Fifteen years ago, David Perry, Tommy Tallarico, and Doug TenNapel created video game gold when they melded their magic to produce Shiny Entertainment’s Earthworm Jim, an instant classic of the 16-bit era that featured tight action, remarkable character designs, absurd humor, and an incredible soundtrack. Although the sequels didn’t quite live up to the original’s lofty standards, Earthworm Jim is still beloved by many.

Those looking for a fresh series entry will have to make due with Gameloft’s recently released Earthworm Jim remake for the iPhone and iPod touch ($5), which retains all of the original’s charms, plus a nice new coat of paint that brings the visuals into the 21st century. I had a chance to get hands-on with the game before its release, and I have to say that I was quite impressed with how the 2D animation, music (you can now add tunes own from your music collection), and sound were just as how I remembered them as a kid. The only potential negative? Working with a virtual D-pad on the Apple platform has historically produced some control issues (see Alive 4 Ever and Magical Drop Touch). Still, the game  looks extremely promising, so check back for a full review in coming days.