Earthworm Jim: Special Edition features all the content from the Mega Drive version of Earthworm Jim, but includes an extra level, "Big Bruty". Other levels have been expanded, and there are now three different (fully voiced) endings depending on the difficulty chosen. Other additions include a new homing missile weapon, a password system, new cheat codes and some new animations in the introduction and endings of the game.
Being a Mega-CD game, Special Edition features an enhanced CD audio soundtrack, and features more voice clips (all of which are clearer then their Mega Drive counterparts). On the other hand, CD loading times are introduced between stages.
Items
Plasma Power
Adds 250 rounds of plasma power to the pistol.
Mega Plasma
Adds 1 extremely powerful shot to the pistol (up to 9 at once) that will instantly wipe out any regular enemy in one shot.
Homing Shells
Tracks down the nearest enemy and destroys it with the power of a Mega Plasma shot. Each Homing Shell collected increases Jim's stock by 3.
Suit Power
Recharges a small percentage of the suit's energy.
Super Suit Power
Recharges a huge percentage of the suit's energy.
Extra Life
Awards an extra life.
Asteroid Shield
Appears only in Andy Asteroids. These can be activated with to temporarily protect Jim from asteroids.
Atomic Accelerator
Appears only in Andy Asteroids. Instantaneously gives Jim's rocket a burst of speed.
Fuel Pod
Appears only in Andy Asteroids. Collect 50 of these to earn a continue.
Extra level
Big Bruty
Named after Nick Bruty, one of the artists, Big Bruty is a level exclusive to the Mega-CD version of the game, and is played immediately after What the Heck. In this level, the player needs to avoid giant bees while luring the planet's mascot around - they need to get close enough to him for him to pick up Jim's scent and chase him, knocking away obstacles impeding Jim's progress. Getting too close to him (or trying to jump over him) will make him quickly snap his jaws around Jim, eating him whole.
Production credits
Program: Andy Astor
Additional Programming: David Perry, Nicholas Jones
Original Concept: Douglas Tennapel
Directing Animator: Mike Dietz
Animators: Douglas Tennapel, Edward Schofield
Art Director: Nick Bruty
Lead Artist: Steve Crow
Level Designer: Tom Tanaka
Ink and Paint: Eric Ciccone, Mike Pilotti
Clean Up: Clark Sorenson, Ryan Silva, Nicky Wilson
Assistant Artist: Lin Shen
Designed by: Many, Many Shiny Meetings
Produced by: Justin Siller
Music & Sound FX: Tommy Tallarico Studios, Inc.
Development Tools by: Andy Astor, Dan Chang, Psy-Q
Director of QA: Jeremy S. Barnes, 'Morpheus Blackstaff'
Console Technician: Brian 'Mac' McInerny
Lead Testers: Yuki Furumi, Dave 'The Pinky' Simon
Testers: Steve Rizor, Larry Smith, Chris Parker, Shane Cleavelin, Jeff Barnhart, Darren Monahan
Special Thanks: Brian Fargo, Becky Tran, Michael Koelsch, Rick Thrasher, Tex Avery, Shiny Spouses