Earthworm Jim 2 screenshot

Release year: 1995

Earthworm Jim 2

Category: ActionComedyPlatformerRun-and-Gun

Earthworm Jim 2 isn't just a sequel - it's a wild ride that takes the weirdness of the first game and pushes it even further. Released on the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive in 1995, it became a cult hit thanks to its absurd humor, unpredictable gameplay, and cartoon-style energy. Jim himself is the star - an ordinary worm in a super-suit who somehow ends up saving the galaxy with goofy animations, sarcastic charm, and an arsenal of bizarre weapons.

What makes Earthworm Jim 2 stand out is its constant variety. One stage might throw you into chaotic run-and-gun action, while the next has you rescuing puppies, solving strange puzzles, or tackling completely offbeat mini-games. The game never settles into one rhythm, always pulling new tricks to surprise the player. That unpredictability is exactly what makes it so fun to revisit.

On top of that, the platforming is tight, the weapons are ridiculous, and the visuals burst with color and personality. The soundtrack deserves its own mention too - jumping between silly, energetic, and downright catchy tunes that perfectly match the game's oddball tone. Every element works together to create something that feels more like a cartoon brought to life than a typical platformer.

Playing Earthworm Jim 2 online today is a great way to relive its madness without the old hardware. It's still one of the most creative and memorable titles in the SEGA library, a game that makes you laugh, challenges your reflexes, and proves just how inventive 16-bit gaming could be.

Start
Start / Pause in game
Joystick
Movement
A
Fire
B
Whip
C
Jump
Save / Restart / Load

🕹ī¸ Cheats and Secrets in Earthworm Jim 2

Earthworm Jim 2 is already packed with surprises, and hidden within the game are even more tricks waiting to be discovered. From defensive options like the Manta Shield to secret teleports, cheat codes, and even a debug mode, these extras give players new ways to experience Jim's crazy adventure. Some secrets make the journey easier, while others reveal hidden features or simply add to the fun. These codes and tricks are part of what makes Earthworm Jim 2 such a memorable SEGA classic.

Earthworm Jim using the Manta Shield for temporary protection

Manta Shield

To activate the Manta Shield, press and hold:

K+L+

Jim will gain a temporary shield that protects him from damage for a short time.

Debug Mode screen in Earthworm Jim 2 with hidden options

Debug Mode

Debug Mode in Earthworm Jim 2 unlocks a hidden menu that lets you mess around with the game in ways you normally couldn't.

To activate it, press Enter to pause the game, then enter the code:

KSpaceSpaceKLKL

Once the Debug screen appears, you'll have access to several options. You can turn on invincibility, pick any level to jump into, run a sound test, or even activate the Map View Mode to see the full stage layout. It's like getting a peek behind the curtain at how the game was built, and it makes replaying Earthworm Jim 2 even more fun.

Map View Mode in Earthworm Jim 2

Map View Mode

Map View Mode lets you freely fly around the entire stage and explore it without limits.

To activate it, press Enter to pause the game and then enter:

KSpaceSpaceLKKL

Jim will disappear from the screen, and you can move around the level to see everything. When you reach the spot where you want to continue, press K and Jim will reappear there.

Earthworm Jim using the Mega Plasma Gun in Earthworm Jim 2

Cheat Codes

In addition to hidden modes, Earthworm Jim 2 also includes a variety of cheat codes. To enter them, press Enter to pause the game, then input the sequence. These cheats give you access to extra lives, powerful weapons, invincibility, and other handy tricks that can make your adventure a lot easier. Here's a list of the most useful codes:

  • 10 Extra Meal Worms: SpaceKSpaceKSpaceKSpaceK
  • Barn Blaster: SpaceSpaceSpaceSpaceKKLSpace
  • Bright Pause Screen: KKKKLLLL
  • Bubble Gun: SpaceSpaceSpaceSpaceKKLL
  • Homing Missiles: SpaceSpaceSpaceSpaceKKLK
  • Invincibility: KKKK
  • Mega Plasma Gun: SpaceSpaceSpaceSpaceKKKL
  • Extra Life: KLSpaceSpaceSpaceKKL
  • One Ammo Refill: SpaceLLKSpaceLLK
  • One Energy Refill: KLSpaceKLSpaceKL
  • Receive a Continue: KKSpaceSpaceLK
  • Repeated Energy Refills: KLSpaceKLSpaceKK
  • Three Finger Gun: SpaceSpaceSpaceSpaceKKKSpace
Start of Puppy Love 2 level in Earthworm Jim 2

Warp Codes (Teleports)

Earthworm Jim 2 also includes a set of warp codes that instantly teleport you to different levels or even straight to the end of the game. To use them, press Enter to pause the game and then enter the code. These cheats are perfect if you want to explore specific stages, skip ahead, or just see some of the game's strangest moments without playing through everything first.

  • Inflated Head: LLSpaceKLSpace
  • ISO 9000: KLSpace
  • Level Ate: SpaceSpaceK
  • Puppy Love 1: SpaceSpaceSpaceSpaceSpaceSpaceKK
  • Puppy Love 2: LSpaceSpaceK
  • Puppy Love 3: KLSpaceK
  • See Jim Run - Run Jim Run: LLSpace
  • The Villi People: KLSpaceSpaceSpace
  • Udderly Abducted: KSpaceKSpace
  • End of the current level: KLLKSpaceLL
  • End of the game: SpaceKSpaceKLKK

📜 Trivia & Fun Facts

🗂ī¸ ISO 9000 pokes fun at bureaucracy

The level's name is a parody of international quality standards, and the stage itself is full of filing cabinets and paperwork-themed hazards. It's one of the game's most absurd yet memorable environments.

🎭 Pun-filled level names

Level Ate is a meat-themed stage packed with food jokes, Inflated Head has Jim floating around with a ballooned head, and The Villi People (also known as Jim's Now a Blind Cave Salamander) puts him inside organic, intestine-like tunnels. The developers clearly had fun making every stage a comedy sketch of its own.

🍴 A secret level hidden in a restaurant

In Level Ate, players can find a hidden stage called Totally Forked. After completing it, the game returns Jim to a bacon platform right above the secret entrance - a classic mid-90s style Easter egg.

🏁 The final stage is a race, not a boss fight

Instead of a climactic battle, See Jim Run, Run Jim Run is a sprint against Psy-Crow to reach Princess-What's-Her-Name. The anticlimactic ending fits perfectly with the game's silly tone.

đŸ’Ĩ Barn Blaster is ridiculous on purpose

This special weapon wipes almost everything on-screen in a single blast, but the recoil also knocks Jim off his feet. It's impractical, yet a perfect example of Earthworm Jim's over-the-top humor.

🐌 Snott becomes a gameplay mechanic

Jim's snot friend isn't just for laughs - he lets you stick to green surfaces and glide like a parachute. This small detail makes platforming more creative and unpredictable.

🐞 Hidden developer tools exist

The game includes a Debug Mode and Map View Mode, unlockable through pause-screen codes. These modes let players enable invincibility, test sounds, or fly around levels - offering a peek behind the curtain.

đŸ‡¯đŸ‡ĩ Japan had no cartridge release

On the SEGA Mega Drive, Earthworm Jim 2 in Japan was only available through the Sega Channel service. That made it one of the rarer entries in SEGA's library for Japanese fans.

đŸŽĩ The soundtrack is just as quirky as the gameplay

Credited to Tommy Tallarico Studios, the music mixes wacky cartoon themes, dramatic scoring, and even bits of classical parody. It remains one of the most recognizable parts of the game.

⭐ Legacy and Reception

When Earthworm Jim 2 launched on the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive in 1995, it was praised for its creativity and humor. Reviewers highlighted the unpredictable level design, cartoon-like visuals, and soundtrack that perfectly matched the game's offbeat style. While some players found the difficulty uneven, most agreed that the game stood out as one of the most imaginative platformers of the 16-bit era.

Over the years, Earthworm Jim 2 has maintained its cult status. Fans still remember the absurd stages, clever jokes, and Jim's over-the-top personality. It remains a shining example of how SEGA's library was filled not only with action classics, but also with games that dared to be weird, funny, and different. Today, you can easily revisit this quirky adventure - Earthworm Jim 2 is available to play online, right in your browser.