'ToeJam & Earl' Latest News: 'Back in the Groove' Coming to Nintendo Switch
"ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove," the fourth title in the popular game series, will be coming to the Nintendo Switch sometime this year.
Game designer Greg Johnson recently announced that the "ToeJam & Earl" game would be landing on the Switch console. Though the Switch build is not yet available for playing, fans who traveled to PAX East in Boston managed to play another early version of the game.
Based on the first impressions of those who tested out the game for themselves, "Back in the Groove" goes back to its roots and is considered to be a reboot of the original 1991 game title.
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It was also confirmed that a version of the game will land on other consoles such as the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One and that announcements about their launch would be made soon.
According to Polygon, "Back in the Groove" has nine playable characters that gamers will be able to choose from, including new and retro versions of ToeJam, Earl and even Earl's mother. Each of these characters possesses a slightly different set of starting stats for health as well as speed.
"Back in the Groove" is reportedly more interactive than its predecessors. Characters are able to search in the bushes for loot, and gamers would also occasionally find a secret door which leads to one of several rhythm-based minigames.
The game features a Hyperfunk zone — a two-dimensional endless runner handing out free presents — and a "beat battle" minigame which uses "Guitar Hero" style musical cues in a competitive manner.
"We had a lot of great feedback from players last year at PAX West," lead artist Nathan Shorts said. "People wanted to have a little more control over what they were playing. So we added the ability to make your own beat, which is actually hearkening back to the little jam game in the first game. We wanted people to be able to feel that again, so you can make your own beat and then play it back."
While no official release date has been set, "ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove" is expected to launch this year for the Nintendo Switch, Linux, Mac and Windows PC. Other consoles will also be announced for the game in the future.
