Hi-Game is known for
making some great pirates.
This 3-in-1 multicart is an example of one of them.
Though Mortal Kombat games are pretty easy to
find for the Famicom, what isn't easy to find is
Earthworm Jim 3 -- or as the selection screen
calls it: "Earta Worm Jim" (they must pronounce it
that way in Asia).
It's hard to say how
many Earthworm Jim versions were made for the
Famicom, but it seems like it doesn't total more
than four and it's likely the differences between
them are insignificant. Take for instance the two
version of Mortal Kombat on this cart; the
only difference is that Mortal Kombat III has
15 fighters while Mortal Kombat II has nine.
Otherwise, the two version are exactly the same.
Earthworm Jim 3 is the highlight of this
multicart.
Earthworm Jim 3 is a bit glitchy on this
cart. It might be like that in all of its versions.
For much of the game the screen either has flashes
moving from top to bottom or there are two
horizontal lines skewing the gameplay. But! it's
still playable and enjoyable.
There's not much to the game. Earthworm Jim
navigates a level with various platforms and
horizontal ropes and vines. He does some climbing up
ledges and whips or shoots enemies. At the end of
each level is a boss that swing around the screen
and shoot stuff. Some of the bosses are very easy to
beat if you find the right spot to stand or time the
boss's movements right; others are a pain and part
of the reason why it's hard to advance.
Earthworm Jim 3 very much mimics the
gameplay of other Hong Kong originals like Sonic
the Hedgehog, Donkey Kong Country, and
Donkey Kong Country 4. It's likely that all
three of those titles use the same basic
programming, with piraters hacking them quite
extensively. Judging from screenshots, Boogerman,
another original, looks similar in its gameplay and
basic level layout.
You won't get through Earthworm Jim 3's
levels without getting hit by enemies, but the
programmers were nice enough to give you health
measured by how many bugs you "eat." You get
something like five lives to start and have three
continues. It's enough to get you through the game.
The music sucks, but that's the case with these HK
originals.
If you're interested in finding an Earthworm
Jim game, be patient. You aren't going to find
one tomorrow. It can take over a year to find one,
but when you do, be sure to buy it quick 'cause you
aren't likely to see it again.
Because most people don't know Earthworm Jim
exists for the Famicom, you can get it for a
reasonable price, say, around $15. But the more it
becomes know -- thanks to articles like this one --
the higher the price will get.
