Earthworm Jim

About Earthworm Jim

Earthworm Jim is a side-scrolling platform shooter that defies logic. Developed by Shiny Entertainment in 1994, it casts a lowly earthworm as a reluctant hero after a cyborg suit crashes onto his farm. Blending absurd sci-fi with slapstick humor, Jim must outmaneuver rogue crows, slugs, and cows while rescuing a disinterested princess. The game’s premise is as ridiculous as it sounds, but its quirky charm and over-the-top action make it memorable. Originally released for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, it later appeared on Wii. With its 76.3 IGDB score, Earthworm Jim remains a cult classic for its audacity and gameplay fusion.

Gameplay

Control Jim using a joystick and face buttons, with shooting and jumping as core actions. The suit lets him strafe, duck, and fire missiles, while his worm half can crawl or climb walls. Levels mix platforming challenges, like dodging lava and bouncing on trampolines, with shootouts against alien foes. Each stage ends with a boss fight, often involving creative deaths (e.g. flying cows). The camera scrolls side-to-side, but tight level design and responsive controls keep the pace snappy. Collectible items and hidden areas add replay value. While simplistic by modern standards, the blend of physics-based movement and chaotic enemy encounters feels surprisingly fluid for its era.

What Players Think

The game holds a 76.3/100 on IGDB from 216 ratings, with 31% of players achieving 100% completion. Average playtime is 14 hours, and 43% of players describe it as “nostalgic.” Community moods lean toward “fun” (68%) and “weird” (41%), with 27% calling it “dated.” One user wrote, “Jim’s moveset feels ahead of its time,” while another noted, “The graphics hold up better than I expected.” Achievement hunters appreciate the 61 unlocks, including 5 secret ones. Critics often highlight the game’s influence on retro platformers but acknowledge its technical limitations. For fans of irreverent humor and 90s-era design, it’s a time capsule.

PlayPile's Take

Earthworm Jim is best for retro fans or those who enjoy its absurdist humor. At its peak price of $15 on virtual stores, it’s a low-risk pick for its nostalgic value. The 61 achievements and hidden content reward persistence, though modern controls and visuals may feel rough. Not a must-play for new gamers, but its unique blend of action and comedy makes it worth a try if you’re in the mood for 90s-era irreverence. Stick with it past the first level, Jim’s journey gets weirder and more satisfying as it goes.

Storyline

Jim is a normal earthworm, until a special "super suit" falls from the sky and allows him to operate much like a human, with his "worm-part" acting as a head and the suit acting as arms, body, and legs. Jim's task is two-fold, he must evade the game's many antagonists, who are after him because they want the suit back, and also rescue and protect Princess What's-Her-Name from them. The game plays out with Jim eluding and defeating all enemies, and saving Princess What's-Her-Name. However, not only does she not return Jim's affection, but she is also crushed by the flying cow that was launched at the beginning of the game by Jim himself.