Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Earthworm Jim: Special Edition revitalizes the manic platforming action of the original with a host of new features that keep longtime fans engaged while welcoming new players. Levels have been expanded and redesigned, offering more room to explore hidden pathways and uncover secret areas. The inclusion of additional weapons—such as Jim’s plasma blaster and homing missiles—adds strategic depth and variety to each stage, ensuring that no two encounters feel the same.

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The Special Edition introduces exclusive content like the Big Bruty level, a massive, multi-tiered challenge that pushes your reflexes and curiosity to the limit. With extra enemies and environmental hazards peppered throughout the revamped landscapes, you’ll find yourself constantly adjusting tactics—should you rush in guns blazing or sneak around to pick off foes one by one? Alternate endings tied to “Practice” and “Difficult” modes further reward players willing to up the ante.

On mobile platforms, the gameplay has been thoughtfully adapted to touch controls. The iPhone edition features a virtual control pad and automatic aiming, smoothing out the experience for on-the-go sessions. Lives have been dialed up to ten, which, combined with simplified aiming, results in a more forgiving run. The DSi version goes a step further with face-tracking bonus challenges, blending creative use of hardware with the series’ trademark humor.

Graphics

The enhanced animations in Special Edition are immediately noticeable—Jim’s exaggerated movements, his writhing form when unarmored, and the ludicrous bounces of enemies all feel more polished and expressive. Reworked sprites bring new life to the game’s bizarre cast, from snarling aliens to hapless henchmen. The result is a vibrant, cartoonish world that retains its 90s charm while looking sharper than ever.

The SEGA CD and Windows versions take full advantage of CD audio power, pairing high-quality music tracks with crisp sound effects that punctuate each jump, gunshot, and boss roar. While the core visual style remains faithful to the original, subtle touches—like more detailed backgrounds and smoother transitions—underscore the Special Edition’s status as an enhancement rather than a mere port.

On handhelds, resolution constraints are handled gracefully. The iPhone’s Retina display makes every color pop, and the DSi’s LCD brings out fine details in Jim’s armor and the cluttered stage backdrops. Though small screen sizes naturally limit field of view, clever zooming and sprite scaling ensure that the frenetic action is never lost or muddied.

Story

Earthworm Jim’s narrative is as delightfully absurd as ever: you play a humble earthworm who, upon discovering a high-tech super suit, transforms into a galaxy-hopping hero. Special Edition doesn’t tamper with the core plot, preserving the surreal humor and one-liners that have become iconic. Jim’s quips—delivered in his newly re-recorded voice—still land with perfect comedic timing.

The additional endings for differing difficulty settings add a layer of meta-humor, poking fun at gaming conventions. Whether you breeze through on “Practice” or master every heart-pounding moment on “Difficult,” you’re rewarded with a unique wrap-up sequence. These playful variations give fans extra motivation to revisit the game and experience the story through multiple lenses.

Minor tweaks to level layouts don’t disrupt the narrative flow but instead introduce fresh set pieces that enrich Jim’s ridiculous journey. From escaping sentient toilets to battling a giant spider priest, each stage feels like a wacky chapter in a psychedelic cartoon. Special Edition strikes a perfect balance between honoring its roots and offering new surprises.

Overall Experience

Earthworm Jim: Special Edition is a triumphant example of how to modernize a classic without losing its soul. Enhanced audio, expanded levels, and fresh content make it the definitive version for longtime fans, while intuitive touch controls and adjusted difficulty on mobile platforms lower the barrier for newcomers. Whether you’re on a console, PC, or handheld device, the game delivers tight platforming and nonstop laughs.

Replay value is off the charts thanks to hidden secrets, alternate endings, and the challenging Big Bruty level. The technological upgrades—CD audio soundtrack, refined animations, and high-resolution displays—complement the core gameplay, resulting in an experience that feels both nostalgic and new. The quirky story and offbeat humor remain as effective today as they were at release.

In sum, Earthworm Jim: Special Edition offers a robust, polished package that stands the test of time. Its balance of frantic action, creative level design, and irreverent comedy ensures that this wiggly hero’s comeback is every bit as memorable as the original outing. For anyone seeking a top-tier platformer with personality to spare, Jim’s back—and he’s better than ever.

Retro Replay Score

8.2/10