Pirates & Hacks
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 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.
