Earthworm Jim (1994). Play online

Summary

I first encountered Earthworm Jim on the Sega Genesis and was instantly hooked by its off‑beat humor and buttery animation. The game blends classic 2D run‑and‑gun platforming with oddball mechanics: you can blast foes with a laser gun, lash enemies with Jim’s worm‑body whip, or latch onto hooks to swing across cavernous levels.

What set the Genesis version apart was its quirky level design – from a racing segment called “Andy Asteroids” that flips the viewpoint behind Jim, to a bizarre bungee‑jump challenge and even an underwater maze that feels like a secret side‑quest. Sega even pressed the developers for an exclusive stage, “Intestinal Distress,” that gave the cartridge a uniquely goofy bonus.

The sequel‑era CD upgrade added a brand‑new stage named “Big Bruty,” a full Red‑Book soundtrack, and alternate endings, showing how the game could evolve without losing its core charm. Critics praised the fluid, hand‑drawn visuals and the inventive boss gallery – including the likes of Psy‑Crow, Queen Slug‑for‑a‑Butt, and a robotic chicken – awarding it Best Genesis Game and cementing its status as a timeless retro favorite.

Storyline

Earthworm Jim, a regular earthworm, is suddenly equipped with a mysterious super‑suit that falls from the sky. The suit forms his arms, torso and legs while his worm body serves as a head, letting him move and fight like a human.

With the suit in hand, Jim must dodge a host of foes who are desperate to reclaim it, while also trying to rescue Princess What's‑Her‑Name. He battles through bizarre levels, defeats the enemies and finally reaches the princess, only for her to be flattened by the giant cow he launched into space at the start of the game.