Editing Earthworm Jim (video game) (section)

==Development==
[[Playmates Toys]], finding success with the license for [[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]], wanted to start their own franchise.<ref name="hardcoregaming101.net"/> Inspired by the success of the ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' series with its [[Sonic the Hedgehog (1991 video game)|first]] and [[Sonic the Hedgehog 2|second]] installments, they decided that they wanted to start the franchise as a video game, a rare approach at the time.<ref name="hardcoregaming101.net"/> From there, the game's design actually started with [[Doug TenNapel|Douglas TenNapel]]'s simple sketch of an earthworm that he presented to [[Shiny Entertainment]].<ref name="killscreendaily.com">{{cite web|url=http://killscreendaily.com/articles/laughing-stock-doug-tennapel|title=Laughing Stock: Doug TenNapel|work=Kill Screen|access-date=4 October 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622081730/http://killscreendaily.com/articles/laughing-stock-doug-tennapel/|archive-date=22 June 2013}}</ref> Impressed, programmer [[David Perry (game developer)|David Perry]] and the rest of Shiny bought the rights to Earthworm Jim from TenNapel and started developing the game.<ref name="killscreendaily.com"/> From there, TenNapel would work on doing the game design, making level ideas, and voicing Jim's character, while Perry and the other programmers created additional characters and game mechanics.<ref name="killscreendaily.com"/> Perry recounted that the giant hamster "was drawn by one of our guys at three o'clock one morning".<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Game Makers: The Producers|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=73|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=August 1995|pages=20–24}}</ref>

The game was developed simultaneously for the Genesis and Super NES using a "custom heterogeneous programming language" created by Shiny Entertainment. Almost all levels were first programmed by Dave Perry on the Genesis and then converted to the Super NES by Nick Jones. "For Pete's Sake" was coded simultaneously on both platforms by Andy Astor, and "Andy Asteroids" and "Snot a Problem" were originally programmed on the Super NES by Nick Jones and then converted to the Genesis.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Earthworm Jim supplement|journal=Super Gamer|issue=8|publisher=[[Paragon Publishing]]|date=November 1994|pages=11}}</ref>

The game's unique atmosphere, world, and characters were because the company had previously always been restricted to doing licensed games, like [[7up]]'s ''[[Cool Spot]]'', where they had to conform to the other company's preset limitations.<ref name="killscreendaily.com"/> In that respect, the game was actually created as a satire of platform video games at the time. For instance, "Princess What's-Her-Name" was a parody of how numerous video games had throw-away female characters that needed to be saved.<ref name="killscreendaily.com"/>

===Release===
The original version was released for the [[Sega Genesis|Genesis]] in October 1994.<ref name="NARelease"/><ref name="hardcoregaming101.net"/> A version for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]] was released shortly after the original and is largely the same as the Genesis version. The Super NES version has altered graphics, with different backgrounds and special effects, but lacked some sound effects and one of the levels from the Genesis version (titled "Intestinal Distress").<ref name="hardcoregaming101.net"/> The stated reason for the Genesis version having the extra level was that the "Genesis version was more easily compressed and had the room for the bonus level".<ref name="hardcoregaming101.net"/> Subsequently, [[Nick Bruty]] stated in an interview that Sega asked Shiny Entertainment to add a level exclusively to the Sega version in exchange for reduced cartridge cost. Nick states that they designed the level overnight, and completed coding and testing the level in a single day (the day the game was sent to be printed to the consoles).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.theretrohour.com/earthworm-jim-aladdin-and-mdk-with-nick-bruty-the-retro-hour-ep58/ |title=Earthworm Jim, Aladdin and MDK with Nick Bruty – The Retro Hour EP58 |date=February 17, 2017 |access-date=2017-05-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218004342/http://www.theretrohour.com/earthworm-jim-aladdin-and-mdk-with-nick-bruty-the-retro-hour-ep58/ |archive-date=2017-02-18 |url-status=live}}</ref> The game was released in Japan physically only on Super Famicom on June 23, 1995, published by [[Takara]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG2CdHeAqDk | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/cG2CdHeAqDk| archive-date=2021-12-11 | url-status=live|title=Japanese TV Commercials [3738] Earthworm Jim アースワーム・ジム| website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> while the Japanese Mega Drive version was available exclusively via the [[Sega Channel]] service on December 1, 1995.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://vc.sega.jp/vc_ewj/ |title=Sega of Japan Virtual Console page (Japanese) |access-date=2016-01-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124032321/http://vc.sega.jp/vc_ewj/ |archive-date=2015-11-24 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The game's Genesis release was promoted with a [[television commercial]] in which an elderly woman tells a [[bedtime story]] about Earthworm Jim while eating live earthworms (actually plastic props). The networks airing the commercial received so many complaints from nauseated viewers that the commercial was pulled in some markets, including stations in [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]], [[Spokane]], and [[Sacramento]].<ref>{{cite magazine|date=January 1995|title=Earthworm Jim Commercial Becoming a Real Mouthful|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|publisher=Sendai Publishing|issue=66|page=64}}</ref>

The game's Special Edition was released for the Sega Genesis add-on, the [[Sega CD]]. It was based on the Genesis version, contained all of its levels, plus some extended sections and a single completely new level, titled "Big Bruty", a new remixed [[Compact Disc Digital Audio|Red Book]] CD audio soundtrack, as well as around 1,000 more frames of in-game animation.<ref name="hardcoregaming101.net"/> These versions were also the only ones to contain alternate endings when winning on the "Easy" or "Difficult" modes, in which a narrator (Doug TenNapel) rambles on about many (false) facts on worms or congratulates the player in a similar absurd manner respectively. The Special Edition was later ported to [[Windows 95]] by [[Activision]].<ref name="hardcoregaming101.net"/>

Another special edition of the game was released exclusively through the [[Sega Channel]] for a contest dubbed ''The Great Earthworm Jim Race''. This version included a secret room which, when reached by the first 200 players, would display a password and a [[toll-free telephone number]]. Those who called the number were awarded prizes.<ref name="Races. Pg.28">''Sega Channel is Off to the Races''. [[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]. Issue 69. Pg.28. April 1995.</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Earthworm Jim Winner Crowned|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=70 |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=May 1995|pages=139–140}}</ref>

[[Eurocom]] ported a compressed and scaled down version for the [[Game Boy]]. It was hindered by the lack of color, lack of graphical detail due to both processor and small screen size, choppy animations, and a lack of buttons, which made it hard to control.<ref name="hardcoregaming101.net"/> This version was also ported to the [[Game Gear]], which included color graphics, but still suffered from all of the other problems of the Game Boy version.<ref name="hardcoregaming101.net"/> A direct port of the Game Gear version was also brought to the [[Master System]], but only in Brazil.<ref name="hardcoregaming101.net"/> However, it only has 4 levels, and the boss in "What the Heck?" is missing.

A conversion of the game was also being developed by German studio Softgold and planned to be published by [[Atari Corporation]] for both the [[Atari Jaguar]] and the [[Atari Jaguar CD]], but it was never finished due to the departure of Normen B. Kowalewski from Atari, who was the lead developer of the port, sometime between or at the end of 1995. The alpha prototype, which consisted of basic character animations, and the source code of the conversion are currently lost.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Quartermann|url=https://archive.org/stream/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_65#page/n59/mode/1up|title=Gaming Gossip|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=65|publisher=EGM Media, LLC|date=December 1994|page=56}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=bmx|url=http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235352-earthworm-jim-on-jaguarquestion-was-asked-answer-was-given/#entry3196194|title=Earthworm Jim on Jaguar:question was asked, answer was given :-)|website=[[AtariAge]]|date=March 12, 2015|access-date=2018-09-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150517060013/http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235352-earthworm-jim-on-jaguarquestion-was-asked-answer-was-given/#entry3196194|archive-date=2015-05-17|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Baranski|first=Björn|url=http://ejagfest.de/interview-earthworm-jim-was-planned-for-the-atari-jaguar/?lang=en|title=Interview: Earthworm Jim was planned for the Atari Jaguar|publisher=ejagfest.de|date=November 3, 2015|access-date=2018-06-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142830/http://ejagfest.de/interview-earthworm-jim-was-planned-for-the-atari-jaguar/?lang=en|archive-date=2018-06-12|url-status=live}}</ref>

The game also had an MS-DOS port released in a package titled ''[[Earthworm Jim 1 & 2: The Whole Can 'O Worms]]'' (along with the MS-DOS port of ''[[Earthworm Jim 2]]'') with redrawn graphics and missing the level "Intestinal Distress". The game was ported by [[Rainbow Arts]].

In 2001, Game Titan ported the [[Super NES]] version to the [[Game Boy Advance]]. Despite the extra power of the Game Boy Advance, this version still ran very poorly, with bad animation, and missing details, and was widely criticized.<ref name="hardcoregaming101.net"/>

The game was re-released digitally on some platforms in the late 2000s as well. The original Genesis version was released through [[Wii]]'s [[Virtual Console]] service in Europe on October 3, 2008,<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 3, 2008|title=Now on Virtual Console|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/News/2008/Now-on-Virtual-Console-250715.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201206163021/https://www.nintendo.co.uk/News/2008/Now-on-Virtual-Console-250715.html|archive-date=December 6, 2020|access-date=August 26, 2009|publisher=[[Nintendo of Europe]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Purchese|first=Robert|date=October 3, 2008|title=Earthworm Jim on Virtual Console|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/earthworm-jim-on-virtual-console|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110828050302/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/earthworm-jim-on-virtual-console|archive-date=August 28, 2011|access-date=December 6, 2020|website=[[Eurogamer]]}}</ref> in North America on October 27, 2008<ref name="VC NA">{{cite news|title=Two WiiWare Games and One Virtual Console Game Added to Wii Shop Channel|url=https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/oT8dyUiAQmpN9sL4wlTj346dEWnyry8F|date=2008-10-27|access-date=2008-10-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031194948/http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/oT8dyUiAQmpN9sL4wlTj346dEWnyry8F|archive-date=2008-10-31|url-status=live}}</ref> and in Japan on December 16, 2008. The Genesis version was also re-released on the [[Nintendo Classics]] service on September 15, 2022. The MS-DOS version was re-released through DOSbox emulation on GOG.com on October 7, 2008, and on Steam on November 4, 2009.

''Earthworm Jim'' is included in the ''[[Sega Genesis Mini]]'' console.

===High-definition remake===
{{main|Earthworm Jim HD}}

In 2009, [[Gameloft]] released digitally an updated remake of the game on a number of mobile/handheld platforms. The remake was made entirely from scratch, without using the original game's code, and featured overhauled and smoothed graphics, a remixed soundtrack, a re-recorded voice of Jim, and touchscreen controls. Completely new, computer-themed levels were added. However, some previous features were lost. While the extended version of the "New Junk City" level from the "Special Edition" is included, "Big Bruty" ("Special Edition" new level) and "Who Turned Out the Lights?" (secret level from the original release) are not present.<ref name="wireless.ign.com">{{cite web|url=http://wireless.ign.com/articles/103/1037313p1.html|title=Earthworm Jim Review|work=IGN|access-date=4 October 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120102084417/http://wireless.ign.com/articles/103/1037313p1.html|archive-date=2 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=IGN: Earthworm Jim HD|url=http://uk.ps3.ign.com/objects/026/026621.html|website=IGN|access-date=7 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100423001902/http://uk.ps3.ign.com/objects/026/026621.html|archive-date=2010-04-23|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was later released as a download for the [[Nintendo DSi]] as [[DSiWare]], which is also downloadable on the [[Nintendo 3DS]] system.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Nintendo :: Official Website :: What DSiWare games can't be transferred to the Nintendo 3DS? |url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/3ds/en_na/gi_index.jsp?menu=applications%20and%20features&submenu=ctr-gi-apps-dsiware-wont-transfer |publisher=[[Nintendo]].com |access-date=2011-08-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130209001731/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/3ds/en_na/gi_index.jsp?menu=applications%20and%20features&submenu=ctr-gi-apps-dsiware-wont-transfer |archive-date=2013-02-09 |url-status=live }}</ref> The only new addition for the DSiWare version was an extra minigame that involved the player using the system's camera on their own face, in order to mimic the same faces Jim would make on-screen.{{Citation needed|date=January 2012}} The Gameloft remake was also later released digitally on Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network as "Earthworm Jim HD".<ref name="xboxlive.ign.com">{{cite web|url=http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/109/1095982p1.html|title=Earthworm Jim HD Review|work=IGN|access-date=4 October 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817192647/http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/109/1095982p1.html|archive-date=17 August 2012}}</ref><ref name="gamespot.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/earthworm-jim-hd/reviews/earthworm-jim-hd-review-6267072/|title=Earthworm Jim HD Review|work=GameSpot|access-date=4 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922020615/http://www.gamespot.com/earthworm-jim-hd/reviews/earthworm-jim-hd-review-6267072/|archive-date=2013-09-22|url-status=live}}</ref> It featured a [[comic book]]-like introduction, three new computer-themed bonus levels, and a 4-player multiplayer mode with special levels based on already existing ones.