Earthworm Jim

"I don't really know why people love this game so much?"

Back in 1994, I most remember that Final Fantasy VI came out. However, another game came out as well, and that was Earthworm Jim. People loved this game for some reason. It seemed like just a slightly above average side scroller to me. And the really weird thing is that the Super Nintendo version was worse than the Genesis version! (how's that for a switch?)

The object of Earthworm Jim is quite simple. It's a side scroller, and you have to get to the end and defeat a boss. You could shoot your gun, or you could take the worm out of your suit and whip it (whip it good). There was also a gun power up that was super powerful. As for the stages, they were all pretty imaginative, and the bosses were good too, lots of personality. Different stages had you do different things too. In one stage, not only did you have to ride this weird submarine bubble thing (VERY frustrating), but also a hamster! There was a stage where you have to bungee jump with Major Mucus, and you have to rip his bungee cord (the best stage). There was even a stage where you had to protect a little puppy from the horrors of the world, or you'd have to pay! After each level, you got to race Psy-crow in rockets, which was also pretty fun. However, all this didn't seem to make up for the average side scrolling.

The graphics of this game were good. The backgrounds look nice, and so do all of the enemies. Jim animates well (though not as good as in the Genesis version), and all of the boss characters seem to have their own personalities, and they're very original. The sound is great too, and the level Heck contains one of my all time favorite video game songs (A mix between elevator music and a Night on Bald Mountain...it's hilarious!).

Overall, EWJ is just an above average platformer. The game has some pretty weird humor, and all the levels are really imaginative. It's worth a rent, but it gets too repetive to buy. However, if you must get this game, be sure and get the Genesis version. The Genesis version looks better, animates smoother, and contains an extra level. Whichever version you choose though, it still can't hide what it is-an average side scrolling game.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 11/01/99, Updated 08/07/01