Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 72 | 33 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 88% | 82 | 565 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 100% | 97 | 1 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 2 reviews sampled · 1 total reviews in window · weighted 1.3 up / 0 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (74)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 70
“I do wish the time-honored gameplay was offset a bit more by balanced, polished, and tighter design at times. But if you're "ready for a blast of funky nostalgia" the sense of déja vu that comes from familiar fun won't be a negative. For the unacquainted, the co-creator, designer, and studio head Greg Johnson worked on Star Control II, if that's not a selling point, what is? Concerning ToeJam & Earl, I can say the series, and Back in the Groove! especially, has a style all its own. There isn't anything quite like it.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“A nice and very fun throwback to the past which doesn't require you to find out what these alien rappers were doing if this is the first time you are seeing them.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove is a faithful enhancement to the classic original. It might not satisfy those looking for their next big blockbuster or 'prestige indie' title as the design may feel somewhat dated, despite the game's own attempts to obfuscate the obsolete with the arbitrary. This funky, distinctive game should please the nostalgic while being unique enough to attract, and satisfy, the curious. Details such as the exhaustive documentation and varying minigames definitely show some heart in the development. Ultimately, this is a package that is designed to appeal to pre-existing fans rather than create entirely new ones, but if you're a fan of this kind of game and don't mind the odd spot of randomness, then you should give it a try.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Back in the Groove can be completed in a single evening; subsequent playthroughs extend the experience, but feel like a pancake-eating contest where the prize is more pancakes.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Toejam & Earl: Back in the Groove is definitely an odd title. It has a focus on exploration over combat, and embraces randomness in a way that keeps things exciting. While it’s likely not for everyone, it’s definitely a unique game in this day and age, and is worth a shot for that alone.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Trying to specifically describe in words how Back in the Groove plays would be a challenge, mainly because while it has elements that may feel familiar in places it is all joined together with random silliness and perhaps a touch of chemically-induced inspiration...”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Nearly thirty years was a mighty long time, but ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove! proves that the wait was worth it. This is an excellent sequel, and it's not just because it captures the spirit of the original. The new features, as well as quality-of-life improvements, really enhance the experience. Each level is filled with things to do, and they all serve a purpose. There aren't any meaningless distractions. Even today, where roguelikes are exponentially more common, this is one that shouldn't be passed up.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove is an extremely welcome update to the first game in the series that retains and expands upon everything that made that game a classic.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove is a relentlessly faithful retread of the 90s classics. Fans of the funky alien duo are sure to enjoy it, but clumsy gameplay and some frustrating design choices date it in a bad way. Mixing elements of the two Mega Drive titles works well, and the oddball stylings and music are as good as ever. However, it just feels a bit tired, and maybe could've benefitted from a modern shot in the arm. If you love ToeJam & Earl, this is well worth a look, but fans of other PS4 roguelikes might be less impressed.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“ToeJam and Earl: Back in the Groove is a jamtastic sequel that more than lives up to the original.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“The sublime style drips with funk, and the cadence of roaming through floors using my presents to try to avoid failure and find my ship parts is one that made for a charming experience. It didn't matter if I saw some of the same things several times over my multiple playthroughs. The whole thing is spectacularly goofy and weird, even if I eventually do figure out why the hell the yeti has a pencil.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“This game helped me understand why people love the original ToeJam & Earl so much. Back in the Groove basically renders the original obsolete.”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
3DNews
Nintendo Life
RPGamer
Gamer Escape
Nindie Spotlight
Cubed3
PC Invasion
Push Square
Capsule Computers
NintendoWorldReport
ZTGD…and 62 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Crossplay Update & 31st Anniversary Sale!Oct 13, 2022
- NEW TRAILER & 69% Off Sale!May 11, 2021significant · resets scoring window
- Patch Notes: 1.7.1-GApr 20, 2021significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfixes, Elevators and PromotionsFeb 23, 2021significant · resets scoring window
- STILL in the Groove Update NOW LIVE!Jan 19, 2021significant · resets scoring window
- 1.7.0 Beta Now Live!Oct 13, 2020
- 1.6.1 Update Now Complete!Apr 15, 2020
- 75% off Sale + 1.6.1 Update News!Mar 31, 2020significant · resets scoring window
- January Update + Introducing New Homies!Jan 14, 2020significant · resets scoring window
- Patch NOW LIVE on ALL Platforms!Oct 11, 2019
- v1.5 Console Updates and PRICE DROP!!Oct 1, 2019significant · resets scoring window
- 1.5.8J Patch NotesAug 31, 2019
- 1.5.7G Patch NotesJul 28, 2019
- July Update with Extreme and Endless Worlds!Jul 2, 2019significant · resets scoring window
- Funky June Update!Jun 5, 2019significant · resets scoring window
- Yo! Update your address by May 19th! FINAL WARNING!May 13, 2019significant · resets scoring window
- Peabo/Lamont Surprises, Slingshot/Tomato controls, 1.4.0 Content Update AND A LOT MORE!!!!May 1, 2019significant · resets scoring window
- Game Update 1.3.0 & A Super 90s Telethon!Apr 10, 2019
- V1.2.3 is here!Mar 27, 2019significant · resets scoring window
- TJ&E 1.2.2 is here! thanks for your patienceMar 9, 2019