Toejam and Earl | The Completionist

[@SMGPlays64]

This was my dad’s favorite game. I played it all the time with him when they released it on the Wii shop. Before I went off to college I made sure we beat the game before I left. Definitely a classic I like going back to when I visit my dad.

[@tinkerer3399]

TOEJAM AND EARL! Funk yeah! This was my jam growing up, easily in my top 10 favourite games of all time (although I do confess that nostalgia definitely plays a factor there). The only other game that comes close on the Genesis is Shadowrun.

[@kieranstark7213]

As great as ToeJam & Earl is, it’s a shame that even obscure (well, I’m sure these games are popular in their own right, but underrated when compared to Sonic & Nintendo, mainly Mario) games like the TJ&E games have more recognition than games that were SUPPOSED to be main Pac-Man games when there really hasn’t been a lot (the Pac-Man World games). Yep, that’s right. Pac-Man is a video game that while some people are aware that it is a franchise, people normally only think of the franchise as Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures (to a lesser extent), Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures and that’s pretty much it. I guess you can say that like Jr. Pac-Man, Pac-Man World 1 & 2, while under-popularized in general, have their (avid) viewers (I’m one of them so if TJ&E could get a new game as of recently, then I can’t wait for an N-Sane/Reignited Trilogy-esque remaster of the PMW franchise including a complete version of Pac-Man Adventures/Pac-Man World 3!), but as for every other Pac-Man game, on the other hand, they really, REALLY deserve a lot more popularity.

[@thegreen8172]

I was a Nintendo fan, but I was jealous if Sword of Vermilion and this game

[@OrbitalHUB]

Starflight goes well with those two gems.

[@TailsFan92]

It’s awesome seeing Toejam & Earl getting some recognition! It truly is a game best experienced with co-op, so I really hope Jirard gets a chance to play this game again with a friend in the future!

[@grahamoliver1470]

Jirard's beard looks extra ferocious in this episode. I approve.

[@ruffusgoodman4137]

It is his mega evolution

[@RanCossack]

I remember playing this when I was much younger, and by goodness, I NEVER reached the end. I had no idea it was randomly generated, so I guess as a kid I kept trying to look for familiar things that didn't exist, every time I replayed it, until it ended up frustrating my youthful brain, and I eventually gave up. Good to know I wasn't COMPLETELY insane, in hindsight! Never would of thought ToeJam and Earl of all things would be one of the progenitors of Roguelikes, but neat to know! Looking forward to the next episode, keep up the great work, Jirard.

[@UltimateGamerCC]

actually there is a Fixed Mode option from the get go, you can play random for subsequent plays when the mood hits ya, that's what i'm doing atm. not made it to the end yet but seeing this i got the urge to get down and get FUNKY!

[@strain42]

My introduction to Toejam and Earl was with the sequel, the 2D platformer (I was always Earl because it was my friend's house and HE got to be Toejam) so I was really shocked when I went back and played the first game, but I totally agree with you. It's just chill. A good fun chill time. And hey dude, that's exactly what this episode was. Thank you for the fun chill time.

[@emrules2001]

For that extra rogue-like element, you should have brought up the randomizer present! Nothing worse than opening s new present that turns every present into different ?????

[@Vaishino]

🤔 you know, I'd never considered that Toejam and Earl was a roguelike, but you right

[@ruffusgoodman4137]

At the time, nobody knew it like this or called it, but when the second game was released, EVERYBODY felt the change. For shame, TJ2 isn't bad at all. But it doesn't live up to such game mechanics.

[@tinkerer3399]

@@ruffusgoodman4137 At the time people were still very strict about using the phrase "Rogue-like". If it wasn't turn based with ASCII graphics they wouldn't use the term. It wasn't until around 2006-2008 that the term really started gaining traction for other types of gameplay.

[@ruffusgoodman4137]

@@tinkerer3399 Funny. Around that same 2006-2008 I came in contact with Nethack from my College and man... At first sight that screamed "BOOOOORIIIINNNG" all over it. I'd have to put some extra effort to understand the concepts of it. Automated tabletop RPG. Then it got fun. Of course wikihack helped a lot to explain everything too...

[@zakkybounce]

Wow, I haven't seen this game in nearly twenty years! I was convinced it was just a fever dream of mine for so long. Loved hearing you laughing at 12:55; if any game should break you, it's this one.

[@Olimar92]

Let's be honest, the game looks like a fever dream.

[@arkhamknight6371]

There's a remake

[@Lotus_Juice]

I'm extremely glad you covered this game, because this was one of my earliest memories, back when I played it when I couldn't understand any language when I was like 5 years old

[@treazure]

playing this with my cousin as a kid was a blast. co-op is the best way to play it & you'll have tons of laughs

[@akathesk]

FINALLY! SOMEONE WITH CLOUT TALKS ABOUT THIS GAME! As someone whose followed this series of games for a long time? Its not the hardest, but it's maybe the weirdest rogue like you'll ever play. Oh and he didn't even mention how the turning on and off split screen on multiplayer is incredible for its time.

[@mentalpath5993]

77

[@akathesk]

@Twat Goblin 3 people on the internet WOW! Also game grumps were more perplexed than anything =P

[@L33PL4Y]

Jirard struggling to get through the script without laughing just made my day lmao, that was so pure and genuine. Also, anyone else notice how the tune playing during the Chill-pletionist section is literally just Stickerbrush Symphony?

[@ambiguousparadox]

This game makes me feel like I'm in the 90s lol. It perfectly encapsulates the decade, while also being chill as heck like you said

[@UltimateGamerCC]

it's funk-tastic!

[@ebenezerspludge8369]

I loved this game as a kid but part 2 Panic on Funkotron was our favorite. We would play it all the time. It gave the game so much more meaning catching all the earthlings.

[@UltimateGamerCC]

i enjoy TJ & Earl 2, but i think it lost some funk in the process.

[@nikolai1326]

Yeah, it seems like a minority opinion. I think I played the 2nd game first, so when I went back to the first one, I was disappointed with the graphics and the gameplay was so much different. I still prefer Panic on Funkotron, the level designs, the alien designs, the freaking funk zone! ALRIGHT!

[@ebenezerspludge8369]

@@nikolai1326 Yeah, I wish they would make another game like Panic on Funkotron. They made 3 games in the series like the first one but I loved all the secret walls, The boom box, Hyper funk zone, Hidden ledges, Doors and manhole covers you could walk through and the sponge's you could do tricks on. Also the bigger sprites looked so much better.

[@UltimateGamerCC]

@@nikolai1326 i like both games, but it's a shame that TJ & Earl downgraded to cater to a larger audience.

[@nikolai1326]

@@ebenezerspludge8369 Agreed, and I remember obsessively hunting for Lamont's favorite things back in the day, no internet, no guide, just you, a rainy summer vacation day, and your sheer willpower to bring back the funk.

[@SoftBank47]

This is one of the few games that I've played enough to know practically inside and out. I often play this with my sister and we know every secret there is to know. It was the game we missed playing together the most while I was in Japan. But, because of the randomized world mode this game has, it never gets old.

[@laurenhodges6411]

Your laugh is a joy to listen to, Jirard!

[@megaedge2762]

I’m so glad this was covered. This game is incredible, especially for its era. And you also can never get enough of that music.

[@Elren]

No idea what on earth made you make an episode on Toejam and Earl, but I'm totally up for more obscure retro completions!

[@ThatOneVideoGamer]

The folks in the Completionist Patreon made the call!

[@L33PL4Y]

He literally said in the video what made him do an episode on Toejam and Earl...did you not watch the very video you're commenting on...?

[@Elren]

@@L33PL4Y Didn't hear it. No reason to get all up in my face about it.

[@L33PL4Y]

@@Elren Didn't realize pointing out that he answered that question in the very video you're commenting on is "getting all up in your face about it."

[@Elren]

@@L33PL4Y How you phrase things does come of as passive agressive. Or maybe I'm just in a foul mood right now. So let's leave it at that

[@bobjoemac1]

Love the retro completionist stuff.

[@waz207]

My mom and I would play the OG Toejam & Earl. It was one of the few games she would play (the others being Bubble Bobble and Zombies Ate My Neighbors). This game is so damn fun and I was super excited when a remake/sequel came out on the Switch a few years back. My kids and I have beaten the new version a couple of times now…but nothing compares to the OG version!

[@Caspur189]

The new intro still gives me chills lol, love your stuff Jirard thanks for all your hard work :)

[@Zx30]

Duuuude. I'm glad Toejam and Earl is getting some love. It's practically been my favorite series since I rented it as a kid. Even though the next game is a 2D platformer, it still has a lot of charm and I really love it. I hope you get to play #2 soon and I hope you enjoy it! The latest one ( Back In the Groove) is great as well! If you have to play #3 one, may God help you.

[@jesuscostantino2925]

This is so great. Thanks, man. Glad to have watched this and to have re-experienced something I thought I knew. Wow.

[@BenkelmonkeyGaming]

Great minds think alike on the voice over for a 90's instruction manual bit! We did a very similar thing for a video on Sonic 1 on my channel. Alex and Jake should have a 90's off to see who wins the title of Freshest!

[@BenkelmonkeyGaming]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4awi6ebnq2CkM0

[@MoonSpiritChannel]

My god, I never would've thought you would talk Toejam & Earl! This game was, or at least still is, my jam! So many goddamn memories with this game, with me and my cousin. We never finished the game in its entirety, but we didn't care. We had the time of our lives, falling off the stages, fending off the Earthlings, I as a kid back then had no idea of the concept of roguelikes. Next Genesis game, do Dynamite Headdy! That's a Treasure game gem next to Gunstar Heroes! I'd be interested if you do some with the Streets of Rage games too!

[@UltimateGamerCC]

indeed it's a fun game and reaching the end should only be considered a bonus.

[@wiltisdabest]

Everyone loved toe jam and earl when I was a kid. It was rare to find to buy and it was hard to rent. I was so happy when I found a copy to buy in the mid 90s.

[@bigsteakgaming]

re-mixed stickerbrush symphony towards the end of the video, love it

[@ryankelly7832]

One of my all-time favorites!

[@kylegrace2827]

Still in my top ten of all time. I remember renting this as a kid and loving it because of just how weird and offbeat it was...two hip-hop aliens looking for parts of their ship on floating lumps of 'Earth' while being menaced by things like devils, mad dentists, and an ice cream truck. Then they dance with Hula girls, get drunk off rootbeer, and find mystery boxes that can insta-kill if you don't pay money to a guy dressed in a carrot suit who can tell you what's inside. So weird...but so fun (and quite funny too). Thank you for this review.

[@RPGtourguide]

This game is indeed an excellent chill experience. I played this game so much with my brothers growing up. Finding “Present Island” and Level 0 as a kid was a cool experience. I remember after getting a few levels up accidentally falling back down to the first level. Out of curiosity, we tried using our newly found presents to explore the vast waters (and also drowning, checking the top left and bottom right corners). Such a great reward for exploration. Still one of my favorites for the system.

[@LorenHelgeson]

I was a Genesis kid growing up, and I remember renting this one quite a bit. Still play it now and then these days.

[@Mage-or-Dad]

My parents still have the Genesis and my copy of toejam and earl so now my kids can play it when they visit them.

[@treenamcgowan7652]

I played through this with my bestie this past summer. It was a fun and stressful afternoon avoiding ice cream trucks and other enemies popping up and chasing me playing as Earl.

[@Tylky]

Absolutely adore this game. This was my childhood game I used to play with my neighbour waaaaay back when. The game is so fun in its own right but playing with a friend makes this a thousand times more bogusly fun. You can really jam out! Thank you for reviewing this game!

[@Barthzord]

Hell yeah, love seeing you complete retro games like that. Never heard of this game but this was real fun to watch

[@UltimateGamerCC]

yeah sadly this game flew under a lot of peoples radar, which is a shame, damn shame even, as it's a rare experience that you'd get from playing on a console back in the day.

[@Sergevantes]

One of my fav games of all time. Glad to know you also enjoyed it that much, Jirard. Awesome video!

[@penguin16813]

This unlocked a childhood memory wow

[@cannibalisticrequiem]

Wow! I hadn't thought about Toejam and Earl in years! I never played it growing up-- I was a SNES kid, but I remember seeing it on the shelf along with Earthworm Jim, and similar videogames that looked like they had or really wanted a Saturday morning cartoon show tie-in to appeal to 90s kids.

[@coreymyers5321]

I still love this intro!

[@garten]

This game is THE most underrated game of all time. My all time favorite. And the soundtrack... oh boy!

[@graybilljunker8199]

I knew nothing about Trojan and Earl coming into this episode, so hearing that it was a rogue-like really surprised me.

[@cannibalisticrequiem]

Toejam. Trojan is the condom brand. 😆

[@konradcurze394]

@@cannibalisticrequiem Trojan: Toejams

[@UltimateGamerCC]

i discovered it when playing on SEGA Channel as a kid, god... i miss SEGA Channel.

[@UltimateGamerCC]

@Fredbear entertainment randomly generated dungeon crawler, is what can be considered the blunt description for a roguelike.

[@konradcurze394]

@Fredbear entertainment Games that are like Rogue. Didn't you watch the video dummy?

[@artfullycrooked]

I LOVED this game. It had such humour, fun, and was easily one of the very best co-op games I've ever played.

[@quentinparhiala9415]

I remember playing this game when I was younger and Toe Jam and Earl is a great video game on Sega Genesis and this is a fantastic episode of the completionist

[@McGinnsey]

I had this game as a kid. Got my mega drive at 5 years old with toe jam and earl, sonic, altered beast, super hang on, fantasia and castle of illusion. Good times!

[@emilianotechs]

This is one of those classic gamer favorites that I have NEVER PLAYED. I gotta try it out! Thanks for the video!

[@UltimateGamerCC]

have fun, here's a tip, if you open a present and you're getting shocked to death, hold the item screen button, you'll get a chance to open a present before you die, if it has food in it, you wont die, i think the same can happen with a "Bogus" present.

[@MindBodyWhole]

I 😍 this so much. I can’t believe THE COMPLETIONIST is completing one of my favourite games. MORE MORE MORE nostalgia from you please.

[@Mike14264]

Wow, I didn't even know about that Level 0. That's a really cool secret, and it let's you resume progress without wasting too much time!

[@AlainSTO]

I just played this a month or two ago so it's as fresh in my mind as Toejam and Earl.

[@baileygrace9712]

Awesome. I love this game. Thanks for playing this.

[@slickstretch6391]

I never got very far, and I always thought the game was just "ok." But, that soundtrack... I would turn the game on just to let is sit and play the music. Funk yeah. I think this game has my favorite soundtrack.

[@clayhicks2293]

Thanks!

[@enthusiasticgamer88]

Used to play this all the time as a kid, so awesome.

[@thefreshvince879]

best soundtrack on the genesis. Funk music is and will always be the greatest genre, accesbile to everyone of all ages. its just about having fun dancing and feeling good, which toejam and earl are about. the remake is the best way to play this game but the original holds a special place for me

[@PriceAintRight]

This game was hard as hell when I was a kid. Guarantee I can't beat it to this day.

[@masterx1907]

Finally a completions episode that I actually want to watcb!!!

[@coreymyers5321]

Hurray for retro games! It may not get the views, but it will get all the love!

[@lukegto]

yea not doin this co-op was shame., its such a revolutionary co-op game for the time that i don't think they were able to replicate again for years. cheers to the patrons, great choice

[@shardinhand1243]

my thanks to the patrons, you guys love for the classics rocks!

[@OrbitalHUB]

My favorite Genesis game!

[@JamesMSmithsDeadYouTubeChannel]

I’m SO GLAD you got to this game! ToeJam & Earl remains to this day one of my Top 3 Favorite Games of All-Time, in front of Battletoads Arcade and behind Earthworm Jim 2 on SEGA Saturn! Hell, as I type this comment, I’m currently WEARING a ToeJam & Earl T-Shirt I got for backing the 4th Installment on Kickstarter! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND playing with a Player 2 if and when you get the chance! This is a game I’ve played at least once with siblings, cousins and friends alike! While some look at me like I should get my head examined (looking at you, Alison!), the latter two really enjoyed the game’s chill vibe and co-op features!

[@Cure-Skywalker]

I remember making my dad play and complete Toejam and Earl 3 with me as a little kid.

[@Angie2343]

Earl looks badass with a beard!

[@Calabari1999]

I hope the completionist keeps on...completing...games. I wanna make a game one day, and I hope he, and many other people, could play it.

[@Calabari1999]

I wanna make my game a platformer.

[@G_Rad_Ski]

So many great memories of playing this back in the day. Jammin!

[@Belcoot31]

Your patrons are genius. This game is incredible!

[@lukegto]

I"m a simple man, I see Toejam and Earl and i like and click

[@drivethrujedi83]

Thank you for doing this game. I've loved it since it's release 🙂

[@14AllanD]

im excited to see him try TJ & Earl 2. I played both as a kid and was totally blown away at the 2nd entry A. For being so different from the 1st but still having that emmaculate vibe B. For actually being quite good as a platformer

[@jasrianna]

Yes - I would love to see Jirard play Toejam and Earl 2 - that game was part of my childhood. So many Genesis games, so little time. I miss all the really weird, quirky stuff that used to get released. Dynamite Headdy, Ristar and many more. Major nostalgia trip.

[@nolaabroad1514]

What a nostalgia trip. Me and my sister would play this together all the time. That dentist laugh when he drills you still haunts my dreams.

[@onilao]

Played this on the megadrive with my older bro, such good memories. Loved the funky music and gameplay!

[@Wienerdog5]

Yes, this is what I need. I played back in the groove and loved it, my mom told me about its existence when I was a lot younger. Now I want another team and earl game this year.

[@kieranstark7213]

I bet if Sonic hung out with hot chicks, he would be treated like a misogynistic player who’s not worth liking, but if anyone else, including Toejam & Earl (who are awesome with the ladies and in general) did the same thing, they would get a free pass even though for anyone (except for characters that truly deserve hate for doing it with no respect for women like the Flynn Bros from The Kissing Booth franchise or Sam Witwicky from Transformers 1-3 or any guy from teen sitcoms like Drake Parker (Drake & Josh) or Cody Martin (The Suite Life on Deck) or Daniel Miller (Every Witch Way) or Beck Oliver (Victorious) or Mason Greyback (Wizards of Waverly Place), no wonder women didn’t want THEM) else to do it.

[@Wienerdog5]

@@kieranstark7213 I'm confused, why did you comment on this.

[@kieranstark7213]

“in the groove”

[@Wienerdog5]

@@kieranstark7213 so are you hating on back in the groove. I think it's a fantastic return to form and a possible resurrection of the series.

[@kieranstark7213]

Absolutely not! That game is awesome! My point is that Sega made both Sonic and TJ&E “in the groove”!

[@PSI_Nightshade]

This game remains to me one of those oddballs of the time that you would never expect to ever return again... and then they brought it back.

[@Isabele_Kuran]

I am so excited to see you play this game I grew up playing it and I remember the first time I saw the ending of the game. I wanted to waste so much time looking at all the end game details and try to interact with everyone. I never thought to call it a roguelike though thinking about it the game clearly is I just knew randomizing the levels was an option and there was an option for it to be the same each time too. Then of course there is the music listening option lol

[@FortesAccount]

Ive always loved this weird ass adventure. What a classic.

[@grantmccoy6739]

I never played the first one, but the second one was cool. It had a lot of flavor.

[@shardinhand1243]

the funkiest episode yet!

[@Agent0range9]

Another great video! Btw I felt bad for you having to sit next to frosk and be caught off guard by that whole thing.

[@Bwangry]

I have sung the toe jam and earl songs to all of my kids as lullabys. Funky beats that stick in your brain for 20 years!

[@ahirunakamura9592]

boy 30 years ago I got this game and played the heck out of it with my sister... it took us 2 years to finally beat the game in the random world mode back in the day, and we still play TJ&E whenever she comes to visit.. we're actually playing the Back in the Groove in the recent years whenever we get together, but it's nostalgic anyways!

[@Yuuretsu]

Somehow I never thought of Toejam and Earl as a roguelike but it definitely is. Maybe it was the cheerful aestethic and the chill vibes?

[@nosip]

Wow, next, some classic Sci fi RPG on the genesis like buck rodges and the countdown to doomsday. Trust me, this 80/90 game has more in it than some modern RPG

[@alexab913]

Can confirm that this game is 100% accessible for basically any age. I used to play it with my younger brother in elementary school, we would sometimes start with the intention of collecting all the ship pieces but would quickly get distracted opening the gifts and just having fun often going back and forth between levels and I dont think we ever made it past level 10 together but it is still a game I remember having some of the most fun playing in my childhood.

[@danielthomas7193]

I'm actually glad you mentioned how Roguelikes started as I honestly didn't know. Didn't seem as obvious as what a Metroidvania is for example. At least to me.

[@ryno_8848]

Imagine playing this game while high.

[@HybridAngelZero]

HECK YEAH! I'm so glad you did this game, it's pure fun in both tone and gameplay and looking back, as much of an RPG nerd as I am, I guess this was technically my first RPG. Huh. 🤔

[@TomGallagherSuperboyBeyond]

Loved this game as a kid. Guess it's time to give it a replay.

[@dmk_yt]

LETS GO!!! TOEJAM AND EARL HELL YEAH

[@rodger2275]

I'm very nostalgic for Toejam and Earl. I played as kid N recently on PlayStation 4. Thanks for the episode

[@gru3som3rick]

Great video, now I want to play this again!

[@Ezekku]

One of the reasons I play bass, is because of this game. The memorieees!

[@CRAIGworks]

The first and second games of ToeJam & Earl are so freaking different. The second one still tries to be chill but I wonder what happened in between making them. The second was how I found out about these games and I had a grand old time playing it! Beat boxing and bouncing on a sponge like thing for cool points and hearing a salvia laden disembodied voice saying "Awesome". Super cool but having to fight humans and platform is a large departure from the first. Either way, love the video! Y'all always produce quality content!

[@eduardonunosantos6098]

Love this game man... Thanks you a lot 🎉

[@gamechamp19]

I grew up with playing Panic on Funkitron with my brother when I visited my grandmother. That game doesn't get much love but I really enjoyed it, I played it again maybe 5 years ago and it was still awesome.

[@LuckGod84]

I've still got this for my mega drive! I loved playing it 2 player when a friend would come round. Looking forward to when my kid is old enough to play it

[@raybirdman]

I played TJ&E so much with my childhood best friend. It’s nearly a perfect two player game. I also brought this game out to play with my kid sister(who’s 20 years younger than me) when she was around 10 or so and she loved it. It was so much fun playing it with her. You definitely need to do a two player play though on one of the channels.

[@richardcaraballo4947]

It’s wild that I don’t remember anything about this game but I remember the names and exactly what these characters look like from my childhood

[@happyhollandays]

As you mentioned at the beginning of the video, I never owned this game growing up, but we rented it from our local video store all of the time. A simple way to dramatically increase the difficulty of this game is make the carrot guy off limits. Then you have to take the risk of identifying the presents on your own, and you will almost always get the randomizer, which means you will have to re-identify presents throughout the game.

[@happyhollandays]

I'll also add that I also loved Toe Jam and Earl 2. Granted, it's a platformer instead of a roguelike, but it is a great - and difficult - platformer. It has a ton of exploration and secrets and is just as quirky as the first game. It also had arguable the best graphics of any Sega Genesis game.

[@deltaprime3509]

I remember seeing this game in the movie store oh god I am old this should be a great memory trip for me

[@RobotMonkeytron]

Love this game! It's also worth noting that the one from a few years back, Back in the Groove, is also great and plays like the original!