View source for Earthworm Jim (lost build of unreleased PlayStation Portable port of platformer; 2007)

{{InfoboxLost
|title=<center>Earthworm Jim (PSP port)</center>
|image=earthworm-jim-psp.png
|imagecaption=A fan's interpretation of the game's box art.
|status=<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
}}
''Earthworm Jim'' was a 2D platformer released on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive and Super Nintendo in 1994 developed by Shiny Entertainment. The game was an immediate success, spawning two sequels, a cartoon series, and various ports over the years. 1999 Saw the last entry in the series called ''Earthworm Jim: Menace 2 the Galaxy'' and had remained dormant for some time. video game developer Atari had picked up the rights to the ''Earthworm Jim'' series and wanted to '''remake the first game in the series for the PlayStation Portable'''. Due to lack of payments that were not being made, ''Earthworm Jim''s PlayStation Portable port was eventually scrapped. 

==Development==
At E3 2006, Atari had announced that they had acquired the rights for ''Earthworm Jim'' and were planning to port the game to the PlayStation Portable.<ref> [http://ign.com/articles/2006/05/11/e3-2006-earthworm-jim-crawls-again IGN article on the port's E3 2006 announcement.] Retrieved 26 Dec '17</ref> By August of 2006, it was reported that the game was 80% complete and would be ready for an early 2007 release. This port of ''Earthworm Jim'' was being developed by Interplay. By this time, Interplay was facing financial trouble as they were also working on a ''Fallout'' MMO and had to pay royalties to Shiny Entertainment. Atari had noticed the financial troubles and tried to renegotiate the contract between Atari, Interplay, and Shiny Entertainment, but failed to strike a new deal on royalty payments. Due to failed renegotiations, Atari ultimately shelved the project by mid-2007.<ref>[https://gamezone.com/news/the_reason_why_earthworm_jim_psp_was_canceled/ Gamezone article on the cancellation of ''Earthworm Jim'''s PlayStation Portable port.] Retrieved 26 Dec '17</ref>

==Gameplay==
Released gameplay footage shows that the port was using 3D graphics, but with 2D gameplay. The port would have classic levels like "New Junk City", but also would have added new levels. One referred to as "The Birds and the Bees" would have seen Jim caught in a war between birds and bees. ''Earthworm Jim'' would have also allowed for players to collect different parts for powerups on Jim's suit. Also new was a crouch feature that would have allowed players to crawl into smaller places.<ref>[https://gamespot.com/articles/earthworm-jim-hands-on/1100-6155723/ Gamespot article on new gameplay features.] Retrieved 26 Dec '17</ref><ref>[https://unseen64.net/2008/04/08/earthworm-jim-psp-cancelled/ Unseen64 article on the port's cancellation.] Retrieved 26 Dec '17</ref>

==Avalability==
A test demo was never released for the PlayStation Portable port. As of 2020, none of the game's files, nor has a demo of the game resurfaced. 

==Gallery== 
{{Video|perrow  =1
  |service1     =youtube
  |id1          =1VsSBEXTinM
  |description1 =''Earthworm Jim'' PlayStation Portable port gameplay of New Junk City.
}}
==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Lost video games]]
[[Category:Completely lost media]]