Current mood:

rushed

★Earthbound★
As I've mentioned before, my usernames: paulafromtwoson & paulafrom2son, are allusions to a videogame character from a gamed called EARTHBOUND (MOTHER 2 in Japanese).

With the recent Japanese release of its sequel, Mother 3, I thought it was about time I did a comprehensive post about my namesake's videogame series...

...The problem with that idea is that it'd take an awfully long time. I'm kind of busy. So instead, this is a brief explanation of the nature of the Earthbound/Mother series and a summary of the history of its characters, etc. I've also enlisted the help of some visual aides - most notably, the many videos I've linked to from www.youtube.com

For much better information on the Games, please check out:

www.starmen.net

It's a great site made by REALLY dedicated fans of the game. There are translations of Japanese websites (at least one of the maintainers lives in Japan - because really dedicated fans have to speak--at least--speak Japanese. So far, only one game out of three was released in English--or anything else, for that matter), a radio station, petitions to have the games officially translated... you name it.


U.S. Release:

A few videos of Earthbound

★Game Opening of EARTHBOUND!
★Music Video! (with scenes of the game - the music isn't exactly fitting, though)
★TERRIBLE American Trailer: Earthbound for Super Nintendo (it's not really that bad - but the game is a lot more lighthearted and fun than the overdub lets on. Leave it to US advertising to mess up just about anything.

So, What's Earthbound?

Earthbound is the English title of a Japanese role-playing game called Mother 2. Released in North America for Super Nintendo in 1995, the game failed to match the success of its Japanese counterpart mostly due to its low-tech graphics and quirky sense of humor. After flopping, the game never made it to Europe, nor did any of the other Mother-series games have a chance at an English-language release.

Although it's little known, the game harbors the most dedicated fans I've seen in a fandom. Being a game of extremely high quality in the first place, the people that it appeals to really love it.

Unlike most RPGs, Earthbound's main characters are normal children and its setting is modern day.

Characters!

Ness

Paula

Jeff

Poo

Also Featuring:

Bubble Monkey

Mr. Saturn

Japanese release:

As I said, Earthbound is a translation of Mother 2. Mother 2 is the second in the Japanese Mother series. To date, there have been three Mother games in Japan.

Mother was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in Japan in 1989, Mother 2 for Super Nintendo in 1994, and Mother 3 for Gameboy Advance just this year. Also, Mother 1 + 2 was re-released as a set for Gameboy Advance in 2003.

Videos

Mother
★Cool Japanese commercial teaser: MOTHER for the original Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

Mother 1 + 2
★Japanese Commercial: Mother 1+2 re-release for Nintendo Advance! #2
★Japanese Commercial: Mother 1+2 re-release for Nintendo Advance!

Mother 2
★Japanese Commercial: Mother 2 for Super Nintendo!
The translation:
Everyone (singing): "Mother 2, Mother 2..."
Girl:"Brother, what's going on?"
Boy: "I don't know."
Girl: "Brother, what should we do?"
Boy: "Let's sing too."
Everyone (singing): "Mother 2, Mother 2..."
Writing: "For adults, for children. Even for big sister!" (as in, it appeals to girls/women too)"Super Nintendo software" (called Super Famicon in Japan)"Mother 2."
★Japanese Commercial: Mother 2 for Super Nintendo! #2
What's basically happening in this is the older brother shows his sister the game and she wants to see more. He won't let her and havoc ensues. At the end, they apologize to the waiter.

Mother 3
★Japanese Commercial (short): Mother 3 for Nintendo Advance! #2 (most of the Mother 3 commercials are of people crying... there are a lot of them)

Earthbound 64 (Mother 3 for Nintendo 64)... The game that never was. This was the original idea that eventually became the Gameboy Advance Mother 3.
★Earthbound 64

Earthbound characters in other games

Ness has also made appearances in Nintendo's
Super Smash Bros. & Super Smash Bros. Melee

Videos
★Super Smash Bros. Melee Japanese Commerical (Featuring Eathbound character: Ness)
★Ness (Earthbound character) beats record in Super Smash Bros. for N64

Take the What Will Your Result To This Quiz Be? Quiz
by napoleonherself, if you are so inclined.

★Shigesato Itoi (creator of series) talks about "Mother".
TRANSLATION
He's basically saying that the game (unlike most RPGs) stars a normal, young people - just like the person playing it. And they use their courage, wit, and friendship to fight through the game. He then says that there are many special surprises, devices, and hidden things to find and if the player hurries though the game, he/she might miss them. So if possible, players will enjoy the game most if they take it slowly (without getting distracted, using the phone, etc.) and play at a relaxed pace. It is best to play as though you're watching a movie or television, without simply skimming the text, etc. He says that's the what he plans to play it and so he hopes everyone else will do the same. He then reiterates that the game has a lot of depth and is crammed with stuff to experience.

★Piano version of game song
★Piano version of two game songs

★Hacking This is a fan-made copy of the very beginning of Earthbound. The dialog and characters are slightly modified, but the gameplay is very similar. An interesting way to show what Earthbound is like... without showing it ^_^ Here is a play-through of the beginning of the REAL Earthbound. The only thing is that it's a bit sped-through... Kills the fun.


NOTE! The very top image of this page was stolen from: http://ebipm.net/eb/ Please visit!






On a personal note:
I'll be moving shortly (for real this time) and I'm not sure it I'll update this journal again before I go. I might. Just in case, I'd like to wave goodbye. *Wave* I won't have the internet for several months, though I'll probably get access to it at a library now and then... I hope everyone has a great couple of months!