Interplay Collection 1

Interplay was one of the most creative publishers of the 16-bit era, and this Evercade collection showcases why. Headlined by the Earthworm Jim duology — two of the most visually inventive platformers of the 1990s — and supported by a diverse roster of genres and styles, this is a cartridge that rewards exploration.

Earthworm Jim: Still Groovy

Earthworm Jim and Earthworm Jim 2 are the main event, and they still deliver. The original game's hand-drawn animation was revolutionary in 1994 — fluid, expressive, and packed with character. Jim whips enemies with his own head, launches cows, bungee-jumps with his wormy body, and navigates some of the most creatively unhinged level designs in platforming history.

The gameplay is challenging — sometimes frustratingly so. The underwater submarine level (Down the Tubes) and the escort mission (For Pete's Sake) test patience as much as skill. But the highs — the opening junkyard level, the hellish descent through What the Heck?, the race against Psycrow — are genuinely exhilarating.

Earthworm Jim 2 refines the formula with even more visual flair and greater genre variety. One level is a quiz show. Another is a side-scrolling shooter. Another involves bouncing puppies across a series of marshmallows. The sheer unpredictability of what comes next kept players glued to their controllers in 1995, and it still works.

The Supporting Cast

Clayfighter is the collection's wildcard — a fighting game where every character is made of clay, with morphing animations that were technically impressive in 1993. It's not a tournament fighter, but the humor, unique aesthetic, and accessible gameplay make it a genuine crowd-pleaser in multiplayer.

Battle Chess brings the classic PC experience to the console — standard chess with animated piece captures that range from dramatic to comedic. It's chess. If you like chess, it's good chess with entertaining animations.

Boogerman is the other platformer in the collection — a deliberately gross action game where your attacks involve burping, flicking boogers, and other bodily functions. It's juvenille in the best way, with tight controls and detailed pixel art that elevates the scatological humor.

Emulation Quality

The 16-bit games in this collection look and play beautifully on the Evercade. Earthworm Jim's animation is smooth, Clayfighter's morphing effects work correctly, and the audio — including Jim's iconic voice samples — is faithfully reproduced. These are games that were designed to impress visually, and they still do.

Verdict

Interplay Collection 1 is an excellent Evercade cartridge anchored by two genuine classics. Earthworm Jim 1 and 2 are worth the purchase alone — they're creative, challenging, and visually spectacular platformers that have lost none of their personality. The supporting lineup adds variety and discovery value, making this one of the more well-rounded collections in the Evercade library.