Random Game O' the Day: ToeJam & Earl

[digitalpress]

The DP Random Game Generator of Picking Obscure Stuff (tm) has been temporarily disabled so that I could create an entry that most of us can identify with. Call it a "random thought of the day", if you will.

What do you think of the game, the characters, the music? Write your own mini-review here!

DP Guide sez:

ToeJam & Earl (Genesis, by Sega) $25/R4 +
Designed by Greg Johnson, Mark Voorsanger, Robert Leyland. Developed by Johnson-Voorsanger. Music composition by John Baker. Not as scarce as you might be led to believe, but very high in demand. EASTER EGGS: There is a hidden "level zero" in the game, it's pretty easy to find if you know how. Go to the spot in the bottom left of the map on level 1 and cross over the water to the island using the rocket skates, Icarus wings or inner tube, then drop through the hole in the center of the island. This hidden area also has a bunch of goodies and lots of hula girls, always a good thing. SANTULLI SLANT: Here's another one of those games that you either "get" or you don't. People who don't call it slow and find themselves bored in a hurry. People who do can play the game incessantly, truly appreciate the random elements and non-linear gameplay, the creative character designs, and the funky sound effects and music. This game is essentially the epitome of what game collectors are all about. Hunt around for goodies with your friends, encounter people and things attempting to thwart your hunt, and collect, collect, collect. Brilliant.

[Tempest]

I LOVE Toejam and Earl! I remember it was one of the reasons I got a Genesis in the first place (that and Altered Beast). I love how you can have the system generate random landforms. This keeps the game fresh long after you've beaten it. My only gripe is that the final space ship is always on level 25, so you know exactly how long the game is going to be (well I guess that was one of the confines of the game). I also think some of the higher level enemies are damn unfair (phantom ice cream trucks and lawnmower guys come to mind). The split screen simultaneous two player action really makes this game one of the ultimate two player Genesis games. I'm always Toejam because he's faster and can run like hell if need be. Too bad they ruined the game in the sequel.

One thing I always wondered is why the elevator scenes take so long. DId they need time to load the next level? They're really annoying.

Tempest

[Ascending Wordsmith]

One of the coolest games ever. In fact, I need to visit our top 100 thread and see if it's still there. The most helpful guy was dressed in a carrot costume. Here's the smartest guy in the game... dressed up like a vegetable. Anyway, the game is addictive especially for two players. The insane dentist is the funniest foe you'll ever meet.

[Phosphor Dot Fossils]

I wish people would stop associating me so closely with toe jam. Really, my personal hygiene ain't that bad. :-D

[digitalpress]

The insane dentist is the funniest foe you'll ever meet.

The dentist ROCKS.

But MY favorite is the Boogie Man. He's practically invisible until you get near him, then you get that BOOGIE BOOGIE BOOGIE sound. To this day, I use that sound when I sneak up on my wife. Hilarious.

[Raccoon Lad]

I love that game, kinda boring 1 player, but total blast in 2p mode!

Sneaking up on santa is my favorite thing to do.....Free PRESENTS!!!

[Mr-E_MaN]

I used to play this game constantly on my brothers Genesis. I used to rent this game over and over again. I don't know why I didn't buy it. I have been looking at every Genesis game I see at pawn shops, garage sales, etc. just for this game. I even bought a genesis for it when I do find it. It is one of the few games that I want to buy.

[Reverend JagDiesel]

I spent countless hours playing this one, which I happened upon by luck (bargain bin at WalMart). I passed on my original copy to my little bro who still plays this more than any other game.
The new Xbox version is pretty good and includes all of the old enemies and several new ones. I just wish they would've "hidden" the original somewhere in it!

[buttasuperb]

Fantastic game, even in one player mode. 2 player is far superior though. I like the elevator cut scenes, it has some jammin music. LOL

Sad thing is, I've never finished this game. :embarrassed:

Thanks for reminding me about the xbox version, Jagdiesel, I totally forgot about that one since I got an xbox.

[IGotTheDot]

My wife and I still play through the game regularly. The game is the best 2 play co-op that I have played.

I have never known what to do with Santa. We tried sneaking up on him, but never got to him in time. Our favorite thing to do is go to the hidden level and sit in the hot tub and drink lemonade. We always have to visit this level before we finish the game.

Great game!

[zmeston]

The insane dentist is the funniest foe you'll ever meet.

The dentist ROCKS.

But MY favorite is the Boogie Man. He's practically invisible until you get near him, then you get that BOOGIE BOOGIE BOOGIE sound. To this day, I use that sound when I sneak up on my wife. Hilarious.

My best friend and strategy-guide co-author at the time of TJ&E's release taught his parrot to say "BOOGIE BOOGIE BOOGIE!", which always got big laughs.

I never played all the way through TJ&E: Panic on Funkotron, but thought it was alright; I haven't spent much time at all with TJ&E III, but a brief play session with my gal-pal left us both unmoved. I have to try it again and see if we missed something.

-- Z.

[Tempest]

I have never known what to do with Santa. We tried sneaking up on him, but never got to him in time

You have to stop and stand still when he turns around. You can only sneak up on him when he's rummaging through his sack (does that sound dirty or is it just me?). When you get close enough you goose him and he usually drops about three presents. Personally I never do this because it takes too much time (he turns around alot) and there are usually baddies on my butt anyway.

Tempest

[Daltone]

Did anyone ever play the TJ+E 'menacer' game on the Mega-Drive (Genisis). Hehe, it was the best game on the cartridge :D

[Gamereviewgod]

I have never understood what it is with this damn game. It's so unbearably slow and boring. I've tried this one SO many times, but to no avail. I feel the same way about Mario 64....another game everyone loves and I just don't get it....

**Prepares for backlash by crawling under desk, cowering in fear**

[Daniel Thomas]

Count me with the group that totally "gets it" with Toejam & Earl. It really was one of the brightest spots in the Genesis' library.

So, what's the deal with TJ&E 3? As far as I could tell, it looked just like the original (and not part 2 -- yuck!), so is it any good?

[zmeston]

So, what's the deal with TJ&E 3? As far as I could tell, it looked just like the original (and not part 2 -- yuck!), so is it any good?

Again, I've only put in a couple of hours, but a major complaint of critics, and one I agree with, is that the voices and attitudes of TJ&E (and the new character, Latisha) are painful. It's black people reading dialogue written by lily-white people who think they're "down with the brothers." It's supposed to be funny, but it comes off as lame and (vaguely) racist.

Also, I loved TJ&E 3's original subtitle of All Funked Up, and was pissed that Sega felt the need to puss out and replace it with the mega-bland Mission to Earth.

Maybe I'll pull it out this weekend and convince my lady to try it again, but she wasn't really impressed with TJ&E 1, either. She's basically just hoping beyond hope for a sequel to The Adventures of Cookie & Cream.

-- Z.

[Buyatari]

I have never understood what it is with this damn game. It's so unbearably slow and boring. I've tried this one SO many times, but to no avail.

It must be an aquired taste. I pop this title in every time I get a new copy and 3 mins later its out on the selling block. I don't get it. To me the biggest joy this cart can bring is the $30.00 price tag a loose sells for. For a Sega game that isn't all that rare thats a very nice thing.

Adam

[Vroomfunkel]

Well, I am afraid I have to agree with buyatari on this one. I've had this game on several occasions, and each time I pop it in to see if the magic will descend. But it never does... and, in a twist that sounds like it is guarunteed to cause controversy, I LOVED the second game! Catching all the earthlings in jars, doing the "Boom Shaka Claps", racing through the "Hyperfunk Zone" ... it still counts as one of my all time favourite games. I've never played TJ&E 3, so nothing to say on that.

Vroomfunkel

[Cheese]

I think they are all fine, I love one and two, but am a little dissappointed in three. It'll do though.

[IGotTheDot]

My wife played through 3 and loved it. We tried 2 player mode, but the camera sucks. If you liked the one player mode in the first one you will really like it in the third.