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Far Cry 3 And The Stranger In A Strange Land I’m not usually one for posting about the European Wii Shop Channel releases, but this week’s offerings have me completely jealous and it’s just not fair at all. Today sees the release of two of the best games the Sega Genesis (or Mega Drive, if you prefer) had to offer, and I am going to hold my breath until the come to North America. Not only do you Europeans get the Shiny classic platformer Earthworm Jim, they’re also getting Shining Force II, Sega’s tactical role-playing gem, possibly the sweet spot in the entire series. Dammit. Both are going for 800 Wii points, and they’re both eventually coming here, but still.
And yes, I do own both cartridges for my Genesis, but that’s hardly the point. You guys have better food, better women (with notable exceptions!), and better VC games. Next World War we’re staying home.
Unless of course we start it.
Aged between, lemme see, around 22-40? Like spacemen and earthworms? Let’s dance. Because Douglas TenNapel, the creator of Earthworm Jim, has just signed a deal whereby he’ll act as creative consultant on not only a new Earthworm Jim game (Earthworm Jim 4), but also a new animated series and feature film as well. No details on timeframes or anything like that – for the game or cartoons – but publisher Interplay will no doubt have something to say about that come E3.
I know, you’re a little over the Virtual Console. Sure, pleasant surprises like C64 games get your attention now and again, but for the most part, you’re done with it. Just…look, give it one more chance, OK? For Interplay’s sake. Because, yes, they’re releasing some of their classic titles onto the service, including Clayfighter, Boogerman and both Earthworm Jim titles. All four are due “later this year”, and if this is a deal-breaker, they’ll be the Genesis/Mega Drive versions. Earthworm Jim, Clayfighter to Virtual Console [1UP]
Interplay Entertainment sure is making a come back. Late last year they were talking about securing cash for their proposed Fallout MMO, then they set up a sexy new website and now they’re gushing about their 520 percent jump in revenue and churning out sequels.
From the depths of 1994 comes this bizarre Earthworm Jim commercial. It features a kindly grandma telling the story of Earthworm Jim to a surrounding group of Disney-esque cast of cartoon animals. But things quickly sour as grandma goes from kindly to creepy in a manner of a few seconds. Those with weak constitutions or an aversion to old ladies eating worms may want to skip this one.
