Difference between revisions of "Earthworm Jim 2"

From Sega Retro

(→‎ROM dump status: we should probably find some means of automating console designations when naming prototypes of multiplatform games)
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{{Bob
 
{{Bob
| bobscreen=EarthWormJim2 Title.png
+
| bobscreen=EarthwormJim2 MD US TitleScreen.png
| bobscreen2=EarthwormJim2 MD US TitleScreen.png
+
| bobscreen2=EarthWormJim2 Title.png
| tab1=Saturn
+
| tab1=Mega Drive
| tab2=Mega Drive
+
| tab2=Saturn
 
| publisher={{company|[[Playmates Interactive Entertainment]]|region=US}}
 
| publisher={{company|[[Playmates Interactive Entertainment]]|region=US}}
 
{{company|[[Virgin Interactive Entertainment]]|region=EU}}
 
{{company|[[Virgin Interactive Entertainment]]|region=EU}}
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| vc_date_eu=2009-12-04{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20170827181444/http://www.nintendolife.com:80/games/megadrive/earthworm_jim_2}}{{ref|https://archive.is/v2vJL|https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Virtual-Console-Wii-/Earthworm-Jim-2--277061.html}}
 
| vc_date_eu=2009-12-04{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20170827181444/http://www.nintendolife.com:80/games/megadrive/earthworm_jim_2}}{{ref|https://archive.is/v2vJL|https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Virtual-Console-Wii-/Earthworm-Jim-2--277061.html}}
 
| vc_rrp_eu=800{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20170827181444/http://www.nintendolife.com:80/games/megadrive/earthworm_jim_2}}
 
| vc_rrp_eu=800{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20170827181444/http://www.nintendolife.com:80/games/megadrive/earthworm_jim_2}}
 +
| vc_rating_eu=7
 
| vc_date_au=2009-12
 
| vc_date_au=2009-12
 
| vc_rrp_au=800{{ref|1=http://web.archive.org/web/20120328004437/http://www.nintendo.com.au/index.php?action=catalogue&prodcat_id=41&prod_id=20029&pageID=4}}
 
| vc_rrp_au=800{{ref|1=http://web.archive.org/web/20120328004437/http://www.nintendo.com.au/index.php?action=catalogue&prodcat_id=41&prod_id=20029&pageID=4}}
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| vc_rating_jp=a
 
| vc_rating_jp=a
 
}}
 
}}
| pegi=7
+
| otherformats={{NonSega|GBA|IBMPC|PS|SNES}}
| otherformats={{NonSega|GBA|PS|SNES}}
 
 
| savetype={{SaveType
 
| savetype={{SaveType
 
|MD|password
 
|MD|password
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Though very similar to the original game, ''Earthworm Jim 2'' has more varied gameplay than its predecessor. As well as including standard platforming levels, there are also quiz questions, an isometric shoot 'em up level and various adaptions to the platforming formula, including marathon races and a stage where Jim must shoot his way through mounds of dirt.
 
Though very similar to the original game, ''Earthworm Jim 2'' has more varied gameplay than its predecessor. As well as including standard platforming levels, there are also quiz questions, an isometric shoot 'em up level and various adaptions to the platforming formula, including marathon races and a stage where Jim must shoot his way through mounds of dirt.
  
Jim is controlled in much the same way as the original game, though with some new and changed abilities. He can still fire his gun by pressing {{A}} and can still use his head as a whip with {{B}} while on the ground, though he can no longer use his head whip in the air. Instead, pressing {{C}} while in the air will make Jim launch Snott in front of him to grab onto and swing from mucous-covered ceilings. Jim's ability to spin his head like a helicopter has been replaced with the Snott parachute, which is performed by holding {{A}} in the air. In the Saturn version, {{X}} can be used to cycle through the weapons Jim has collected
+
Jim is controlled in much the same way as the original game, though with some new and changed abilities. He can still fire his gun by pressing {{A}} and can still use his head as a whip with {{B}} while on the ground, though he can no longer use his head whip in the air. Instead, pressing {{C}} while in the air will make Jim launch Snott in front of him to grab onto and swing from mucous-covered ceilings. Jim's ability to spin his head like a helicopter has been replaced with the Snott parachute, which is performed by holding {{A}} in the air. In some levels, heavy objects such as animals and furniture can be lifted and carried by pressing {{Down}} by one, though using any attacks will make Jim drop the object. In the Saturn version, {{X}} can be used to cycle through the weapons Jim has collected.
  
 
===Items===
 
===Items===
Line 198: Line 198:
 
| title=Anything but Tangerines
 
| title=Anything but Tangerines
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
| desc=
+
| desc=The summer home of Bob the Goldfish, this planet is filled with blunderbuss-wielding octopi, and E-Z stair climbers for Jim to ride up stairs on providing he avoids the falling grannies, using the D-Pad to control the lift's speed. There are water slide sections where #4 will ambush Jim if he tries to pass, so he must pick up a pig and push it down the water slide to advance. At the end of the level, Jim must confront Bob.
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Granny Chair
 
| title=Granny Chair
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
| desc=
+
| desc=A hidden level accessed by an optional teleporter within Anything but Tangerines, in which Jim has to ride up a long staircase while avoiding grannies. At the top of the level is an extra life and a teleporter leading back to Anything but Tangerines.
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Lorenzo's Soil
 
| title=Lorenzo's Soil
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
| desc=
+
| desc=In this level, Jim must use his gun to burrow through the dirt of planet Burbank's subterranean excavation site and reach the top of the level while also dealing with maggots and ants. Dirt shot from the ceiling will crumble down and add to the dirt beneath Jim's feet, raising the ground so he can reach higher places as well as extinguishing exposed gas pipes. This level is also timed - if the timer in the top-right corner reaches zero, an earthquake will occur. Collecting the clocks will reset the timer back to 90 seconds.
 +
 
 +
At the end of the level, the timer is disabled as Jim fights Pedro pupa, who will ride around on a unicycle and spit maggots at Jim.
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Puppy Love Part 1
 
| title=Puppy Love Part 1
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
| desc=
+
| desc=One of three Puppy Love levels in the game in which Psy-Crow has taken Peter Puppy's puppies hostage and is throwing them out of an abandoned spaceport control tower. Jim has to save the puppies using a giant marshmallow to bounce them to Peter. The D-Pad moves Jim left and right, pressing {{A}} changes the direction Jim is facing, and {{B}} or {{C}} will make Jim dive forward in the direction he is facing. If Jim lets too many puppies fall to the ground, Peter will get angry and attack Jim.
 +
 
 +
Among the puppies and items, Psy-Crow will also throw bombs, which will explode and damage Jim if they hit the ground. Jim has to guide those to Peter, so that he will throw them back at Psy-Crow.
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=The Villi People/Jim's Now a Blind Cave Salamander!
 
| title=The Villi People/Jim's Now a Blind Cave Salamander!
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
| desc=
+
| desc=In this level, Jim dresses up as Sally the blind cave salamander in order to make his way through Doc Duodenum's summer home, the living intestinal planet, while taking care not to come into contact with the many villi that line the walls. To control Sally, the player should use the D-Pad to change Sally's direction, {{C}} to swim up and move, and {{A}} or {{B}} to fire Jim's gun.
 +
 
 +
The player can collect meal worms in this level, which are used for entry to a nonsensical quiz mini-game near the end of the level for bonus items. One question is asked for each meal worm found. After the quiz, the player has to play a Simon Says mini-game using pinball bumpers.
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=The Flyin' King
 
| title=The Flyin' King
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
| desc=
+
| desc=Riding on his pocket rocket, Jim must escort a bomb tied to a balloon all the way across an isometric course to Major Mucus and blow him up. Pressing {{A}} fires the rocket's guns while {{C}} changes Jim's direction. To make things difficult, there are pirate ships that shoot cannonballs, drones that shoot mucous bullets, and catapults that launch sumo Roman centurions who will latch on to the rocket and cause damage. Repeatedly change directions to shake them off.
 +
 
 +
If the bomb is destroyed in transit, the player can use the Express Lanes at the sides to quickly return to the beginning of the level to get another bomb.
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Puppy Love Part 2
 
| title=Puppy Love Part 2
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
| desc=
+
| desc=The second of three Puppy Love levels. Its rules are the same as the previous level, only harder.
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Udderly Abducted
 
| title=Udderly Abducted
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
| desc=
+
| desc=This level's gimmick is to safely carry cows to the barns so that Jim can proceed forward with the level. However, udder UFOs will try to abduct the cows, forcing the player to backtrack and get another cow from a flower to carry through the level. Mutant superpowered penguins will also impede Jim's progress.
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Inflated Head
 
| title=Inflated Head
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
| desc=
+
| desc=Arriving at Evil the Cat's "Circus of the Scars", Jim must inflate his head using the air pumps to fly higher through the circus, navigating past harmful flashing lightbulbs and collecting meal worms along the way. The speed at which Jim rises or falls can be controlled by pressing {{B}} and {{C}} to respectively deflate and inflate Jim's head. Evil himself will make multiple attempts to pop Jim's head, dealing serious damage and causing him to fall all the way back down.
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Hammer Head
 
| title=Hammer Head
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
| desc=The Saturn version considers this a separate level.
+
| desc=Using the meal worms he has collected throughout Inflated Head, Jim can jump on the strength tester and hit the boxing glove to win bonus items. When he has no more meal worms left, the level ends.
 +
 
 +
The Saturn version considers this a separate level.
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=ISO 9000
 
| title=ISO 9000
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
| desc=
+
| desc=Jim has been led to the planet of paperwork, where file cabinets will chase him, and masked lawyers and accountants hide in ambush for him. To advance through the level, Jim will have to interact with the machinery, such as switching off the timed blast surfaces and carrying mouse cages to power giant grinders that will transport Jim to further parts of the level.
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Door Chase
 
| title=Door Chase
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
| desc=The Saturn version also considers this a separate level.
+
| desc=Taking place at the end of ISO 9000, Jim has to chase after a door that is running away from him while also avoiding file cabinets. To catch the door, Jim will have to cleverly pick up the wardrobe with a leg sticking out of it, then trick the door into tripping itself over the leg so he can enter it and end the level.
 +
 
 +
The Saturn version also considers this a separate level.
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Puppy Love Part 3
 
| title=Puppy Love Part 3
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
| desc=
+
| desc=The last of the three Puppy Love levels. Its rules are the same as the previous two levels, only harder.
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Level Ate
 
| title=Level Ate
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
| desc=
+
| desc=Jim finds himself on a planet made of meat and forks  where the main threat is a salt shaker that will chase him relentlessly. To escape the salt shakers, Jim must hurry and run for the marked shelters, some of which have snails he can whip to serve as distractions for the salt shakers. Shooting the salt shakers will also push them back, while Homing Missiles can destroy them outright. To cross grills, Jim must either switch off the grills or crack open eggs to serve as platforms.
 +
 
 +
This level also has a hidden secret level, "[[Earthworm Jim 2/Hidden content#Totally Forked|Totally Forked]]".
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Flamin' Yawn
 
| title=Flamin' Yawn
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
| desc=Also considered separate in the Saturn version.  
+
| desc=Flamin' Yawn, a large steak, serves as the boss of Level Ate, who will fight Jim on top of a pizza and attack by either pushing the plate down at him or by jumping down to breathe fire at him. Jim will sink into the cheese if he steps in it, so it is a good idea to stay on the pepperoni slices at all times.
 +
 
 +
Also considered separate in the Saturn version.  
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
| title=See Jim run. Run Jim run.
+
| title=See Jim Run. Run Jim Run.
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
 
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
| desc=
+
| desc=Jim has finally reached the largest 24-hour church and deli in the Lost Vegas system, where he must race against Psy-Crow through the cathedral to rescue Princess What's-Her-Name. Some of the obstacles can be cleared by shooting them or whipping them.
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
Line 283: Line 299:
 
==Versions==
 
==Versions==
 
===Mega Drive version===
 
===Mega Drive version===
Like its predecessor, ''Earthworm Jim 2'' was developed with the Sega Mega Drive in mind, with the code subsequently ported to the [[Super Nintendo]]. The Mega Drive version is therefore the original copy of the game and the basis for most of the ports going forward.
+
Like its predecessor, ''Earthworm Jim 2'' was developed with the Sega Mega Drive in mind, with the code subsequently ported to the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]]. The Mega Drive version is therefore the original copy of the game and the basis for most of the ports going forward.
  
 
===Saturn version===
 
===Saturn version===
Line 290: Line 306:
 
The Saturn version runs in a higher resolution than all other ports (352x240 vs 320x240 for the PlayStation), though as the graphics were not altered to compensate, this means on a standard 4:3 display, the visuals are slightly "thinner" than their counterparts on other platforms. The Saturn also features more graphical effects than the PlayStation, such as more parallax background layers and transparency effects. Loading times are also quicker, sound effects play at a higher sample rate, and Jim correctly says "A", "B" or "C" when answering questions in the "Game Show" segment (no lines were recorded for {{PS Square}}, {{PS X}} and {{PS Circle}}).
 
The Saturn version runs in a higher resolution than all other ports (352x240 vs 320x240 for the PlayStation), though as the graphics were not altered to compensate, this means on a standard 4:3 display, the visuals are slightly "thinner" than their counterparts on other platforms. The Saturn also features more graphical effects than the PlayStation, such as more parallax background layers and transparency effects. Loading times are also quicker, sound effects play at a higher sample rate, and Jim correctly says "A", "B" or "C" when answering questions in the "Game Show" segment (no lines were recorded for {{PS Square}}, {{PS X}} and {{PS Circle}}).
  
The Saturn and PlayStation ''Earthworm Jim 2''s were considered controversial by some critics in 1996, as it was felt the upgrades were not significant enough to justify the release on newer hardware.
+
The Saturn and PlayStation versions of ''Earthworm Jim 2'' were considered controversial by some critics in 1996, as it was felt the upgrades were not significant enough to justify the release on newer hardware.
  
 
==Production credits==
 
==Production credits==

Revision as of 11:34, 10 July 2022

n/a

  • Mega Drive
  • Saturn

EarthwormJim2 MD US TitleScreen.png

EarthWormJim2 Title.png

Earthworm Jim 2
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Saturn, Virtual Console
Publisher: Playmates Interactive Entertainment (US)

Virgin Interactive Entertainment (EU)

Sega Saturn
Takara (JP)
Sega Mega Drive
Interplay (JP; Sega Channel)
Developer:
Sound driver:
Sega Mega Drive
GEMS,
Sega Saturn
SCSP/CD-DA (13 tracks)
Genre: Action[1][2]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP
(Sega Channel)
Sega Mega Drive
US
$69.9969.99[4] T-132056
ESRB: Kids to Adults
Sega Mega Drive
EU
T-70446-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Mega Drive
PT
MDJ198X
Sega Mega Drive
UK
£49.9949.99[5][6] T-70446-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Mega Drive
BR
R$89.9989.99 047170
Tectoy: Todas as Idades
Sega Saturn
JP
¥5,800 (5,974)5,800e[7] T-10304G
Sega Rating: All Ages
Sega Saturn
US
$59.9959.99[9] T-13203H
ESRB: Kids to Adults
Sega Saturn
EU
T-7019H-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Saturn
DE
T-7019H-50
USK: 6
Sega Saturn
PT
STJVG0367
Sega Saturn
UK
T-7019H-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Saturn
PL
Sega Saturn
AU
Wii Virtual Console
JP
600pts600[16]
CERO: A
Wii Virtual Console
US
800pts800[11]
ESRB: Everyone
Wii Virtual Console
EU
800pts800[12]
PEGI: 7+
Wii Virtual Console
AU
800pts800[14]
OFLC: Parental Guidance (PG)
Non-Sega versions

Earthworm Jim 2 (アースワーム・ジム2) is the direct sequel to Earthworm Jim, and was released (among other consoles) for the Sega Mega Drive in 1995. An enhanced version was released on the Sega Saturn.

It retains the surreal humour from the first game and was followed by Earthworm Jim 3D in 1999.

Story

Following on from the ending of the first game, Earthworm Jim had removed the cow (which he had unknowingly launched) from atop Princess Whats-Her-Name, reinflated the squashed lady, and won her heart. However, Psy-Crow kidnaps the Princess and plans on marrying her at the Las Vegas system in order to take over the universe. Jim, with help from Snott, has to follow their trail across the various summer homes of his enemies.

Gameplay

Though very similar to the original game, Earthworm Jim 2 has more varied gameplay than its predecessor. As well as including standard platforming levels, there are also quiz questions, an isometric shoot 'em up level and various adaptions to the platforming formula, including marathon races and a stage where Jim must shoot his way through mounds of dirt.

Jim is controlled in much the same way as the original game, though with some new and changed abilities. He can still fire his gun by pressing A and can still use his head as a whip with B while on the ground, though he can no longer use his head whip in the air. Instead, pressing C while in the air will make Jim launch Snott in front of him to grab onto and swing from mucous-covered ceilings. Jim's ability to spin his head like a helicopter has been replaced with the Snott parachute, which is performed by holding A in the air. In some levels, heavy objects such as animals and furniture can be lifted and carried by pressing Down by one, though using any attacks will make Jim drop the object. In the Saturn version, X can be used to cycle through the weapons Jim has collected.

Items

Suit Power
Restores 4% of Jim's energy.
Super Suit Power
Fully restores Jim's energy back to 100%.
Chip Butty
Temporarily extends Jim's energy to 200%. This extra energy cannot be restored by Suit Power.
Meal worm
Appears in The Villi People and Inflated Head. Each one collected gives Jim one try at the levels' respective mini-games.
Extra life
Awards the player an extra life.
Stopwatch
Awards extra time in Lorenzo's Soil.
Standard Machine Gun Plasma Power
Adds 250 rounds of ammo to Jim's standard Machine Gun.
Mega Plasma
Fires a powerful blast in the direction Jim fires. Each Mega Plasma pickup gives Jim 2 rounds.
3 Finger Gun
Fires a spreadshot of bullets in three directions, consuming three bullets per frame.
Barn Blaster
Destroys all on-screen enemies. It takes a couple of seconds to fire, and the recoil from the weapon makes Jim fall over for a couple of seconds.
Homing Missile
Fires missiles that home in on enemies.
Bubble Gun
A joke weapon that shoots bubbles, which have no effect on enemies.
Ammo booster
Increases the ammo of whatever weapon Jim is currently holding.
Earth, Worm and Jim Flags
Collect all three of these to reveal the level password.
Continue Icon
Serves as a checkpoint.
Turbo
Increases Jim's speed (available only in See Jim Run, Run Jim Run).
Express Lane
Sends Jim backwards through The Flyin' King, in case he needs to get a new bomb.
Big Block Engine
Makes the Pocket Rocket in The Flyin' King faster and more maneuverable.
Can o' Worms
Awards the player an extra continue.

Levels

Presumably due to streaming issues (i.e. the need to load data from the disc), the Saturn treats some of the boss battles as new levels. For the most part, however, the content is the same between both versions.

Notavailable.svg

Anything but Tangerines
The summer home of Bob the Goldfish, this planet is filled with blunderbuss-wielding octopi, and E-Z stair climbers for Jim to ride up stairs on providing he avoids the falling grannies, using the D-Pad to control the lift's speed. There are water slide sections where #4 will ambush Jim if he tries to pass, so he must pick up a pig and push it down the water slide to advance. At the end of the level, Jim must confront Bob.

Notavailable.svg

Granny Chair
A hidden level accessed by an optional teleporter within Anything but Tangerines, in which Jim has to ride up a long staircase while avoiding grannies. At the top of the level is an extra life and a teleporter leading back to Anything but Tangerines.

Notavailable.svg

Lorenzo's Soil
In this level, Jim must use his gun to burrow through the dirt of planet Burbank's subterranean excavation site and reach the top of the level while also dealing with maggots and ants. Dirt shot from the ceiling will crumble down and add to the dirt beneath Jim's feet, raising the ground so he can reach higher places as well as extinguishing exposed gas pipes. This level is also timed - if the timer in the top-right corner reaches zero, an earthquake will occur. Collecting the clocks will reset the timer back to 90 seconds.

At the end of the level, the timer is disabled as Jim fights Pedro pupa, who will ride around on a unicycle and spit maggots at Jim.

Notavailable.svg

Puppy Love Part 1
One of three Puppy Love levels in the game in which Psy-Crow has taken Peter Puppy's puppies hostage and is throwing them out of an abandoned spaceport control tower. Jim has to save the puppies using a giant marshmallow to bounce them to Peter. The D-Pad moves Jim left and right, pressing A changes the direction Jim is facing, and B or C will make Jim dive forward in the direction he is facing. If Jim lets too many puppies fall to the ground, Peter will get angry and attack Jim.

Among the puppies and items, Psy-Crow will also throw bombs, which will explode and damage Jim if they hit the ground. Jim has to guide those to Peter, so that he will throw them back at Psy-Crow.

Notavailable.svg

The Villi People/Jim's Now a Blind Cave Salamander!
In this level, Jim dresses up as Sally the blind cave salamander in order to make his way through Doc Duodenum's summer home, the living intestinal planet, while taking care not to come into contact with the many villi that line the walls. To control Sally, the player should use the D-Pad to change Sally's direction, C to swim up and move, and A or B to fire Jim's gun.

The player can collect meal worms in this level, which are used for entry to a nonsensical quiz mini-game near the end of the level for bonus items. One question is asked for each meal worm found. After the quiz, the player has to play a Simon Says mini-game using pinball bumpers.

Notavailable.svg

The Flyin' King
Riding on his pocket rocket, Jim must escort a bomb tied to a balloon all the way across an isometric course to Major Mucus and blow him up. Pressing A fires the rocket's guns while C changes Jim's direction. To make things difficult, there are pirate ships that shoot cannonballs, drones that shoot mucous bullets, and catapults that launch sumo Roman centurions who will latch on to the rocket and cause damage. Repeatedly change directions to shake them off.

If the bomb is destroyed in transit, the player can use the Express Lanes at the sides to quickly return to the beginning of the level to get another bomb.

Notavailable.svg

Puppy Love Part 2
The second of three Puppy Love levels. Its rules are the same as the previous level, only harder.

Notavailable.svg

Udderly Abducted
This level's gimmick is to safely carry cows to the barns so that Jim can proceed forward with the level. However, udder UFOs will try to abduct the cows, forcing the player to backtrack and get another cow from a flower to carry through the level. Mutant superpowered penguins will also impede Jim's progress.

Notavailable.svg

Inflated Head
Arriving at Evil the Cat's "Circus of the Scars", Jim must inflate his head using the air pumps to fly higher through the circus, navigating past harmful flashing lightbulbs and collecting meal worms along the way. The speed at which Jim rises or falls can be controlled by pressing B and C to respectively deflate and inflate Jim's head. Evil himself will make multiple attempts to pop Jim's head, dealing serious damage and causing him to fall all the way back down.

Notavailable.svg

Hammer Head
Using the meal worms he has collected throughout Inflated Head, Jim can jump on the strength tester and hit the boxing glove to win bonus items. When he has no more meal worms left, the level ends.

The Saturn version considers this a separate level.

Notavailable.svg

ISO 9000
Jim has been led to the planet of paperwork, where file cabinets will chase him, and masked lawyers and accountants hide in ambush for him. To advance through the level, Jim will have to interact with the machinery, such as switching off the timed blast surfaces and carrying mouse cages to power giant grinders that will transport Jim to further parts of the level.

Notavailable.svg

Door Chase
Taking place at the end of ISO 9000, Jim has to chase after a door that is running away from him while also avoiding file cabinets. To catch the door, Jim will have to cleverly pick up the wardrobe with a leg sticking out of it, then trick the door into tripping itself over the leg so he can enter it and end the level.

The Saturn version also considers this a separate level.

Notavailable.svg

Puppy Love Part 3
The last of the three Puppy Love levels. Its rules are the same as the previous two levels, only harder.

Notavailable.svg

Level Ate
Jim finds himself on a planet made of meat and forks where the main threat is a salt shaker that will chase him relentlessly. To escape the salt shakers, Jim must hurry and run for the marked shelters, some of which have snails he can whip to serve as distractions for the salt shakers. Shooting the salt shakers will also push them back, while Homing Missiles can destroy them outright. To cross grills, Jim must either switch off the grills or crack open eggs to serve as platforms.

This level also has a hidden secret level, "Totally Forked".

Notavailable.svg

Flamin' Yawn
Flamin' Yawn, a large steak, serves as the boss of Level Ate, who will fight Jim on top of a pizza and attack by either pushing the plate down at him or by jumping down to breathe fire at him. Jim will sink into the cheese if he steps in it, so it is a good idea to stay on the pepperoni slices at all times.

Also considered separate in the Saturn version.

Notavailable.svg

See Jim Run. Run Jim Run.
Jim has finally reached the largest 24-hour church and deli in the Lost Vegas system, where he must race against Psy-Crow through the cathedral to rescue Princess What's-Her-Name. Some of the obstacles can be cleared by shooting them or whipping them.

History

Legacy

The Mega Drive version of the game was re-released for the Wii's Virtual Console service.

Versions

Mega Drive version

Like its predecessor, Earthworm Jim 2 was developed with the Sega Mega Drive in mind, with the code subsequently ported to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The Mega Drive version is therefore the original copy of the game and the basis for most of the ports going forward.

Saturn version

The Sega Saturn version of Earthworm Jim 2 was ported to the system (alongside a PlayStation version) by Screaming Pink. It uses the enhanced CD audio soundtrack seen in the PC version released six months prior, while making a number of improvements to the game' graphics (namely the backgrounds, which are unique to these two versions). A great deal still resembles that of the Mega Drive original, however, and many of the sprites remain largely unchanged (including those employing dithering techniques to circumvent the Mega Drive's limited colour palette).

The Saturn version runs in a higher resolution than all other ports (352x240 vs 320x240 for the PlayStation), though as the graphics were not altered to compensate, this means on a standard 4:3 display, the visuals are slightly "thinner" than their counterparts on other platforms. The Saturn also features more graphical effects than the PlayStation, such as more parallax background layers and transparency effects. Loading times are also quicker, sound effects play at a higher sample rate, and Jim correctly says "A", "B" or "C" when answering questions in the "Game Show" segment (no lines were recorded for Square, X and Circle).

The Saturn and PlayStation versions of Earthworm Jim 2 were considered controversial by some critics in 1996, as it was felt the upgrades were not significant enough to justify the release on newer hardware.

Production credits

Mega Drive version

Earthworm Jim 2
(C) 1995 Shiny Entertainment, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
  • Program: Andy Astor
  • Additional Programming: Nicholas Jones, D.P.
  • Art Director: Nick Bruty
  • Lead Artists: Steve Crow, Mark Lorenzon
  • Level Designer: Tom Tanaka
  • Directing Animator: Michael Francis Dietz
  • Animators: Jeff Etter, Shawn McLean, Ed Schofield, Doug Tennapel, Larry Whitaker
  • Assistant Animators: Eric Ciccone, Roger Hardy
  • Additional Art: Rod Altschul, Clark Sorensen, Lin Shen, Tom Tanaka
  • Fine Art Director and Illustrations: Michael Koelsch
  • Music & FX: Tommy Tallarico Studios, Inc
  • Clean Up: Dave Bombadier, Nancy Fernandez
  • Designed By: About a million Shiny meetings
  • Produced By: Scott Herrington, David Luehmann
  • Development Tools By: Andy Astor, Dan Chang, Alias, Psy-Q, Rob Northern
  • Lead Testers: Andy Brown, Lee Jones, James Martinez, Carlos Rodriguez, Manuel Quintones, Jose Zatarain
  • Special Thanks: Brenda Bolanos, Sandy Burusco, Brad Hartke, Stacy Hering, Charles Loop, Chris Mayberry, Richard Sallis, Nicole Smith, Kris Stoyak, Angie Tennapel, Beck Tran, Chips + Bread, Cows

Magazine articles

Main article: Earthworm Jim 2/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Earthworm Jim 2/Promotional material.

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
91 №37, p50/51
Sega Mega Drive
91
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
80
[17]
CD Consoles (FR)
76
[18]
Consoles + (FR)
93
[19]
Cool Gamer (RU)
90
[20]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
93
[5]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
79
[21]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
80
[22]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2 (RU)
80
[23]
Fusion (US) NTSC-U
75
[24]
GameFan (US) NTSC-U
96
[25]
Game Players (US) NTSC-U
92
[26]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
98
[4]
GamePro (UK)
95
[27]
GamesMaster (UK) PAL
94
[28]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
89
[29]
Hobby Consolas (ES) PAL
95
[30]
Joypad (FR)
93
[31]
LeveL (CZ)
100
[32]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
76
[33]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
91
[34]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
95
[35]
Next Generation (US) NTSC-U
75
[36]
Player One (FR)
95
[37]
Sega Magazin (DE) PAL
94
[38]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
95
[39]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
93
[40]
Sega Saturn Magazine (UK) PAL
94
[6]
Todo Sega (ES)
95
[41]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
92
[42]
Ultimate Gamer (US)
100
[43]
Última Generación (ES)
77
[44]
VideoGames (US) NTSC-U
90
[45]
Sega Mega Drive
89
Based on
32 reviews

Earthworm Jim 2

Mega Drive, US
EWJ2 MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Earthworm Jim 2 MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Earthworm Jim 2 MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
EWJ2 MD US Poster Back.jpgEWJ2 MD US Poster Front.jpg
Poster
Mega Drive, EU
Earthworm Jim 2 MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
EarthwormJim2 MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Earthworm Jim 2 MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Mega Drive, FR (Blister pack)
EWJ2 MD FR blister back.jpgEWJ2 MD FR blister front.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, CZ
Earthworm Jim 2 MD CZ Box Front.jpg
Cover
EarthwormJim2 MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Notavailable.svg
Manual
Mega Drive, BR
EWJ2 md br cover.jpg
Cover
EWJ2MDBRCartTop.jpg
EWJ2MDBRCart.jpg
Cart
Earthworm Jim 2 MD BR Manual.pdf
Manual

Saturn version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
CD Consoles (FR) PAL
40
[46]
Consoles + (FR)
92
[47]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
70
[48]
Fun Generation (DE) PAL
80
[49]
GameFan (US)
83
[50]
GameFan (US) NTSC-U
90
[51]
Game Players (US) NTSC-U
81
[52]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
85
[53]
GamesMaster (UK) PAL
60
[54]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
81
[55]
Hacker (HR)
84
[56]
Hacker (HR)
82
[57]
Intelligent Gamer's Fusion (US) NTSC-U
83
[58]
Joypad (FR) NTSC-U
100
[59]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
76
[60]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
91
[61]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
70
[10]
Next Generation (US) NTSC-U
50
[62]
neXt Level (DE) PAL
80
[63]
Player One (FR)
87
[64]
Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
70
[65]
Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
61
[66]
Secret Service (PL)
75
[67]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
85
[68]
Sega Saturn Magazine (UK) PAL
72
[69]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
70
[70]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
80
[71]
Total Saturn (UK) PAL
76
[72]
Total Saturn (UK) PAL
73
[73]
Video Games (DE) PAL
80
[74]
VideoGames (US)
90
[9]
Sega Saturn
77
Based on
31 reviews

Earthworm Jim 2

Saturn, JP
EWJ2 Saturn JP Box Back.jpgEWJ2 Saturn JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
EarthwormJim2 Saturn JP Spinecard.jpg
Spinecard
Earthworm Jim 2 Sega Saturn JP Disc.jpg
Disc
Saturn, US
EarthWormJim2Back us.jpgEarthWormJim2Box us.jpg
Cover
EarthWormJim2SatDisc us.jpg
Disc
Earthwormjim2 sat us manual.pdf
Manual
Saturn, EU
EWJ2 Saturn EU Box.jpg
Cover
EWJ2 Saturn EU Disc.jpg
Disc
Saturn, PT
EWJ2 Sat PT cover.jpg
Cover
EWJ2 Saturn EU Disc.jpg
Disc

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
CRC32 d57f8ba7
MD5 2ed39b147fa5fa67d6d0707f54a5a078
SHA-1 ef7cccfc5eafa32fc6acc71dd9b71693f64eac94
3MB 1995-08-23[75] Cartridge (US)
Sega Mega Drive
CRC32 af235fdf
MD5 fa52bcb320299c6b51c7f47caa303da8
SHA-1 b8e93ea8b42c688a218b83797e4a18eda659f3e0
3MB 1995-08-31[76] Cartridge (EU)
Sega Mega Drive
CRC32 f92a931d
MD5 eca477883ccd352442e85989051183f2
SHA-1 f2f1b0c79c972e83b9ec67cbb41007434c02aad9
3MB 1995-08-24 Cartridge Page
Sega Saturn
 ?
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
397,024,656 CD-ROM (EU) T-7019H-50 V1.004
Sega Saturn
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
396,979,968 1996-08-29 CD-ROM (JP) T-10304G V1.001
Sega Saturn
 ?
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
396,958,800 1996-03-18[77] CD-ROM (US) T-13203H V1.000
Sega Saturn
 ?
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
1995-12-29 CD-R Page
Sega Saturn
 ?
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
1996-01-05 CD-R Page

Track list

Saturn version

1. Data track  
2. Tangerine (2:02) 
Composed by: Tommy Tallarico
3. Granny Bag (2:07) 
Composed by: Tommy Tallarico
4. Italian Medley (1:53) 
Composed by: Tommy Tallarico
5. Dad's Tune (1:21) 
Composed by: Tommy Tallarico
6. Moonlight Sonata - 1st Movement (5:37) 
Composed by: Beethoven
7. Moonlight Sonata - 3rd Movement (6:19) 
Composed by: Beethoven
8. The Moo Tango (1:48) 
Composed by: Tommy Tallarico
9. The Big Top Polka (2:53) 
Composed by: Tommy Tallarico
10. Tropical Paradise (2:28) 
Composed by: Tommy Tallarico
11. Subterranean (5:40) 
Composed by: Tommy Tallarico
12. Dixieland Finale (0:45) 
Composed by: Tommy Tallarico
13. Continue To Rock (0:39) 
Composed by: Tommy Tallarico
14. Doobeedowapbop (1:08) 
Composed by: Tommy Tallarico
Running time: 34:40

External links

  • Sega of Japan Virtual Console pages: Mega Drive
  • Nintendo catalogue pages: US, UK, AU

References

  1. File:EWJ2 Saturn JP Box Back.jpg
  2. 2.0 2.1 https://sega.jp/fb/segahard/ss/soft_licensee2.html (Wayback Machine: 2019-10-02 10:31)
  3. Press release: 1995-11-13: GET READY FOR EARTHWORM WEDNESDAY
  4. 4.0 4.1 GamePro, "November 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 76
  5. 5.0 5.1 Computer & Video Games, "December 1995" (UK; 1995-11-10), page 24
  6. 6.0 6.1 Sega Saturn Magazine, "December 1995" (UK; 1995-11-24), page 89
  7. Sega Saturn Magazine, "1996-13 (1996-08-09)" (JP; 1996-07-26), page 115
  8. http://www.sega-saturn.com/saturn/other/may-n.htm (Wayback Machine: 1997-06-06 05:51)
  9. 9.0 9.1 VideoGames, "May 1996" (US; 1996-04-23), page 62
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 Mean Machines Sega, "December 1996" (UK; 1996-11-01), page 71
  11. 11.0 11.1 http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/4QzXcIiZDK3NFIfyB33IWCuS5aD7vqVL (Wayback Machine: 2010-11-22 22:47)
  12. 12.0 12.1 http://www.nintendolife.com:80/games/megadrive/earthworm_jim_2 (Wayback Machine: 2017-08-27 18:14)
  13. https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Virtual-Console-Wii-/Earthworm-Jim-2--277061.html (archive.today)
  14. http://www.nintendo.com.au/index.php?action=catalogue&prodcat_id=41&prod_id=20029&pageID=4 (Wayback Machine: 2012-03-28 00:44)
  15. https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/software/11.html (Wayback Machine: 2018-03-06 22:05)
  16. http://vc.sega.jp:80/vc_ewj2/ (Wayback Machine: 2009-09-06 21:45)
  17. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 67
  18. CD Consoles, "Novembre 1995" (FR; 1995-xx-xx), page 108
  19. Consoles +, "Novembre 1995" (FR; 1995-1x-xx), page 120
  20. Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 71
  21. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "November 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 42
  22. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 309
  23. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2, "" (RU; 2000-xx-xx), page 123
  24. Fusion, "Volume 1, Number 4: November 1995" (US; 1995-1x-xx), page 116
  25. GameFan, "Volume 3, Issue 11: November 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 22
  26. Game Players, "Vol. 8 No. 12 December 1995" (US; 1995-1x-xx), page 58
  27. GamePro, "December 1995" (UK; 1995-10-28), page 20
  28. GamesMaster (UK) "Series 5, episode 9" (1995-11-16, 24:00) (+14:17)
  29. Game Informer, "November 1995" (US; 1995-1x-xx), page 20
  30. Hobby Consolas, "Noviembre 1995" (ES; 1995-xx-xx), page 72
  31. Joypad, "Novembre 1995" (FR; 1995-11-03), page 58
  32. LeveL, "Březen 1996" (CZ; 1996-03-06), page 21
  33. MAN!AC, "12/95" (DE; 1995-11-08), page 80
  34. Mega Fun, "12/95" (DE; 1995-11-21), page 36
  35. Mean Machines Sega, "Earthworm Jim 2 Exclusive Review Booklet" (UK; 1995-10-30), page 2
  36. Next Generation, "December 1995" (US; 1995-11-21), page 1999
  37. Player One, "Novembre 1995" (FR; 1995-1x-xx), page 94
  38. Sega Magazin, "Dezember 1995" (DE; 1995-11-15), page 18
  39. Sega Power, "January 1996" (UK; 1995-11-16), page 32
  40. Sega Pro, "January 1996" (UK; 1995-11-30), page 36
  41. Todo Sega, "Noviembre 1995" (ES; 1995-1x-xx), page 42
  42. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 13
  43. Ultimate Gamer, "November 1995" (US; 1995-1x-xx), page 92
  44. Última Generación, "Octubre 1995" (ES; 1995-xx-xx), page 102
  45. VideoGames, "December 1995" (US; 1995-11-21), page 92
  46. CD Consoles, "Janvier 1997" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 126
  47. Consoles +, "Janvier 1997" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 114
  48. Famitsu, "1996-11-08,15" (JP; 1996-10-25), page 1
  49. Fun Generation, "08/96" (DE; 1996-07-10), page 78
  50. GameFan, "Volume 4, Issue 3: March 1996" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 12
  51. GameFan, "Volume 4, Issue 7: July 1996" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 12
  52. Game Players, "Vol. 9 No. 5 May 1996" (US; 1996-04-xx), page 66
  53. GamePro, "May 1996" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 64
  54. GamesMaster, "October 1996" (UK; 1996-08-29), page 44
  55. Game Informer, "April 1996" (US; 1996-0x-xx), page 42
  56. Hacker, "02/1996" (HR; 1996-xx-xx), page 30
  57. Hacker, "07-08/1996" (HR; 1996-xx-xx), page 28
  58. Intelligent Gamer's Fusion, "Volume 2, Number 8: May 1996" (US; 1996-0x-xx), page 83
  59. Joypad, "Juillet/Août 1996" (FR; 1996-0x-xx), page 64
  60. MAN!AC, "07/96" (DE; 1996-06-12), page 62
  61. Mega Fun, "07/96" (DE; 1996-06-19), page 40
  62. Next Generation, "June 1996" (US; 1996-05-21), page 119
  63. neXt Level, "Juli 1996" (DE; 1996-06-12), page 68
  64. Player One, "Janvier 1997" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 100
  65. Saturn Fan, "1996 No. 17" (JP; 1996-08-02), page 189
  66. Saturn Fan, "1996 No. 26" (JP; 1996-12-13), page 70
  67. Secret Service, "Marzec 1997" (PL; 1997-xx-xx), page 66
  68. Sega Power, "Collectors' Issue 1996" (UK; 1996-07-xx), page 50
  69. Sega Saturn Magazine, "November 1996" (UK; 1996-10-17), page 72
  70. Sega Saturn Magazine, "1996-15 (1996-09-13)" (JP; 1996-08-23), page 242
  71. Sega Saturn Magazine, "Readers rating final data" (JP; 2000-03), page 13
  72. Total Saturn, "Volume One Issue Three" (UK; 1996-11-29), page 54
  73. Total Saturn, "Volume One Issue Four" (UK; 1996-12-29), page 24
  74. Video Games, "8/96" (DE; 1996-07-31), page 112
  75. File:EarthwormJim2 MD US CheatMenu.png
  76. File:EarthwormJim2 MD EU CheatMenu.png
  77. File:EarthwormJim2 Saturn US CheatMenu.png


Earthworm Jim 2

EarthwormJim2 MD US TitleScreen.png

Main page | Comparisons | Maps | Hidden content | Development | Magazine articles | Video coverage | Reception | Promotional material | Region coding | Technical information | Bootlegs


Sega Mega Drive
Prototypes: 1995-08-24

Sega Saturn
Prototypes: 1995-12-29 | 1996-01-05



Earthworm Jim games for Sega systems
Sega Mega Drive
Earthworm Jim (1994) | Earthworm Jim 2 (1995)
Sega Mega-CD
Earthworm Jim: Special Edition (1995)
Sega Game Gear
Earthworm Jim (1995)
Sega Master System
Earthworm Jim (1997)
Sega Saturn
Earthworm Jim 2 (1996)
Earthworm Jim-related media
Book
Biblioteka zhurnala Tricks. Earthworm Jim I,II (?)