New intellectual properties (IP) are hard to get off the ground, this has been true for most of human consumer history.  What do you do when you have a hit though and there are multiple platforms to available?  You make a special edition that features extras not in other versions.  “Director’s Cut” is well known to movie goers while gamers are used to seeing “Special Edition” or “Collector’s Edition”.  That is exactly what we have with the latest game to celebrate its 20^th anniversary, Earthworm Jim Special Edition for Sega CD. 

For those that don’t know Earthworm Jim

For those that do not know Earthworm Jim, it is a 2D side scrolling action adventure title created by Shiny Entertainment.  David Perry who was instrumental in the creation of Aladdin for the Sega Genesis just happened to be the head of Shiny Entertainment.  The man knows his stuff.  Earthworm Jim took off with gamers partly due to marketing (see video below).

Earning Special Edition status

This game features some additions that were not featured in the cartridge versions.  Some of the graphics are improved with most of the levels have some slight editing to make them longer or more interesting.  The music, of course, is much improved over the cartridge versions also.  Then there is that whole new level…

Familiar tricks of the trade

Earthworm Jim Special Edition for the Sega CD is similar to Mickey Mania on the Sega CD.  This version features an exclusive, original, level not present in the cartridge editions.  “Big Bruty”, tasks you with avoiding a huge red looking four legged creature that has extremely poor eyesight with Big Bruty only takes action when he smells you.  That means you have to get in close, too close for comfort, to get him to chase you.  Why do you want Big Bruty to chase you?  Big Bruty is a compuer controlled player #2, which just happens to want to eat you and is needed to complete the level.  Big Bruty’s level is a co-operative level with a pissed off creature.  How is that for a unique, exclusive, level?

Catching up with Earthworm Jim

Earthworm Jim Special Edition was the last real action/adventure game in the series.  The following release on newer consoles were less than stellar and most gamers avoided them, rightfully so.  There were HD remakes eventually released on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade that are worth playing though.  Just stay away from the 3D attempts.

The humanoid worm is currently slated to make an appearance on the Intellivision Amico platform.

Earthworm Jim Special Edition is only available on Sega CD and Windows 95.

Earthworm Jim (regular edition) is available on many platforms:
Nintendo Game Boy (very different) (eBay/Amazon)
Nintendo Game Boy Advance (flogged by gamers) (eBay/Amazon)
PlayStation Network (HD Remake)
Sega Game Gear (Color version of Game Boy release) (eBay/Amazon)
Sega Genesis cartridge (also on DS/3DS Virtual Console) (eBay/Amazon)
Sega Master System (Brazil only release) (eBay/Amazon)
Super Nintendo cartridge (also on Wii/Wii U Virtual Console) (eBay/Amazon)
Xbox Live Arcade (HD Remake)

Carl Williams

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