The original ToeJam & Earl was a quite a big hit for Sega at the time so it was a no-brainer than a sequel should be released. With the success of Sonic the Hedgehog it must have seemed like a logical step to reinvent ToeJam & Earl to be a 2D side-scrolling platform game as well. The exploration of an almost open-end world and long list of funny power-ups are sadly lost in this 2D collect-a-thon so fans of the original may not necessarily warm to this sequel.
After their first adventure ToeJam and Earl have returned back to their home planet of Funkotron as heroes. What they did not realise that some of those crazy 'Earthlings' had hitched a lift back home with them! Before you can say 'funktabolous' they are up to no good causing havoc so TJ and Earl are tasked with the job of rounding them all up and sending them back to where they came from!
Using your radar you plod around Funkatron capturing the pesky Earthlings you find in jars strangely enough. In addition to the jar throwing you can jump and shoot. The Earthlings are as 'wacky' as ever as you might expect. My favourite is the naked dude with a penchant for singing opera and hiding in a box!
The music and visuals retain the fun of the original game. After a short while you’ll find yourself humming along to the funky beats.
Unfortunately things get quite repetitive very quickly. Collecting the Earthlings and plodding around is only fun for a short time. There are a few mini games dotted along the way like the Hyperfunk Zone and some rhythm games but they only have short term appeal also. With two players the game is a lot more fun so if you have a buddy who is willing to play this through with you it may be worth a look. For solo players this is probably best avoided.
1. DEMON212
18 Apr 2007, 00:07 GMT
The first one is a canny chill out game, but is this one faster paced? Because I just couldn't get hooked on the first one because it was to slow for my liking.
2. TheDoc
19 Apr 2007, 07:29 GMT
Oh man....this game was far better than the first. frustrating at times, yes, but great on the whole. Can't wait to two-player this game up with my friends.
3. danstan
19 Apr 2007, 07:37 GMT
DEMON, this one is definitely more fast paced. It's essentially a standard platformer.
4. Kelvin
20 Apr 2007, 20:53 GMT
Great graphics on this one, but it's a fairly generic platformer gameplay wise.
5. PresidentLeever
22 Apr 2007, 02:59 GMT
I don't get why people are calling it generic because of the platforming format? The game is full of original and fun game mechanics, the graphics are much better, and I think this is one of the first games that could be defined partly as a "rhythm" game.
I would've preferred a zombies ate my neighbours styled system for collecting humans though, to remedy the backtracking.
6. Buttmonk3y
26 Apr 2007, 13:04 GMT
You cant beat the original! This one was nowhee near as good!
7. PresidentLeever
05 Jun 2007, 00:28 GMT
It also had better music.
Wow, it's just a great improvement over the original game!
8. Dood77
06 Jun 2007, 06:34 GMT
This game is amazing! So much humor and great single player. If you loved the first one, you probably won't find this very impressive, but on the other hand, if you thought the first one was too slow, then this one should do it for you
9. Edddddd
07 Jun 2007, 10:34 GMT
This was the second game I played on my Mega Drive, and I still love it. I've never played the first, but Panic on Funkatron is just so cool. I'd definitely give it 5 stars (maybe 4 without nostalgia).
10. Pocketim
23 Jun 2007, 02:56 GMT
The ToeJam and Earl games are great 2 player games.
11. Pocketim
25 Jun 2007, 09:21 GMT
This Game is very good for its time, It still feels quite fresh today!
12. Ap0c
01 Jul 2007, 18:27 GMT
Oh, it's been so long. Just watching that video brought all of the memories flowing back. It's a shame I'm getting error-coded everytime i try to buy Wii points. I'd be playing this right now.
13. Mixer152
27 Jan 2008, 11:29 GMT
I've never played the first game but from what I heard, its not my kinda thing. This one however I loved as a kid (still remember renting it from blockbusters and not giving it back lol still got the shiny RENTED sticker on it)
Great music to go with the funky theme. Loved the RPG like elements such as talking to people and stuff, i thought that made it stand out from other platformers. It might have been generic gameplay-wise but the above mentioned points far than make up for it for me. Or maybe I just need to rub the nostalgia dust out of my eyes.
14. President_Leever
30 Jan 2008, 15:16 GMT
Boom-sha, Boom-Boom-sha-Clap! Awesome game.
15. Kingston
04 Apr 2008, 00:12 GMT
One of the most enjoyable, most original, and funkiest platformers I have ever played. I am extremely satisfied.
Audio 9/10
Gameplay 8.5/10
Lasting appeal 8.5/10 (spent about 6-8 hrs on this one)
Overall 8.9/10
16. couthedman92
04 May 2008, 05:37 GMT
Everyone should stop being such squares. This funky game has the grooviest aliens of all time. These two disco sensations are cool enough to boogie your night away. Anyone who doesn't like this is such a jive turkey...
P.S. @Nintendo Nerd
Give it up. You have no reason to keep promoting Luigi's Mansion. It's terrible and you know it. I would have more fun catching sheet ghosts in the attic with a vacuum cleaner.
17. Roo
25 Jul 2008, 13:16 GMT
"For solo players this is probably best avoided."
Great. That's me just wasted 800 points.
Don't drink whilst using Wii Shopping Channel kids.
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