Earthworm Jim (MD)

What the? Oo
There are already comments for Boogerman and Clayfighter, but not for this gem?
It was way too hard for me back in the days (especially the water level), but I still had a blast playing this, mostly for the graphics, the sounds and just the great humour. Maybe by now I could get further into the game. ^^

When I was younger I had no idea the cartoon was based on the video game, I thought it was the other way around! Its probably one of the reasons Earthworm Jim being in Clayfighter 63 1/3 surprised me more than it should have.

I haven't played this one as much as I did the sequel, but I'm kind of dissapointed that they aren't releasing the special edition on the Sega CD! I haven't played it, but its supposed to have better music (duh), but more importantly a new level! Man...

(Oh and the cartoon was awesome...why can't I find a DVD release?)

this game was mega-hard.

True! Mega Herd! But a big Hit and a funny Game!
I Love it

"Groovy!"

This game is awesome!! Best platform game ever!!

Seriously, stop giving half the game away in the clips. Just the first level would have sufficed. Ye ruined alot of the jokes here for people who havnt played this before.

Lol never played this one but i did play part 2 before and i loved it.

How does the Megadrive version compare to the SNES version?

LOL...Earthworm Jim. This was one of my favorite games when I was a kid. Dosen't the Genesis version have an extra level and the SNES version dosen't?

I guess this is another game I'll have to try.

I hope we won't end up waiting about half a year, I used to love this!
Can't wait to play it again.

@Cally: I haven't actually played the SNES one but that version was missing the level "Intestinal Distress" so I'm glad it's the MD version we're getting.

I played this ages ago... & I also got the GBA port! It's not as good in sound quality as the original but I still play the port just for laughs! At least the port was decent & playable, unlike how Sonic Genesis turned out....shame. EWJ2 port's on GBA too - SWEET!

This game was truly amazing.
I remember picking it up as a kid when I had went to a Toy Shop in a Mall back at New York. A classic gem. It was also the MD version of the game. Good times.

I never played the game but I loved the cartoon that came out from it. I'm intrigued to see what it's like though

@MrLopez: It depends on whether you want consistent platforming gameplay (EWJ1) or something completely new in each level, not all of which even have traditional side-scrolling gameplay (EWJ2). But if you must know, I personally like EWJ1 better.

@Cally: Yeah, the SNES version was missing that level, but I can tell from the video that the SNES version has MUCH better sound quality.

I remember playing this game. I also remember I wasn't having fun. I don't want to relive that experience of not having fun, so I'm not going to get it.

I just found the snes version of this game for $4.99 at my local game store (and it was its original box) And its a great game!

Only just noticed this is ESRB rated =o
*Gets excited *
Hopefully not much longer before we see it!

Great and wacky game, my parents would always ask me what the *&%$ are you playing, but she would never understand the game. I heard on www.imdb.com (Internet Movie Data Base) that there is going to be a full length movie of Earthworm Jim!!! Go to the website and type in Earthworm Jim and look for Earthworm Jim (2010)

This game was great. It had alot of different things you could do through out the game. I think the first one is better then the second.

When is this coming out? I have never payed this game before, but i believe people think its one of the greatest games of all time!

It IS one of the greatest games of all time. I actually spent a few hours last night on the Genesis playing it. I won't be buying it when it comes out on VC, since I actually have it in my Genesis console right now and have the GBA version too...but when this comes out I would highly recommend it to anyone even remotely curious.

Finally damn! one of my favourite games ever, really brings back alot of great memories for me. But the game is really hard, I dont think I ever completed it I always got stuck on the Buttville stage as a kid.
Im just really happy its this version and not the SNES one (No fanboy)

I only got to play this game for a few days, and I haven't played it for about 10 years, but not a month has gone by that music from that game hasn't run through my head. This is definetely one of my favourites. absolutely incredible.

I'm too young to remember the game or the cartoon, but I did remember this game being ported to GBA a few years back. Thankfully we're getting the Genesis version with all the levels. It looks hilarious!

P.S. I'll remember to look up the cartoon on Youtube.

I played this game, and while it looked and sounded nice, I found it way too hard to avoid all the enemies. They move so fast! Still, it's worth sticking with for the clever and funny game mechanics. I really liked the music, too, whether it's the first level's fit-for-an-action-scene tune or the hilarious tune that plays in hell. It regularly switches from dark, ominous tones to calm elevator music!

I only played the Snes version. Is the Mega drive version better?

They've been showing the cartoon on Nickelodeon here.

Best cartoon ever. I seriously cannot believe that they marketed that to kids. Most of the jokes were way too smart for that.

Remember, they're making a new cartoon series and a feature film, as well as a fourth videogame.

I gave this one a miss back in the day but now that I'm a big Neverhood fan ("Klaymen! Up here!"), I've wanted to play this one, too.

Would have rather had the SNES version since the sound and graphics are better but since this MD version has an extra level and the graphics aren't that bad i guess it's well worth a download after all. Always wanted to try the Earthworm Jim games out.

Didn't know that, Drake.

I actually prefer that it's the MD version. It's the version I played as a kid.

I tried playing it with the remote but I'm going to have to bring out my CC.
Why couldn't they've made the B button work as an alternative to the A button for Genesis games?

Appears the VC release has some very weird emulation niggles:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=13060977&postcount=25752

Yeah I noticed those yellow borders too. I didn't realise they weren't in the original though. Haven't played in years.
Is anyone else gettin crazy mad at that snot dude? He keeps pwnin me in his 3rd level.

@Bass XO, #31. That's cool. I remember a time when American Nick had good shows like that. Now all we got is icarly, The Mighty B, and a bunch of Spongebob reruns.

@Drake. Is the new movie live-action? lol.

I preferred the SNES version when I was younger. I played both and remember it looking better on the SNES. If you look at the middle screen shot in the thumbnails above, you'll see that the Sega version did not have transparency and instead used dithering for the glass tunnel. Yick. The SNES also had multiple scrolling backgrounds that looked quite nice.
I also remember being very frustrated with the button response on the Sega controller, fortunately thats not an issue these days.

It would be nice if they would release both the snes and genesis versions. That way you could download the version you prefer.

Downloaded this, and it brings back memories...... Freaking awesome game..

ROLL ON EARTHWORM JIM 2 ON THE VIRTUAL CONSOLE!!

The Sega CD version was far superior to all, but I can't believe people wouldn't download this because of sound quality. It's got more content, tighter controls (slightly, but this is a tough game and that could make the difference between completing it and coming close ) and it's kind of like complaining that Super Mario 3 doesn't sound as good as Super Mario World. Look which one is downloaded more often! There is some true evolution of the genre in the game-play as well. It's a great game with tons of personality, memorable characters and tongue in cheek levels that will may you smile.

@Starwolf_UK - Yikes. Hope that's cleared up for the US release! Sorry. I hope they fix it for your release as well. That way you could just trash this and download it fresh! No PAL border for us though. that's gotta bite. And I hear that a change in video mode could fix that for you, if Nintendo actually gave 2 F's to do it. Yeesh

For everyone who's complaining that they havnt released X version, a simple question?
What makes you think they won't?
The VC has shown us that developers (I'm particularly looking at you Capcom) have no problem putting out the inferior version of a game first then releasing a beter one late (SF2) or vice versa (Ghouls and Goblins).
I wouldn't be surprised if the same doesnt happen with Jim, But seeing the emulation issues with this one ontop of the usual bad PAL translation of the Mega Drive VC games I'll be holding out for the future

Only game out for VC today in America!

Oh well, at least it's a decent game, and we get Artstyle: Rotohex

Anybody remember the cartoon? It was ok.

I wonder if they'll ever release the abomination that was the N64 Earthworm Jim?

@The Fox - Good lord I hope not. If there is any justice in the world, it will never happen!

I think you can rest easy on that one, Fox. After almost 2 years, we haven't gotten a single 3rd-party N64 game yet, and that trend doesn't look like it'll change anytime soon.

I hope you two are right and it stays in the vault. It was the only game I ever returned to the store the next day. Usually I can bite the bullet and admit my mistake, but it was just too crappy.

I'm happy to see a non japanese game appear on VC. Now, it's time to bring Flashback, Out of this world, The lost vikings, Prince of Persia, NHL 94, Super Star Wars, Maniac Mansion, The Lion King (remember the Westwood game ?) Aladin and many others.

@David77
I think you can forget about seeing The Lion King. Nintendo has said more than once that legal reasons make it almost certain that Disney titles won't be released on the VC. Stranger things have happened, though.

This game is an instant download for me. I still have my copy of Earthworm Jim 2 on the SNES. It's been over a decade since I've played the original though. Good thing I have 1000 Wii Points still available, cuz I'm out of cash right now waiting on my next paycheck. Not that anyone needed to know that but..... Earthworm Jim kicks ass! At least as far as I can remember.... Oh well. I'm going to download it. I'll get back to you on whether or not it stands the test of time, but I'm betting it will since Earthworm Jim 2 is still fun to play. Oh and I have a question for the people at vc-reviews.com... Both you and ign.com mentioned in your reviews of this game that it had a number of sequels. As far as I knew there was only Earthworm Jim 1 and 2 and they were both available on the SNES and the Genesis. If there were a number of sequels how many were there? I don't remember ever hearing of or playing an Earthworm Jim 3 or 4. What system was it for? Dreamcast? Xbox? N64? 'eh? I want some answers!

If all you have is a Wiimote then don't bother with this. It's a good game, but the Wiimote control is broken. Since they mapped fire to "A" you can't shoot up without contorting your hand or using both hands. It would have been better if they'd mapped fire to "B". Is there anyway to change controller mapping on VC titles?

@Outrunner- Yeah, I've had trouble with the Snot guy. I just beat him, though.

@All- Does anyone know if it's possible to make Jim jump above the rope/chain he's hanging from? If so, what button do you press?

Luigison, you're meant to upgrade to a proper VC controller. Just because you can play Genesis games with the remote doesn't mean you should. Upgrade now!

I remember playing the SNES version when I was a kid, I never really got a chance to play it again, so I might get this.

I really, really like this game. I think it's a great platformer, and it is just a joy to play. The gameplay varies in practically every level which ups the challenge and the enjoyment. I think the music is fair to good depending on the level, and the animation is just fantastic. 5/5

@Bass X0, I have several VC controllers, but they either have wires or poorly laid out buttons. I think I'll try the one posted here that looked like a Classic Controller, but was wireless. Anyone else try it? If so, is it worth the import?

@Luigison - I haven't tried it, but Daz gave a pretty good summary of the controller in one of the old news articles. I'd reread that to decide if I were you. I think the Classic Controller is your best bet for this game (the cords don't bother me, but as you said, several wireless alternatives exist). The GameCube controller just seems a bit awkward. The X button just shouldn't be used for something as important as jumping.

'Slightly' inferior? I DLed it this morning and was sorely disappointed in the "What The Heck?" level audio... I also have some qualms about the button layout... I would trade this MD version for the one-level-less SNES version any day... That's the one I grew up playing. However, it is still an excellent game and no one should pass it up

You can change the button mapping by going to options on the games title screen.

this is an absolutely amazing game with some of the best graphics and sound I have ever seen on the megadrive

I remember from the PC version that you could use a DOOM cheat and the system will reply:"This is not DOOM.". Other was if you finish the game on the easiest setting, at the end, instead of rolling credits, Jim insults you for playing on the easiest setting and according to him your reward is a rolling huge wall of text on the anatomy of a worm and talked by EarthWorm Jim him self... Not to brag but can anyone confirm if stuff like these are in their console version?

The cartoon was awesome!!!!!!!! This game is great!

is it seriously mega hard?

That video brings back so many memories!

i miss this game

I used to have this game on my computer. but now it's gone But I at least got this Virtual Console release!

One of the best games i have played on MD!! We need full remaster on PC