Earthworm Jim 3D
North American N64 box art
Developer(s)VIS Interactive
Publisher(s)Nintendo 64
Windows
Director(s)Kirk Ewing
Artist(s)Paul Munro
Composer(s)Ged Grimes
SeriesEarthworm Jim
Platform(s)Nintendo 64
Windows
ReleaseNintendo 64
  • NA: November 4, 1999[1]
  • EU: December 17, 1999
Windows
  • EU: 1999
  • NA: May 24, 2000
Genre(s)Platform
Mode(s)Single-player

Earthworm Jim 3D is a platform video game developed by VIS Interactive and published by Interplay Entertainment for the Nintendo 64. It is the third in the Earthworm Jim series and a sequel to Earthworm Jim 2. It was the first game in the series to not be developed by Shiny Entertainment, which had recently instituted a strict "no sequels" policy. Interplay Entertainment, having recently purchased the Earthworm Jim rights, handed the franchise off to VIS Interactive. The game suffered a difficult, prolonged development cycle and was repeatedly delayed until it was released in 1999 for the Nintendo 64, with Rockstar Games publishing the N64 version in North America. It was ported to Microsoft Windows. The game was not received well, with critics claiming that the charm of the originals was lost, and that despite the long development period, the game still felt sloppy and lacked previously promoted features.

Gameplay

Earthworm Jim 3D borrows much of its gameplay from other platformers of the era, competing with Banjo-Kazooie and Donkey Kong 64.[2] New locations in Jim's brain are opened up by collecting Golden Udders, and new levels in each location are opened by collecting Jim's marbles. Like previous Earthworm Jim games, Jim's primary method of combat comes from shooting his blaster.

Plot

Earthworm Jim is hit by a flying cow that sends him into a coma. Jim awakens within his own subconscious and discovers he has gone insane. His past villains have entered his subconscious and if something doesn't happen soon, Jim will be in the coma forever. His super ego has been unleashed within his subconscious to stop the madness. To restore his sanity he must find the Golden Udders of lucidity.[3] When Jim enters his subconscious, he finds out that his four mind chambers have been taken over by his worst fears. He must collect Golden Udders to unlock the other three chambers and Green Marbles to unlock the levels within the chamber. Jim defeats four villains who took over his mind chambers, and finally faces the personification of his trauma: Earthworm Kim.

Development

Shortly after the release of Earthworm Jim 2, its original developer, Shiny Entertainment was bought by Interplay Entertainment, and then put onto other projects.[2] Because Shiny had recently introduced a strict "no sequels" policy, the franchise was given to VIS Entertainment.[4] It was decided that, much like many platform game series at the time, such as Super Mario or Sonic the Hedgehog, that gameplay would transition from 2D to 3D.[2] Development started shortly after Earthworm Jim 2 in 1996. The game had a drawn-out development cycle, so much so that it was at times believed it would become vaporware.[3] The game was initially being developed for the PlayStation, but this version was scrapped early in 1997 in favor of the Nintendo 64 platform.[5]

Problems arose from the extended development cycle. Much content from previews and promotional material was no longer in the final game; most notably that the game's final packaging showed Evil the Cat as the boss of the "Fear" level, whereas Professor Monkey-for-a-Head was actually the boss of the level.[2] Many locations displayed in early versions of the game are nowhere to be found in the released copy (such as a level set in a house, where Jim is ant-sized). Additionally, Evil Jim, Earthworm Jim's evil twin from the cartoon series, was reportedly a part of the game. Early screenshots and footage also display Jim riding his Pocket Rocket, with a fuel meter, in races and other missions, as well as snowboarding. Additionally, the game was loosely based on the Earthworm Jim animated series which by the time of release, had been off the air for more than three years, thus hurting the game's promotional tie-ins.

At the time, original series designer David Perry had sold the rights to the franchise. The characters had to be redesigned for the shift from side-scrolling 2D to free-roaming 3D.[6] Perry and original series creator Doug TenNapel met with VIS to discuss the game early in its development.[4] Both expressed that they hated what was done with Earthworm Jim 3D, but legally could not prevent anything from happening.[7] TenNapel said he felt the series was "ruined" by the game.[8][9]

Problems with the frame rate and animation were still arising in the game as development was over 70% complete.[10]

Reception

Earthworm Jim 3D received mixed reviews on both platforms according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[11][12]

The game was not considered either a critical or commercial success.[6] Many reviews called the game uninspired, mediocre, and unable to compete with many other similar, higher reviewed platform games at the time, such as Super Mario 64, Rayman 2, or Banjo-Kazooie.[2][3][22] A major complaint was the game's camera, with GameSpot's Nintendo 64 version review stating that they felt the camera was on a "kamikaze mission to destroy the game".[21] GameSpot's review of the Windows version was even more negative, concluding with "Earthworm Jim 3D has something to discourage all types of people from playing it. Fans of the series will be disappointed by the lackluster translation of the characters into three dimensions. Everyone else will be frustrated by the horrible camera."[22] IGN was slightly more forgiving for the Nintendo 64 version, praising sound, graphics, and presentation, but still criticizing the camera and lasting appeal.[3] Jeff Lundrigan of NextGen said that the music of the same console version was "annoying".[27]

In one review, Boba Fatt of GamePro called the Nintendo 64 version "a disappointing experience that's more enraging than fun. Avoid this washout at all costs."[30][lower-alpha 3] In another review, iBot said, "Earthworm Jim's crazy antics have made it to N64, but it appears that the system wasn't ready for him. As 3D platformers go, Earthworm Jim 3D is middle of the road, which is frustrating because he's a character that's a lot of fun."[31][lower-alpha 4]

The PC version was nominated for the "Worst Game of the Year" award at GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2000 Awards, which went to Blaze and Blade: Eternal Quest.[32]

Notes

  1. ↑ In Electronic Gaming Monthly's review of the Nintendo 64 version, one critic gave it 3/10, two others gave it each a score of 5.5/10, and another gave it 6/10.
  2. ↑ In GameFan's viewpoint of the Nintendo 64 version, three critics gave it each a score of 64, 66, and 54.
  3. ↑ GamePro gave the Nintendo 64 version 3/5 for graphics, 3.5/5 for sound, 1/5 for control, and 2.5/5 for fun factor in one review.
  4. ↑ GamePro gave the Nintendo 64 version two 3.5/5 scores for graphics and sound, 2/5 for control, and 3/5 for fun factor in another review.

References

  1. ↑ Kennedy, Sam (November 4, 1999). "N64 Earthworm Jim 3D Ships [date mislabeled as "April 27, 2000"]". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on March 3, 2000. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Kalarta, Kurt (November 8, 2008). "Earthworm Jim 3D". Hardcore Gaming 101. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Casamassina, Matt (October 25, 1999). "Earthworm Jim 3D (N64)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  4. 1 2 "Press Start: Earthworm Jim Forever" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 97. Ziff Davis. August 1997. p. 24. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  5. ↑ "In Development: Earthworm Jim 64". Next Generation. No. 29. Imagine Media. May 1997. p. 55. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  6. 1 2 Murdey, Chase (June 6, 2006). "Digging For Worms: Why Doug Tennapel Doesn't Care What His Fans Think". Game Developer. Informa. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  7. ↑ Horowitz, Ken (June 10, 2005). "Interview: David Perry". Sega-16. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  8. ↑ Cassels, Patrick (September 8, 2011). "Laughing Stock: Doug TenNapel". Kill Screen. Archived from the original on June 22, 2013. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  9. ↑ Mulrooney, Marty (April 9, 2010). "INTERVIEW – In Conversation With Doug TenNapel (Graphic Novelist)". Alternative Magazine Online. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  10. ↑ IGN staff (November 2, 1998). "Unearthing Jim". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  11. 1 2 "Earthwrom Jim 3D for Nintendo 64". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 4, 2019. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  12. 1 2 "Earthworm Jim 3D for PC". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  13. ↑ Weiss, Brett Alan. "Earthworm Jim 3D (N64) - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 16, 2014. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  14. ↑ Wigmore, Glenn. "Earthworm Jim 3D (PC) - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 16, 2014. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  15. ↑ Gaudiosi, Peyton (December 3, 1999). "Earthworm Jim 3D (N64)". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on August 23, 2000. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  16. ↑ Steinberg, Scott (June 13, 2000). "Earthworm Jim 3D (PC)". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on August 16, 2000. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  17. ↑ Johnston, Chris; Smith, Shawn; Hsu, Dan "Shoe"; Davison, John (January 2000). "Earthworm Jim 3D". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 126. Ziff Davis. p. 224. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  18. ↑ Reppen, Erik (December 1999). "Earthworm Jim 3D (N64)". Game Informer. No. 80. FuncoLand. Archived from the original on June 5, 2000. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  19. ↑ Ngo, George "Eggo" (January 2000). "Earthworm Jim 3D". GameFan. Vol. 8, no. 1. Shinno Media. p. 59. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  20. ↑ Rodriguez, Tyrone "Cerberus"; Weitzner, Jason "Fury"; Mylonas, Eric "ECM" (January 2000). "Earthworm Jim 3D". GameFan. Vol. 8, no. 1. Shinno Media. p. 17. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  21. 1 2 Mielke, James (November 6, 1999). "Earthworm Jim 3D Review (N64)". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  22. 1 2 3 Wolpaw, Erik (July 10, 2000). "Earthworm Jim 3D Review (PC)". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  23. ↑ Hart, Rico (June 7, 2000). "Earthworm Jim 3D (PC)". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on June 1, 2002. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  24. ↑ DMC (February 2000). "Earthworm Jim 3D (N64)" (PDF). Hyper. No. 76. Next Media Pty Ltd. pp. 66–67. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  25. ↑ Adams, Dan (June 14, 2000). "Earthworm Jim 3D (PC)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  26. ↑ Bickham, Jes (December 1999). "Earthworm Jim 3D". N64 Magazine. No. 35. Future Publishing. pp. 60–62.
  27. 1 2 Lundrigan, Jeff (January 2000). "Earthworm Jim 3D (N64)". NextGen. No. 61. Imagine Media. p. 94. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  28. ↑ "Earthworm Jim 3D". Nintendo Power. Vol. 126. Nintendo of America. November 1999. p. 142. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  29. ↑ Brown, Steve (February 2000). "Earthworm Jim 3D". PC Gamer UK. No. 79. Future Publishing. Archived from the original on December 3, 2000. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  30. ↑ Boba Fatt (December 1999). "Earthworm Jim 3D (N64)". GamePro. No. 135. IDG. p. 186. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  31. ↑ iBot (October 29, 1999). "Earthworm Jim 3D Review for N64 on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 13, 2004. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  32. ↑ GameSpot staff (2001). "Best and Worst of 2000 (Worst Game of the Year, Nominees)". GameSpot. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on January 24, 2001. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
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