ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove

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ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove is a single player and multiplayer casual action adventure game with fantasy, comedy and science fiction themes. It was developed by HumaNature Studios and was released on February 28, 2019. It received neutral reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove is a funky fresh remake of the classic 90s game. Play as one of two alien rappers on a mission to collect pieces of their spaceship after crash landing on Earth. Explore randomly generated levels, avoid hazards, and interact with eccentric Earthlings in this humor-filled adventure.

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88%

Audience ScoreBased on 882 reviews

music91 positive mentions

stability17 negative mentions

Faithful remaster of a classic game that captures the look and feel perfectly.
Fun and easy to jump in for a quick run, especially enjoyable in multiplayer.
Great nostalgic experience with a funky soundtrack and humorous elements.

Game suffers from bugs and glitches, particularly in multiplayer mode.
Difficulty can feel unbalanced, especially in later levels with overwhelming enemy density.
Controls are not customizable, which can be frustrating for some players.

music
168 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
44%
2%
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its funky and nostalgic vibe, successfully blending updated tracks with familiar tunes from the original. While some players feel the new soundtrack doesn't quite match the iconic quality of the original, many appreciate the modern remixes and the overall fun atmosphere it creates. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a highlight, enhancing the game's quirky charm and engaging gameplay.
- “The iconic soundtrack gets a similar bump-up, keeping the classic tunes while adding some new funky jams.”
- “The music is phenomenal, and you can play for hours!”
- “The whole aesthetic is here: great soundtrack, rad art and a roguelike/roguelite starting point that hopefully spawns a new gen of tj&e kids.”
- “The main thing that bothers me is the music is not the same at all; it feels like it's just too hard to be funky instead of just giving us a remastered or updated soundtrack from the original game.”
- “Not having the original soundtracks in this game is such a missed opportunity.”
- “The music is largely updates of the older tunes, but it feels less funky than the original.”
gameplay
152 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
76%
2%
The gameplay of the remastered Toejam & Earl retains the core mechanics of the original, focusing on exploration, collecting presents, and avoiding enemies, while introducing new elements like a stat system and additional characters. While some players appreciate the nostalgic feel and updated graphics, others find the gameplay simplistic and dated, with issues such as clunky mechanics and a lack of clarity in objectives. Overall, it offers a mix of classic charm and modern tweaks, appealing to both longtime fans and newcomers, though it may not satisfy those seeking more complex gameplay.
- “The game oozes style: graphically, sonically, even in the gameplay.”
- “Retains the original's core gameplay: explore randomly generated levels, avoid hazards, and collect mysterious presents (some helpful, some hilarious).”
- “They stayed true to the original gameplay formula and modernized it so it really feels like what you expected and not some completely different game.”
- “Definitely a remaster/remake of the original that retains the nearly confusing level design and gameplay.”
- “All the gameplay mechanics are omega clunky and the game feels super unclear, aimless, and unfair.”
- “The gameplay feels like the first game but its soul feels way different.”
graphics
126 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
69%
3%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the vibrant, cartoony cel-shaded style that evokes a nostalgic 90s aesthetic, while others criticize it as a downgrade from the original pixel art. Many find the visuals colorful and fun, but some feel they lack detail and polish, leading to a perception of them as simplistic or even garish. Overall, while the updated graphics aim to enhance the experience, they have not universally resonated with fans of the original series.
- “The game oozes style: graphically, sonically, even in the gameplay.”
- “The visuals get a fresh coat of paint with a groovy cel-shaded style that pops with color.”
- “The bright vibrant art style and cartoony effects really stand out in HD and give the game a flavor all of its own.”
- “While there are options to change the resolution for the game, all this does is scale up the simplistic 2D art assets used to make the game, which makes little or no difference to the graphics quality.”
- “Without any other substantial graphics tweaks, it's not possible for gamers to improve the lackluster 2D visuals.”
- “The graphics look okay, but it feels like a phone game, not a completed computer title.”
humor
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Toejam & Earl: Back in the Groove" is widely praised for its quirky, 90s-inspired charm, featuring absurd characters, bizarre gifts, and funny situations that enhance the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the game's lighthearted and goofy atmosphere, complemented by a funky soundtrack, making it a delightful co-op adventure that appeals to fans of the original. Overall, the humor is described as imaginative and entertaining, perfect for casual play and exploration.
- “There's no pressure to rush; you can explore at your own pace, unwind to the funky soundtrack, and enjoy the wacky humor.”
- “The world is so goofy and zany, and everything has these fine touches of humor that makes the game a joy to play.”
- “Lots of silly humor and an infectiously wholesome aesthetic make this funkotronian trip back to the 90s a true delight, while new permanent unlockables such as hats, presents, and new characters with their own groovy abilities add to the replay factor.”
replayability
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
55%
8%
Overall, the game boasts considerable replayability due to its random world generation, unlockable characters, and various game modes that enhance the experience, especially in multiplayer settings. Players appreciate the nostalgic charm and the depth added by new features, which keep the gameplay fresh and engaging. However, some critics note that it may feel simplistic compared to modern roguelikes, potentially limiting its appeal for those seeking a more challenging experience.
- “It's not a perfect game, but it has a ton of replayability and is a great game to play with a friend in either couch co-op or online.”
- “Great replayability thanks to randomized levels and unlockable rewards each time you beat the game.”
- “You'll never play the same game twice, and multiplayer gives it infinite replayability.”
- “If you're looking for a challenging roguelike with hundreds of hours of replayability, this is not it.”
- “Now, the drawback I mentioned is that for modern standards of roguelikes, the game feels too simplistic with very little replay value.”
- “It's a bit too easy and does not have a lot of replay value.”
stability
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
94%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs and glitches that affect both single-player and multiplayer experiences. Issues range from characters disappearing and getting stuck to problems with video cutscenes and online co-op functionality. While some players find the game enjoyable despite these flaws, many express frustration over the persistent instability and the impact it has on gameplay.
- “The game ran smoothly without any major issues on my end.”
- “I experienced no crashes or glitches during my playthrough.”
- “Overall, the stability of the game was impressive and allowed for an enjoyable experience.”
- “The multiplayer was extremely buggy, from rooms being invisible to friends to characters randomly disappearing to characters just randomly getting irreparably stuck, etc.”
- “Buggy since launch, still can't complete all the achievements.”
- “Great game, highly recommend, but beware the online co-op glitch. If you get a swap player present and you don't have online split-screen on, you will enter into a broken state of the game with no music or sounds. The other player will remain broken even after rebooting the level.”
story
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
60%
20%
The game's story is a mix of nostalgia and new elements, primarily revolving around the classic premise of Toejam and Earl trying to collect spaceship parts after a crash on Earth. While it retains connections to previous titles, the narrative is criticized for lacking depth and coherence, with repetitive level design and a fast-paced storyline that leaves players wanting more content. Overall, it feels like a remake with enhanced graphics but limited innovation in storytelling.
- “Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
- “So as far as the classic story goes, Toejam & Earl are aliens and then their spaceship gets hit by an asteroid, so they crash into Earth and your goal is trying to collect the spaceship parts that've gotten scattered throughout different levels, so they can eventually return home.”
- “The story isn't something that specifically requires you to play past games -- there are connections to Panic on Funkotron and Toejam & Earl 3, but nothing requires you to play those games to understand what's going on here.”
- “The game features no proper level design or game/story flow/plot, as they opted to try to use samey repetitive procedural generation algorithms as a substitute for adding such content to the game, to avoid doing the important job of level/map design.”
- “If you have played the original then you know exactly what to expect; there isn't much new other than enhanced graphics and some story.”
- “The story isn't something that specifically requires you to play past games -- there are connections to Panic on Funkotron and ToeJam & Earl 3, but nothing requires you to play those games to understand what's going on here.”
grinding
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mix of strategic challenge and tedium. While some enjoy the logical upgrades and hidden item mechanics, many report that the experience becomes repetitive and tedious over time, particularly when playing solo or after completing all game modes. Issues like long loading times and unskippable logos further contribute to the sense of monotony.
- “It did become a bit boring and tedious during the first 'fixed' world, but that's because I was playing without any online people.”
- “However, the experience soon became tedious.”
- “It is tedious and repetitive with a bunch of enemies who just chase you around and suck all of the fun out of it.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its wholesome and cute aesthetic, evoking a sense of belonging and nostalgia reminiscent of the 90s. Players appreciate the humor and funky vibe, though some feel the experience is brief and may not warrant repeated play. Overall, the game delivers a delightful and infectiously positive emotional experience.
- “It made me feel like I never wanted to leave, that this is where I needed to be.”
- “It's humorous and wholesome and so damned funky.”
- “Lots of silly humor and an infectiously wholesome aesthetic make this funkotronian trip back to the 90s a true delight.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The game's atmosphere is a nostalgic and trippy experience, effectively capturing the essence of the original while incorporating remixed music that resonates with long-time fans. It offers a chaotic yet enjoyable environment, especially in co-op mode, evoking fond memories of playing with friends. Overall, the atmosphere successfully rejuvenates the classic feel of the series after years of dormancy.
- “This remaking, retelling, rejuvenation of a wonderful atmosphere after decades of dormancy gave me hope.”
- “This one captures the atmosphere of the original perfectly.”
- “The game has a very trippy atmosphere to it, and the music is taken straight from the older games and remixed, which a lot of fans would appreciate.”
- “Nevertheless, the game is great casually alone and with friends as the co-op creates a much more chaotic atmosphere, much in line with the series.”
- “And this atmosphere so easily recalls those times when my friends and I went through this game, sitting on the old sofa, not thinking about anything but the next level.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
Overall, the optimization for the game on PC is generally positive, with users noting better performance and more frequent updates compared to other platforms. However, some minor hiccups in level loading and saving have been reported, indicating room for improvement.
- “I've sunk more hours on another platform, but PC is the way to go thanks to better performance and more frequent updates.”
- “Performance has some minor hiccups, mostly in level loads and saves.”
- “Minor performance gripe.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
Character development is enhanced through hidden alternate endings and side dialogues that provide depth to the characters. Additionally, the character designs evoke nostalgia, reminiscent of the style from ToeJam & Earl III, contributing to the overall charm of the game's cast.
- “The hidden alternate endings and side dialogue provide significant character development.”
- “Character-wise, the main character designs evoke a nostalgic resemblance to the models from ToeJam and Earl III.”
- “The hidden alternate ending and side dialogue provide some character development, but it's not enough to make the characters feel fully fleshed out.”
- “Character-wise, the designs seem to resemble the models from ToeJam and Earl III, which feels outdated and uninspired.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The review does not provide any specific insights into the monetization aspect of the game, focusing instead on the reviewer’s personal experience with the Sega Mega Drive (Genesis) and their unfamiliarity with its games.

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60%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews

ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove
Thesixthaxis.com
60%

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40h Median play time

40h Average play time

40-40h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove is a casual action adventure game with fantasy, comedy and science fiction themes.

ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

On average players spend around 40 hours playing ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove.

ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove was released on February 28, 2019.

ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove was developed by HumaNature Studios.

ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove has received neutral reviews from players and neutral reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its music but disliked it for its stability.

ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include 20XX, Streets of Rage 4, Sonic Mania, Star Control: Origins, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge and others.

ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove

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