ToeJam & Earl III: Mission to Earth

"At last, Toejam and Earl have come down from Funkotron to smite thee with a righteous vengeance!"

Ah, if you know me, then you know that I love Toejam and Earl, the cult hit on the Genesis that was about some hip hoppin' jammers from outer space. Toejam is red, wears a bling blingin' gold chain, and has 3 legs. Earl is fat. They crash landed on Earth, and spent their time there collecting space-ship pieces, avoiding perilous Soccer Moms and Rabid Dentists, and using presents to help them defeat or run away from the evil human race. Though it may seem very crude at first, the game is very thought out, and could almost be called an action/adventure/puzzler. The game spawned a sequel, but because I didn't get it, since I heard many, many, bad things about it. Mostly, it didn't follow to its roots, making it almost a pure Acton game with a Shaft funk. Didn't sit to well with the fans. However, after waiting about 9 years for another game, people began to long for it. Originally slated for the Dreamcast, (like every Sega game in 2002) and sent to Xbox after the Little DC that could ill-fated demise. Toejam and Earl are indeed back, with a righteous vengeance! And a New character, but I will get to that later.

Though it may seem like a game that has little girls kicking you in the shins would not have a varied plot, TJ&E have one of corruption, sorrow, comedy, funk, and hip-hop booty shaking goodness. Toejam, Earl, and the new character, Latisha (blue, has antenna, the booty shaking part I mentioned earlier refers to her. Hopefully, you will not see Earl shake his rump anytime soon.) You are sent by the Funkopotamus (also known as Lamont), the great and powerful funk leader on their home planet, Funkotron, to collect the sacred albums to funk that have been stolen. Unluckily, the albums are traced back to Earth. He also tells you to try and turn humans to the ways of the Funk, by the powers of Funk Fu. Those un-funkified humans are out to get you, and you will cut them down with the powers of FUNK.

Graphics: 6
Ok, these are DC quality graphics; with slightly better textures and resolution. There are large amounts of fog around everywhere, which could get annoying if you want to see sprawled out levels. Nothing really fancies here, just a very comical style that has been with TJ&E forever. When you look at a mad dentist, you see a crazy mad man with an icepick ready to stab you in the head. You see (or you don't see) bogeymen slowly creeping up on you, ready to pounce. Most of the areas and quite bland, not making use of the Xbox's full power. Though the game looks very good for something on DC, on Xbox, it is slightly lacking.

Gameplay: 9
You alone, or with a friend, as Toejam, Earl, or Latisha, must find the scattered Funk records that have been stolen from Lamont. To do this, you are given nothing by the powers of your funk. The levels are a mixed bag; if you have played other TJ&Es before, then you know what you're getting into. Basically, the levels are climate based. One level might have just sand, while the others be dominated by water, and others be grassy. Lamont at the beginning of the level gives you a set of goals; most of them are easy, like finding the elevator (which is used for people to exit the level) or looking for new types of presents.
The Present system is very simple, you have a box on the ground, that is labeled or un-labeled about it's contents, that may hold something very bad or very good. Here are some examples: Spring shoes, which last for a short period of time, let you jump very high in the air. Sushi is food, which helps you regain points in the life bar. Find elevator present lets you find the elevator. Most of them are pretty easy to understand by name.
There is something new about the levels in the game. Instead of just running from one level to another, you have zones, 12 of them (each zone has 1 funk record.) Within these zones, you have a couple of levels. These zones at as a starting point for new types of levels with stronger enemies, more goals, and more uses of the Funk. For example, after a while, your Funk Fu will become old and weak, like mayo left out in the sun. If you funkify enough people for points, you can go to the know it all carrot man to get upgraded threw the ranks. Overall, and enjoyable experience.

Sound: 7
Ek! Old Skool Rap! Yay for some, horrible boos from most. However, with all the stuff that they wear, you can easily tell that they came from a 80s rasp session. No fast-talking pimp daddys here. You have that, and some Choir ladies, singing the music of soul. I HAVE, THE POWA! Also, some kooky sound effects. Like ''bonk'' ''funkify!'' and ''yo big earl, toejam said that you like guys, is that true?'' I think that very statement gave it the T rating. Though very strange at times, these things came from my TV when I was playing. I also spent on hour watching my mom and step dad try and jump across a level with spring shoes. That was funny.

Fun Factor: 9
If you have played the other TJ&Es, then you know that they are an enjoyable time with very little harsh language (except for a few times) very little violence without having a comical side to it, and even more, I stress the booty shaking hip-hop? However, move down the score 5 points of you haven't play it.

Buy or Rent?

Buy is you understand what a good game is. Rent if you don't.

Graphics: 6
Gameplay: 9
Sound: 7
Fun Factor: 9

Reviewer's Score: 9/10

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 01/15/03, Updated 01/15/03