Earthworm Jim is a 2D run-and-gun platformer developed by Shiny Entertainment. The game was released on the Super Nintendo and SEGA Genesis in 1994. Earthworm Jim has become something of a cult classic, still loved by many gamers to this day.
We could spend the entire article focused on all the different aspects (gameplay, level design, etc) that make Earthworm Jim such a revered classic. But there is one thing that really shoots this game into its own stratosphere. The art.
Earthworm Jim has become one of the most iconic characters in video game history. He is more than a slimy invertebrate in a super spacesuit. He is a lethal fighting machine, with plenty of attitude. Earthworm Jim’s cartoony appearance is memorable to say the least. Big eyes, a mouth (equipped with teeth), and a jacked physique. Add in some over-the-top animations (the idle ones are really special) and you have a recipe for character design success. He is truly one of a kind, all thanks to the amazing artists who worked meticulously to bring him to life.
When it came to the level art of Earthworm Jim, the artists doubled down. They continued to build upon the Looney Tunes inspired nature of the game. Giant hamsters, cows, fridges, and aliens in surreal space settings. Each level consists of crisp line work and bright, bold colors. Stunning backdrops infused with foreground platforms and ledges that never feel redundant. Most platformer games of this era took a grid-based art approach when creating game environments. In Earthworm Jim the artists (and designers) decided to break the status quo. They leaned into creating more organic, curved paths for the player to traverse. The result was a stunning game world that complimented the hero perfectly.
The UI art in Earthworm Jim was pretty solid too. The HUD is simple and clean with visual elements that directly tie-in with the rest of the game’s appearance. The lives counter looks exactly like Earthworm Jim does in-game. The player’s gun sprite is used for the ammo tracker. Taking this visual approach provides excellent feedback to players. Menu and level complete screens are visually cohesive with the rest of the game as well. Hand drawn art and fun, animated fonts make these screens memorable and refreshing.
Earthworm Jim is a digital work of art. The main character design, level art and UI all flow together in perfect harmony to create an interactive game experience like no other. It might be the best example of successful art-driven game design ever. Even though Earthworm Jim is a masterpiece, it never takes itself too seriously. And that is why there will never be another game like it.
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