E3 2006: Earthworm Jim crawls again @ Gaming Target

Written by John Scalzo on May 10, 2006

News: The nifty nightcrawler goes the handheld route.

Atari has announced that they have secured the handheld and online rights to publish new games in the Earthworm Jim series.

The Super NES classic has lost some of its luster after not having a title in the spotlight for several years and Atari hopes to remedy that as part of the "new" Atari.

?Atari is a company on the move, and as one of the most beloved video game characters in history, the return of Earthworm Jim marks an important day for Atari, the video game industry and consumers,? said Atari, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Bruno Bonnell. ?The Atari brand signifies innovation, imagination, entertainment and most importantly, fun. Our commitment to the Atari brand and investing in franchises that embrace similar traits, like Earthworm Jim, are the cornerstones in the Company's evolution.?

The new Earthworm Jim will echo the original by being a side-scrolling action game heavy on the humor and featuring wild visuals.

Here's hwo Atari describes the game:
Earthworm Jim remains true to its past while revels in all the delights that today's technology and portable gaming advancements offer. The story unfolds through the gameplay situations Jim finds himself in, and through the characters he meets and environments he explores. Jim continues his fight against the Queen and her allies, while his love for Princess-What's-Her-Name grows, and his ever-lasting friendship with Peter Puppy is still a key element in his life. Like its predecessors, the game will feature imaginative and outrageous characters, playground-like-open-level-designs that are ripe for exploration, and a slew of puzzles, power-ups and zany environments. All characters, environments and effects will be crafted in 3D and Jim will sport a new look that is sleek and fresh. An expanded arsenal of moves and attacks will be available and two-player competition modes provide extended gameplay and unique experiences.

We don't know which handhelds the new Earthworm Jim will appear on, but we'll keep digging for more dirt.