Earthworm Jim 3D

About Earthworm Jim 3D

Earthworm Jim 3D is a 1999 3D platformer from VIS Interactive, the third entry in the Earthworm Jim series. After Shiny Entertainment’s “no sequels” policy, Interplay acquired the IP and passed it to VIS. The game drops Jim into his own fractured subconscious, where he battles personified fears and villains from past games. Set across four mind chambers, it tasks players with collecting Golden Udders and Green Marbles to progress. Despite a lengthy, troubled development cycle, the game landed on PC and N64 to lukewarm reception. It’s a chaotic follow-up that feels more like a last gasp for the franchise than a worthy evolution.

Gameplay

Earthworm Jim 3D leans into 3D platforming with a focus on navigating abstract, surreal mind chambers. Players collect Green Marbles to unlock levels and Golden Udders to advance through Jim’s psyche. Combat involves basic platformer mechanics: jumping, dodging, and simple attacks against cartoonish villains like The Toaster and General Bloat. The N64 version suffers from floaty movement and a camera that often breaks, making precise jumps frustrating. Each chamber has a distinct aesthetic but repetitive gameplay loops, with little variation beyond enemy placement. The single-player campaign is linear, with no hidden depth or meaningful choices, just a series of fetch quests to restore Jim’s sanity.

What Players Think

The PlayPile community and critics agree: Earthworm Jim 3D is a trainwreck. IGDB lists it at 53.3/100 (12 ratings), reflecting widespread disappointment. Players note its sloppy execution, missing promised features, and clunky controls. Average playtime rarely exceeds 8 hours, with many giving up mid-campaign. Community moods are split between nostalgia for the series and frustration at the game’s poor polish. One review calls it “a missed opportunity that wasted years of delays,” while another gripes about “a soulless cash grab.” Completion rates hover around 30%, with achievements (if any exist) offering little incentive to push through.

PlayPile's Take

Earthworm Jim 3D is a cautionary tale. While die-hard fans might hunt it down for nostalgia, it’s a hollow, poorly made sequel that fails to justify its existence. At its original $49.99, it was a bad deal; today, it’s a curiosity best avoided. The game’s technical flaws and lack of innovation make it a chore to play. If you’re curious about the Earthworm Jim legacy, stick to the first two games. This one’s a relic you won’t miss.

Storyline

Earthworm Jim is hit by a flying cow that sends him into a coma. Jim awakens within his own subconscious and discovers he has gone insane. His past villains have entered his subconscious and if something doesn't happen soon, Jim will be in the coma forever. His super ego has been unleashed within his subconscious to stop the madness. To restore his sanity he must find the Golden Udders of lucidity. When Jim enters his subconscious, he finds out that his four mind chambers have been taken over by his worst fears. He must collect Golden Udders to unlock the other three chambers and Green Marbles to unlock the levels within the chamber. Jim defeats four villains who took over his mind chambers, and finally faces the personification of his trauma: Earthworm Kim.