Play Earthworm Jim (U)(Mode7) Online

Earthworm Jim on the Game Boy Advance came out in 2001, developed by David A. Palmer Productions and published by Interplay. It was one of those early GBA titles that tried to bring a console-style action game to the handheld, with all the quirks and compromises that entailed.

You control Jim, an earthworm in a powerful robotic suit, and your goal is to rescue Princess What's-Her-Name from the evil Queen Slug-for-a-Butt. You run, jump, and use your plasma blaster to take out enemies across a series of bizarre, side-scrolling stages. Two key mechanics stand out: you can use your own worm body as a whip to attack or swing from hooks, and you occasionally pilot a rocket through shooter-style sections. The pacing is fast and the difficulty can be unforgiving, with precise platforming required in later levels. It feels chaotic and a little rough around the edges, but landing a perfect swing or clearing a tough enemy wave delivers a solid hit of satisfaction.