, and provided Jim’s voice acting, while Perry and his team crafted characters and gameplay systems. Notably, a large hamster character was conceived spontaneously during late-night sessions.

Development occurred concurrently for both Genesis and Super NES platforms using a proprietary coding language. Most levels were initially programmed on Genesis before being ported to Super NES, with some exceptions developed first or simultaneously on Super NES. This strategy enabled efficient cross-platform production.

Unlike Shiny Entertainment’s earlier licensed projects such as 7up's Cool Spot—which imposed creative constraints—Earthworm Jim represented a departure by parodying conventional platformers. It featured imaginative characters like "Princess What's-Her-Name," satirizing traditional damsel-in-distress archetypes.

Release

Earthworm Jim originally debuted on the Sega Genesis in October 1994, soon followed by a similar version for the Super NES. While the Super NES edition showcased modified visuals, it lacked certain audio effects and did not include the Genesis-exclusive "Intestinal Distress" level. To help reduce cartridge manufacturing expenses, Sega requested an exclusive stage for their platform; consequently, the "Big Bruty" level was designed and programmed overnight just prior to production. The game saw release in Japan on Super Famicom in June 1995 through Takara, and later that year appeared on the Mega Drive via the Sega Channel.

Promotional efforts featured a controversial television advertisement depicting an elderly woman consuming plastic worms, which was withdrawn in some regions following viewer complaints.

The Sega CD Special Edition expanded upon the original by incorporating extended gameplay segments, a new "Big Bruty" stage, a remixed soundtrack utilizing CD audio, and enhanced animation frames. This version also offered alternate endings narrated by TenNapel and was subsequently adapted for Windows 95 by Activision.

A unique Sega Channel variant called The Great Earthworm Jim Race included a hidden room competition that rewarded early players who discovered it.

Eurocom developed compressed versions for Game Boy and Game Gear; however, these suffered from limited color palettes, jerky animations, and problematic controls. Additionally, a pared-down Master System version was released exclusively in Brazil with diminished content.

A planned Atari Jaguar adaptation by Softgold was never finished due to the departure of its developer; both its source code and prototype remain missing.

Rainbow Arts handled the MS-DOS port bundled with Earthworm Jim 2, which featured redrawn graphics but excluded the "Intestinal Distress" level.

In 2001, Game Titan ported the Super NES edition to the Game Boy Advance. Despite the handheld's superior hardware capabilities, this version underperformed and received widespread criticism.

Digital re-releases took place during the late 2000s: the Genesis version became available on the Wii Virtual Console across Europe (October 2008), North America (October 2008), and Japan (December 2008). It also launched on Nintendo Classics in September 2022. The MS-DOS edition was reissued via DOSbox on GOG.com (October 2008) and Steam (November 2009).

Earthworm Jim is also featured in the Sega Genesis Mini console collection.

High-definition remake

In 2009, Gameloft released a modernized remake of Earthworm Jim for various mobile and handheld devices through digital distribution. Created entirely from scratch without access to the original source code, this version showcased revamped graphics, a rearranged soundtrack, re-recorded voice performances, and touchscreen-based controls. The remake introduced new computer-themed stages but omitted certain prior content such as the "Big Bruty" level and the secret "Who Turned Out the Lights?" stage. However, it included the extended "New Junk City" level originally from the "Special Edition."

This remake was also made available as DSiWare for Nintendo DSi and downloadable on Nintendo 3DS systems, featuring an additional minigame that utilized the device’s camera to mimic Jim’s facial expressions. Subsequently, Gameloft launched this updated edition digitally on Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network under the title "Earthworm Jim HD," which added a comic book-style intro sequence, three new computer-themed bonus levels, and a four-player multiplayer mode with special stages inspired by existing ones.

Reception

Upon its debut, the game was met with widespread critical praise. Earthworm Jim was honored as the Best Genesis Game of 1994 by Electronic Gaming Monthly, and GamePro awarded the Genesis edition a flawless rating. The Super Famicom release received a score of 30 out of 40 from Famicom Tsūshin.

The title was celebrated for its smooth, hand-crafted animation, a rarity among 16-bit games, alongside its inventive gameplay and comedic elements. GamePro emphasized the imaginative level layouts, while Electronic Gaming Monthly applauded the detailed animations, expansive stages, and distinctive style. GameZone recognized its appeal across diverse audiences and noted its commercial success for both Interplay and Shiny Entertainment, also complimenting Mark Miller’s musical score. Although not groundbreaking, Next Generation described it as an enjoyable and solid 16-bit platformer.

The Sega CD enhanced version was well-received for introducing additional animations, new stages, and a homing missile weapon, going beyond the standard music upgrades typical of such ports. The Game Gear adaptation earned praise for its impressive visuals but was critiqued for limited control options and challenging difficulty; nevertheless, it was considered a decent choice for handheld enthusiasts.

The Windows 95 edition was acclaimed as one of the premier PC platformers of its era, garnering accolades for its well-balanced difficulty and unique visual style. It was recognized as the best arcade game of 1995 by Computer Games Strategy Plus. The Sega CD Special Edition was viewed as a refined iteration offering solid gameplay despite relying on the character’s marketability. Entertainment Weekly assigned it an A grade while noting its close resemblance to previous versions.

Subsequent remakes by Gameloft received varied feedback. The 2010 Earthworm Jim HD remake earned commendation for preserving the original’s artistic design but faced criticism over outdated gameplay mechanics and control schemes. The iPhone version attracted negative remarks due to inadequate touchscreen responsiveness.

By 1995, sales had surpassed one million copies. The Game Boy Advance port achieved moderate reviews, with Next Generation awarding it three out of five stars, acknowledging occasional frustrations but overall enjoyable gameplay.

Accolades

Earthworm Jim secured the 114th spot in Nintendo Power’’s Top 200 Nintendo titles. It received EGMs "Game of the Month" honor and was named Best Sega CD Game of 1995 by GamePro. In 2018, Complex ranked it 54th among the greatest Super Nintendo games, commending its distinctive narrative and gameplay experience. GamesRadar placed it 19th in their list of best Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games in 2017, highlighting its engaging blend of shooting and platforming elements. IGN positioned it at number 57 in their Top 100 SNES Games list, while Total! ranked it 14th in 1995 for its originality and quality. Additionally, Flux magazine included it seventh in their Top 100 Video Games that year, praising both gameplay and animation.

Legacy

Following the original’s success, the sequel Earthworm Jim 2 (1995) followed a similar release strategy—initially launching on Sega Genesis before multiple ports—and received favorable reviews. Two subsequent titles released in 1999—Earthworm Jim 3D (Nintendo 64, PC) and Earthworm Jim: Menace 2 the Galaxy (Game Boy Color)—were developed without Shiny Entertainment’s involvement and were met with predominantly negative critiques. A planned enhanced remake for PlayStation Portable by Atari slated for 2007 was ultimately cancelled.

The franchise extended beyond video games into other media including an animated TV series, comic books, and collectible action figures. Earthworm Jim also makes guest appearances as a playable character in ClayFighter 63⅓ and its "Sculptor's Cut" version.

External links

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