Toejam & Earl: Back in the Groove Reviews

Toejam & Earl: Back in the Groove is ranked in the 51st percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
GBAtemp
Lavar Pittman
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Feb 21, 2019

I had a fun time playing this game, I still think there is some improvements to be made. Some good decisions was done such as making it a four player game and adding online mode. It also expands the original by a huge margin like you would expect and none of it feels out of place. My only question is what can come next, I do hope they try the platforming idea again like they did before.

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8 / 10.0
Mar 27, 2022

Online or local split-screen; ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove is still one of the best co-op experiences a gamer can have. The boppin’ funk soundtrack, squiggly graffiti and amusing character designs still makes this feel like an authentic 90s throwback without any irony poisoning.

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Feb 28, 2019

ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove isn't a blast FROM the past, it's a blast TO the past.

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80 / 100
Mar 1, 2019

ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove is a trip to the past and a game that the fans of the original wanted. It's really good, fun and the multiplayer is great. The downside is the loading time and playing it alone can be boring.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Mar 1, 2019

All in all, ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove! is as solid of a remake of the classic title as you can hope for. It plays the same, sounds the same, looks better, and has a fair amount of new content. It's fun and accessible, and it's a solid roguelike for players of all ages. Nostalgic fans of the original will find a lot to love here, and newcomers should enjoy this retro trip back to the radical '90s.

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8 / 10.0
Mar 10, 2019

A nice and very fun throwback to the past which doesn't require you to find out what these alien rappers were doing if this is the first time you are seeing them.

Review in Russian | Read full review

Cubed3
Top Critic
8 / 10
Mar 20, 2019

Nearly thirty years was a mighty long time, but ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove! proves that the wait was worth it. This is an excellent sequel, and it's not just because it captures the spirit of the original. The new features, as well as quality-of-life improvements, really enhance the experience. Each level is filled with things to do, and they all serve a purpose. There aren't any meaningless distractions. Even today, where roguelikes are exponentially more common, this is one that shouldn't be passed up.

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8 / 10.0
Feb 28, 2019

All things considered, it’s wonderful that ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove exists.

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8 / 10.0
Mar 1, 2019

Back in the Groove is a reboot that maintains the franchise's classic feel with a few worthwhile tweaks. Whether it is for nostalgia or a new adventure, this is a shattered Earth worth exploring.

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8 / 10
Feb 28, 2019

GREAT - I’m so happy to see this classic Sega franchise make a comeback. Crowdfunding is surely the best thing to happen to video games in the last decade and as we see more terrific indie games and franchise reboots created with this method. I’m still holding out for new Oasis and Shining Force titles. With Back in the Groove, the story, theme, and dialogue are all rather lackluster and dated, but that doesn’t detract from this being outstanding adventure game that is perfect for the entire family.

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8 / 10.0
Mar 13, 2019

177/5000 ToeJam, Earl and his team of alien rappers are back in action with ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove the fourth game in a series that is about to turn 30 years old.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Jun 25, 2019

Toejam and Earl is a great example of a retro revival done right, taking a clunky roguelike and polishing it up, making it absolutely gorgeous while also continuing to provide an incredible co-op experience.

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80 / 100
Apr 2, 2019

Toejam & Earl have come back quite fit in a game that pays perfect tribute to the first installment and gives it a makeover to suit current times. The variety of game modes provides impressive replayability that is getting more and more popular, as well as the cooperative mode that makes the game much longer-lasting and fun to play. A return to the high life.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Mar 12, 2019

Toejam and Earl: Back in the Groove is very well put together and really just a more modern and expanded spin of the first installment of the series. It may not appeal to everyone with its weird 90s cartoon humor and there may be a few minor issues to iron out, but it’s a huge amount of fun to play with friends, just for the sheer chaos it brings with all the variables involved.

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7.8 / 10.0
Feb 28, 2019

The singular sense of humor and music-themed touches that made the original so endearing are back, and the cooperative multiplayer is better than ever.

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75 / 100
Mar 7, 2019

While still in need of some technical polish, ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove is a loving flashback to the good old 90s, filled with some lighthearted laughs and killer beats in an easygoing adventure setting. Fans of the original will definitely find something to love, and those who are new to the craziness can find some great fun here.

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7.5 / 10.0
Mar 1, 2019

Trying to specifically describe in words how Back in the Groove plays would be a challenge, mainly because while it has elements that may feel familiar in places it is all joined together with random silliness and perhaps a touch of chemically-induced inspiration...

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7.4 / 10.0
Feb 28, 2019

As a revival of a very special Sega Genesis classic, ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove will certainly give fans the funky good times that they crave.

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73 / 100
Feb 28, 2019

Fans of the original game will find exactly what the missed all these years. It should be more appealing on the graphical side, but it's an OK adventure for those who seek a slow-paced experience.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

Shacknews
Top Critic
7 / 10
Apr 4, 2019

ToeJam and Earl are definitely back in the groove with this remake, and this game has been welcomed by fans who backed the Kickstarter back in 2015. I certainly wanted to see a more fresh take on these characters, but the game we got will keep fans of the franchise happy while introducing a whole new generation of gamers to the series.

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