Earthworm Jim: Difference between revisions
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The ''''Earthworm Jim'''' series, is a [[side-scrolling]] [[platforming]] series.<ref name="shiny">{{Citation|year=February 2006| title=David Perry: The Emerald Isle’s ‘Shiny,’ Happy Game Developer |periodical=Inner Visions|volume=8|issue=10|pages=131-132}}</ref> First released in 1994, the game was noted for its shooting/platforming gameplay and humorous and edgy style.<ref name="future"/> |
The ''''Earthworm Jim'''' series, is a [[side-scrolling]] [[platforming]] series.<ref name="shiny">{{Citation|year=February 2006| title=David Perry: The Emerald Isle’s ‘Shiny,’ Happy Game Developer |periodical=Inner Visions|volume=8|issue=10|pages=131-132}}</ref> First released in 1994, the game was noted for its shooting/platforming gameplay and humorous and edgy style.<ref name="future"/> |
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==Characters== |
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{{main|List of Earthworm Jim characters}} |
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===Earthworm Jim=== |
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'''Earthworm Jim''' is a [[fictional character]], the protagonist of the ''[[Earthworm Jim]]'' [[video game]]s and [[Earthworm Jim (TV series)|animated series]]. For most of his life Jim was just an ordinary [[earthworm]] engaging in normal worm activities, such as eating dirt, crawling, and fleeing from hungry birds, until one day wherein [[fate]] should happen to smile upon him and his life was changed forever. A fearsome bounty hunter named [[Psy-Crow]] was enroute to deliver the "[[List of Earthworm Jim items#Super Suit|Ultra-high-tech-indestructible-super-space-cyber-suit]]" to [[Queen Slug-For-A-Butt]] but got in a confrontation with another space ship and lost the suit out of an airlock. The suit fell to earth landing on a farm somewhere in the southern [[United States]]. While fleeing from a flock of hungry [[crow]]s Jim took refuge in the mysterious suit. The suit's powerful atomic particles affected Jim's wormy flesh and caused him to grow and evolve at a fantastic rate. Upon discovering his newfound powers granted by the suit, he overhears Psy-Crow talking to [[Queen Slug-For-A-Butt]], and becomes interested in meeting the queen's twin sister, [[Princess What's-Her-Name]], setting up the events of the first game. Through the games, Jim travels to many planets and faces many villains who are after the suit. In ''[[Earthworm Jim 2]]'', Jim must rescue Princess What's-Her-Name when she is kidnapped by Psy-Crow. In the television show, Jim (voiced by [[Dan Castellaneta]]) has an almost identical origin, but now resides in a home in the city of Terlawk (a play on [[Turlock, California]], the birthplace of [[Douglas TenNapel]]) with [[Peter Puppy]]. Most of the villains from the game still show up from time to time to give him trouble. |
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Jim can be a bit naive, is somewhat of a degenerate and rarely thinks before rushing into battle, but on occasions can be very cunning. Jim is also very gullible, even trusting villains in not-so-convincing disguises. His motto is "When all else fails, start blasting!" Jim also has a rather large romantic infatuation with Princess What's-Her-Name, which usually confuses her, but he never falters in his resolve. Jim also appears to be childish, enjoying pop-up books, snowglobes, and other childish things. |
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In the games, Jim has a slight southern drawl and says phrases like "Groovy!" or "Whoa, Nelly!". In the animated series his drawl has all but disappeared, but still retains his "Groovy!" catchphrase. Jim has a tendency to use big words and long drawn-out phrases. It is not uncommon for him to yell something like "We are all doomed! From the middle-English meaning 'condemned to ruination or death'! DOOOOMED!!" or "By the Great Worm Spirit, whose mighty bristles strike the hammerblows of justice". His battle cry is "Eat Dirt, (persons or things in question)!", which he usually follows up by laughing maniacally. This too can become long and drawn-out with phrases like "Eat dirt, everyone in the vicinity!" or "Eat dirt, evil banana-suited doofus!" He is also a playable fighter in ''[[Clayfighter 63 1/3]]'' and an unlockable fighter in ''Clayfighter 63 1/3: Sculptor's Cut''. Another little known appearance is in the game "[[Battle Arena Toshinden]]", but only in the PC version. |
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There was also a clever reference to Jim in the PC game [[Sacrifice (computer game)|Sacrifice]] wherein you could choose to serve the god James, the earth god, in your quest. Your ultimate spell from James is Bovine Intervention, almost certainly a reference to the Earthworm Jim games running gag with cow jokes, particularly since Sacrifice was also developed by [[Shiny Entertainment]]. |
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===Supporting characters=== |
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{{section-stub}} |
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==Development== |
==Development== |
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Revision as of 21:00, 28 April 2008
The 'Earthworm Jim' series, is a side-scrolling platforming series.[1] First released in 1994, the game was noted for its shooting/platforming gameplay and humorous and edgy style.[2]
Characters
Earthworm Jim
Earthworm Jim is a fictional character, the protagonist of the Earthworm Jim video games and animated series. For most of his life Jim was just an ordinary earthworm engaging in normal worm activities, such as eating dirt, crawling, and fleeing from hungry birds, until one day wherein fate should happen to smile upon him and his life was changed forever. A fearsome bounty hunter named Psy-Crow was enroute to deliver the "Ultra-high-tech-indestructible-super-space-cyber-suit" to Queen Slug-For-A-Butt but got in a confrontation with another space ship and lost the suit out of an airlock. The suit fell to earth landing on a farm somewhere in the southern United States. While fleeing from a flock of hungry crows Jim took refuge in the mysterious suit. The suit's powerful atomic particles affected Jim's wormy flesh and caused him to grow and evolve at a fantastic rate. Upon discovering his newfound powers granted by the suit, he overhears Psy-Crow talking to Queen Slug-For-A-Butt, and becomes interested in meeting the queen's twin sister, Princess What's-Her-Name, setting up the events of the first game. Through the games, Jim travels to many planets and faces many villains who are after the suit. In Earthworm Jim 2, Jim must rescue Princess What's-Her-Name when she is kidnapped by Psy-Crow. In the television show, Jim (voiced by Dan Castellaneta) has an almost identical origin, but now resides in a home in the city of Terlawk (a play on Turlock, California, the birthplace of Douglas TenNapel) with Peter Puppy. Most of the villains from the game still show up from time to time to give him trouble.
Jim can be a bit naive, is somewhat of a degenerate and rarely thinks before rushing into battle, but on occasions can be very cunning. Jim is also very gullible, even trusting villains in not-so-convincing disguises. His motto is "When all else fails, start blasting!" Jim also has a rather large romantic infatuation with Princess What's-Her-Name, which usually confuses her, but he never falters in his resolve. Jim also appears to be childish, enjoying pop-up books, snowglobes, and other childish things. In the games, Jim has a slight southern drawl and says phrases like "Groovy!" or "Whoa, Nelly!". In the animated series his drawl has all but disappeared, but still retains his "Groovy!" catchphrase. Jim has a tendency to use big words and long drawn-out phrases. It is not uncommon for him to yell something like "We are all doomed! From the middle-English meaning 'condemned to ruination or death'! DOOOOMED!!" or "By the Great Worm Spirit, whose mighty bristles strike the hammerblows of justice". His battle cry is "Eat Dirt, (persons or things in question)!", which he usually follows up by laughing maniacally. This too can become long and drawn-out with phrases like "Eat dirt, everyone in the vicinity!" or "Eat dirt, evil banana-suited doofus!" He is also a playable fighter in Clayfighter 63 1/3 and an unlockable fighter in Clayfighter 63 1/3: Sculptor's Cut. Another little known appearance is in the game "Battle Arena Toshinden", but only in the PC version. There was also a clever reference to Jim in the PC game Sacrifice wherein you could choose to serve the god James, the earth god, in your quest. Your ultimate spell from James is Bovine Intervention, almost certainly a reference to the Earthworm Jim games running gag with cow jokes, particularly since Sacrifice was also developed by Shiny Entertainment.
Supporting characters
![[icon]](./wiki.php?slug=File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. |
Development
| This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. |
Earthworm Jim first appeared as a video game for the Sega Genesis in 1994.[2] In the late 1990's, publisher Interplay experienced financial difficulties that lead to the closing of the company in 2004.[2] In late 2007, after selling some of their intellectual property to Bethesda Softworks, the company promises to reestablish itself as an "industry player".[2]
Games
| Title | Year | Platform | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earthworm Jim | Sega Genesis | Earthworm Jim took a year to develop.[3] The game was ported to the Game Boy Advance. The engine had to be re-developed and the graphics remapped as none of the original engine could be ported.[4] | |
| Earthworm Jim 2 | Super Nintendo | ||
| Earthworm Jim: Menace 2 the Galaxy | Game Boy Color | A Game Boy Color-specific level was developed for the game.[5] | |
| Earthworm Jim 3D | Nintendo 64 | The characters of Earthworm Jim had to be redesigned for the shift to 3D.[6] When the game was almost three quarters done, it suffered from framerate problems and poor animation.[7] |
Cancelled Playstation Portable game
In 2006, Atari announced that they had the rights to bring Earthworm Jim to a portable video game system.[8] The game was 80% complete in August 2006 and was to be released in the winter of 2006.[9] Many new elements were to be introduced, such as the ability to stop gameplay at any time and dance.[10] On 18 June, 2007, PSPFanboy stated on their website that they had contacted Atari and that it had been said that the game had been put on hold, probably due to Atari's financial difficulties and the sale of the games developer Shiny Entertainment, and it is thought that the game is cancelled.[11]
Story
| This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. |
Earthworm Jim
| This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. |
Earthworm Jim 2
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Earthworm Jim: Menace 2 the Galaxy
Earthworm Jim fights the evil Professor Monkey-for-a-Head who lets Evil Jim steal his Inter-Dimensional-Transporter-of-Doom.[5]
Earthworm Jim 3D
Earthworm Jim is hit by a flying cow that sends him into a coma. Jim awakens within is own mind and discovers he has gone insane. To restore his sanity he must find the golden udders of lucidity.[12]
Common gameplay elements
| This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. |
All the games in the series are platformer games with quirky humor.
Music
| This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. |
Television series
| This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. |
Actor Dan Castellaneta, who voices Homer Simpson on the animated television show The Simpsons, voiced Earthworm Jim in the animated series.[13] The show ran on the Kids' WB for two seasons.[14]
Merchandise
| This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. |
At the height of its popularity, Earthworm Jim had a line of merchandise.[6]
Future
Earthworm Jim 4 has been announced. No release date or platform has been announced.[2] The game will be developed with character creator Douglas TenNapel, who will also serve as the project's creative consultant.[2] A new animated series and feature film are also in development.[2]
Reception and legacy
| Game | Metacritic | Game Rankings |
|---|---|---|
| Earthworm Jim (Game Boy Advance) | ||
| Earthworm Jim 2 (Game Boy Advance) | ||
| Earthworm Jim: Menace 2 the Galaxy | ||
| Earthworm Jim 3D (Nintendo 64) |
| This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. |
The Earthworm Jim series has been praised for its detailed graphics, well developed platforming and wacky humor.[8] Earthworm Jim was rated the 114th best game made on a Nintendo System in Nintendo Powers Top 200 Games list.[19] In April 2008, Interplay announced they would bring Earthworm Jim and Earthworm Jim 2 to the Wiis Virtual Console.[20] Earthworm Jim 3D was thought to be a solid platforming game with a good selection of levels and weapons, but with a terrible camera system and a lack of any big innovations.[12]
Music from Earthworm Jim 2 was included in Game Central's Best of the Best CD compilation of video game music.[21] It has also been requested at concerts where game composer Tommy Tallarico has done his music.[22]
The character Earthworm Jim has been recognized as one of the greatest animal protagonists in video game history.[23]
References
- ^ "David Perry: The Emerald Isle's 'Shiny,' Happy Game Developer", Inner Visions, vol. 8, no. 10, pp. 131–132, February 2006
- ^ a b c d e f g Matt Casamassina (2008-04-22). "Earthworm Jim Returns". IGN. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Robin Ward (1998-05-01). ""It's funny... But we actually own the trademark to the word Messiah™!" An Interview with David Perry of Shiny Entertainment". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2008-04-24.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ IGN Staff (2001-06-22). "Earthworm Jim GBA Developer Talks Shop". IGN. Retrieved 2008-04-24.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b IGN Staff (1999-08-25). "Earthworm Jim: Menace 2 the Galaxy". IGN. Retrieved 2008-04-24.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b Gamasutra Staff (2006-06-06). "Digging For Worms: Why Doug Tennapel Doesn't Care What His Fans Think". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ IGN Staff (1998-11-02). "Unearthing Jim". IGN. Retrieved 2008-04-24.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b Daemon Hatfield (2005-05-10). "E3 2006: Earthworm Jim Crawls Again". IGN. Retrieved 2008-04-24.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Andrew Hayward (2007-06-19). "Earthworm Jim for PSP is 'Off the Roster'". 1UP.com. Retrieved 2008-04-24.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ GameTrailers Staff (2006-08-16). "Earthworm Jim Interview". GameTrailers. Retrieved 2008-04-24.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Andrew Yoon (2007-06-18). "Earthworm Jim put on Hold". Joystiq. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b Matt Casamassina (1999-10-25). "Earthworm Jim 3D". IGN. Retrieved 2008-04-24.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ IGN Staff (2003-07-04). "BBC Staff". BBC. Retrieved 2008-04-24.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Gamasutra Staff (2008-04-22). "Interplay, TenNapel Partner For Earthworm Jim Game, Cartoon Revival". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2008-04-24.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Earthworm Jim". Metacritic. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
- ^ "Earthworm Jim 2". Metacritic. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
- ^ "Earthworm Jim: Menace 2 the Galaxy - GBC". Game Rankings. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
- ^ "Earthworm Jim 3D - N64". Game Rankings. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
- ^ "NP Top 200", Nintendo Power, vol. 200, pp. 58–66, February 2006.
- ^ Jack DeVries (2008-04-21). "Cows Will Launch on the Virtual Console This Year". IGN. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ IGN Music (2007-06-06). "Game Central's Best of the Best CD". IGN. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Svend Joscelyne (2007-10-23). "Interviews// Tommy Tallarico". Spong. Retrieved 2008-04-24.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ News & Features Team (2006-11-17). "Essential Games for the Animal Within". IGN. Retrieved 2008-04-24.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)