History VideoGame / ToeJamAndEarl

* MythologyGag: While riding the elevator, your character can wonder, "Where are the bees?" Bees were a common enemy in the original game, but have been removed from the sequel. It might also be a rather dark reference to the fact that honeybees are dying out in real life.

* NiceMeanAndInBetween: The three leads could qualify. Earl is the chill and easygoing Nice, ToeJam is the selfish and egotistical Mean, and Latisha is the no-nosense yet caring In-Between.

* BettingMiniGame: You can roll a 20-sider with the [[TabletopRPG Roleplayers]] for $1, and win $1 to $5 back if you roll high enough, and $8 if you roll a 20.

** ''Panic on Funkotron also has various recurring Funkotronians who will give the player hints on where to find secret areas.

* Every10000Points: Every five levels, you will get a "promotion" that changes your title. Ten levels will grant you an extra life.

* IdleAnimation: If you leave them idle too long, they'll actually fall asleep. You then have to mash the buttons a bunch of times to have a disembodied voice yell at them to wake up.

* SneezeOfDoom: Though it's incredibly rare, [=ToeJam=] and Earl may sneeze when sneaking past sleeping enemies or attempting to surprise Santa, ruining the attempt.

* StandardStatusEffects: Quite a few. Schoolbooks put you to sleep, which makes you helpless to enemy attacks, forcing you to button mash your way to being awake. Wahini will make you do a dance if you get too close to her, slowing you down. Cupids fire arrows [[InterfaceScrew which make you lovestruck]]. Finally, the Rain Cloud will randomly drain your health with lightning bolts.

* {{Understatement}}: The name of the Total Bummer, which is instant death.
* UnwinnableByMistake: Very rarely, the level generator will create a map consisting of two large islands, with no way to get from one to the other without using a present. If the ship piece and/or the exit are on the other island and you lack such a present, you are completely and irrevocably hosed.

* GettingCrapPastTheRadar: One fiery area is called "Hot and Bothered".

* AffectionateParody: The games are a light-hearted satire of America's urban and hip-hop culture.

* AffectionateParody: The series is a light-hearted satire of America's urban and hip-hop culture.
** This is noticably more exaggerated in ''Mission to Earth'' and ''Back in the Groove''.

* AffectionateParody: The series is a humorous homage to America's urban and hip-hop culture.

* AffectionateParody: The series is a humorous homage to American urban and hip-hop culture.

* AffectionateParody: The series is a humorous homage to urban American hip-hop culture.

* SpaceJews: Series creator Greg Johnson, who himself is partially black, has stated in a [[https://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/GregJohnson/20150313/238756/A_Few_Provocative_Thoughts_by_Greg_Johnson.php blog post]] that Toejam and Earl's character designs are inspired by inner-city black American culture. Latisha herself is clearly a SassyBlackWoman.

* SpaceJews: Series creator Greg Johnson, who himself is partially black, has stated in a [[https://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/GregJohnson/20150313/238756/A_Few_Provocative_Thoughts_by_Greg_Johnson.php blog post]] that Toejam and Earl's character designs are inspired by inner-city black American culture.

* SpaceJews: Series creator Greg Johnson, who himself is partially black, has stated in a [[https://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/GregJohnson/20150313/238756/A_Few_Provocative_Thoughts_by_Greg_Johnson.php blog post]] that Toejam and Earl's character designs are inspired by black American culture.

* SpaceJews: Series creator Greg Johnson, who himself is partially black, has stated in a [[https://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/GregJohnson/20150313/238756/A_Few_Provocative_Thoughts_by_Greg_Johnson.php blog post]] that ToeJam and Earl's character designs are inspired by black American culture.

* AffectionateParody: The series is a humorous love letter to urban American hip-hop culture.

* AffectionateParody: Of urban American hip-hop culture.
** This noticably becomes more exaggerated in ''Mission to Earth'' and ''Back in the Groove''.

** This noticably becomes more pronounced in ''Mission to Earth'' and ''Back in the Groove''.

** This noticably becomes even more pronounced in the third game, ''Mission to Earth''.

* PortalDoor: The Doorway present creates a door which, when entered, deposits you in a random location in the current level.

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.

* LittleGirlsKickShins: An enemy Earthling appearing in the second and third games.
* MercyInvincibility: Averted, which lead to several otherwise-innocuous enemies becoming much more difficult to handle.

* WingedSoulFliesOffAtDeath: What happens if your character dies in the first and third games. If it's their final life, they will wave goodbye to the fourth wall.