Earthworm Jim fans receive glimmer of hope
by John Bardinelli 
{ Mar 6th 2007 at 3:59PM }
Good news for dirt-lovin' annelid fans. Shiny Entertainment founder Dave Perry has hinted that a new Earthworm Jim game will "happen eventually." The development team has been re-formed and is interested in reviving the wiggly space-suit-clad hero for a new generation of gamers.The original run-and-gun platformers were packed with strange enemies, lush graphics (for 1994, anyway), and a wacky sense of humor. After all, when you're launching cows as a worm in a space suit, it's hard to be serious.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Andrew @ Mar 9th 2007 6:52PM
Judging by the way that's worded, the poor-looking PSP EWJ remake that we've seen vids of so far is canceled, I gather?
Lorben @ Mar 6th 2007 4:06PM
Are you referring to the Earthworm Jim PSP game that has been announced for release this year?
It was shown at E3 and there are already video clips and screen shots floating around. That’s a bit more than hinting.
Myke @ Mar 6th 2007 4:06PM
A suprise VC launch would make my Monday morning ANYTIME!!!
BPM @ Mar 6th 2007 4:06PM
Whatever happened to the new EWJ platformer for PSP?
Shadow Hog @ Mar 6th 2007 4:07PM
What about that PSP game, then? I mean, granted, I don't think fans are terribly excited about that one (I mean, *I* wasn't, but then, it's a PSP game and I'm not a PSP owner - not to knock the system or anything - so it's kinda hard for me to care about it), but still, it's a new EWJ and it's coming AFAIK.
Shadow Hog @ Mar 6th 2007 4:08PM
"A suprise VC launch would make my Monday morning ANYTIME!!!"
Genesis or SNES? I'd go with Genesis for the extra level (Intestinal Distress), but then, the SNES version is prettier. Mmmm, tough choice indeed... shame we can't go for the Sega CD/Windows 95 version with Big Bruty (hate that level) and the CD soundtrack (love that, though) instead?
Ironhide @ Mar 6th 2007 4:12PM
Actually I hope based on wording, that we get a brand new 2.5d EWJ. A re-hash on Live or Virtual Console would be nice, although I have both the Genesis and Saturn versions of the two releases, so I'd be looking more forward to a brand new game. Not 3d, because that 3d EWJ on N64 sucked kinda hard.
Myke @ Mar 6th 2007 4:13PM
I'd be inclined to wait for Sega CD to be announced for VC (you know it'll happen...) and then get that version. But I'd take the original Genesis version to hold me over until then.
kevinski @ Mar 6th 2007 4:14PM
Ugh...I can do without this series. God, the Flying King level in Earthworm Jim 2 was enough to keep me away from these games forever.
Myke @ Mar 6th 2007 4:14PM
P.S. AND they should release Boogerman for the VC on the same day. I'd call in sick to work for that pair!
Mr Khan @ Mar 6th 2007 4:19PM
That's one helluva vague statement that guy gave
This could happen anywhere, although my money is on an XBLA version (not sure why, just a feeling, Earthworm Jim seems more suited to XBLA than VC, but then again, anythings possible)
flymolo @ Mar 6th 2007 4:20PM
Groovy
John B @ Mar 6th 2007 5:08PM
The PSP version is a "re-imagining" of the original game, not a new one. It does have shinier graphics and some new level designs, though.
Kevin @ Mar 6th 2007 4:52PM
Earthworm Jim, sweet. A classic to be revived.
I'm still waiting on a new Duke Nukem though...
Kevout @ Mar 6th 2007 4:56PM
PLASMA
Strangler @ Mar 6th 2007 5:32PM
not according to wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthworm_Jim_PSP
Earthworm Jim PSP (working title) is an entirely new game based on the original Earthworm Jim game for Sega Genesis. It will be a retelling of the original Earthworm Jim game, but neither a port nor a remake. So far, there has been a level resembling "New Junk City" confirmed, as well as a level called "The Birds and the Bees", chronicling a war between the two factions. Jim also has new moves, including "rocket boots" and the "Battery of the Gods", a power-up which sends Jim into a "super mode", in which he can fly, is invulnerable, and can execute powerful melee combos. It is being developed by Shiny Entertainment, the team behind the original 2D games, and published by Atari. The game will have multiplayer support, where two players will be able to compete with each other for high scores. There will be new characters as well. The only one confirmed so far is "Tapeworm Slim", whose role in the game is secret. The game's 12 levels will contain plenty of secrets and different types of game play. It is tentatively scheduled for release in March 2007.
Lorben @ Mar 6th 2007 4:31PM
"The PSP version is a "re-imagining" of the original game, not a new one. It does have shinier graphics and some new level designs, though."
The PSP game is a new game made from and old idea. Earthworm Jim PSP is to Original Earthworm Jim as New Super Mario Brothers is to Original Super Mario Brothers.
Take the same idea, do it again in 2.5D with new characters and items but basically the same gameplay.
Zertoss @ Mar 6th 2007 4:52PM
New EWJ game? Count me in!
Poisoned Al @ Mar 6th 2007 5:06PM
@ kevinski. I didn't mind the flying king level. The repeated return of the "puppy love" levels pissed me off.
samfish @ Mar 6th 2007 5:37PM
Screw the SNES and Genesis versions. Give me the Saturn version any day.
...alas...Saturn and VC are not yet introduced.
That said, YAY!
But +10 YAY! if it means head whipping or using Snot with the Wiimote.
...but -20 YAY! if it's like Earthworm Jim 64/3D
Mr Khan @ Mar 6th 2007 5:54PM
@ samfish
Wii's internal memory is only 512 MB (less counting the fact that they store the firmware on that memory)
NiGHTS into dreams (example Saturn title) is 350 MB
Now if we could find a way to stream Saturn games off the Shop Channel, i wouldn't protest.
dsub @ Mar 6th 2007 5:57PM
a 720p version on XBLA would be sweet. Give us a whole new 2d game on 360.
Mouse @ Mar 6th 2007 6:11PM
Hopefully Doug TenNapel is involved again.
Shadow Hog @ Mar 6th 2007 6:21PM
"Screw the SNES and Genesis versions. Give me the Saturn version any day."
We're talking about EWJ1, I thought. There's no Saturn version of that (although there is one of EWJ2).
bearmedal @ Mar 6th 2007 7:13PM
I'm surprised that the Battery of the Gods bit is included, since that's from the cartoon, not the games. Interesting. I wonder if anything else from the cartoon will make it into the game.
brent @ Mar 6th 2007 7:22PM
FuUuN-KEEYY
joe smith @ Mar 6th 2007 9:17PM
EJ was the last decent game Shiny made. Perry is great at hyping but not so much at making games.
Josh* @ Mar 6th 2007 9:19PM
@MrKhan
Do you (or anyone else) know if can you store VC games to SD cards? Or only save data? Because they go up to at least 2GB.
FSK405K @ Mar 6th 2007 9:18PM
If it's 3D, screw them. Screw them all. It better be old-school.
BPM @ Mar 7th 2007 12:45AM
Josh, you CAN store Channels on an SD card (and they're as big as 8GB now!), however it is not yet possible to run channels off of an SD card.
I do hope that Nintendo opens up Wii sooner than later. USB harddrives would be pretty sweet.
Plus, despite what the sizes of the original games were, who's to say they can't compress it further than that? Newer compression technologies exist, I'm sure.
samfish @ Mar 7th 2007 10:19AM
"Wii's internal memory is only 512 MB (less counting the fact that they store the firmware on that memory)
NiGHTS into dreams (example Saturn title) is 350 MB
Now if we could find a way to stream Saturn games off the Shop Channel, i wouldn't protest."
I've been saying (in the unlikely hope that someone who can do something will notice) that if they streamed the FMV for Saturn and even DC games off a server as needed, you could probably get most of those games on the VC.
bm @ Mar 7th 2007 3:53PM
"The PSP version is a "re-imagining" of the original game, not a new one. It does have shinier graphics and some new level designs, though."
Shinier graphics? Sorry, but those bland detail-less corny PSP polygons look like fucking shit compared to the glorious detailed 2D of the original games.