Earthworm Jim

Earthworm Jim is a side-scrolling platformer where the player controls a worm who has gained a powerful suit. The suit fell to Earth after a space captain was attacked by an agent named Psy-Crow, who was ordered to retrieve it by Queen Slug-for-a-Butt. The queen desires the suit to enhance her beauty in a rivalry with a princess.

Gameplay involves navigating levels where Jim can use a gun or manipulate his suit's head segment as a versatile tool. This allows for attacking, grappling onto objects, or creating brief hovering flight. The primary objective is often to reach the end of a stage and defeat a boss, though some levels impose different goals, such as protecting another character.

The narrative begins with the worm, Jim, being fused with the suit after it lands on him, granting him control. Upon learning of the queen's intentions, he sets out to find the princess she envies. The standard platforming is occasionally broken up by other types of stages, including races in space and bungee jumping challenges.