After many years in hibernation, it looks like everybody's favorite alien rap duo is ready to make their comeback. That's right: Toejam and Earl has returned, and like many video game franchises of years past, the developers are using Kickstarter to see the dream of a new game brought to life.
The original game released way back in 1991 for the Sega Genesis and spawned two sequels, the most recent of which was released in 2002. In the first game the alien rappers Toejam and Earl crash land on Earth and must explore a randomly generated world in order to reassemble their spacecraft. Along the way the game makes tons of pop culture references, all set to a funktastic soundtrack.
Since 1991 the video game landscape has changed dramatically, but the development team behind this new Toejam and Earl title is looking back to the early 90's for inspiration. Greg Johnson, one of the two original creators of Toejam and Earl, is hoping to build upon the successful elements of the first game while also introducing some new ideas.
"We plan to go old school with this one," Johnson says on the game's Kickstarter page. "Fixed isometric camera, 2D sprites, simple controls, and an emphasis on coop play. It will also pull in some of the more beloved elements from game two, AND we have a list of exciting new gameplay elements planned as well."
It's called Toejam and Earl: Back in the Groove, and it looks and feels exactly like the Toejam and Earl you remember. Like the original game, Toejam and Earl will once again crash on Earth and have to reassemble their ship to make it home, but this time they've brought more friends to allow for four player co-op play. The game will feature a retro comic look with 3D terrain, and players will actually unlock pages of a Toejam and Earl comic book over the course of the story. Of course, it wouldn't be Toejam and Earl without a killer soundtrack. Thankfully, Johnson assures fans that this new title will have that in spades.
"Oh right, I almost forgot... and we'll have funky music, and more funky music, and... then we'll add in more funky music."
You can check out an animated trailer for the game below to get a good idea of what Toejam and Earl is all about, and be sure to head over to the game's Kickstarter page to learn more about the project. The team is seeking $400,000 before March 27 to develop the title. Pledging $15 will nab you a copy of the game upon release, with upper tiers including a variety of Toejam and Earl t-shirts, posters and other goodies.
