EarthBound

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

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

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

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

• 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

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.