The direct Earthworm Jim sequel, wilder and even more idea-rich. Uneven at times, but still hilarious and beautifully animated, a late-life must-have.
Your verdict
Category
Platformer1 player7+
Description
Earthworm Jim returns with new powers in even crazier levels in this Shiny Mega Drive sequel. Published by Virgin, released in the United States in 1995. Platformer with worm Jim with new weapons and powers, varied themed levels and enriched absurd bosses.
Earthworm Jim 2 review
MAX
Art direction
★★★★★
"Iconic"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
3/5
Story
★★★★★
"Solid"
Elastic, delirious cartoon by Shiny: hilarious animation, absurd creatures and vivid colours compose a surrealist universe full of humour. The suppleness of the line and the visual inventiveness overflow with energy. This art direction, unhinged and polished, stands as a masterpiece of interactive animation.
The sequel pushes the game of references further: Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata accompanies the rescue of the puppies, a grinding tango opens another sequence, and the rest alternates B-movie rock and lift-music pastiche. Every level switches register without warning, exactly like the game's humour.
The NTSC edition of Earthworm Jim 2 is the American version of the Shiny/Perry sequel, released in a modest print run late in the Genesis cycle. Its collector value comes from the peak status of the sub-series and from the fact that the franchise saw no more major console ports after this installment.
Is Earthworm Jim 2 still worth playing in 2026?
A direct enriched sequel, Earthworm Jim 2 multiplies the wacky ideas with levels of completely different styles, from parachute jumping with puppies to Beethoven musical challenges. The art direction remains absolutely iconic, the humour is even more deranged and the gameplay variety impresses. For anyone who loved the first entry and wants to extend the experience in an even crazier sequel, an absolutely essential recommendation that demonstrates all the inventiveness of Shiny Entertainment at its peak on Mega Drive today.
