Toejam & Earl: Back in the Groove Reviews

Toejam & Earl: Back in the Groove is ranked in the 51st percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
9.5 / 10.0
Feb 28, 2019

Playing this game is equivalent to downing some orange soda and Cool Ranch Doritos while watching Rocko's Modern Life with the Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy Jeff playing on my parents' six-CD player. With a little more variety in objectives this could be the killer co-op game to end all co-op games, but even with the same basic goal each run, ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove is one of the illest, dopest, most hella fly experiences I've had on my Switch. And while I know that vernacular is terribly dated, it totally works when talking about this game.

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ZTGD
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
Mar 19, 2019

This game helped me understand why people love the original ToeJam & Earl so much. Back in the Groove basically renders the original obsolete.

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9 / 10.0
Mar 1, 2019

Back in the Groove likely won’t push the franchise beyond its cult status, but it is a good game that fans both old and new should check out. Pick up and play this one with a friend for the best experience.

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4.5 / 5.0
Feb 28, 2019

Back in the Groove is a triumphant return for Toejam & Earl, boasting an upgraded take on the gameplay and atmosphere that made the original game so fresh. It has some issues with its framerate, but that can’t stop Toejam & Earl: Back in the Groove from being an overall excellent and wonderfully weird roguelike.

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9 / 10.0
Mar 1, 2019

ToeJam and Earl: Back in the Groove is a jamtastic sequel that more than lives up to the original.

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8.8 / 10.0
Feb 28, 2019

Toejam and Earl are back in a funky fun adventure.

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8.5 / 10.0
Feb 28, 2019

ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove feels like the sequel the creators of the original game always wanted to make. It's a follow-up to the original concept, which ended up lost in the weeds for every previous sequel attempt. It's a roguelike sort of game, but one that wants you to laugh and have fun instead of constantly dread what's around each corner. That remains distinct, even after all these years. This isn't the most elaborate or intense game in its space, but it's the happiest to be there.

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8.5 / 10.0
Oct 10, 2017

HumaNature Studios' Toe Jam & Earl: Back in the Groove has brought back and breathed life into the old gameplay design of the original game. It feels like a Toe Jam & Earl game, which I can appreciate immensely. While not groundbreaking with visuals, it still brings some real fun to a series that lost its way a long time ago.

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8.5 / 10.0
Mar 12, 2019

Capturing the essence of the 1991 classic, HumaNature Studios hits all of the right notes with ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove. With nine playable characters, light RPG progression, online co-operative gameplay, and a whole lot of funk, the latest entry into the ToeJam & Earl franchise rests solidly in the pocket where it is meant to be.

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8.5 / 10.0
Feb 28, 2019

The sublime style drips with funk, and the cadence of roaming through floors using my presents to try to avoid failure and find my ship parts is one that made for a charming experience. It didn't matter if I saw some of the same things several times over my multiple playthroughs. The whole thing is spectacularly goofy and weird, even if I eventually do figure out why the hell the yeti has a pencil.

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8.5 / 10.0
Feb 28, 2019

Sporting augmented graphics, remastered soundtrack, added items and earthlings, ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove is a remake done right.

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8.5 / 10.0
Feb 28, 2019

Back in the Groove is the faithful return to form Funkotron fans have been rapping about for decades, capturing the magic that made the original so endearing the galaxy over. It may not expand on the OG formula much, but old skool spinmasters from the Sega Genesis era are sure to vibe with ToeJam & Earl’s funky fresh return.

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8 / 10.0
Feb 28, 2019

Solid roguelike elements keep the action engaging and tense. No previous experience (or nostalgia) with the series required

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Feb 28, 2019

This is exactly how a retro revival should be done and studios would be wise to take note.

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8 / 10.0
Mar 4, 2019

A brilliant return for the funky alien duo! Back in the Groove is everything that ToeJam & Earl fans ever asked for. Even if sometimes is a bit broken and repetitive.

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Wccftech
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Feb 28, 2019

ToeJam and Earl: Back in the Groove goes old-school and ignores those experimental sequels to create a spiritual successor that's even more charming than the original Genesis adventure.

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8 / 10.0
Feb 28, 2019

Full of fun characters and unique presents to unwrap, the classic Sega Genesis game feels as unique as ever in Back in the Groove, and is well worth a trip back for older fans of the series. Newcomers can also look forward to finding out what made ToeJam & Earl so popular.

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Feb 28, 2019

ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove is an extremely welcome update to the first game in the series that retains and expands upon everything that made that game a classic.

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80 / 100
Mar 18, 2019

So what’s the verdict for this game? In one word – FUN!

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EGM
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Feb 28, 2019

ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove is a literal return-to-form for the series, and longtime fans should be happy about that. While it might not be a hardcore roguelike or fully integrate its more modern design choices, it does exactly what it sets out to do: give players a true sequel to the original Genesis classic. It's hard to say how far this formula could have come in 28 years if the series hadn't taken detours into other genres, but for now I'm just happy that it's gone back to its roots.

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