Interplay To Bring Earthworm Jim, Clayfighter To Virtual Console

Following news that publisher Interplay was preparing to revive a number of its owned properties, the company has announced that it will soon be bringing several of its Sega Genesis titles to the Wii's Virtual Console, including Earthworm Jim and Clayfighter. Buoyed by the $5.75 million sale of its Fallout license to Bethesda, the company said in its 2007 earnings report that in addition to its planned Fallout MMO, it intended to revisit former properties. Interplay owns the rights to a number of critical and commercial hit franchises, including Battlechess, Dark Alliance, Descent, Giants, Messiah, Run Like Hell, and Sacrifice. Four titles of its Genesis lineup are currently slated to hit the Virtual Console: Earthworm Jim, Earthworm Jim 2, Boogerman, and Clayfighter. No specific dates have yet been announced, with Interplay saying the titles will be added "later this year." CEO Herve Caen said in the latest earnings report that "2007 set the foundation for our growth strategy," adding that the company's "unique intellectual property, and low debt and operational costs" would help "pursue financing for our various projects."