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Earthworm Jim seriesEarthworm Jim Windows 95 Special Edition fixes for modern Windows(21 posts)(21 posts)
(21 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted June 08, 2020
About running this game fullscreen:
As other have already mentioned, Earthworm Jim Special Edition (and a bunch of other early Win95 games, such as Pitfall: Mayan Adventure) won't run fullsceen on 64-bit Windows because it relies on a 16-bit library called DisplayDib (dispdlb.dll) to get direct access to video.

But I've found three potential solutions to this conundrum:
1) DxWnd, a tool which can make old Windows game switch from fullscreen to windowed mode, and vice-versa;
2) winevdm, a 16-bit Windows programs emulator for 64-bit Windows systems;
3) Boxedwine, another 16-bit Windows emulator which is based on Wine, a Windows compatibility layer for Linux systems. They have already tested it on Earthworm Jim demo, which is the reason I'm posting on this thread.

I couldn't test any of those yet because I'm using Linux now (so I'm going to try Wine, a Linux tool, so I hopefully can play my copy of Pitfall: the Mayan Adventure), but I hope at least one of these three tools can help you guys.

PS: I'm not allowed to post links at this moment, but it's easy to find those programs on Google.
Posted June 11, 2020
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cristianofigueir: About running this game fullscreen:
As other have already mentioned, Earthworm Jim Special Edition (and a bunch of other early Win95 games, such as Pitfall: Mayan Adventure) won't run fullsceen on 64-bit Windows because it relies on a 16-bit library called DisplayDib (dispdlb.dll) to get direct access to video.

But I've found three potential solutions to this conundrum:
1) DxWnd, a tool which can make old Windows game switch from fullscreen to windowed mode, and vice-versa;
2) winevdm, a 16-bit Windows programs emulator for 64-bit Windows systems;
3) Boxedwine, another 16-bit Windows emulator which is based on Wine, a Windows compatibility layer for Linux systems. They have already tested it on Earthworm Jim demo, which is the reason I'm posting on this thread.

I couldn't test any of those yet because I'm using Linux now (so I'm going to try Wine, a Linux tool, so I hopefully can play my copy of Pitfall: the Mayan Adventure), but I hope at least one of these three tools can help you guys.

PS: I'm not allowed to post links at this moment, but it's easy to find those programs on Google.
Thanks for the info. I will try to test them and report my results here if I get to test them.
Posted January 28, 2021
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Franpa: I know GOG does not sell this version, but this forum is a pretty good place to mention fixes for this version of the game seeing as Earthworm Jim fans are likely to visit here. Solutions may potentially be applicable to the version sold by GOG.

What is the Windows 95 Special Edition?

Earthworm Jim for Windows 95 is a direct port of the popular Sega CD version using the Exodus Video Gaming Technologies created by Kinesoft Development. The technology consists of highly optimized programming libraries that allow for the conversion of console games to Windows 95 primarily using 486 assembly code for the main game logic and C++ for the shell... blah, blah, blah. Okay, enough of the technobabble. Here's the story. Activision wanted to make some really cool games for Windows 95 because... well, there have never been any cool 2D side-scrolling action games for Windows.

So, because the guys at Microsoft made Windows 95 a gaming platform in addition to an operating system, Activision hired this company in Chicago called Kinesoft Development, who had just developed this really great technology for porting console games to Windows 95. Still raking in the dough for its popular game Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure, Activision then released a Windows 95 version that was not only able to fully capture the speed and gameplay of the original but contained lots of enhancements. So, after seeing what could be done in the new operating system, Activision called their buddies at Shiny Entertainment and licensed the rights to do a Windows 95 version of Earthworm Jim... which accounts for why you are reading this now. Anyway, like Pitfall, all of the speed, gameplay and fun of the original has been captured AND a bunch of enhancments have been added to make your gaming experience more pleasurable. So, on behalf of Activision, Kinesoft and Shiny... HAVE FUN!

-- 256 color graphics! The backgrounds and animations have been painstakingly updated from 64 to 256 colors. That's a whopping 192 extra colors that provide for PC-quality graphics!

-- CD-quality music! The game features a CD-quality soundtrack that contains over 50 minutes of cool music by the guys at Tommy Tallarico Studios. You can even listen to the music on your standard CD player. So, do Tommy a favor and pop in the Earthworm Jim CD whenever you go cruising down your local boulevard.

-- A new weapon! Help Jim blast his way through all of the levels using a new homing rocket not included in the cartridge versions.

-- A new level! Manuever Jim through an entire new level complete with new enemies and hidden goodies not included in the cartridge versions.

-- An Earthworm Jim Desktop Theme! Customize your Windows 95 desktop with this really cool Microsoft Plus! desktop theme that was created by the ever-productive Tin Guerrero. Now you can install Earthworm Jim animating cursors, sounds, icons and wallpaper... which will automatically make your computer better than anyone else's.

-- As you progress through the game the levels will become unlocked in a menu for you to choose from, eliminating some of the need for passwords.
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Franpa: Problem 1:
Sound FX doesn't work: To resolve this, switch the games EXE file to either Windows 98/ME or Windows 95 compatibility mode. When the game starts up you will get a warning about a missing dll file, you can ignore this warning.

Problem 2:
After fixing Problem 1 the game freezes on the Title Screen: To resolve this issue download and replace the games wail32.dll file with this one (while the game is closed): https://mega.nz/#!Xx5gAZSB!dJHSYEAvqMayoO2t2YfTAYfV3IM9gD7huLyvEos4-CE

Problem 3:
Fullscreen doesn't work: No known solution for 64bit Windows. For 32bit Windows you can copy the dispdib.dll file that I included in the above download link, to the games installation folder (place it alongside the games EXE file).

Problem 4 (Disregard this):
Visual Stutter: Fullscreen mode or disabling the Windows DWM might resolve this issue (Neither is possible under 64bit Windows 10). Alternatively, try setting the monitor refresh rate to 75Hz.
Some apps to try:
DXWND on sourceforge
Linux Wine Proton/TwisterOS
DOS-em Dos sound
Post edited January 28, 2021 by rico001
Posted March 25, 2023
Bumping this up.
Can't get sound, can't enable joypad, can't go fullscreen.

We really need someone to write a patch for modern systems.
Posted April 05, 2023
Just installed Earthworm Jim from GOG Galaxy. It had the same SFX missing problem and it drove me crazy.
But you can just download the extra files from GOG itself. On the GOG Galaxy Interface, in Earthworm Jim. There's tabs on the top saying Overview, My progress and Extras. Go to Extras and click download all at the bottom.
This fixed it.
Goddamn this game is jank as heck tho. I got to the hell level where a mouse suddenly tries to flame you alive in worm form. I can't imagine anyone playing this game without savestates.
Posted April 13, 2023
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Kyle07: Problem 2) might be the issue why I cannot play Pitfall - The Mayan Adventure with SFX and soundtrack.
But the last time I tried the game, I used a virtual Win98 and I was still not able to play the game with SFX and soundtrack. May the same wail32.dll here work also for Pitfall? It would be awesome if yes. I would love it to play this awesome game again. ... and to play Earthworm Jim in the Win95 Edition again. :)
For the GOG version on Windows , you might want to try the CoolSoft Midi Mapper. It will also allow you to configure sound settings and ask if you want to in Earthworm Jim Settings.
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umisery: Thanks for the fixes!

Is there a way to play the game in a higher resolution then what it officially supports? I tried both dgVoodoo and nGlide and neither work sadly.
you could try mcable. reshade, or integer scaling
Post edited April 13, 2023 by rico001
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Earthworm Jim seriesEarthworm Jim Windows 95 Special Edition fixes for modern Windows(21 posts)(21 posts)
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