History VideoGame / ToeJamAndEarl

''[=ToeJam=] & Earl'' is a series of video games known mainly for the titular first entry, released in 1991 on the [[UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis Sega Mega Drive/Genesis]]. The first game is an exploration-oriented ActionAdventure game with an overhead perspective and (the option of) randomly-generated [[GameLevel levels]], giving it a {{roguelike}} feel.

The sequels include ''[=ToeJam=] & Earl in Panic on Funkotron'', a two-dimensional PlatformGame released on the Mega Drive/Genesis in 1993, where the duo has made it back home, only to find that several Earthlings have stowed onboard, and are now causing [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Panic on Funkotron]]. ''[=ToeJam=] & Earl III: Mission to Earth'' was a three-dimensional platformer released on Microsoft's UsefulNotes/{{Xbox}} in 2002 (the game had been intended for the UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast, but after Sega went third-party, it was ported over to the Xbox as part of Sega's quasi-alliance with them at the time). [=ToeJam=] and Earl were also featured in ''Ready, Aim, Tomatoes!'', a pack-in game with the Genesis's Menacer light-gun peripheral. A beta of the third game from when it was intended for the Dreamcast [[http://www.geek.com/games/dreamcast-just-got-a-new-game-and-its-toejam-earl-3-1580775/ was discovered and released]], bearing many more similarities to the first game than the finished product.

* CoOpMultiplayer

* ChestMonster: Variation: the dreaded Mailbox Monster, who will attack if you get too close - and aside from waiting to see if eyes randomly appear in the mail slot, this is the only way to distinguish the two. Less notable are the Earthling presents which may or may not summon harmful enemies.

* DepravedDentist: One of the enemies.
* DigAttack: The moles who steal your presents.

** The Hula Dancer enemy can distract Toejam and Earl by making them dance compulsively, making them vulnerable to attacks from other Earthlings.

* RandomTransportation: Doorway present.

* RPGElements: There are nine player rankings. Which ranking you currently have is based on your score, which is primarily increased by opening presents and exploring more of the map. "Wiener", as seen in the screenshot above, is the lowest ranking.

* SprintShoes: Super Hi-Tops. They even come with a cute little honking horn sound.

* BraggingRightsReward: Completing two perfect runs (collecting all of the presents) in each of the three Hyperfunk Zones will grant you infinite Super Jars for the rest of the game. This is [[NintendoHard much easier said than done]], especially with the third layout which borders on PlatformHell.[[note]][[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE3kOdmLzO4 See for yourself]].[[/note]] If you can achieve this Herculean feat, either you have inhuman reflexes or you've memorized all three stages, which would require playing through the game repeatedly in a short time span. Both of these prove that you're probably skilled enough not to need the infinite Super Jars to begin with.

* GuideDangIt: Collecting the Funkopotamus's favorite things.

* OurMonstersAreWeird: The series almost rivals ''VideoGame/EarthBound'' for the amount of silly, bizarre enemy types.

%% * GettingCrapPastThe Radar: Due to overwhelming and persistent misuse, GCPTR is on-page examples only until 01 June 2021. If you are reading this in the future, please check the trope page to make sure your example fits the current definition.

->"Alright Earl, let's go. Let's handle some business."\\

[[folder:''[=ToeJam=] & Earl: Mission to Earth'' (2002)]]

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[[caption-width-right:350:Give 'em that funk! Doo-doo doo!]]

In late February 2015, series creator Greg Johnson announced a fourth game in the series, ''Back in the Groove'', that was [[https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1578116861/toejam-and-earl-back-in-the-groove/ successfully funded]] on Website/{{Kickstarter}}. It was released in March of 2019, and is a return to the style of the original game. Outside of the series, [=ToeJam=] and Earl have also appeared as {{Guest Fighter}}s in other games such as ''VideoGame/SuperIndieKarts'', ''Mighty Fight Federation'' and ''VideoGame/WonderWickets''.

!!The series as a whole provides examples of:

%% Tropes that only appear in one of those games and Back in the Groove can go to the older game's section

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!!The first ''[=ToeJam=] & Earl'' provides examples of:

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!!''[=ToeJam=] & Earl: Panic on Funkotron'' provides examples of:

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!!''[=ToeJam=] & Earl: Mission to Earth'' provides examples of:

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!!''[=ToeJam=] & Earl: Back in the Groove'' provides examples of:

[[quoteright:320:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/toejam_and_earl.png]]
[[caption-width-right:320:Ouch, man. That's cold.]]

%% Note: Back in the Groove has most of the 1st game's and many of the 2nd game's tropes. Tropes that only appear in one of those games and Back in the Groove can go to the older game's section (if a trope is in only 1 and 4, it can be filed under 1; if it's in 2 and 4, it can be filed under 2).

* BinomiumRidiculus: Many of the Earthlings follow this naming convention, at least in the [[AllInTheManual instruction manual]]. [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] in the fact the game is written from the [[HumansThroughAlienEyes perspective of aliens]].

* ManOnFire: Happens when the "Burnin' Up" present is opened.

* GameGourmet: Like in a lot of games, [[HyperactiveMetabolism food is healing items]]. There are good and bad foods, though, and different degrees of each. Generally the tastier the junk food you find is, the more health it restores.

* AerithAndBob: Self explanatory.
* AllMythsAreTrue: Earth is home to ghosts, devils, wizards, boogie men, cupids, monsters, and even Santa Claus. No vampires or werewolves in sight, but [[EndlessDaytime the possibility of their existence cannot be entirely ruled out.]]