Released in 1994 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Earthworm Jim is a wildly inventive run-and-gun platformer developed by Shiny Entertainment. You play as an ordinary earthworm who mutates into a superhero after an ultra-high-tech, indestructible super-suit falls from the sky. Known for its fluid animation, surreal humor, and varied level design, the game takes you on a bizarre journey across the galaxy to rescue Princess What’s-Her-Name.
How to Play
Your objective is to navigate Jim through diverse alien landscapes, blasting enemies and using your head as a whip to swing from hooks. In the browser, the SNES controls are mapped to your keyboard: use the arrow keys to move, and Z, X, A, and S for the action buttons to jump, shoot, and whip. Press Enter to pause the game.
Tips
- You can helicopter across large gaps by repeatedly pressing the jump button, making Jim spin his head to slow his descent.
- In the notoriously difficult “Down the Tubes” level, take your time in the pod and avoid bumping the glass walls, as taking damage will quickly drain your limited oxygen.
- Conserve your Mega Plasma ammo for tougher enemies and bosses; your standard blaster recharges automatically when empty, but the plasma shots are much more powerful.
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