Difference between revisions of "EarthBound"

From Gamehiker Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
 
(One intermediate revision by the same user not shown)
Line 12: Line 12:
 
|}}
 
|}}
  
'''EarthBound''' is a RPG created by the famous [[Shigesato Itoi]].  It is known as ''Mother'' 2 in Japan, as it is the sequel to the Japan-only game ''[[Mother]]''. It became popular in Japan, but did not do well commercially in America and only garnered a cult following. Like its previous game, it subverts the usual RPG setting by featuring a contemporary setting instead of a medieval or fantasy setting, with the characters using psychic abilities instead of magic. It also has a focus on humor for most of the game.
+
'''EarthBound''' is a RPG created by the famous [[Shigesato Itoi]].  It is known as ''Mother'' 2 in Japan, as it is the sequel to the Japan-only game ''[[Mother]]'' (which would be officially localized years later as ''EarthBound Beginnings''). It became popular in Japan, but did not do well commercially in America and only garnered a cult following. Like its previous game, it subverts the typical RPG setting by featuring a contemporary setting instead of a medieval or fantasy setting, with the characters using psychic abilities instead of magic. It also has a focus on humor for most of the game.
  
 
=Story=
 
=Story=
  
[[Ness]] was sleeping one night when a meteor struck on a nearby hill. He woke up to go see it, but he couldn't get through so he went back to bed. Later, his annoying neighbor [[Pokey]] needed help finding his lost brother, Picky. They searched and eventually found Picky by the meteor. Before they left, the meteor began to glow.  
+
[[Ness]] was sleeping one night when a meteor struck on a nearby hill. He woke up to go see it, but he couldn't get through so he went back to bed. Later, his petulant neighbor [[Pokey]] needed help finding his lost brother, Picky. They searched and eventually found Picky by the meteor. Before they left, the meteor began to glow and a bee named Buzz Buzz revealed himself. He explained that he hailed from a future in which an evil entity named [[Giygas]] ruled the world and traveled back in time to seek out four children who were believed to be able to save the world. Ness was said to be one of these chosen ones. On their way back home, the group was attacked by a[[Starman (Earthbound)|Starman, Jr.]] that was too strong for them, but Buzz Buzz was able to protect Ness by defeating it.
  
A bee named Buzz Buzz appeared and explained that he was from the future. He said that in the future, an evil entity named [[Giygas]] rules the world, but they believe that four children can save the world. He explained that Ness was one of them. The group headed back home and on the way, they were attacked by a [[Starman (Earthbound)|Starman, Jr.]]. that was very strong, but Buzz Buzz protected Ness and defeated him.
+
When they returned Pokey to his home, Pokey's mom spotted Buzz Buzz and swatted him. Before Buzz Buzz died, he explained that Ness must visit eight Sanctuary Spots and gather the other chosen ones. He gave Ness the Sound Stone in his final moment. With that, Ness began his epic journey and sought out the other chosen ones: [[Paula]], [[Jeff]] and [[Poo]].
 
 
When they returned Pokey to his home, Pokey's mom spotted Buzz Buzz and swatted him. Before he died, he explained that Ness must visit eight Sanctuary Spots and gather the other chosen ones. He gave Ness the Sound Stone and died. So, Ness begins his epic journey and slowly began to meet the rest of the chosen ones: [[Paula]], [[Jeff]] and [[Poo]].
 
  
 
=Gameplay=
 
=Gameplay=
Line 28: Line 26:
 
=Legacy=
 
=Legacy=
  
Though the game didn't do very well in America, it was wildly popular in Japan. The popularity of the game was probably the driving force in making Ness a character in ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' and its sequels. Also, [[Mr. Saturn]] has made appearance in a few other games.
+
Though the game did not perform well in America, but it was much more popular in Japan. The series would go on to receive representation in the ''[[Portal: Super Smash Bros.|Super Smash Bros.]]'' series, with [[Ness]] consistently appearing as a playable fighter and [[Mr. Saturn]] appearing as an item, along with other cameo appearances and references throughout the series.
 
 
==Sequels==
 
 
 
Originally, a [[Nintendo 64]] sequel called ''Earthbound 64'' was planned, but was moved to the [[Nintendo 64DD]]. In August 2000, the title was scrapped due to the developer's inexperience with the hardware and 3D graphics.
 
 
 
''Earthbound 64'' was revived as a game for the [[Game Boy Advance]], ''[[Mother 3]]''. The graphics were different, but the scenario work remained very much the same.
 
  
 
==Ports and Remakes==
 
==Ports and Remakes==
  
 
*In Japan, ''Earthbound'' was ported to the Game Boy Advance in ''[[Mother 1 + 2]]''. Several sounds and one bug was changed.
 
*In Japan, ''Earthbound'' was ported to the Game Boy Advance in ''[[Mother 1 + 2]]''. Several sounds and one bug was changed.
*A demo version of ''Earthbound'' was included in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' as a Masterpiece. This caused confusion since the Masterpieces were all demos for Virtual Console games, and ''Earthbound'' has yet to be released  (or even announced) for the Virtual Console in any region. Additionally, the ''Earthbound'' demo only appears in the Japanese version. Most sources initially indicated that ''Earthbound'' would not receive a ''Virtual Console'' release due to copyright issues.
+
*A demo version of ''Earthbound'' was included in the Japanese version of ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' as a Masterpiece. Despite most of the Masterpieces acting as demos for games available through the [[Wii Virtual Console]], EarthBound ended up never being released through that program for unknown reasons.
*In 2013, ''Earthbound'' finally received a port on the [[Wii U]] as part of the [[Wii U Virtual Console]], and it was also made available for the [[New 3DS]] through the [[3DS Virtual Console]] in 2016.
+
*In 2013, ''Earthbound'' finally received a port as a downloadable title for the [[Wii U]] as part of the [[Wii U Virtual Console]], and it was also made available for the [[New Nintendo 3DS]] through the [[3DS Virtual Console]] in 2016.
 
**In Japan, it was also originally made available at a heavily reduced price for a limited time prior to the Virtual Console being launched on the Wii U, as part of the Wii U Virtual Console Trial Campaign.
 
**In Japan, it was also originally made available at a heavily reduced price for a limited time prior to the Virtual Console being launched on the Wii U, as part of the Wii U Virtual Console Trial Campaign.
 
*In 2017, it was one of the games included in the [[Super NES Classic Edition]], though it was not included in the Japanese release.
 
*In 2017, it was one of the games included in the [[Super NES Classic Edition]], though it was not included in the Japanese release.
 +
*In February 2022, it was added to the [[Nintendo Switch|Switch]]'s library of Super NES games that could be played by [[Nintendo Switch Online]] subscribers.
 +
 +
==Sequels==
 +
 +
Originally, a [[Nintendo 64]] sequel called ''EarthBound 64'' was planned. Its development was moved to the [[Nintendo 64DD]] and was ultimately scrapped altogether in August 2000, due to the developer's inexperience with the hardware and 3D graphics.
 +
 +
Most of the scenario idea ideas from ''EarthBound 64'' were reworked into a [[Game Boy Advance]] game, which was ultimately released as ''[[Mother 3]]''.
  
 
[[Category: Video Games]] [[Category: Super Nintendo Games]]  [[Category: Earthbound Games]]
 
[[Category: Video Games]] [[Category: Super Nintendo Games]]  [[Category: Earthbound Games]]

Latest revision as of 10:46, 10 February 2022

Earthboundbox.jpg
Earthbound
Developer Ape, Inc. & HAL Laboratory
Publisher Nintendo
System Super NES, Wii U Virtual Console, 3DS Virtual Console (New 3DS)
Release Date Super NES
JP August 27, 1994
US June 1, 1995
Wii U Virtual Console
JP March 20, 2013
US/PAL July 18, 2013
3DS Virtual Console
PAL March 3, 2016
JP March 4, 2016
US March 24, 2016
Gallery None
Rating ESRB: K-A

EarthBound is a RPG created by the famous Shigesato Itoi. It is known as Mother 2 in Japan, as it is the sequel to the Japan-only game Mother (which would be officially localized years later as EarthBound Beginnings). It became popular in Japan, but did not do well commercially in America and only garnered a cult following. Like its previous game, it subverts the typical RPG setting by featuring a contemporary setting instead of a medieval or fantasy setting, with the characters using psychic abilities instead of magic. It also has a focus on humor for most of the game.

Story[edit]

Ness was sleeping one night when a meteor struck on a nearby hill. He woke up to go see it, but he couldn't get through so he went back to bed. Later, his petulant neighbor Pokey needed help finding his lost brother, Picky. They searched and eventually found Picky by the meteor. Before they left, the meteor began to glow and a bee named Buzz Buzz revealed himself. He explained that he hailed from a future in which an evil entity named Giygas ruled the world and traveled back in time to seek out four children who were believed to be able to save the world. Ness was said to be one of these chosen ones. On their way back home, the group was attacked by aStarman, Jr. that was too strong for them, but Buzz Buzz was able to protect Ness by defeating it.

When they returned Pokey to his home, Pokey's mom spotted Buzz Buzz and swatted him. Before Buzz Buzz died, he explained that Ness must visit eight Sanctuary Spots and gather the other chosen ones. He gave Ness the Sound Stone in his final moment. With that, Ness began his epic journey and sought out the other chosen ones: Paula, Jeff and Poo.

Gameplay[edit]

Earthbound uses a traditional RPG battle system. At the beginning of battle, the player selects the characters' actions. The HP uses a unique scrolling motion, allowing the player to heal before the countdown reaches 0 if the character receives a mortal blow. The order in which characters attack is determined by their speed. Each character can choose to attack, use a psychic ability, use an item, or run away.

Legacy[edit]

Though the game did not perform well in America, but it was much more popular in Japan. The series would go on to receive representation in the Super Smash Bros. series, with Ness consistently appearing as a playable fighter and Mr. Saturn appearing as an item, along with other cameo appearances and references throughout the series.

Ports and Remakes[edit]

  • In Japan, Earthbound was ported to the Game Boy Advance in Mother 1 + 2. Several sounds and one bug was changed.
  • A demo version of Earthbound was included in the Japanese version of Super Smash Bros. Brawl as a Masterpiece. Despite most of the Masterpieces acting as demos for games available through the Wii Virtual Console, EarthBound ended up never being released through that program for unknown reasons.
  • In 2013, Earthbound finally received a port as a downloadable title for the Wii U as part of the Wii U Virtual Console, and it was also made available for the New Nintendo 3DS through the 3DS Virtual Console in 2016.
    • In Japan, it was also originally made available at a heavily reduced price for a limited time prior to the Virtual Console being launched on the Wii U, as part of the Wii U Virtual Console Trial Campaign.
  • In 2017, it was one of the games included in the Super NES Classic Edition, though it was not included in the Japanese release.
  • In February 2022, it was added to the Switch's library of Super NES games that could be played by Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.

Sequels[edit]

Originally, a Nintendo 64 sequel called EarthBound 64 was planned. Its development was moved to the Nintendo 64DD and was ultimately scrapped altogether in August 2000, due to the developer's inexperience with the hardware and 3D graphics.

Most of the scenario idea ideas from EarthBound 64 were reworked into a Game Boy Advance game, which was ultimately released as Mother 3.