Classic Games Database
ClassicGames DB

Earthworm Jim

Review
Also known as
EWJ アースワームジム

This run and gun platformer features tight controls and bizarre levels to rescue the princess.

Earthworm Jim was originally released for the Sega Genesis in 1994, and the SNES version was also released in 1994. The SNES version is a port of the original game, so the original release year is also 1994.

About Earthworm Jim

Earthworm Jim is a side-scrolling platformer where the player controls a worm who has gained a powerful robotic suit. The suit fell to Earth after a space captain was attacked by an agent named Psy-Crow, who was acting on orders from Queen Slug-for-a-Butt. The Queen desires the suit to enhance her beauty, a plan Jim learns about after the suit bonds with him, granting him control and advanced abilities.

Gameplay involves navigating through levels, primarily by running and jumping, while using a gun to defeat enemies. The suit's head, which is Jim's own body, can be used as a separate tool for attacking, grappling onto objects, or spinning to achieve brief hovering flight. While many stages conclude with a boss encounter, others impose different objectives, such as protecting an allied character from harm.

The structure mixes these standard platforming stages with other types of sequences, including races through space and a bungie-jumping challenge. The narrative setup involves Jim, now empowered, deciding to seek out a princess mentioned in the Queen's schemes.

Earthworm Jim Screenshots

12 images
Title Screen
In Game
Funny copyright screen
Loading screen
Jim is attacked from below
A cow. Great
Jumping on tires, enjoying the sunset...
Those pesky critters just won't let me climb normally!
Death animation
Level completed!
Andy's Asteroids, a recurrent driving level
I hate this lava! I'll whip this lava!