Earthworm Jim 2 - Sega Saturn Review
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- Is the Saturn version of Earthworm Jim 2 something you can't live without, or is it just another cash in with little in the way of enhancements?
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Opening 3D Logo By:
Jan Neves
RUclips Page - / jan3d
Opening 2D Animation By:
Kevin Bhall
Facebook - / kevin.bhall.14
Episode Notes:
1. The Playstation version of this is pretty much the same outside of a few sound and gfx effects differences.
2. The Saturn version was full price at its US release.
3. Modern prices are in excess of $100 for Japan and US versions. The PAL release does tend to go a little less.
4. In some ways, this version actually looks worse than the Super NES release.
5. While I do like this game, I prefer the first a lot more.
6. I always considered this a lost Sega CD game. There is nothing here that system couldn't have done.
7. Earthworm Jim 2 was also planned for the Atari Jaguar around this time. That port never materialized.
Earthworm Jim. Some of the most beautiful 16 bit graphic to be found ever are in this game beside virgin and treasure interactive titles.
На SMD 4 бит графика. На сатурне - 24 бита, но в игре, скорее всего, используется 8 бит в целях экономии ОЗУ.
... Not even close. I know most people have a Anti-Nintendo bias, but I'm sorry, this doesn't get close to Yoshi's Island, or Mario World.
As far as this soundtrack goes, hearing "Anything but Tangerines" rearranged was a real treat for me.
the best song in the game. EDIT: wrong stage, I meant Lorenzen's soil.
They are both good.
@@Deathtank75 Lorenzen is a close second. It captures everything about 90s new age that I like.
Right??
This game was brilliant beyond belief. Becoming a blind cave salamander while moonlight sonata plays in the background was genius. Also, Shiny brought us MDK, Messiah, and Wild 9. I just loved this studio.
"Anything but Tangerines" is my jam! It's one of my favorite tunes on the Saturn, easily in the top 10.
I think some developers were cautious with the Saturn particularly because the system didn't have a large install base and never did. When we did get a 3D Earthworm Jim...we ran back to this game being grateful.
I had this game for the Saturn. I ended up trading it in, because it felt too much like a 16-bit title. I was pretty much Earthworm Jim on the Sega CD.
Can't express how much I love this channel!!
I remembered buying this at Electronics Boutique when it came out without reading reviews first. Just the fact that it looked like the Genesis version, with better music, made me drive back and return the game for something else. I actually remembered beating it that day too.
I still have this version to this day AND my Saturn. I haven't played it in over 20 years, though. I honestly prefer the original game.
i only wish they had ported and revamped the original Earthworm Jim for the Saturn with all the goodies they added for Sega and Windows but that never happened. They did port Earthworm Jim 1 to the PlayStation 1 in Europe.
The original 16-bit and 32-bit versions of Earthworm Jim are better than the HD remake. The HD remake is easier to finish and lacks the invisible level because they couldn't find the documentation and level layout. That code wasn't redone for PS3 and XBox 360 in that case. I don't even think they have Earthworm Jim HD on the XBox and PlayStation online marketplaces anymore. The HD remake sold decently but not well enough for the developers to port Jim 2 to PS3 and XBox 360.
@@AvengerII earthworm jim was not release on the ps1. Only ewj2.
@@maroon9273 I'm surprised. I that I had read Earthworm Jim 1 had been released in Europe (PAL) for PS1. Oh well!
Misread it or maybe they canceled that port.
@@AvengerII I thought about buying a Saturn but the lack of a true Sonic game put me off from buying it.
I didn't know companies let people return games.
I loved the Saturn version, but the cost now prevents me from wanting it over lower cost versions.
Emulate it son.
no, get a cart of Pseudo Saturn Kai and burn discs on your saturn
If the Genesis mini II sells well maybe Sega will sell a Dreamcast or Saturn mini. But personally I'm waiting for a master system II mini.
You can play it on a modded Saturn or as already recommended Pseduo Saturn Kai which is a cartridge that allows you to play burned cd-rs on your Saturn. If you have a printer with a label print get the blank printable jet discs so you can print labels on it. Sega is no longer making money off these games. I know we all like to play the real copies of games but Saturn games are even more expensive than Dreamcast games on average. I collect for my Dreamcast but even stop doing that with the insane prices. Saturn I only have burned games and the only legit game I have is Nights.
Played this game and EWJ on tbe SNES back when both first came out. I have EWJ for Genesis and EWJ 2 for SNES and Saturn. I personally like the upgrades the Saturn got but agree with you a real save system would have been way better than sh**** password system. Great detailed review of a gem.
I remember these versions not getting very much coverage in any mags back in the day. That awesome Genesis/SNES multi-page preview in the Sep (or Oct, its been awhile) 1995 issue of GameFan was glorious and one of the best issues ever!
GameFan still praised the Saturn port
It's crazy how this huge franchise came and went so fast. Even faster than Sega themselves. XD
The later EJ games weren’t particularly good. They strayed too far too fast.
@SegaLordX different developer forcing 3D into the franchise didn't help
This game reminds me of Johnny Bazookatone. Let's see a review of that game.
I rented Johnny Bazookatone for a weekend, I can't offer facts but I remember I hated it. Reviews aren't kind to it either. I think both EJ's are much higher quality.
The controls in that game sucked. Not a fan of it at all
I’ve heard mainly mixed to negative reception off that game. Lets see what SLX says about it when he does a review of it.
That game is really slow and boring.
I Been loving all of you're video's since i subscribe which I'm glad i did
EWJ 1 & 2 are some of the most mind blowing and interesting games out there!
Very cool covering the Saturn port, those different backgrounds are really cool. But you’re right, obviously they could’ve done more.
Question - do you record these from original hardware? If so, what do you use? I recently had some issues with AV lines across the screen, can’t tell if it’s the splitters or the cord itself.
Perhaps they were on a tight deadline?
@@HrvojeGrahovacsometimes you have to push back on those. If you know it isn’t great, then you have to do more, which I know isn’t always easy but Rareware for example did this several times. They were getting hounded by Nintendo as they fleshed their games out to be so much better and bigger, including more than ever expected.
Sega will always be my favorite
Earthworm Jim 1 was one of my favorite games on the mega drive. Visualy good and funny.
I agree with your opinion on this version. I actually like the backgrounds more on the Genesis version for both 1 and 2 (compared to the SNES etc). Better art direction imo
Also, some details are missing in the Saturn version, like in the Villi People level. When you get close to the walls, the Genesis version begins to pulsate. The Saturn one is static, with moving feelers. It pulsates in the SNES version too
Is it just me or the puppy-catching level background looks WAY better on 16 bit Genesis?
Not just you.
@@SegaLordX And I mean, not even just from the artistic perspective but even from the technical one. 16 bit background has more dynamic, almost 3D feel to it, while the 32 bit one feel too robust and cardboard'y. It's almost like it's supposed to be the other way around between these two versions... 😂
Way, way, way better and it's not just that background. Why change it, if what you change it for looks worse?
That pseudo-3D effect was just really impressive.
At first I thought the Genesis screen was the Saturn. 😅
Only thing that always bugged me was the background for the first level. The orange blended much better with the foreground.
Actually I prefer the line scrolling in the puppy level on the Genesis as well. The Saturn’s backgrounds were ok but hardly the quality they should have been.
I appreciate the effort but the 32-bit backgrounds feel overdone and don't fit the style of the game as well as the original ones did.
The new background work is disgusting and the colours in level 1 are a prime example of how to ruin good art with a bad background.
Most new backgrounds are just bad.
If you want a 32-bit version which is faithful to the original background vision, then play the PC DOS version by Rainbow Arts (ie, German publishers of the Turrican series). It's even available on GOG now, together with the first game on the Earthworm Jim 1+2: The Whole Can 'O Worms bundle. Too bad it lacks the Lorenzen's soil level entirely for some odd reason.
Sega Lord X vids are top notch!
Also also want to let you know I pray for you and your sister, brother!
I've played the SS-version very much. One of my favorite platformers for the Saturn.
Another awesome video, SLX is amazingly consistent with your content!!
I had the Saturn version as a kid but always had issues with the level layout. Just seemed really confusing to me. Always wanted to go back and revisit it, love the art style in it.
dude same wtf!
The level design is a primary reason I never went out of my way to pick up a copy of either game.
I love this channel.i miss the kick ass sega I grew up on
This game's soundtrack sounds like it was made by Mr. Bungle
im more than fine with that
havent heard those albums in a long while...
@@jhonviel7381 i fell in love with OU818 in my youth, then disco volante. but its all incredible music.
I remember how trippy this game was. Even back in the 90’s, it was considered a very weird (in a good way) game. Blast to play too.
There are some differences between the Saturn and Genesis versions not covered: Minor stage layout adjustments result in a huge difference in the difficulty of the final level. The Saturn version has, I believe, more variety in the questions for the quiz show segment. And the Saturn version allows you to swap weapons (as did the SNES version) rather than being stuck with the most recent weapon picked up. This means the way you approach power ups is quite different, and of course the Bubble Gun is pointless since you can swap it out. (As a consequence, they dramatically increased the ammo count for that gun). I think the secret manta shield move is missing from the Saturn version.
This is all off the top of my head. I could be mistaken in a few areas.
The Saturn version allows you to switch weapons which you cannot do in the genesis version.
To be fair I think original intent was not to allow it. Because otherwise dummy gun and its placement kinda pointless.
@@RetroView I agree it is barely an improvement but it is an addition nonetheless.
You can swap weapons in the SNES version as well, so it was something omitted from the Genesis version only, which is completely baffling, especially since the 6-button controller had been around for years at that point
That's interesting. I have to admit that's the one thing that turns me off about EWJ games, I love 'em but not being able to cycle weapons? Yeah nah, that's cheap. Anywhere where you have to 'burn' ammo to get the weapon you want seems kinda backwards
I loved the game over/continue screen. The earthworm Jim games were among my top favorites on the genesis. Also very much remind me of Vectorman 1&2 and vice versa.
sega lord x coming thru with tha content this lockdown !
Amazing review again! SLX you are the man and your presentation is TOP NOTCH! EWJ series is just amazing, just wish they harnesed more of the Saturns ability, they would have crushed it and made it a top tier game for sure. They just need to hurry up and make an EWJ Collection HD Remake!
First time I'm this early. Great content. Keep it going!
I remember trying out the PlayStation version, since I didn't have Sega Saturn. The only thing that impressed me was the music (it's the same as in the Saturn version), moreover, as far as I remember, there was no block there (it was something like two buttons + up on Sega Mega Drive). It's not that it was the most necessary move, but still, it was strange (maybe I just didn't figure out how to do it on PSX, though). This is the problem of all these 16-bit ports, like Earthworm Jim, Mortal Kombat, WrestleMania, Primal rage etc - they were better, but not that much to pay attention to them during the 32-bit era. Thanks for the channel, man, very nostalgic!
I never actually played any of this versions except the Nintendo one , But this game definitely is one the most remarkable in my childhood.
I just recently discovered your channel and i love that your a retro gamer who gives love to the Genesis. I get tired of these middle age guys going on forever about Nintendo. I love the wii and the N64 but i grew up with Sega. What your doing is very refreshing to me!
EWJ2 was a childhood favorite of mine on the SNES, and I do admit, I've always wanted to play the Saturn version, especially since I kind of have a strange love for barely upgraded ports of previous gen games.
My biggest hurdle is the ludicrous price for this version specifically. Unlike most games of this era, this title has always been expensive, even in the 2000s, when most games of the era were practically given away
Best video game channel on RUclips !!
Thanks for the review😄 Stage: Villi People (5:04) sounds like music in Resident Evil...
Love this channel!
I think they may have just used mostly royalty free music renditions altogether instead of original compositions
The "Villi People" stage is so bizarre, that Moonlight Sonata playing in the background, the pinball stuff, your weird character floating around... ahhhhh good times when games where FUN and ORIGINAL and CREATIVE!!!
Is it controversial to say that Earthworm Jim isn’t that fun a play through? I love the graphics, humour and general style, but I found it frustrating in later levels and never finished it. I had the first one, but only rented the second one. And I wasn’t convince to buy the second one. I think a difficulty balance between Aladdin (too easy), and this would have been just right.
You got to remember that's how those games are made back then I'm not excusing it at all but I am just saying that you would either have an extremely easy game or something that or ranks up unfairly in the later levels.
I think if you do play it on modern hardware or whatever you have abilities to get around it either through old traditional cheat codes or save states
It's an excellent sequel. 😀👍🎮
Mikey mania on ps1 is similar but used the original artwork with more colours and added some polygons.
Im suprise it was ported to Ms dos cd
Aaaye I just got that for Christmas last year. And it was amazingly fantastic! OuO
I believe this version does have one new level: Big Bruty (named after original dev Nick Bruty).
That was the sega cd one
That was the Sega CD version of the first.
Ah yes! That's what I was thinking of! 😅
Groovy
The worst thing I can say about the Saturn version is the music. Not the quality of it per se, Tommy Tallarico did an excellent job. I am talking about having to use the Bagpipe bonus music as the level theme of ISO 9000. Not only that every other version uses the VASTLY superior Subterranean theme from Lorenzen's Soil, but the track itself is very short and repetitive for a long stage. It basically ruined probably my favorite level in Jim 2.
Villi people is Beethoven’s moonlit sonata..
I like that lord x said "quagmire"
Besides the excellent quality of this and the PS1 ver, I still think the graphics and the sprites in some cases are better in the SNES.
Agreed. Could have been so much more. Like Earthworm Jim Special Edition Sega cd vs Earthworm Jim Genesis. Great example of a upgrade.
Well I like it! Lol
I hope you make a review video on the new Satiator. It’s a huge deal for me.
I might sell off my Ridiculous size collection and use the money towards my first home.
Wise move!
I prefer the animation sprite for the first game, he looked a lot angrier but I do admire the fact that they completely changed it all together and tried something totally different as opposed to say Mario or Sonic that stay virtually the same. I just think that the concept of the character design in general is brilliant.
I think I perfer the look and sound of the 16 bit versions. Esp the Super Nintendo version was impressive with its backgrounds.. and the music has more character while these remixes are just...remixes.
Same here, I also prefer the sega megadrive version. But it was still cool to hear the redbook audio remixes (I never heard those until now)
I just came here to hear your intro and leave a thumbs up!... i could care less about earthworm jim.. but i love the music and SEEEEEEGGGAAAAAAA!
Starting my week seeing your video about one of my favorite games ever. What I asked more for? Thx bro 😄
They should’ve done what happened with Terminator when it was ported from Genesis to Sega CD; it was upgraded in every way and became a way more better game for your buck.
man i love still playing on the sega megadrive....
i ve got soooo much fav games on the sega...
im right now playing the lost vikings...
what a funny game!!!
and you have got sooo many more game gems!!!
Still hoping for a dreamcast mini
Sega ain’t gonna do it. At least anytime soon.
I hope the brook controller adapter will be compatible
At least this version of the game got some minor upgrades. I bought the Sega Ages I Love Mickey Mouse: Fushigi no Oshiro Daibouken/I Love Donald Duck: Guruzia Ou no Hihou (Yes, that long thing really is the game title) for a pretty penny a couple years back and it's literally just the Mega Drive roms on a disk. I love Quackshot but man, that was a bummer that there was literally no difference at all.
I love Sega RIP Dustin Diamond at 44
Very fair review. I'd agree with everything you said. It is a shame we didn't get a badass upgrade for the Saturn. Rainbow Arts can do some good work too. I do love the updated music, but it can't justify a new full priced game back in 1996. Glad I got my copy though before the price went sky-high.
The gaming world proves to be a funny thing as time passes.
Untouched Earthworm Jim 2 on Sega Saturn:
WHY WOULD THEY DO THIS? THE GOOD TIMES ARE OVER!!!
Untouched Earthworm Jim 2 on Xbox One:
OH THANK GOD IT'S FINALLY HERE, WHAT TOOK SO LONG?
I still wish that we got an enhanced and expanded Earthworm Jim 2: Special Edition on the Sega CD like we did with the first game.
Just think, if Shiny had come together one or two years earlier, we might've seen a Shiny TMNT game.
SEEEEEGGGGAAAAAA
I'd love to get a Saturn and all its library, but the cost...
You can work around it. I just bought a Japanese Saturn off ebay for fifty bucks and the new Satiator for about $400 (AUD). I now have the entire Saturn library at my fingertips. Highly recommended. You'll save hundreds of $ not having to collect.
@@deckofcards87 I can’t wait for my Satiator to arrive in the mail.
this was a fantastic review on very amazing game for the saturn thanks lord x !
What's the Sega Genesis Homebrew scene like, are there any easy to use development kits?
Depends on the game. Sonic community is huge, and the are a few other engines out there based on the old Hex systems.
Been years, but I believe there is something. Hell Saturn should have it's time to shine as well
@@Planag7 I was hoping for something like NESMaker but for Sega Genesis
I had a Saturn and love the first EWJ I don't even remember EWJ 2!
"I'm Sega Lord X, and I WILL catch you next time." *dashes down a dark alley in a black cape in slow motion.*
It was a good port but it really should have been a heck of a lot more in order to be a Saturn game.
The game was very impressive for a Genesis game but very underwhelming for on a 32-bit console that was so much more advanced than the previous console.
This is what I don't get. Why were there SO MANY ports of older games on Saturn? I'd be willing to bet there's more ports than new games. Probably had to do with the Saturn's unique system being difficult to program for and notorious poor decision making by SEGA, but how would they possibly think that would fly when you look at the competition? It reminds me of the NOW NOW NOW logic that companies now use where they don't care about the longterm. Saturn would be my 1st choice as a retro console to bring back but it's mostly aesthetic. There are so many ports I don't even have interests in watching these retrospectives which is hindsight and to be honest played out. Props to you for your work, I just have gripes about what could have been. To my understanding SEGAs strength was quality home arcade experiences, so they lost out on the budding 3D space (mostly Knights and alike). What if the jump from 16 bit consoles to the next was better platformers and beat em ups? Never would sell in a board room because those voices want to achieve the impossible on a non budget and be the top dog. I just wish the suits appreciated what they had their hands on instead of 2 birds in the bush which they ultimately gave up on (Port city).
I love watching Doug Tenapel nowadays. Knowing that he is a fellow Trumper/American and his videos on manufacturing the Art of Earthworm Jim books series was cool.
Your intro is rad
I honestly prefer playing this on Saturn. I have both the Saturn and megadrive ports but I for one love the ability to switch weapons on the fly and also really dig the backgrounds on the Saturn version as I feel they do enhance the overall game.
The remixed soundtrack is great too, even though I still love both Earthworm Jim soundtracks played through the megadrive's synth sound chip.
I would easily recommend the Saturn port, regardless of wether one owns it on Megadrive/genesis etc.
Only problem is that it's not the cheapest Saturn game around.
I actually think many of the new backgrounds are weaker, visually. And levels like Lorenzo’s Soil are much darker and harder to navigate on the Saturn. The ability to switch weapons is almost a non factor to me since the bulk of this titles difficulty has almost nothing to do with its enemies.
I can understand a password system on the playstation. If you didn't have a memory card (remember having to pay to save your game? That was an odd time), it was a nice thing to have. But the Saturn had an internal save mechanism that was even upgradable with an expansion pack. So, why not just give people the option of one or the other?
Moonlight Sonata being a weapon again, love that melody
I think the backgrounds on the Genesis looked better.
Music and games sense of humor is top notch
Great review. I agree. The Saturn version was a let down especially seeing how great the Sega CD version was. I guess that is what you can expect with a company has someone else do the port rather than doing it themselves.
Did you mean that in regards the Saturn version?
@@mxggo9046 They are referring to Earthworm Jim Special Edition in Sega CD. Remake of the first game.
@@mxggo9046 IMHO the Saturn version of EWJ 2 was a let down because the Sega CD version of EWJ Special Edition was so good.
Earthworm Jim Special Edition for the Mega CD was developed by Shiny itself. Earthworm Jim 2 for the Sega Saturn wasn't. That's the difference.
@@WeskerSega Agreed.
4:00 look at those clouds, that's an impressive transparency effect. Why other Saturn games didn't have transparencies like that??
Developers had lack of resource and documents to properly use the Saturn hardware.
Just today I was talking about the good times we had with Earthworm Jim 1 & 2 with a friend and then I saw this ha!
I had never played the Saturn port, and after watching this (awesome) video Im torn between loving some of the new backgrounds (Anything But Tangerines and Inflated Head for example) and hating some of the other choices-like the background in Udderly Abducted, Puppy Love, and the music in ISO 9000.
Never been this early haven't watched yet I know its going to be great
This is basically a 3D platformer in 2D
Nah, that would be something like Klonoa or Pandemonium. This is full on 2D.
Funny story about this game. I rented it from Blockbuster Video and I got so frustrated with the driving part of the game I snapped the disc in half. I didn't want to tell my mom so I returned it in Blockbuster's bin and they were nun the wiser lol.
Earthworm Jim was too crazy for me in that time.
ya crazy man. tha game's perfect in its own way on every platform 0.o
I wish the Saturn would have at least improved EWJ2 as much as Sega CD improved EWJ.
They should have made it a 2-pack of EWJ 1 and 2, just straight ports with no (or little) changes. Would have been more valuable this way.
More great Saturn content. Ty!
One thing about the Earthworm Jim games...they don't fuck around.
Your eloquent vocabulary continues to expand.
I spent so many dozens of frustrating hours on the Saturn with this.
Please make a video comparing 3do vs Saturn vs Ps. Epic in the making!
Back then the majority of the games I bought would have been 3d, with the exception of Capcom and SNK fighting games. I would have dismissed this outright and not even bothered with it even as a budget release. The irony is, those 2d games have aged far better than the majority of 3d stuff released at the time.
This version was actually the first time I played Earthworm Jim back in the day. I loved it, but hated the password system...