Shiny Entertainment's 1994 platformer about a worm in a robotic super suit got a reworked version for the Sega CD in 1995. The Special Edition is more than a straight port. It adds a new level called Big Bruty, in which Jim has to use and avoid huge red beasts to get through, along with new sub-levels such as New Junk City, and the Sega-16 review points out that many stages are much longer than on cartridge. The music was updated to take advantage of the CD, and Jim has a larger set of spoken lines.
Everything else is as strange as in the original. Jim whips enemies with his own body, fires a blaster, swings from hooks, and travels through levels like a junkyard guarded by a dog, a bungee fight over a pit, and the rocket races to the next stage against Psy-Crow. The animation, done in Shiny's hand-drawn style, is still impressive, and the Special Edition is widely considered the most complete version of the game.
Tips for Earthworm Jim: Special Edition
Use Jim's head whip to swing from hooks; hold the button and press toward the hook as you jump.
Collect atoms to refill the blaster, and fire in short bursts so you don't run out at a boss.
In the space races, grab the speed boosts and stay on the inside of turns to beat Psy-Crow.
How to Play Earthworm Jim Special Edition
Click Play Now to launch Earthworm Jim Special Edition directly in your browser — no downloads or plugins needed. Arrows move Jim, Z fires the blaster, X whips with his head, and C jumps; the options menu lets you swap these. Enter pauses. You can also connect a USB or Bluetooth gamepad for a more authentic feel.
Save states let you save your progress at any point. Create a free account to sync saves across devices. Press F11 for fullscreen mode.
Click the "Play Now" button to start playing Earthworm Jim Special Edition directly in your browser. No downloads or installations are needed — the game runs instantly using our built-in emulator.
Is Earthworm Jim Special Edition free to play?
Absolutely! Earthworm Jim Special Edition is 100% free on RetroVault.GG. No subscriptions, no hidden fees — just open the page and play.
What console is Earthworm Jim Special Edition for?
Earthworm Jim Special Edition is a Sega CD title. Our browser-based emulator lets you experience it exactly as it was on the original hardware — no console required.
What genre is Earthworm Jim Special Edition?
Earthworm Jim Special Edition is a action, platformer game. It was made for the Sega CD.
Can I play Earthworm Jim Special Edition on my phone?
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