ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove!

 Switch
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
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  1. Switch Player
    Apr 18, 2019
    70
    HumaNature have executed the retro revitalisation of ToeJam & Earl exactly in the way that backers will have wanted. Whilst it might not be a revolutionary game in 2019, the updated features and trimmings are more than enough to keep fans of the series happy.
  2. Pure Nintendo
    Mar 24, 2019
    70
    I do wish the time-honored gameplay was offset a bit more by balanced, polished, and tighter design at times. But if you’re “ready for a blast of funky nostalgia” the sense of déja vu that comes from familiar fun won’t be a negative.
  3. Nintendo Life
    Feb 28, 2019
    70
    A faithful enhancement to the classic original. It might not satisfy those looking for their next big blockbuster or 'prestige indie' title as the design may feel somewhat dated, despite the game’s own attempts to obfuscate the obsolete with the arbitrary. This funky, distinctive game should please the nostalgic while being unique enough to attract, and satisfy, the curious. Details such as the exhaustive documentation and varying minigames definitely show some heart in the development. Ultimately, this is a package that is designed to appeal to pre-existing fans rather than create entirely new ones, but if you're a fan of this kind of game and don't mind the odd spot of randomness, then you should give it a try.
  5. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Aug 28, 2019
    65
    ToeJam & Earl's endearing retro motif is right up my alley, but there simply isn't enough charm here to elevate this new entry over its source material. [Issue #39 – May/June 2019, p. 29]
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  6. CGMagazine
    Mar 4, 2019
    65
    ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove just feels like more of the original game sprinkled with some modern-day trimmings (rogue-lite progression, for example) that feel like an afterthought.
  7. App Trigger
    Feb 28, 2019
    65
    Toejam and Earl: Back in the Groove does offer a lot of the same fun found in the original, but a meaner edge and some annoying changes keep it from surpassing its still easily available predecessor.
  8. Twinfinite
    Mar 7, 2019
    60
    It has the unlockables and online functionality of its modern contemporaries, while sticking to its roots and showing us that a good game can still be a good game, even after all these years.
  9. Metro GameCentral
    Feb 28, 2019
    60
    As loving a recreation of the Mega Drive original as fans could ever hope for, but without any major evolution of the concept it has far less to offer anyone else.
  10. Nintendo Insider
    Feb 28, 2019
    60
    The visuals are pretty, and the music is brilliant, but ToeJam and Earl: Back In The Groove! is the same game it was nearly three decades ago. This is fine I suppose, but it feels like more could have been done. It’s an enjoyable experience with friends, but a bit dull on your own. The whole experience is just a bit lackluster when compared to games of today.
  11. The Sydney Morning Herald
    Feb 28, 2019
    50
    Back in the Groove might satisfy series fans that just want some new toys to play with, but the sluggish speed and obtuse design of the dated original remains.

Awards & Rankings

50
#50 Most Shared Switch Game of 2019

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 93 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 93
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 93
  3. Negative: 36 out of 93
  1. Mickmog
    Jan 18, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. A joyful trip down memory lane. Used to play in the early 90s after a night dancing to the cult and wonderstuff through to 3 in the morning.... now play cuddled up with twin 10 year olds on this joyous update!! A tad more sober....… Full Review »
  2. General_Tzu
    Aug 18, 2019
    10
    I enjoyed the first Toejam & Earl game, but never quite understood what the hell you were supposed to do. This switch version is eye poppingI enjoyed the first Toejam & Earl game, but never quite understood what the hell you were supposed to do. This switch version is eye popping gorgeous, has online player mode (rarely someone else playing), and is easy to learn. After playing through this, there are great incentives (unlockables) to keep playing. The game is just ridiculously fun and well crafted to reboot the franchise. This was definitely for the old players and not so much an attempt to bring in new players (IMO).

    Loved it, play it all the time.    … Full Review »
  3. Frogacuda
    Mar 1, 2019
    10
    This is a game aimed squarely at fans of the 1991 original, with little concern for broadening that audience. There's a lot of merit to thatThis is a game aimed squarely at fans of the 1991 original, with little concern for broadening that audience. There's a lot of merit to that -- we've had two sequels that attempted to reconcile the franchise with contemporary game design to diminishing result, and this one aims to punch a big, red "RESET" button on the franchise and give those tried and true fans of the original the proper follow-up they've always wanted.

    Although this is a sequel, set after (and featuring characters from) the later games, it really feels like a reboot, and if you ignored the slightly different opening, you could even pass it off for a remake. There are a ton of new gameplay features, enemies, power ups, and mechanics, but the fundamental concept is almost identical to the original. You'll explore 25 randomly generated levels, stacked on top of each other, looking for 10 lost piece to TJ&E's ship, while avoiding enemies. It's one of the earliest non-traditional roguelikes, breaking out of the grid-based, turn-based design for something more organic and less combat-foucsed. That might not seem as revolutionary now, but it was at the time and there still hasn't been anything quite like it in the intervening years.

    This is certainly not a game for everyone. It's slow, there's very little combat, and you can beat the game in under two hours. Those who never understood the original won't be persuaded by this one. But it's long overdue -- and still one of the best couch co-op games around.    … Full Review »
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