The Many Ports of Earthworm Jim | Retro Rampage

Released in 1994, Earthworm Jim was one of the greatest games of the 16-bit era, and it proved to be so popular that it was ported to a ton of systems, and they're all pretty unique! From the Genesis and SNES to the Game Gear and iPhone, let's see what versions are the best and which should have been left in the junkyard.
Special thanks to Jack Bosley for providing footage of the DOS version!
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CHAPTERS:
0:00 Intro/The Worm has Turned
1:23 Game Overview (Genesis)
3:59 SNES Version
5:15 Game Boy Version
6:01 Game Gear Version
6:31 Sega CD (Special Edition)
9:35 Windows 95 (Special Edition)
9:49 MS-DOS Version
11:25 Master System Version
12:03 Game Boy Advance Version
12:47 DSiWare Version
13:24 iOS Version
14:18 Earthworm Jim HD
15:05 Outro/LOL Amico
#EarthwormJim #RetroGaming #Retro

[@RampagingRex]

My comment at the end of the video aged like milk. The Intellivision Amico isn't happening, and I can't say I'm surprised by that at all. Looks like Jim has slipped back into the realm of obscurity. At least Earthworm Jim 2 is on the SNES Switch Online app.

[@HrvojeGrahovac]

Have you read TenNapel's EWJ books? Update: The Amico is a damn mobile app for Android phones

[@blockmanvideo5635]

I knew something was fishy when Earthworm Jim 4 was shown off and looked… Really bad. Now I’m not even sure “Beyond the Groovy” is happening. We got that one trailer in 2021, and that was it.

[@HrvojeGrahovac]

@@blockmanvideo5635 apparently, another French studio joined Passion Studios team for the show Update: Brent Friedman, one of the writers on the show told me on Twitter that the show is on hold

[@PaulGirdlestone]

Also the Earthworm Jim 1 is on the Genesis Online app on Switch too.

[@xXYannuschXx]

Atleast the TV show still seems to happen. But I just cant understand how complete mismanagement might be the downfall of Earthworm Jim games AGAIN. EJ3D would have likely been a quite good game, if they hadnt changed course mid development and forced to downgrade the game for the N64 port. Lets just hope that the devs dont scrap what progress they made on EJ4 and release it on PC.

[@droolerdork]

I haven't played Earthworm Jim yet, but looks like when I do, I'll most likely choose the Genesis version to emulate. Good video!

[@arostwocents]

Then play Skullmonkeys. Most underrated game of all time & by far the greatest 2D platformer of 32bit.

[@Aliceeyes]

jim is one of my all time favorite characters, thank you for showing him some love, that nomad flex was savage

[@hectorcruzrockz4510]

I think I'll get the original Genesis version of Earthworm Jim to play on my Sega Trifecta (Genesis, CD, & 32X)!

[@rafaelceottomusic6918]

I have the GB, GBA, Genesis, snes, ms-dos, dsi, wii shop genesis and snes ports. Love this game!

[@VGLibrary]

SNES version is my favourite one. I like smooth music and cool transparency and parallax effects in this port.

[@BenjaminNixon]

As a life-long fan of parallax backgrounds, I totally get this. The backgrounds on the Sega versions feel so static and lifeless, but I do love the extra content.

[@Bloodreign1]

The SNES version did add one section I've not seen in the Genesis version. Level 5, in it is a section called Who Turned Out the Lights, where you help Jim through dark sections of the stage, with only a little lighting in spots, and you can only see the eyes of the enemies in the darkness. Near the end Jim finds a massive set of eyes and must run from them (the scream he lets out when he sees the eyes is hilarious). Eventually you have to jump over the creature the eyes belong too (you never see what the creature looks like either), and from there, Level 5 (the stages name) continues. The SNES and Sega CD versions do have this section in them, so SNES owners got sort of a little token bonus for having a level missing. Watching playthroughs for the Genesis version from different people, and I have never seen that section in Level 5 in it. This is why I love having two consoles having differences between them, because sometimes games varied a little between versions, and as a collector, I'd love to own the both of them. Sadly I do not own the SNES version (and the Sega CD one, for obvious reasons, $$$$$), and the one time I passed on buying the SNES version at the time, big mistake as that version has come up quite a bit in price. Now EWJ 2 on the other hand (I have the Genesis version of EWJ 1 at least), I have both 16 bit ports of,and passed on a copy for the Saturn at a local Play N Trade, because again, price. It is not as well loved, my guess is due to burnout from playing the 16 bit versions from people, but there is some nice graphical touches that got added to the game, and the music is much higher quality due to being on CD, remixes a plenty. There's a PS1 version as well, but it didn't get released in the US from my understanding. Edit: I stand corrected, every video I saw, they skipped it, finally found footage from the Genesis version of Who Turned Out the Lights. Ah well, searches in the past never found anything for me, but this time, I found it pretty quickly.

[@mello_yello_man]

I can tell you put a lot of work into these videos, your gaming videos remind me a lot of The Gaming Historian. Keep up the great content!

[@Saxdude26]

Well dang. Talk about comprehensive. Good stuff giving a full overview of the legacy of this great quirky game. I'm thinking of doing something indicative of what you did around 4:00 when I revisit EWJ on my channel. Heck, the example of some preferring SNES over MegaDrive, I'm one of those people. Granted, Special Edition is named as such for a reason... so excited to head back to New Junk City. ;) EDIT: 9:10 OH THAT'S why I couldn't find it in the DOS version. Special Edition exclusive skip, ahhh, makes sense.

[@MarMaxGaming]

My friend got the world record in the PC special addition in memory of his brother… it was the first game they played together. I made sure to cover it with a vid because it’s a beautiful gaming story…

[@Tabion-xn3xi]

One thing to point out, for some reason the gba port got a extra voice clip that no other port got, at the beginning of each round of snot a problem, Jim says, “snot a problem” which I found pretty cool

[@TheRealCrzychicken]

Great video! This deserves way more views than it has.

[@arostwocents]

The cartoon is brilliant. I watched an episode last night for the first time since being about 5 years old and it was so cool. Its actually funny and you can tell was written to be a good show, in the days when the whole family would watch the TV together so kids shows couldnt literally rot the brain as they do now. Its a kids show that uses words constantly that would expand the vocabulary of a lot of adults, let alone children! Also for the true next gen Earthworm Jim play Skullmonkeys which takes everything great about EJ and makes it much better with stunning creativity, humour and very tight controls with challenging & fun gameplay.

[@XscreamThrills]

That dancing demon in the background of planet heck always gets me lol 😂

[@ViTTo_MZ]

Earthworm Jim, needs to be in Super Smash Bros

[@mariojoan903]

True

[@LuisMendez-up5te]

I was hoping to hear your expert opinion on the Saturn and Psx version of Earthworm Jim.

[@RampagingRex]

Those versions are for Earthworm Jim 2! I'll be making a separate video in the future about all versions of EWJ2.

[@AllardRT]

>sees the video in the recommended tab >"Hmmm, I wonder how much is this one going to suck" >the video doesn't suck at all >alright, let's check out the EWJ2 one >doesn't suck either >Well, that warrants subbing.

[@xSlav]

Those Earthworm Jim drawings you had were amazing :)

[@tannersavage2145]

Great video !! I knew there were a few ports but I had no idea there was that many. Used to play the Gameboy version all the time

[@PalmdaleBombs]

Wow, I enjoyed this video. Great job. I love how in depth you were. Subbed!!

[@Lucas.stalcup]

Them are some badass drawings

[@zezzar07]

Fun fact: for pete´s sake level in genesis is orange and green, in snes is blue, but in ms-dos version is purple and heck´s boss fight in ms-dos version uses the snes background but with better resolution

[@remke5137]

This channel deserves more subscribers

[@EpicLPer]

Nice recap! Loved Earthworm Jim as a kid and still do today :)

[@retrofixergx]

Thanks for this Video. Please more of your choice games and their ports.

[@robertnicholson6990]

I thought the hd version was the best until I found out there was a special edition version but still the HD version was pretty cool

[@ElfWhisper]

Gorgeous video for a masterpiece. Awesome game.

[@PoodlestarGenerica]

This is a legitimately useful and great video

[@RampagingRex]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@lunitaproductions8290]

Well now i can use a Mega SD to play the special edition

[@mariojoan903]

4:53 correction: there IS a meteor shower in the SNES version. You've just been mistaken

[@SuperHyperRed]

Compared to the Genesis version, there's hardly any meteor showers in the SNES version

[@AlanVByrnes]

I have this first game on the Sega Genesis mini and still enjoy playing it reliving my childhood again but a bummer the second game wasn’t included 🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻

[@MarMaxGaming]

This is awesome! Like that intro for sure! I loved covering EWJ and EWJ2 on genesis, but have wondered about its ports before! This was really awesome 💕 I’m sharing it with my friend, he recently got the PC special edition world record!! One obscure and bizarre Earthworm Jim item I have is a poster signed by most of the team, plus a letter from shiny to a fan. I think you’d be into it! Hey man I subbed

[@AlanVByrnes]

Yes Jim is also a special one from my childhood days too nice to have another fan who also likes him 🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱

[@RiasatSalminSami]

Windows 95 special edition port was definitely the best version you can get. It had all the goodies of SEGA CD version with improved graphics which looked great. Also they fixed Jim's voice when he gets hit and makes the "ayyo" sound. In the Sega cd port that sound was off and weird, the win95 port fixes it. Unfortunately there are three big issues: 1. Game wasn't properly cracked. So only way to get the music running is by using the disc. And no, you cannot use iso or burned disc, the music wont work with those. And that means you are left with used copies and eventually all the CDs will break and you will no longer be able to get the music running. Softwares like "inmm" doen't allow running the music either cause the game then gives error. So there is still no known way to fix the music. 2. On modern OS and with 64 bit OS you cannot run the game in fullscreen. And Vsync only works on fullscreen mode in this game. As a result you will get thousands of fps and the game will suffer from stutters and microstutters due to unsynced framerate. And this just ruins the experience for me. Yes many dont care about the microstutters but it just looks bad to me. 3. Colors get messed up randomly. Only way to fix it seems to be switching between levels back and fourth until it gets fixed.

[@Albertredneck]

Are you sure it won't work with a cue image?

[@RiasatSalminSami]

@@Albertredneck Didnt on my pc at least. But some people said if you manage to make the virtual drive letter to "A" drive, then it works. I can't change any of my drive letters to A unfortunately. So I can't test it.

[@KritoSkywaker]

Sidenote: If you up against the Evil Queen in the Sega Genesis version, you can just Whip her and she instantly dies! I know that, because I played the game on Sega Genesis, Sega CD and SNES through emulators. Good memories... 😌

[@BloodDrunkBunny]

Great video Jonny boy, loved it. DO BUBSY NEXT!

[@mdwolfgirl1]

I'll second a Bubsy. I mean, what could possibly go wrong?

[@anadventfollower1181]

This heavily inspired Jazz the Jack Rabbit (one of my childhood games [Super Mario and Sonic being my first games back in 1998-1999 ported to PC])

[@FloofPuppy]

To me, the definitive and BEST version of EWJ, is the special edition for the Sega CD/Windows PC.

[@troycrawford3569]

We also love his evil twin!!!!!!.

[@SirBopALot]

(I noticed an incorrect fact at 2:26) the soundtrack for very first version of Earthworm Jim (GEN/MD) was actually composed by Mark Miller, who, if I remember correctly, also did the soundtrack for Kid Chameleon, another obscure Genesis game that not a lot of people seem to remember. Thought I’d point that out.

[@SuperHyperRed]

Mark Miller did the conversions for Tommy's Genesis Soundtrack to other versions

[@SirBopALot]

@@SuperHyperRed Yes, that is true. Thank you. 👍🏻

[@brodysdaddy]

Your sketches of Jim got me to subscribe

[@SharpCinema]

This is balanced and fair. Nice work.

[@deathmetalmaniac9647]

Excellent review and very detailed, Though there is one tiny detail I feel like should have been mentioned model 2 sega cd's are much less likely to break and can play burnt games just like a dreamcast if you ever want to save money.

[@RampagingRex]

I've since gotten a Model 2 Sega CD in the time since I made this video, and it's definitely the model I recommend for reliability. I still use my Model 1 as my main Sega CD since I prefer its design and BIOS music.

[@MoonlitZombie]

Cool video 👍🏼

[@doug.navarone2037]

Alright I'm subbing. Good video

[@pixelythegamer3260]

Fun fact, one of the new boss fights in the hd version is a keyboard cat.

[@Biggus_Dickus_69]

Amazing video mate! And I totally agree having played all versions...Sega CD version ftw, I play it on an original Xbox via emulation and it's wonderful, that soundtrack!!

[@scm64entertainment44]

I too like the sound of the plasma blast in SNES version

[@rodrigokiller]

Nice video. Thanks

[@raphaelturtle4146]

Earthworm jim, Obscure? How old are you that this is an "obscure hidden gem"? I feel old...

[@theamazingpip]

PLAAASMA!!!! 13:58

[@alelauguz]

PiAsMa - HD

[@XENOMORPH343]

Playing through the GBA version right now. I’ve had it since it was a kid but was never able to beat it.

[@Joeyboots80]

The Sega CD version was the best port imo. It was great no matter which console you got it on, but I preferred the Sega CD version.

[@fazares]

Very detailed video..i own the Genesis one...that insane tubes vehicle section always drive me nuts...i cant get past the last one ahahah...other than tracking either sega cd or windows versions u could just emulate the first with kega fusion or gens...the sega cd nowadays costs a small fortune and the windows one is quite hard to get it running on modern os as u said in the video

[@alelauguz]

Meteor showers are A.C.T.U.A.L.L.Y on the SNES port!

[@carlosemilio5180]

His mother is very proud

[@DefinitelyReagan]

The Special Edition for 95 isn't just good, it's phenomenal and more-or-less complete. It's a nightmare to get it working on modern Windows, though. I'm infinitely grateful to my younger self who purchased the CD in box from a local PC store.

[@Vadim_Slastihin]

Lol just use an emulator for sega CD.

[@norsktegnefilmsang3689]

Amazing video dude! My first experience with the game was the "special edition", so I was always confused when the "Big Bruty" level were missing from the other ports I played. I was starting to think I just dreamt about it and that it never really existed. Also played the GBA version a lot as a kid, but I could never get past the "tube race" stage. The PS3/X360 version is the best port of the game in my opinion and I played it all the time to get every single trophy/achievement in the game, which is nearly impossible since it forces you to beat the entire thing without dying once, which is especially hard towards the end of the game. Kinda sucks that they just traced over the old animation and didn't make the HD version more fluid. Also, did you know that the "GOG" release of the game got a physical release? There's this rather unknown french release named "Earthworm Jim 1+2+3", and it bundles the whole trilogy on one disc, DRM free.

[@cooler_carpington]

The HD version is shit in my opinion, It looks like they slapped an HD filter on the original sprites, they are no longer smooth.

[@thatartkid4439]

Fun fact the beginning of what the heck has the opening theme of the beastie boy intergalactic

[@unclegrandpagaming165]

Earthworm Jim 1 genesis version is on switch online now! Which made me want to revisit this video actually ! At least they threw us a bone after cancelling the amico game

[@RampagingRex]

I'm glad they chose the Genesis version of EWJ1. I know a lot of people prefer the SNES version but Genesis is the better of the two if you ask me just for the increased resolution and Intestinal Distress. If only they could have added the Sega CD version!

[@Thornskade]

What I find awesome about the Earthworm Jim games is that they were ported to so many systems. Even if not every port was perfect, it means that tons of people got to play it. So the fact that the newest Earthworm Jim looks to be exclusive to some obscure console doesn't sit well with me at all. It's Linux-based though so I'm wondering what emulation might entail.

[@chrisb6939]

Nice video just found your channel

[@alelauguz]

The Sega CD version on an android handheld will be the best handheld entry

[@ChronoSquare]

I don't remember if I rented or owned 2 in the SNES, but I remember I couldn't beat it. Several really trying levels, notably the flying balloon ones... ugh. Hahaha

[@SoloPlayer31]

Earthworm Jim is getting a new game by Intellevision, I hope it comes on Steam or Switch

[@rubberwoody]

I grew up on the GBA port. Could never beat the level where you jet around underwater or whatever in a bubble

[@alelauguz]

6:18 I passed it! I could pass Down The Tubes and Pod Race.

[@miamimagicians]

you can't really go wrong with the super Nintendo Sega genesis Versions or the PlayStation version. It was such a fun time in my life

[@ToastyMann]

11:15 I didn't know Big Bill Hell did an advert for Earthworm Jim.

[@zezzar07]

i wish someone make a fusion of all versions in a ultimate version

[@LazyPirate8]

i think i remember playing the gameboy advance port at someones house, my mom was visiting.

[@Nexuxs]

Earthworm jim was so amazing, the genesis soundtrack was the best

[@AidGum]

BTW you're running the SNES version stretched. Typically, TVs took the SNES's skinner aspect ratio of 8:7 and stretched it unlike with most Genesis games which filled the entire 4:3 aspect ratio. So, if you ran the SNES version at it's native 8:7, then the scaling of the sprites is about the same as the Genesis.

[@alelauguz]

4:21 Whyyyyyyyy? I like the plasma blaster sound better in Genesis than SNES!

[@Snotnarok]

Funny enough, I think you can kill the end boss in 1-2 hits with a whip instead of gunning at her like mad.

[@fshoaps]

4:18 - *radically better

[@Etbilubusqum]

Thank you MAN GAMES

[@alelauguz]

*Form the Genesis and Sega CD to the Game Boy and DSi

[@QuiteSimplyInsane]

what about the port of Earthworm Jim to Steam?

[@RampagingRex]

That version is the DOS version running on DOSbox.

[@pixelythegamer3260]

0:40 I like how you give a star on sega cd

[@MegaSbrown123]

Iam I like the only person who likes the gba version of this game? The gba port isn't that bad on a game boy micro just a quick heads up. But I know gba micro's are not easy to come by theses days but its really quite fitting for the sprite work on the screen size. Nice over all review.

[@RondoOfBloodX]

Steve Brown EWJ GBA is ok to me but EWJ2 on the other hand...........No just no they fucked that one up BADLY!!!!!

[@Nanyael]

I played earthworm jim on windows... always thought the console versions were inferior. I never knew it was a port. Thanks a lot.

[@Alex_Off-Beat]

15:33 I have an Android handheld console so really the Sega CD is the best handheld version

[@RampagingRex]

You've got a point there!

[@JaxTheEpic]

There is a nes version but it isn't official and it is from taiwan and was developed by hummer technology (Also known as hummer team as a way to mimic sonic team due to them making a nes backport of sonic the hedgehog where you play as mario for some reason)

[@Cawshes]

What about the sequel

[@ianmeneses5633]

Some people prefer the SNES port?! I prefer the genesis so much than the SNES port. SOOOOO much.

[@alelauguz]

Agreed! I prefer the Genesis version too!

[@realfamiliarfez]

why were you playing the gameboy version when talking about the snes version? is my audio delayed? edit: yes it was delayed, damn you firefox lmao

[@CGAPU]

There's a pirate version for the NES.

[@shanetyler9391]

Well i will just stick with the SNES version myself.

[@juanenchilada8894]

you call the iphone version unusual yet the J2ME version exists

[@JamesBlood45]

nice video! I managed to play the DSi version recently. It plays terrible and both the animations and the framerate are very choppy. The HD version is lame as well, didn't like it at all. Same with the DOS version, which I can say the music works with the Steam release, but it's a mediocre port. I stick with the Genesis which is my personal favorite. I'm very nitpicky with the other versions, even the SEGA CD though it's the best version of all, but that's my personal take

[@JamesEKing]

Was the earthworm jim DS version on cartridge? Can i still buy it?

[@RampagingRex]

No, it was digital only through DSiWare. Now that all of Gameloft's Earthworm Jim re-releases have been pulled from online storefronts, there's no *legal* way to get that version of the game.

[@JamesEKing]

@@RampagingRex hello darkness my old friend

[@JaxTheEpic]

@@RampagingRex Hold on! Emulators exist my fellow.

[@alelauguz]

Fight me. The Game Boy version is better than the Game Gear version despite no color. 15:29

[@miamimagicians]

Spider-Man Toby ?

[@NathanielTheStoryGamer]

You can’t buy Earthworm Jim HD anymore and it’s backwards compatible on Xbox One I hope they re-release it.

[@jeroenroffel5835]

Hey you forgot the Nintendo dsi port!

[@RampagingRex]

Nope! 13:00

[@PaulGirdlestone]

Weird? Sure! Obscure? Certainly not!

[@user-gz2tb2tj8z]

Привет из России! игра 👍

[@robotnikcentric64]

12:12 to 12:31 To me the framerate just looks like if the SNES game's animation was done from Google Photos or making tons of sloppy GIFs on an phone. Not very good I seee

[@RampagingRex]

The GBA version of Earthworm Jim was also a rush job by an extremely small development team. If given more time I have no doubts the port would have turned out better.

[@robotnikcentric64]

@@RampagingRex I agree and that would also explain those crappy lighting effects in that level around 12:34 to 12:39

[@troycrawford3569]

Excellent yeah excellent because we love earthworm Jim yeah because he is awesome and the best and the greatest and amazing and all ways wicked and funny and hilarious and brilliant and lovable and mischievous and vengeful and cool and wonderful and badass and brave and heroic and villainous and nefarious and scary and spooky and lucky and very powerful and super strong and super strength and super hardcore and invincible and indestructible and incredible and excellent spirit and perfect and freandly and fearless leaderships and loyalty and regeneration and healing and regrowing and growing and crazy and happy and healthy and immortal and looney toons and has superpowers and abilities and skills and angry and healthy and very fun and nice and protective and kind and adorable and cuddly and good and bad and dark and evil!!!!!!!.