Edit filter log

'{{about|the Nintendo video game|other uses|Earthbound (disambiguation)}} {{good article}} {{Infobox video game | title= EarthBound | image= [[Image:EarthBound Box.jpg|250px]] | caption= North American box art | developer= [[Creatures (company)|Ape]] <br />[[HAL Laboratory]] | publisher= [[Nintendo]] | director= [[Shigesato Itoi]] | producer= Shigesato Itoi <br />[[Satoru Iwata]] | designer= Akihiko Miura | artist= Kouichi Ooyama | writer= Shigesato Itoi | composer= [[Keiichi Suzuki (composer)|Keiichi Suzuki]] <br/>[[Hirokazu Tanaka]] <!-- Only list the main composers, per infobox documentation --> | programmer= Satoru Iwata <br />Kouji Malta | series= ''[[Mother (video game series)|Mother]]'' | platforms= [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]], [[Game Boy Advance]], [[Wii U]] ([[Virtual Console]]) | released= '''SNES'''{{vgrelease|JP=August 27, 1994|NA=June 5, 1995}}'''Game Boy Advance'''{{vgrelease|JP=June 20, 2003}}'''Wii U Virtual Console'''{{vgrelease|JP=March 20, 2013|WW=July 18, 2013}} | genre= [[Role-playing video game|Role-playing game]] | modes= [[Single-player video game|Single-player]] }} '''''EarthBound''''', known as {{nihongo|'''''Mother 2'''''|lead=yes}} in Japan, is a 1994 [[History of Eastern role-playing video games|Japanese role-playing video game]] co-developed by [[Creatures (company)|Ape]] and [[HAL Laboratory]] and published by [[Nintendo]] for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] [[video game console]]. As Ness and his [[Party (role-playing games)|party]] of four, the player travels the world to collect melodies en route to defeating the evil alien force [[Giygas]]. It is the second game of the [[Mother (video game series)|''Mother'' series]], and the only one to be released in the English language. ''EarthBound'' was released in Japan on August 27, 1994, and in North America on June 5, 1995. The game faced a lengthy development time spanning five years. Its staff contained involvement from a number of Japanese luminaries including writer [[Shigesato Itoi]], [[songwriter]] [[Keiichi Suzuki (composer)|Keiichi Suzuki]], sound designer [[Hirokazu Tanaka]], and future [[Nintendo]] president [[Satoru Iwata]]. Themed around an idiosyncratic portrayal of [[Americana]] and [[Western culture]], it subverted popular role-playing game traditions by featuring a [[reality|real world]] setting while parodying numerous staples of the genre. Itoi, who directed the game, wanted it to reach non-gamers with its intentionally goofy personality. It was heavily marketed upon release via a promotional campaign which sardonically proclaimed "this game stinks". ''EarthBound'' initially received poor critical response and sales in the United States, selling half as many copies as it sold in Japan. Critics credit this to a combination of the game's simple graphics, the satirical marketing campaign, and a lack of market interest in the genre. In the ensuing years, a [[EarthBound fandom|dedicated fan community]] spawned which advocated for the series. Starting in 1999, Ness became a featured character in each of the [[Super Smash Bros. (series)|''Super Smash Bros.'' series]] of video games which furthered public perception of ''EarthBound''. In 2013, ''EarthBound'' was reissued and given a worldwide release for the [[Wii U]] [[Virtual Console]] following many years of fan lobbying, marking its debut in many territories including Europe. Upon retrospection, the game received wide critical acclaim, and was deemed by many a timeless classic. A Japan-only sequel, ''[[Mother 3]]'', was released for the [[Game Boy Advance]] in 2006. == Gameplay == ''EarthBound'' features many traditional role-playing game elements: the player controls a party of characters who travel through the game's [[2D computer graphics|two-dimensional]] [[Fictional universe|world]] composed of villages, cities, caves, and dungeons. Along the way, the player fights battles against enemies and the party receives [[experience point]]s for victories.<ref name = "EB battle">{{cite book | title = EarthBound Player's Guide | editor = Nintendo of America | publisher = [[Nintendo of America, Inc.]] | pages = 10, 11 | year = 1995}}</ref> If enough experience points are acquired, a character's level will increase. This increases the character's attributes, such as offense, defense, and the maximum [[Health (game mechanic)#Hit points|hit points (HP)]] and psychic points (PP) of each character. Rather than using an [[overworld]] map screen like most console RPGs of its era, the world is entirely seamless, with no differentiation between towns and the outside world.<ref name = "famitsu Sep 2, 94">{{cite journal | title = Interview with Shigesato Itoi | journal = [[Weekly Famitsu]] | publisher = [[Enterbrain, Inc.]] | date = 1994-09-02 | pages = 21–24 | language = Japanese | accessdate = 2008-04-02}}</ref> Another non-traditional element is the perspective used for the world. The game uses [[oblique projection]], while most 2D RPGs use a "top down" view on a grid or an [[isometric perspective]].<ref name="1UP: Retronauts 5"/> Unlike its predecessor, ''EarthBound'' does not use [[random encounter]]s. When physical contact occurs between a character and an enemy, the screen dissolves into battle mode. In combat, characters and enemies possess a certain amount of hit points. Blows to an enemy reduce the amount of HP. Once an enemy's HP reaches zero, they are defeated. If a specific type of enemy is defeated, there is a chance that the character will receive an item after the battle. In battle, the player is allowed to choose specific actions for their characters. These actions can include attacking, healing, spying (reveals enemy weakness/strengths), mirroring (emulate a specific enemy), and running away. Characters can also use special PSI attacks that require psychic points (PP). Once each character is assigned a command, the characters and enemies perform their actions in a set order, determined by character speed. Whenever a character receives damage, the HP box gradually "rolls" down, similar to an [[odometer]]. This allows players an opportunity to heal the character or win the battle before the counter hits zero, after which the character is knocked unconscious.{{efn|If the counter reaches zero as the battle is won, it will be set to 1 HP instead and the character will survive.}} If all characters are rendered unconscious, the game transitions to an endgame screen, asking if the player wants to continue. An affirmative response brings Ness, conscious, back to the last telephone he saved from, with half the money on his person at the time of his defeat, and with other party members showing as still unconscious. Because battles are not random, tactical advantages can be gained. If the player physically contacts an enemy from behind (indicated by a translucent green swirl which fills the screen), the player is given a first-strike priority. However, this also applies to enemies, who can also engage the party from behind (in this case, the swirl is red). Neutral priority is indicated by a gray swirl. Additionally, as Ness and his friends become stronger, battles with weaker enemies are eventually won automatically, forgoing the battle sequence, and weaker monsters will begin to flee from Ness and his friends rather than chase them.<ref name = "EB battle"/> While most RPGs up to the mid 1990s primarily used swords and other traditional weapons, the characters in EarthBound use less conventional weapons such as [[baseball bats]], [[yo yo|yo-yos]], and [[frying pan]]s, with the exception of Poo, who can actually use a sword. Likewise, healing items consist of various types of foods and drinks like cookies, hamburgers, and juices, while Poo has special healing items due to his upbringing and diet. Currency is indirectly received from Ness's father, who can also save the game's progress. Each time the party wins a battle, Ness' father deposits money in an account that can be withdrawn at [[Automated teller machine|ATMs]]. In towns, players can visit various stores where weapons, armor, and items can be bought. Weapons and armor can be equipped to increase character strength and defense, respectively. In addition, items can be used for a number of purposes, such as healing. Towns also contain several other useful facilities such as hospitals where players can be healed for a fee.<ref name = "EB Other">{{cite book | title = EarthBound Player's Guide | editor = Nintendo of America | publisher = [[Nintendo of America, Inc.]] | page = 12 | year = 1995}}</ref> === Plot === [[File:Mother 2 Summers.png|left|thumb|Ness, Paula, Jeff, and Poo (right to left) walking the Summers beachfront]] The player starts as a young boy named Ness{{efn|Players are asked to name their characters at the beginning of the game.<ref name="USgamer: the deal"/>}} as he investigates a nearby meteorite crash<ref name="GameZone review"/> with his neighbor, Pokey.<ref name="IGN: 10 MMM"/>{{efn|While named Pokey in ''EarthBound'', he is named Porky in ''Mother 2''.<ref name="IGN: 10 MMM"/>}} He finds that an alien force, [[Giygas]], has enveloped the world in hatred and consequently turned animals, humans, and objects into malicious creatures. A bee from the future instructs Ness to collect melodies in a Sound Stone to preemptively stop the force.<ref name="Kotaku: Trippiest"/> While visiting these eight Sanctuaries,<ref name="IGN: 10 MMM"/> Ness meets three other kids named Paula, Jeff, and Poo—"a psychic girl, an eccentric inventor, and a ponytailed martial artist", respectively<ref name="Kotaku: Trippiest"/>—who join his [[Party (role-playing games)|party]].<ref name="GameZone review"/> Along the way, Ness visits the cultists of Happy Happy Village (where he meets Paula) and the zombie-infested Threed, where they fall prey to a trap. Paula speaks telepathically to Jeff in a Winters boarding school to rescue her and Ness. They continue to Fourside and its neon flipside, Moonside. Poo, the prince of Dalaam, partakes in a violent meditation called "Mu Training" before joining the party.<ref name="IGN: 10 MMM"/> When the Sound Stone is filled,{{sfn|Tilden|1995|p=109}} Ness visits Magicant alone, a surreal location in his mind where he fights his dark side.<ref name="IGN: 10 MMM"/> Upon returning to Eagleland, he prepares to travel back in time to fight a young Giygas,{{sfn|Tilden|1995|pp=116–119}} a battle known for its "feeling of isolation, ... incomprehensible attacks, ... buzzing static" and reliance on prayer.<ref name="IGN: 10 MMM"/>{{clear}} == Development == [[File:Mother 2 Concept Art.jpg|thumb|[[Concept art]] featuring Ness and his dog, King, standing in front of their home]] The first ''Mother'' was released for the NES in 1989.<ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote"/> Its sequel, ''Mother 2'', or ''EarthBound'', was developed over five years<ref name="Famitsu: Itoi"/> by Ape (later [[Creatures (company)|Creatures]]<ref name="Nintendo: Ape/Creatures"/>) and [[HAL Laboratory|HAL]], and published through [[Nintendo]].<ref name="IGN: top SNES"/> The game was written and designed by Japanese author, musician, and advertiser [[Shigesato Itoi]],<ref name="ONM review"/> and produced by [[Satoru Iwata]], who became Nintendo's president and CEO.<ref name="Polygon: Quash"/> ''Mother 2'' was made with a development team different from that of the original game,<ref name="1101: cancel"/> and most of its members were unmarried and willing to work all night on the project.<ref name=DREAM-07/> ''Mother 2''{{'s}} development took much longer than planned and came under repeated threat of cancellation.<ref name="Famitsu: Itoi"/> Itoi has said that the project's dire straits were resolved when Iwata joined the team.<ref name="1101: cancel"/> Ape's programming team had more members than HAL on the project. The HAL team (led by lead programmer Iwata) worked on the game programming, while the Ape team (led by lead programmer Kouji Malta) worked on specific data, such as the text and maps. They spent biweekly retreats together at the HAL office in view of [[Mount Fuji]].<ref name="Famitsu: 1994 Sept 9"/> The game continues ''Mother''{{'s}} story in that Giygas reappears as the antagonist (and thus did not die at the end of ''Mother'') and the player has the option of choosing whether to continue the protagonist's story by choosing whether to name their player-character the same as the original.<ref name="Famitsu: 1994 June"/> He considered interstellar and interplanetary space travel instead of the confines of a single planet in the new game. After four months, Itoi scrapped the idea as cliché. Itoi sought to make a game that would appeal to populations that were playing games less, such as girls.<ref name="Famitsu: Itoi"/> The [[Mother (video game series)|''Mother'' series]] titles are built on what Itoi considered "reckless wildness", where he would offer ideas that encouraged his staff to contribute new ways of portraying scenes in the video game medium.<ref name="Kotaku: Trippiest"/> He saw the titles foremost as games and not "big scenario scripts".<ref name="Kotaku: Trippiest"/> Itoi has said that he wanted the player feel emotions such as "distraught" when playing the game.<ref name="Kotaku: Trippiest"/> The game's writing was intentionally "quirky and goofy" in character,<ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote"/> and written in the Japanese [[kana]] script so as to give dialogue a conversational feel. Itoi thought of the default player-character names when he did not like his team's suggestions. Many of the characters were based on real life personalities. For instance, the desert miners were modeled on specific executives from a Japanese construction company.<ref name="Famitsu: Itoi"/> The final battle dialogue with Giygas was based on Itoi's recollections of a traumatic scene from the [[Shintoho]] film ''[[Kenpei to barabara shibijin|The Military Policeman and the Dismembered Beauty]]'' that he had accidentally seen in his childhood.<ref name="1101: trauma"/> Itoi referred to the battle background animations as a "video drug".<ref name="Famitsu: Itoi"/> The same specialist made nearly 200 of these animations, working solely on backgrounds for two years.<ref name="Famitsu: Itoi"/> The idea for the rolling HP meter began with [[pachinko]] balls that would drop balls off the screen upon being hit. This did not work as well for characters with high [[Health (gaming)|health]]. Instead, around 1990, they chose an odometer-style hit points counter.<ref name="Famitsu: Itoi"/> The bicycle was one of the harder elements to implement<ref name="Famitsu: 1994 Sept 9"/>—it used controls similar to a tank before it was tweaked.<ref name="Famitsu: Itoi"/> Iwata felt that the Ape programmers were particularly willing to tackle such challenges. The programmers also found difficulty implementing the in-game delivery service, where the delivery person had to navigate around obstacles to reach the player. They thought it would be funny to have the delivery person run through obstacles in a hurry on his way off-screen.<ref name="Famitsu: 1994 Sept 9"/> The unusual maps laid out with diagonal streets in [[oblique projection]] required extra attention from the artists. Itoi specifically chose against having an [[overworld]] map, and didn't want to artificially distinguish between towns and other areas. Instead, he worked to make each town unique. His own favorite town was Threed, though it was Summers before then.<ref name="Famitsu: Itoi"/> The game was designed to fit within an eight megabit limit, but was expanded in size and scope twice: first to 12 megabits and second to 24 megabits.<ref name="Famitsu: Itoi"/> The game was originally scheduled for release in January 1993 on a 12 megabit cartridge.<ref name="SFM 1992"/> It was finished around May 1994<ref name="Famitsu: 1994 Sept 9"/> and the Japanese release was set for August 27, 1994.<ref name="Famitsu: 1994 July"/> With the extra few months, the team played the game and added small, personal touches.<ref name="Famitsu: 1994 Sept 9"/> Itoi told ''[[Weekly Famitsu]]'' that [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] liked the game and that it was the first role-playing game that Miyamoto had completed.<ref name="Famitsu: Itoi"/> ''Mother 2'' would release in North America about a year later.<ref name="Shacknews: EarthBotched"/> === North American release === {{see also|Marcus Lindblom}} [[File:Magicant.jpg|right|thumb|In the original ''Mother 2'', Ness walks naked through his dream town Magicant. In the U.S. release this was changed to his pajamas without his cap.]] As was traditional for Nintendo, ''Mother 2'' was developed in Japan and [[Game localization|localized]] in the United States, a process in which the game is translated into English for Western audiences.<ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote"/> As the only game in the ''Mother'' series to be released in North America,<ref name="IGN: top SNES"/> its title "''Mother&nbsp;2''" was changed to "''EarthBound''" to avoid confusion about what it was a sequel to.<ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote"/> Nintendo of America's Dan Owsen began the English localization project and converted about ten percent of the script before moving to another project.<ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote"/> [[Marcus Lindblom]] filled Owsen's position around January 1995.<ref name="Wired: Lindblom"/> He had previously worked in Nintendo of America's call center and on ''[[Wario's Woods]]''.<ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote"/> Lindblom credits Owsen with coining some of the game's "most iconic phrases", such as "say fuzzy pickles".<ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote"/> Lindblom was given liberties to make the script "as weird as [he] wanted",<ref name="Wired: Lindblom"/> as Nintendo wanted the script to be more American than a direct translation. He worked alone and with great latitude due to no divisional hierarchies.<ref name="Polygon: Quash"/>{{efn|While working alone was standard for localizers of the era, later localization efforts had full departments.<ref name="Polygon: Quash"/>}} Lindblom was aided by Japanese writer Masayuki Miura, who translated the Japanese script and contextualized its tone,<ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote"/> which Lindblom described as "a glass half full".<ref name="Wired: Lindblom"/> Lindblom was challenged by the task of culturally translating "an outsider's view of the U.S." for an American audience.<ref name="Wired: Lindblom"/> He also sought to stay true to the original text, though he never met or spoke with Itoi.<ref name="Wired: Lindblom"/> In addition to reworking the original puns and humor, Lindblom added private jokes and American cultural allusions to [[Bugs Bunny]], comedian [[Benny Hill]], and ''[[This Is Spinal Tap]]''.<ref name="Wired: Lindblom"/> Apart from the dialogue, he wrote the rest of the game's text, including combat prompts and item names.<ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote"/> As one of several [[Easter egg (video games)|Easter eggs]], he named a [[non-player character]] for his daughter, Nico, who was born during development. While Lindblom took the day off for her birth,<ref name="Wired: Lindblom"/> he proceeded to work 14-hour days<ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote"/> without weekends for the next month.<ref name="Wired: Lindblom"/> Under directives from Nintendo,<ref name="Wired: Lindblom"/> he worked with the Japanese artists and programmers<ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote"/> to remove references to intellectual property, religion, and alcohol from the American release, such as a truck's [[Coca-Cola]] logo, the [[red cross]]es on hospitals, and [[Christian cross|crosses on tombstones]].<ref name="Wired: Lindblom"/> Alcohol became coffee, Ness was no longer nude in the Magicant area as seen in the image,<ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote"/> and the Happy Happyist blue cultists were made to look less like [[Ku Klux Klan]]smen.<ref name="Wired: Lindblom"/> The team was not concerned with music licensing issues and considered itself somewhat protected under the guise of [[parody]].<ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote"/> Lindblom recalled that the music did not need many changes. The graphical fixes were not finished until March 1995, and the game was not fully playable until May. ''EarthBound'' was released on June 5, 1995 in North America.<ref name="Wired: Lindblom"/> Though Nintendo spent about $2 million on marketing,<ref name="ONM review"/> the American release was ultimately viewed as unsuccessful within Nintendo.<ref name="Wired: Lindblom"/> The game's atypical marketing campaign was derived from the game's unusual humor. As part of Nintendo's larger "Play It Loud" campaign, ''EarthBound''{{'s}} "this game stinks" campaign included foul-smelling [[scratch and sniff]] advertisements.<ref name="Shacknews: EarthBotched"/> ''1UP.com'' called the scratch and sniff advertising campaign "infamously ill-conceived",<ref name="1UP: Posthumous" /> and [[Digital Trends]] described the campaign as "bizarre" and "based around fart jokes".<ref name="Digital Trends: Itoi teases"/> The campaign was also expensive. It emphasized magazine advertisements and had the extra cost of the strategy guide included with each game.<ref name="1UP: Vapor"/> Aaron Linde of ''[[Shacknews]]'' wrote that the price of the packaged game curtailed sales.<ref name="Shacknews: EarthBotched"/> Between the poor sales and the phasing out of the Super Nintendo, the game did not receive a European release.<ref name="ONM review"/> Lindblom and his team were devastated by the release's poor critical response and sales. He recalled that the game was hurt by reception of its graphics as "simplistic" at a time when critics placed high importance on graphics quality.<ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote"/>{{efn|Lindblom thought reviewers viewed the game's visuals as "enhanced [[8-bit era|8-bit]] graphics", which, he added, would "ironically" fit 2013's [[retrogaming]] aesthetic.<ref name="Wired: Lindblom"/>}} Lindblom felt that the game's changes to the RPG formula (e.g., the rolling HP meter and fleeing enemies) were ignored in the following years,<ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote"/> though he thought the game had aged well at the time of its [[Virtual Console]] re-release in 2013.<ref name="Wired: Lindblom"/> {{anchor|Music}} === Audio === {{See also|EarthBound soundtrack}} [[File:Mother2CD.png|thumb|Cover of the soundtrack CD]] ''Mother'' composers [[Keiichi Suzuki (composer)|Keiichi Suzuki]] and [[Hirokazu Tanaka]] returned to make the ''EarthBound'' soundtrack, along with newcomers Hiroshi Kanazu and Toshiyuki Ueno.<ref>{{cite web|title=EarthBound Credits|url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/snes/earthbound/credits|website=Mobygames.com|publisher=Mobygames|accessdate=8 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="RPGFan: soundtrack"/> In their transition to composing for a new console, Suzuki told ''Weekly Famitsu'' that the Super Nintendo afforded the team more creative freedom with its eight-channel [[ADPCM]] based [[SPC700]], as opposed to the old Nintendo Entertainment System's restriction of five channels of basic [[waveform]]s. This entailed higher sound quality and music that sounds closer to his regular compositions. In Suzuki's songwriting process, he would first compose on a [[synthesizer]] before working with programmers to get it in the game. His personal pieces play when the player is walking about the map, out of battle. Suzuki's favorite piece is the music that plays while the player is on a bicycle, which he composed in advance of this job but found appropriate to include. He wrote over 100 pieces, but much of it was not included in the game.<ref name="Famitsu: Suzuki"/> The team wrote enough music as to fill eight megabits of the 24 megabit cartridge—about two compact discs.<ref name="Famitsu: Itoi"/> The soundtrack was released by [[Sony Records]] on November 2, 1994, and was later reprinted by Sony Music Direct on February 18, 2004.<ref name="RPGFan: soundtrack"/> According to Tanaka, [[The Beach Boys]] were repeatedly referenced between him and Suzuki, and that he would often listen to [[Brian Wilson]]'s [[Brian Wilson (album)|1988 eponymous album]] while on the way to Suzuki's home.<ref name="1101: music"/> Suzuki has stated that the [[Percussion notation|percussive arranging]] in the game's soundtrack was based on the Beach Boys' albums ''[[Smile (The Beach Boys album)|Smile]]'' and ''[[Smiley Smile]]'' (1967), which both contained American themes shared with [[Van Dyke Parks]]' ''[[Song Cycle (album)|Song Cycle]]'' (1968). To Suzuki, ''Smile'' evoked the bright and dark aspects of America, while ''Song Cycle'' displayed a hazy sound mixed with [[American humor]] and hints of [[Ray Bradbury]], a style which he considered essential to the soundtrack of ''Mother''.<ref name="1101: music"/>{{efn|Within a year following the game's release, Keiichi Suzuki recorded a [[cover version]] of the Beach Boys' "[[Good Vibrations]]" (1966), a song closely tied with ''Smile'' and Parks.<ref>{{cite web|title=Discography / Others|url=http://www.keiichisuzuki.com/discography/others/|website=keiichisuzuki.com|accessdate=July 21, 2014}}</ref>}} Tanaka recalls [[Randy Newman]] being the first quintessentially American composer he could think of, and that his albums ''[[Little Criminals]]'' (1977) and ''[[Land of Dreams]]'' (1988) were influential.<ref name="1101: music"/> While Suzuki corroborated with his own affinity for [[Harry Nilsson]]'s ''[[Nilsson Sings Newman]]'' (1970),<ref name="1101: music"/> he also cited [[John Lennon]] as a strong influence due to the common theme of love in his music, which was also a prominent theme in the game,<ref name="Famitsu: Suzuki"/> and that his album ''[[John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band]]'' (1970) helped him to avoid excessive instrumentation over the SNES's technical constraints.<ref name="1101: music"/> The soundtrack contains direct [[musical quotation]]s of some [[classical music|classical]] and [[folk music]]; the composers also derived a few [[sampling (music)|samples]] culled from other sources including commercial [[pop music|pop]] and [[rock music]].<ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote"/>{{efn|These quotations and samples are believed to include [[the Beach Boys]] ("[[Deirdre (song)|Deirdre]]"),<ref>{{cite web|title=The Beatles, Beach Boys and Monty Python really were in Earthbound|url=http://www.destructoid.com/the-beatles-beach-boys-and-monty-python-really-were-in-earthbound-277313.phtml|website=Destructoid|accessdate=21 July 2014|date=June 28, 2014}}</ref> [[The Beatles]] ("[[Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (song)|Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band]]"), [[The Who]] ("[[Won't Get Fooled Again]]"), [[Antonín Dvořák]] ([[Symphony No. 9 (Dvořák)|Symphony No. 9]]), [[Ric Ocasek]] ("[[This Side of Paradise (album)|This Side of Paradise]]"), [[The Doors]] ("[[L.A. Woman|The Changeling]]"), [[Bimbo Jet]] ("El Bimbo"), The Dallas String Band ("Dallas Rag"), "[[The Liberty Bell (march)|The Liberty Bell]]", "[[The Star-Spangled Banner]]", the ''[[Our Gang]]'' theme, "[[Tequila (song)|Tequila]]", and [[Chuck Berry]] ("[[Johnny B. Goode]]").<ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote"/>}} The texture of the work was partially influenced by some [[Salsa music|salsa]], [[reggae]], and [[dub (music)|dub music]], wherein Tanaka cited influence from [[Andy Partridge]] of [[XTC]]'s ''[[Take Away / The Lure of Salvage]]'' (1980), [[Lalo Rodriguez]]'s ''[[Un Nuevo Despertar]]'' (1988) and ''Fireworks'' (1976), [[King Tubby]]/[[Yabby You]]'s ''King Tubby's Prophesy of Dub'' (1976), and [[The Flying Lizards]]' ''The Secret Dub Life of The Flying Lizards'' (1995).<ref name="1101: music"/> Speaking about [[Frank Zappa]]'s ''[[Make a Jazz Noise Here]]'' (1991), he felt that Zappa would have been the best at creating a live performance of ''Mother'' music, but could not detail Zappa's specific influence on ''EarthBound''. Additionally, he felt that the [[mix tape]] ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired Magazine Presents: Music Futurists]]'' (1999) presented a particular selection of artists which embody the ethos of ''EarthBound'', running the gamut from [[space age]] composer [[Juan Esquivel Barahona|Esquivel]] to [[avant-garde]] [[trumpeter]] [[Ben Neill]], along with innovators [[Sun Ra]], [[Steve Reich]], [[Todd Rundgren]], [[Brian Eno]], and [[Can (band)|Can]].<ref name="1101: music"/>{{efn|The compilation operates under the premise of [[pop art]]ists "on the cutting edge of technology in music".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pearson|first1=Paul|title=Wired Magazine Presents: Music Futurists|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/wired-magazine-presents-music-futurists-mw0000048006|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=21 July 2014}}</ref>}} Miscellaneous influences on Suzuki and Tanaka for ''EarthBound'' include [[Michael Nyman]], [[Miklós Rózsa]]'s [[film score]] for ''[[The Lost Weekend (film)|The Lost Weekend]]'' (1948), [[Prince (musician)|Prince]]'s ''[[Around the World in a Day]]'' (1985) and ''[[Sign o' the Times]]'' (1987), [[Godley & Creme]]'s ''[[Consequences (Godley & Creme album)|Consequences]]'' (1977), [[A Tribe Called Quest]]'s ''[[People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm]]'' (1990), [[My Bloody Valentine (band)|My Bloody Valentine]]'s ''[[Loveless (album)|Loveless]]'' (1991), and the various artists compilation ''[[Stay Awake: Various Interpretations of Music from Vintage Disney Films]]'' (1988), the last of which Tanaka said he listened to heavily during ''EarthBound'''s development.<ref name="1101: music"/> == Reception == {{Video game reviews | GR = 88%<ref name = "Game Rankings EB">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/588301.asp | title = Game Rankings: EarthBound | publisher = [[Game Rankings]] | accessdate = 2012-04-30}}</ref> | Fam=34/40<ref>{{cite journal | title = New Games Cross Review | journal = [[Weekly Famitsu]] | publisher = [[Enterbrain, Inc.]] | date = 1994-09-23 | accessdate = 2008-04-09}}</ref> | IGN=9.0/10<ref name="IGN review"/> | NWR=9.5/10<ref name="NWR review"/> }} The game originally received little critical praise from the American press,<ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote"/><ref name="1UP: Vapor"/> and sold poorly in the United States:<ref name="IGN: top SNES"/><ref name="Wired: Lindblom"/><ref name="1UP: Vapor"/> around 140,000 copies, as compared to twice as many in Japan.<ref name="Shacknews: EarthBotched"/> ''[[Kotaku]]'' described ''EarthBound''{{'s}} 1995 American release as "a dud" and blamed the low sales on "a bizarre marketing campaign" and graphics "cartoonish" beyond the average taste of players.<ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote"/> The game was released when RPGs were not popular in the United States,<ref name="Wired: Lindblom"/><ref name="1UP: Posthumous" /> and visual taste in RPGs was closer to ''[[Chrono Trigger]]'' and ''[[Final Fantasy VI]]''. The game was especially expensive due to the included [[strategy guide]].<ref name="Wired: Lindblom"/> While the game piggybacked on Itoi's celebrity in Japan, it became a "curio" for European audiences.<ref name="ONM review"/> Multiple reviewers described the game as "original" or "unique"<ref name="ONM review"/><ref name="IGN review"/><ref name="DHGF: Review"/> and praised its script's range of emotions<ref name="ONM review"/><ref name="IGN review"/> and humor.<ref name="IGN review"/><ref name="DHGF: Viewpoint"/><ref name="SGP review"/> [[IGN]]'s Scott Thompson said the game teetered between solemn and audacious in its dialogue and gameplay, and noted its deviance from RPG tropes in aspects such as choice of attacks in battle.<ref name="IGN review"/> He found the game both "bizarre and memorable".<ref name="IGN review"/> ''[[Official Nintendo Magazine]]''{{'s}} Simon Parkin thought the game's script was its best asset, as "one of the medium's strongest and idiosyncratic storylines" that fluctuated "between humorous and poignant".<ref name="ONM review"/> ''[[GameZone]]''{{'s}} David Sanchez thought its script was "clever" and "sharp", as it displayed a wide range of emotions that made him want to talk to all non-player characters.<ref name="GameZone review"/> ''[[GamesTM]]'' wrote that the game designers spoke with their players through the non-playable characters, and noted how Itoi's interests shaped the script, its allusions to popular culture, and its "strangely existential narrative framework".<ref name="GamesTM review"/> Critics praised its "[[reality|real world]]" setting, which was seen as an uncommon choice.<ref name="ONM review"/><ref name="IGN review"/><ref name="DHGF: Review"/> IGN's Thompson noted its 1990s homage as "a love letter to 20th-century Americana", with a [[payphone]] as a [[save point]], [[Automated teller machine|ATMs]] to transfer money, [[yo-yo]]s as weapons, skateboarders and hippies as enemies, and references to classic rock bands.<ref name="IGN review"/> ''Official Nintendo Magazine''{{'s}} Parkin noted the theme's distance from the "knights and dragons" common to the Japanese role-playing game genre.<ref name="ONM review"/> Reviewers noted the game's steep difficulty.<ref name="IGN review"/> IGN's Thompson wrote that the beginning was the hardest, and that aspects such as limited inventory, experience grinds, and monetary penalties upon death were unfriendly for players new to Japanese RPGs.<ref name="IGN review"/> He also cited the quick respawn time for foes and ultimate need to not avoid battles given the difficulty of bosses.<ref name="IGN review"/> Reviewers described the game's ambiance as cheery and full of charm.<ref name="GameZone review"/><ref name="IGN review"/> David Sanchez of ''GameZone'' thought the game's self-awareness added to its charm, where the player learned through the game's poking lighthearted fun.<ref name="GameZone review"/> He added that the music was an "absolute delight" and complimented its range from space sounds to themes to "bizarre" battle tracks that varied with the enemy type.<ref name="GameZone review"/> ''GamesTM'' wrote that the game's reputation comes from the "consistent ... visual language" in its [[Charles M. Schulz]]-esque character and world design.<ref name="GamesTM review"/> ''Kotaku''{{'s}} Jason Schreier found the ending unsatisfying and unrelieving, despite finding the ending credits with its character [[curtain call]] and photo album of "fuzzy pickles" moments all "wonderful".<ref name="Kotaku: Trippiest"/> Of the original reviewers, Nicholas Dean Des Barres of ''[[DieHard GameFan]]'' wrote that ''EarthBound'' was not as impressive as ''[[Final Fantasy III]]'', although just as fun.<ref name="DHGF: Review"/> He praised the game's humor<ref name="DHGF: Viewpoint"/> and wrote that the game completely defied his first impressions.<ref name="DHGF: Review"/> Des Barres wrote that "past the graphics", which were purposefully [[8-bit era|8-bit]] for nostalgia, the game is not an "entry level" or a "child's" RPG, but "highly intelligent" and "captivating".<ref name="DHGF: Review"/> The Brazilian ''Super GamePower'' explained that those expecting a ''[[Dungeons and Dragons]]''-style RPG will be disappointed by the childish visuals, which were unlike other 16-bit games.<ref name="SGP review"/> They wrote that the American humor was too mature and that the gameplay was too immature, as if for beginners.<ref name="SGP review"/> Reviewing the game years after its release, IGN's Scott Thompson wrote that ''EarthBound'' balances "dark Lovecraftian apocalypse and silly lightheartedness", and was just as interesting nearly a decade after its original release.<ref name="IGN review"/> While he lamented a lack of "visual feedback" in battle animations, he felt the game had innovations that still feel "smart and unique": the rolling HP meter and lack of random battles.<ref name="IGN review"/> Thompson also noted that technical issues like animation slowdown with multiple enemies on-screen went unfixed in the rerelease.<ref name="IGN review"/> ''Official Nintendo Magazine''{{'s}} Parkin found the game to provide a more potent experience than developers with more resources and thought its battle sequences were "sleek".<ref name="ONM review"/> ''Nintendo World Report''{{'s}} Justin Baker was surprised by the "excellent" battle system and controls, which he found to be underreported in other reviews despite their streamlined, grind-reducing convenience.<ref name="NWR review"/> He wrote that some of the menu interactions were clunky.<ref name="NWR review"/> ''GamesTM'' felt that the game was "far from revolutionary", compared to ''Final Fantasy VI'' and ''Chrono Trigger'', and that its battle scenes were unexciting.<ref name="GamesTM review"/> The magazine compared the game's "chosen one" story to a "throwaway ''[[Link's Awakening]]''/''[[Goonies]]'' hybrid narrative".<ref name="GamesTM review"/> Reviewers praised Nintendo for digitizing the Player's Guide,<ref name="IGN review"/> though IGN noted that it was technically easier to view it on another tablet rather than switching the Wii U's view mode.<ref name="IGN review"/> Multiple reviewers concluded that the game had aged well.<ref name="USgamer: the deal"/><ref name="GameZone review"/><ref name="ONM review"/><ref name="IGN review"/><ref name="NWR review"/> == Legacy == Since its release, the game's English localization has found praise. Localization reviewer Clyde Mandelin described the Japanese-to-English conversion as "top-notch for its time".<ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote"/> ''Kotaku'' found the localization "funny, clever, and evocative",<ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote"/> and ''1UP.com'' said it was "unusually excellent" for the time.<ref name="1UP: Posthumous" /> IGN wrote that Nintendo was "dead wrong" for believing that Americans would not be interested in "such a chaotic and satirical world".<ref name="IGN: top worlds"/> Critics consider the game one of the weirdest and most surreal role-playing games.<ref name="Kotaku: Trippiest"/> Examples include using items such as the Pencil Eraser to remove pencil statues, experiencing in-game hallucinations, meeting "a man who turned himself into a dungeon", and battling piles of vomit,<ref name="Kotaku: Trippiest"/> [[taxi cabs]], and walking [[noose]]s.<ref name="IGN: Retro Remix"/> ''EarthBound'' was listed in ''[[1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die]]'', where Christian Donlan wrote that the game is "name-checked by the video gaming cognoscenti more often than it's actually been played".{{sfn|Mott|2010|p=255}} Similarly, ''Eurogamer''{{'s}} Simon Parkin described it as a "sacred cow amongst gaming's cognoscenti".<ref name="Eurogamer: M3 review"/> Mott called the game "utterly brilliant" and praised its overworld and battle system.{{sfn|Mott|2010|p=255}} ''Kotaku'' described aspects of the game's story, such as the "Mr. Saturn coffee break", as "poignant".<ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote"/> Jeremy Parish of ''[[USgamer]]'' called ''EarthBound'' "the all-time champion" of self-aware games that "warp ... perceptions and boundaries" and break the [[fourth wall]], citing its frequent internal commentary about the medium and the final scenes where the player is directly addressed by the game.<ref name="USgamer: metatext"/> He thought the final scene was "perhaps the most clever and powerful moment in a clever and powerful game".<ref name="USgamer: metatext"/> David Sanchez of ''GameZone'' wrote that ''EarthBound'' "went places no other game would" in the 90s or even in the [[present day]], including "[[trolling]]" the player "before trolling was cool".<ref name="GameZone review"/> Author [[Hiromi Kawakami]] told Itoi that she had played the game "about 80 times".<ref name="1101: cancel"/> ''GamesTM'' said the game felt fresh because of its reliance on "personal experiences" made it "exactly the sort of title that would thrive today as an [[indie games|indie]] hit".<ref name="GamesTM review"/> He called this accomplishment "remarkable" and credited Nintendo's commitment to the "voices of creators".<ref name="GamesTM review"/> IGN's Nadia Oxford said that nearly two decades since the release, its final [[Boss (video gaming)|boss]] fight against Giygas continues to be "one of the most epic video game standoffs of all time" and noted its emotional impact.<ref name="IGN: 10 MMM"/> ''Kotaku'' wrote that the game was content to make the player "feel lonely", and, overall, was special not for any individual aspect but for its method of using the video game medium to explore ideas impossible to explore in other media.<ref name="Kotaku: Trippiest"/> Critics consider ''EarthBound'' a "classic" or "must-play" among video games.<ref name="Kotaku: Trippiest"/> The game was included top 50 games of all time lists, including that of ''Famitsu'' readers in 2006<ref name="Edge: Famitsu"/> and IGN readers in 2005 and 2006.<ref name="IGN: top 2005"/><ref name="IGN: top 2006"/> IGN ranks the game 13th in its top 100 SNES games<ref name="IGN: top SNES"/> and 26th among all games for its in-game world, which was "distinct and unforgettable" for its take on Americanism, unconventional settings, and 60s music.<ref name="IGN: top worlds"/> And Gamasutra named it one of its 20 "essential" Japanese role-playing games.<ref name="Gamasutra: essential"/> The rerelease was Justin Haywald of ''GameSpot''{{'s}} game of the year,<ref name="GameSpot: Justin Haywald"/> and ''Nintendo Life''{{'s}} Virtual Console game of the year.<ref name="Nintendo Life: GOTY 2013"/> ''GameZone'' said it "would be a great disservice" to merely call ''EarthBound'' "a gem".<ref name="GameZone review"/> In the United Kingdom, where ''EarthBound'' had been previously unreleased, ''[[GamesTM]]'' noted how it had been "anecdotally heralded as a retro classic".<ref name="GamesTM review"/> IGN's Scott Thompson said the game was "the true definition of a classic".<ref name="IGN review"/> [[File:TreyParkerHWOFApr2013.jpg|thumb|[[South Park]] co-creator [[Trey Parker]] said that ''EarthBound''{{'s}} "mundane American setting and child heroes" influenced ''[[South Park: The Stick of Truth]]''.<ref name="GamesRadar: South Park"/>]] Several critics referred to the game as among their all-time favorites.<ref name="GameZone review"/><ref name="GameSpot: Justin Haywald"/><ref name=Rogers/><ref name="Polygon: favorite"/> The game has been cited as an official influence on ''[[South Park: The Stick of Truth]]'' (via [[South Park|series]] creator [[Trey Parker]]),<ref name="GamesRadar: South Park"/><ref name="Polygon: South Park"/> ''LISA'',<ref name="RPS: LISA"/> ''Kyoto Wild'',<ref name="Gamasutra: Kyoto Wild"/> and ''Citizens of Earth''.<ref name="NWR: Citizens of Earth"/> Additionally, ''EarthBound'' has been reported as an unofficial influence on ''[[Contact (video game)|Contact]]''.<ref name="USgamer: metatext"/><ref name="1UP: Contact"/> {{anchor|Cult status}} === Fandom === {{main|EarthBound fandom}} ''EarthBound'' is known for having a [[cult following]],<ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote"/><ref name="IGN: top SNES"/><ref name="1UP: Vapor"/><ref name="IGN: top worlds"/><ref name="IGN: Retro Remix"/><ref name="The Verge: today"/> which developed over time well after its release.<ref name="Wired: Lindblom"/> Colin Campbell of ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'' wrote that "few gaming communities are as passionate and active" as ''EarthBound''{{'s}},<ref name="Polygon: Quash"/> and ''[[1UP.com]]''{{'s}} Bob Mackey wrote that no game was as poised to have a cult following.<ref name="1UP: Posthumous" /> IGN's Lucas M. Thomas wrote in 2006 that ''EarthBound''{{'s}} "persistent", "ambitious", and "religiously dedicated collective of hardcore fans" would be among the first groups to influence Nintendo's decision-making through their purchasing power on Virtual Console.<ref name="IGN: Retro Remix"/> [[Digital Trends]]'s Anthony John Agnello wrote that "no video game fans have suffered as much as ''EarthBound'' fans, and cited Nintendo's reluctance to release ''Mother'' series games in North America.<ref name="Digital Trends: Itoi teases"/> IGN described the series as neglected by Nintendo in North America for similar reasons.<ref name="IGN: Retro Remix"/> Nintendo president [[Satoru Iwata]] later credited the community response on their online [[Miiverse]] social platform as leading to ''EarthBound''{{'s}} eventual rerelease on their Virtual Console platform.<ref name="Polygon: coming to VC"/> Physical copies of ''EarthBound'' were hard to find before the rerelease,<ref name="Kotaku: Trippiest"/> and in 2013, were worth twice its initial retail price.<ref name="Wired: Lindblom"/> ''Wired'' described the amount of ''EarthBound'' "fan art, videos, and tributes on fan sites like ''EarthBound'' Central or [[Starmen.net]]" as mountainous.<ref name="Wired: Lindblom"/> Reid Young of Starmen.net and Fangamer credits ''EarthBound''{{'s}} popularity to its "labor of love" nature, with a "double-coat of thoughtfulness and care" across all aspects of the game by a development team that appeared to love their work.<ref name="1UP: Posthumous" /> Young started the [[fansite]] that would become Starmen.net in 1997 while in middle school. It became "the definitive fan community for ''EarthBound'' on the web" and had "almost inexplicable" growth.<ref name="1UP: Posthumous" /> ''Shacknews'' described the site's collection of fan-made media as "absolutely massive".<ref name="Shacknews: EarthBotched"/> It also provided a place to aggregate information on the ''Mother'' series and to coordinate fan actions.<ref name="Shacknews: EarthBotched"/> The ''EarthBound'' fan community at Starmen.net coalesced with the intent to have Nintendo of America acknowledge the ''Mother'' series.<ref name="1UP: Posthumous" /> The community drafted several thousand-person petitions for specific English-language ''Mother'' series releases,<ref name="Shacknews: EarthBotched"/> but in time, their request shifted to no demand at all, wanting only their interest to be recognized by Nintendo.<ref name="Ars Technica: epic"/> A 2007 campaign for a ''Mother 3'' English localization led to the creation of a full-color, 270-page art book—''The EarthBound Anthology''—sent to Nintendo and press outlets as demonstration of consumer interest.<ref name="1UP: Posthumous p2"/> ''Shacknews'' called it more of a proposal than a collection of fan art, and "the greatest gaming love letter ever created".<ref name="Shacknews: EarthBotched"/> Upon "little" response from Nintendo, [[Mother 3 fan translation|they decided to localize the game themselves]].<ref name="1UP: Posthumous p2"/> Starmen.net co-founder and professional game translator Clyde "Tomato" Mandelin led the project from its November 2006 announcement<ref name="Shacknews: EarthBotched"/> to October 2008 finish.<ref name="Kotaku: completed"/> They then printed a "professional quality strategy guide" through [[Fangamer]], a video game merchandising site that spun off from Starmen.net.<ref name="1UP: Posthumous p2"/> ''[[The Verge]]'' cited the effort as proof of the fan base's dedication.<ref name="The Verge: today"/> Other fan efforts include ''EarthBound, USA'', a full-length documentary on Starmen.net and the fan community,<ref name="IGN: EB USA"/> and ''Mother 4'', a fan-produced sequel to the ''Mother'' series that went into production when Itoi definitively "declared" that he was done with the series.<ref name="Kotaku: M4 amazing"/> After following the fan community from afar, Lindblom came out to fans in mid 2012 and the press became interested in his work.<ref name="Polygon: Quash"/> He had planned a book about the game's development, release, and fandom before a reply from Nintendo discouraged him from pursuing the idea. He plans to continue to communicate directly with the community about the game's history.<ref name="Polygon: Quash"/>{{efn|For instance, Lindblom denies an infamous "abortion theory" that suggests that the game's final sequence is a metaphor for an abortion,<ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote"/> with Giygas being the fetus.<ref name="Kotaku: Trippiest"/>}} === Ness === ''EarthBound''{{'s}} Ness became widely known from his later appearance as an [[ensemble cast]] member in the [[Super Smash Bros.|''Super Smash Bros.'' series]],<ref name="IGN: top SNES"/> including the original ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' and its sequels: ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee|Melee]]'', ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl|Brawl]]'', and ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U|3DS/Wii U]]''.<ref name="IGN: SSB 3DS/Wii U"/> Ness was among the biggest surprise inclusions in the original 1999 ''Super Smash Bros.'',<ref name="IGN: Smash Profile"/>{{efn|Ness's original ''Super Smash Bros.'' spot was actually intended for ''Mother 3'' protagonist Lucas, but the developers later fit Ness into the character design<ref name="Nintendo: SSB"/> when ''Mother 3'' was delayed.<ref name="IGN: evolution p3"/>}} which gave ''Mother'' series fans "hope for the future" of the series.<ref name="IGN: Retro Remix"/> He was a hidden character and had odd controls, but was "one of the most powerful characters" when perfected.<ref name="IGN: Smash Profile"/> His attacks like PK Fire, PK Thunder, and PSI Magnet were originally used by Paula and Poo. He can also use a PK Flash, a move that he actually learned from ''EarthBound''. In Europe, which did not see an ''EarthBound'' release, he was better known for his role in the fighting game than for his original role in the role-playing game.<ref name="ONM: drop Ness"/> He returned in the 2001 ''Melee'' with two other references to ''EarthBound'': [[Mr. Saturn]] items, which could be tossed at enemies,<ref name="IGN: Smash Profile"/> and an unlockable [[Level (video gaming)|battle arena]] based on the ''EarthBound'' city of Fourside.<ref name="IGN: Melee secrets"/> Ness was joined by ''Mother 3''{{'s}} Lucas in ''Brawl''.<ref name="IGN: Smash final roster"/><ref name="IGN: Smash veterans"/>{{efn|''Brawl'' also contains the final level from ''Mother 3'' along with items and characters from the game,<ref name="NWR: Brawl stages"/> and a boss fight against ''Mother3''{{'s}} antagonist, Porky.<ref name="ONM: Porky"/>}} In 2012, ''[[Official Nintendo Magazine]]''{{'s}} Thomas East wrote that Ness was an unpopular character in the series and should be removed from future installments.<ref name="ONM: drop Ness"/> Ness returned without Lucas in ''3DS/Wii U'', the sequel to ''Brawl''.<ref name="USgamer: bid farewell"/> === Sequels and rerelease === {{main|EarthBound 64|Mother 3}} A sequel to ''EarthBound'' was announced for the [[Nintendo 64]] in 1996 as ''Mother 3''<ref name="Shacknews: EarthBotched"/> (''EarthBound 64'' in North America).<ref name="IGN: Retro Remix"/> It was slated for release on the [[64DD]], an expansion peripheral for the [[Nintendo 64]] that used a [[magneto-optical drive]].<ref name="1UP: Vapor"/> In [[development hell]],<ref name="Shacknews: EarthBotched"/> the game struggled to find a firm release date<ref name="IGN: M3 PUSHED"/> and in 2000,<ref name="Shacknews: EarthBotched"/> was later cancelled altogether when the 64DD flopped.<ref name="1UP: Vapor"/> In April 2003, a Japanese television advertisement revealed that a combined ''[[Mother 1+2]]'' cartridge and ''Mother 3'' were in development for the [[Game Boy Advance]].<ref name="GameSpot: sequels"/> The latter abandoned the Nintendo 64 version's 3D, but kept its plot.<ref name="Shacknews: EarthBotched"/> ''Mother 3'' was released in Japan in 2006, whereupon it became a bestseller. It did not receive a North American release<ref name="1UP: Vapor"/> on the basis that it would not sell.<ref name="Digital Trends: Itoi teases"/> Around ''Mother 3''{{'s}} 2006 release, Itoi stated that he had no plans to make ''Mother 4'',<ref name="IGN: no more"/> which he has reaffirmed repeatedly.<ref name="Digital Trends: Itoi teases"/> IGN described the series as neglected by Nintendo in North America, as ''Mother 1'', ''Mother 1+2'', and ''Mother 3'' were not released outside Japan. Despite this, Ness's recurrence in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series signaled favorable odds for the future of the ''Mother'' series.<ref name="IGN: Retro Remix"/> [[File:The Beatles and Lill-Babs 1963.jpg|thumb|left|Licensing issues from commercial artists such as [[The Beatles]] were said to have been holding up ''EarthBound''{{'s}} Virtual Console release<ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote"/>]] At the outset of the Wii's Virtual Console platform in 2006, IGN rated ''EarthBound'' as having a "very high" probability of a release on the digital distribution platform, adding that "Nintendo is listening".<ref name="IGN: Retro Remix"/> Though the game was rated the most desired Virtual Console release in a ''[[Nintendo Power]]'' poll, rated for release by the [[ESRB]],<ref name="Nintendo Life: ESRB"/> and able to be published with little effort,<ref name="Shacknews: EarthBotched"/> the Wii version did not materialize.<ref name="Polygon: Quash"/> The game was commonly believed to be withheld from rerelease due to music licensing concerns,<ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote"/>{{efn|Lindblom felt that music licenses were likely not delaying the release since they were not a concern during development.<ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote"/>}} and the Starmen.net community was told that "undisclosed legal hangups" were preventing the release.<ref name="Shacknews: EarthBotched"/> English localizer Marcus Lindblom instead hypothesized that Nintendo did not realize the magnitude of the game's popular support and did not consider it a priority project.<ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote"/> In 2008, Nintendo removed the game's demo from the Masterpieces collection of the North American release of ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''.<ref name="Shacknews: EarthBotched"/> At the end of 2012, Itoi announced that the rerelease was moving forward,<ref name="Digital Trends: Itoi teases"/> and a January 2013 [[Nintendo Direct]] presentation announced the Japanese rerelease for the Wii U Virtual Console as part of a celebration of anniversaries of the NES and ''Mother 2''.<ref name="Polygon: Wii U Japan"/> Following the Japanese March 20, 2013 release<ref name="NWR review"/> and citing fan interest on Nintendo's Miiverse social platform, company president Satoru Iwata announced a North American and European release of ''EarthBound'',<ref name="Polygon: coming to VC"/> which was released July 18, 2013 alongside a digitized and free online version of the game's original Player's Guide.<ref name="Polygon: now available"/>{{efn|The digital Player's Guide was also optimized for viewing on the [[Wii U GamePad]].<ref name="Polygon: now available"/>}} The game was a "top-seller" on the Wii U Virtual Console. ''Kotaku'' users and first-time ''EarthBound'' players had an "overwhelmingly positive" response to the game.<ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote"/> Simon Parkin wrote that the game's rerelease was a "momentous occasion" as the return of "one of Nintendo's few remaining lost classics" after 20 years.<ref name="ONM review"/> {{-}} == Notes and references == ; Notes {{notelist}} ; References {{reflist|30em|refs= <ref name="1101: cancel">{{cite web |url=http://www.1101.com/nintendo/nin13/nin13_2.htm |accessdate=August 30, 2014 |title=『ＭＯＴＨＥＲ ３』の開発が中止になったことについての |trans_title=About the development of "MOTHER 3" has been canceled |last1=Itoi |first1=Shigesato |authorlink=Shigesato Itoi |date=August 22, 2000 |work=1101.com |others=[http://yomuka.wordpress.com/2013/08/18/earthbound-64-cancellation-interview-itoi-miyamoto-iwata/ Translation]. [http://starmen.net/eb64/itoi/page1.htm Translated introduction] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6SEDFN8Qw |archivedate=August 30, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="1101: music">{{cite web |url=http://www.1101.com/MOTHER_music/index.html |accessdate=July 5, 2014 |title=『MOTHER』の音楽は鬼だった。|trans_title=Music of "MOTHER" was a demon |last1=Itoi |first1=Shigesato |authorlink=Shigesato Itoi |date=June 16, 2003 |work=1101.com |others=[http://artcorekirbies.fr/perso/mother/suzutana/ Translation] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6Qr6P67Km |archivedate=July 5, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="1101: trauma">{{cite web |url=http://www.1101.com/MOTHER/07.html |accessdate=July 6, 2014 |title=『MOTHER』の気持ち。|trans_title=Feeling of "MOTHER" |last1=Itoi |first1=Shigesato |authorlink=Shigesato Itoi |date=April 24, 2003 |work=1101.com |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QrkuC8iK |archivedate=July 6, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="1UP: Contact">{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/previews/contact_2 |accessdate=July 6, 2014 |work=[[1UP.com]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |title=Contact |last=Parish |first=Jeremy |date=April 13, 2006 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QsLGVSPX |archivedate=July 6, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="1UP: Posthumous">{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/features/posthumous-cult-favorites-games-endure |accessdate=June 28, 2014 |title=Posthumous Cult Gaming |page=1 |last1=Mackey |first1=Bob |date=March 2010 |work=[[1UP.com]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6Qg2JqmyH |archivedate=June 28, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="1UP: Posthumous p2">{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/features/posthumous-cult-favorites-games-endure?pager.offset=1 |accessdate=June 28, 2014 |title=Posthumous Cult Gaming |page=2 |last1=Mackey |first1=Bob |date=March 2010 |work=[[1UP.com]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6Qg2KMdVb |archivedate=June 28, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="1UP: Vapor">{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=1&cId=3154276 |accessdate=June 15, 2014 |title=Vapor Trails: The Games that Never Were |last1=Cowan |first1=Danny |date=February 7, 2007 |work=[[1UP.com]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |page=2 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QMU6horZ |archivedate=June 15, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="Ars Technica: epic">{{cite web |url=http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2008/10/no-edits-junk-test/ |accessdate=June 28, 2014 |work=[[Ars Technica]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast Digital]] |title=Mama’s boys: the epic story of the Mother 3 fan translation |last=Caron |first=Frank |date=October 28, 2008 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6Qg5f3p8f |archivedate=June 28, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="DHGF: Review">{{cite journal |last=Des Barres |first=Nicholas Dean |title=GameFan 16: EarthBound |work=DieHard GameFan |number=32 |pages=70–71 |date=August 1995 }}</ref> <ref name="DHGF: Viewpoint">{{cite journal |editor-last=Halverson |editor-first=Dave |title=Viewpoint: EarthBound |work=DieHard GameFan |number=32 |page=15 |date=August 1995 }}</ref> <ref name="Digital Trends: Itoi teases">{{cite web |url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/earthbound-creator-shigesato-itoi-teases-a-re-release-for-his-cult-rpg/ |accessdate=June 15, 2014 |title=EARTHBOUND CREATOR SHIGESATO ITOI TEASES A RE-RELEASE FOR HIS CULT RPG |last1=Agnello |first1=Anthony John |date=December 21, 2012 |publisher=[[Digital Trends]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QMbRM98I |archivedate=June 15, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name=DREAM-07>{{cite web |url=http://www.nindori.com/interview/m3/m3int_07.html |accessdate=August 31, 2014 |title=Shigesato Itoi Tells All about Mother 3 (Part Two) |page=7 |date=August 2006 |work=[[Nintendo Dream]] |others=[http://mother3.fobby.net/interview/m3int_07.html Translation] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6SFkzANUj |archivedate=August 31, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="Edge: Famitsu">{{cite web |url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/japan-votes-all-time-top-100/ |accessdate=July 6, 2014 |title=Japan Votes on All Time Top 100 |author=Edge Staff |date=March 3, 2006 |work=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |publisher=[[Future plc|Future]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QsHBKJWg |archivedate=July 6, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="Eurogamer: M3 review">{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/mother-3-review |accessdate=September 7, 2014 |work=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=Gamer Network |title=Mother 3 Review |last1=Parkin |first1=Simon |date=October 29, 2008 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6SQ6OF0Xr |archivedate=September 7, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="Famitsu: 1994 July">{{cite journal |title=Mother 2 |work=[[Weekly Famitsu]] |date=July 15, 1994 |page=170 |language=Japanese}}</ref> <ref name="Famitsu: 1994 June">{{cite journal |title=Mother 2 |work=[[Weekly Famitsu]] |date=June 19, 1994 |pages=149–153 |language=Japanese}}</ref> <ref name="Famitsu: 1994 Sept 9">{{cite journal |title=Interview with Kouji Malta and Satoru Iwata |work=[[Weekly Famitsu]] |date=September 9, 1994 |pages=72–73 |language=Japanese}}</ref> <ref name="Famitsu: Itoi">{{cite journal |title=Interview with Shigesato Itoi |work=[[Weekly Famitsu]] |date=September 2, 1994 |pages=21–23 |language=Japanese}}</ref> <ref name="Famitsu: Suzuki">{{cite journal |title=Interview with Keiichi Suzuki |work=[[Weekly Famitsu]] |date=October 28, 1994 |page=12 |language=Japanese}}</ref> <ref name="GameSpot: Justin Haywald">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/justin-haywald-s-top-10-games-for-2013/1100-6416741/ |accessdate=July 6, 2014 |title=Can I make this a 'top 30'? |last1=Haywald |first1=Justin |date=December 18, 2013 |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QsIjgPNg |archivedate=July 6, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="GameSpot: sequels">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/original-earthbound-and-sequels-in-development-for-the-gba/1100-6025116/ |accessdate=July 5, 2014 |title=Original Earthbound and sequels in development for the GBA |author=GameSpot Staff |date=April 14, 2003 |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6Qr7l1k0i |archivedate=July 5, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="Gamasutra: essential">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3581/a_japanese_rpg_primer_the_.php?page=10 |accessdate=July 6, 2014 |work=[[Gamasutra]] |publisher=[[UBM Tech]] |title=A Japanese RPG Primer: The Essential 20 |page=10 |last=Kalata |first=Kurt |date=March 19, 2008 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QsHhciTI |archivedate=July 6, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="Gamasutra: Kyoto Wild">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/218245/Finding_comfort_in_a_pet_project_The_Bushido_Bladeinspired_Kyoto_Wild.php |accessdate=July 6, 2014 |work=[[Gamasutra]] |publisher=[[UBM Tech]] |title=Finding comfort in a pet project: The Bushido Blade-inspired Kyoto Wild |last=Wawro |first=Alex |date=May 22, 2014 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QsOQqBJF |archivedate=July 6, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="GamesRadar: South Park">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/south-park-stick-truth-inspired-earthbound-sounds-really-tough-make/ |accessdate=July 6, 2014 |work=[[GamesRadar]] |publisher=[[Future plc|Future Publishing]] |title=South Park: The Stick of Truth is inspired by Earthbound, sounds really tough to make |last=Gilbert |first=Henry |date=July 22, 2013 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QsMdZXsk |archivedate=July 6, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="GamesTM review">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamestm.co.uk/reviews/earthbound-review/ |accessdate=June 15, 2014 |title=Earthbound review |author=<!-- none listed --> |date=October 7, 2013 |work=[[GamesTM]] |publisher=[[Imagine Publishing]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QLvgS76E |archivedate=June 15, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="GameZone review">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/2013/09/08/review-earthbound-returns-to-prove-why-it-s-one-of-the-greatest-rpgs-of-all-time |accessdate=June 14, 2014 |work=[[GameZone]] |title=Review: EarthBound returns to prove why it's one of the greatest RPGs of all time |last=Sanchez |first=David |date=September 8, 2013 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QL8RFiR2 |archivedate=June 14, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="IGN: 10 MMM">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/07/23/earthbounds-ten-most-memorable-moments |accessdate=July 7, 2014 |title=EarthBound's Ten Most Memorable Moments |last=Oxford |first=Nadia |date=July 23, 2013 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6Qsqyemb6 |archivedate=July 7, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="IGN: EB USA">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/04/25/earthbound-documentary-announced |accessdate=June 28, 2014 |title=EarthBound Documentary Announced |last=Macy |first=Seth G. |date=April 25, 2014 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QfveQpVj |archivedate=June 28, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="IGN: evolution p3">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/06/01/super-smash-bros-evolution?page=3 |accessdate=November 16, 2014 |title=SUPER SMASH BROS: EVOLUTION |page=3 |last=Kolan |first=Patrick |date=May 31, 2007 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6U8OUhddg |archivedate=November 16, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="IGN: M3 PUSHED">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/03/23/mother-3-pushed-back |accessdate=June 15, 2014 |title=MOTHER 3 PUSHED BACK |author=IGN Staff |date=March 22, 2000 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QMM4ZiTL |archivedate=June 15, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="IGN: Melee secrets">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/12/04/unlock-ssb-melee-secrets |accessdate=July 6, 2014 |title=Unlock SSB Melee Secrets! |author=IGN Staff |date=December 3, 2001 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826040343/http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/12/04/unlock-ssb-melee-secrets |archivedate=August 26, 2013 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="IGN: no more">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/05/03/no-more-mother |accessdate=June 15, 2014 |title=NO MORE MOTHER |last=Gantayat |first=Anoop |date=May 3, 2006 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QMTUfzYQ |archivedate=June 15, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="IGN: Retro Remix">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/08/17/retro-remix-round-25 |accessdate=June 15, 2014 |title=RETRO REMIX: ROUND 25 |last=Thomas |first=Lucas M. |date=August 17, 2006 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QMJjYc15 |archivedate=June 15, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="IGN review">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/07/24/earthbound-review |accessdate=June 8, 2014 |title=EarthBound Review |last=Thompson |first=Scott |date=July 24, 2013 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QBwsbw3X |archivedate=June 8, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="IGN: Smash final roster">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/02/01/smash-it-up-the-final-roster |accessdate=July 6, 2014 |title=Smash It Up! – The Final Roster |last=Thomas |first=Lucas M. |date=February 1, 2006 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QsWbnRO5 |archivedate=July 6, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="IGN: Smash Profile">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/06/27/smash-profile-ness |accessdate=July 6, 2014 |title=Smash Profile: Ness |author=IGN Staff |date=June 27, 2001 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QsR9z0rq |archivedate=July 6, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="IGN: Smash veterans">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/17/smash-it-up-veterans-day |accessdate=July 6, 2014 |title=Smash It Up! – Veterans Day |last=Thomas |first=Lucas M. |date=November 16, 2007 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QsWfkFMO |archivedate=July 6, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="IGN: SSB 3DS/Wii U">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/10/03/nintendo-reveals-secret-smash-bros-fighters-coming-to-wii-u |accessdate=November 15, 2014 |title=NINTENDO REVEALS SECRET SMASH BROS. FIGHTERS COMING TO WII U |last=Macy |first=Seth G. |date=October 3, 2014 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6U7VoTGy3 |archivedate=November 15, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="IGN: top 2005">{{cite web |url=http://microsites.ign.com/kfc/top99games/6.html |accessdate=July 6, 2014 |title=IGN and KFC Snacker Present Readers' Top 99 Games |date=April 11, 2005 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QsHl27TI |archivedate=July 6, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="IGN: top 2006">{{cite web |url=http://top100.ign.com/2006/031-040.html |accessdate=July 6, 2014 |title=IGN Readers' Choice 2006 – The Top 100 Games Ever |year=2006 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QsHmHICY |archivedate=July 6, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="IGN: top SNES">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/top/snes-games/13 |accessdate=January 24, 2014 |title=EarthBound - #13 Top 100 SNES Games |last1=George |first1=Richard |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6MslnfyJ8 |archivedate=January 24, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="IGN: top worlds">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/top/video-game-worlds/26 |accessdate=January 24, 2014 |title=EarthBound - #26 Top Video Game Worlds |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6MsloJXkp |archivedate=January 24, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="Kotaku: completed">{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5065032/mother-3-fan-translation-completed |accessdate=June 28, 2014 |work=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[Gawker Media]] |title=Mother 3 Fan Translation Completed |last=Fahey |first=Mike |date=October 17, 2008 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QgHQ9Ptb |archivedate=June 28, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="Kotaku: Man Who Wrote">{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/the-man-who-wrote-earthbound-1188669175 |accessdate=January 25, 2014 |title=The Man Who Wrote Earthbound |last1=Schreier |first1=Jason |date=August 23, 2013 |work=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[Gawker Media]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6MtORg2Ew |archivedate=January 25, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="Kotaku: M4 amazing">{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/oh-jeez-mother-4-looks-amazing-and-its-out-next-year-1167578825 |accessdate=June 28, 2014 |work=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[Gawker Media]] |title=Oh Jeez, The Fan-Made Mother 4 Looks Amazing, And It's Out Next Year |last=Schreier |first=Jason |date=August 19, 2013 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6Qg2WlyxG |archivedate=June 28, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="Kotaku: Trippiest">{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5903445/earthbound-the-trippiest-game-in-rpg-history |accessdate=June 15, 2014 |work=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[Gawker Media]] |title=Earthbound, The Trippiest Game In RPG History |last=Schreier |first=Jason |date=April 20, 2012 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QLx4D0Td |archivedate=June 15, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="Nintendo: Ape/Creatures">{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0007/taidan2/page01.html |accessdate=July 6, 2014 |title=Interview with Satoshi Tajiri |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QrjACDtu |archivedate=July 6, 2014 |deadurl=no |quote=Q: 糸井重里さんがＡＰＥ（エイプ）という会社を設立されて、そこに石原さんが移籍されたときのことですね。 田尻>>そう。 そのときに、石原さんは「僕が思っていた以上にテレビゲームの世界に魅力を感じているんだ」とわかったんです。 だから、僕が「将来ポケモンになるソフト」の企画書をＡＰＥに持っていったのは、石原さんがそこにいたからなんですよ。 それで、のちに石原さんが独立してクリーチャーズを設立するっていうときに、本当は二人でパートナーシップを組んでひとつの会社を作らないか、っていう話もあったんです。}}</ref> <ref name="Nintendo: SSB">{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/0717/index.html |accessdate=July 6, 2014 |script-title=ja:速報スマブラ拳!! : ネス |trans_title=Breaking Fist Smash Bros.:! Ness |language=Japanese |date=July 17, 2001 |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QsV9OOsN |archivedate=July 6, 2014 |deadurl=no |quote=実は当初、MOTHER3の主人公に変更する予定でしたが、いろいろあって遠回りしながら、元のさやに収まりました。}}</ref> <ref name="Nintendo Life: ESRB">{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2008/05/esrb_update_earthbound_finally_coming_to_virtual_console |accessdate=June 15, 2014 |title=ESRB Update: EarthBound Finally Coming To Virtual Console! |last1=van Duyn |first1=Marcel |date=May 2, 2008 |work=Nintendo Life |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QMaadogR |archivedate=June 15, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="Nintendo Life: GOTY 2013">{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/12/game_of_the_year_nintendo_lifes_staff_awards_2013 |accessdate=July 6, 2014 |title=Game of the Year: Nintendo Life's Staff Awards 2013 |last1=Whitehead |first1=Thomas |date=December 30, 2013 |work=Nintendo Life |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QsJFsdoH |archivedate=July 6, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="NWR: Brawl stages">{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/preview/15263/super-smash-bros-brawl-wii |accessdate=July 6, 2014 |title=Super Smash Bros. Brawl |last1=Gamin |first1=Mike |date=February 12, 2008 |work=Nintendo World Report |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QsZF1Q8T |archivedate=July 6, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="NWR: Citizens of Earth">{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/33656/earthbound-inspired-rpg-citizens-of-earth-targets-wii-u-eshop-next-year |accessdate=July 6, 2014 |title=Earthbound-Inspired RPG Citizens of Earth Targets Wii U eShop Next Year |last1=Malina |first1=Tom |date=March 27, 2013 |work=Nintendo World Report |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QsO80e6O |archivedate=July 6, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="NWR review">{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewmini/35025/earthbound-wii-u-vc-snes |accessdate=June 15, 2014 |title=EarthBound Review Mini |last1=Baker |first1=Justin |date=July 27, 2013 |work=[[Nintendo World Report]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QLvfREDP |archivedate=June 15, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="ONM: drop Ness">{{cite web |url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/41762/smash-bros-characters-who-need-to-be-dropped-for-wii-u-and-3ds/?page=3 |accessdate=July 6, 2014 |title=Smash Bros characters who need to be dropped for Wii U and 3DS |last1=East |first1=Thomas |date=September 11, 2012 |work=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]] |publisher=[[Future plc|Future Publishing]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QsQQk7IO |archivedate=July 6, 2014 |deadurl=yes }}</ref> <ref name="ONM: Porky">{{cite web |url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/3733/smash-bros-boss-screens/ |accessdate=July 6, 2014 |title=Smash Bros. Boss Screens |last1=East |first1=Tom |date=March 17, 2008 |work=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]] |publisher=[[Future plc|Future Publishing]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QsZN73lE |archivedate=July 6, 2014 |deadurl=yes }}</ref> <ref name="ONM review">{{cite web |url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/54657/reviews/earthbound-review-review/ |accessdate=June 8, 2014 |title=Earthbound review |last1=Parkin |first1=Simon |date=September 21, 2013 |work=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]] |publisher=[[Future plc|Future Publishing]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QC5Tr0aq |archivedate=June 8, 2014 |deadurl=yes }}</ref> <ref name="Polygon: coming to VC">{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/4/17/4234492/earthbound-coming-to-virtual-console-in-north-america-and-europe-this |accessdate=June 15, 2014 |title=EarthBound coming to Wii U Virtual Console in North America and Europe this year |last1=McElroy |first1=Griffin |date=April 17, 2013 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QMYBeVmB |archivedate=June 15, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="Polygon: favorite">{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/8/5/4590356/cooperatives-earthbound |accessdate=December 14, 2014 |title=Cooperatives: EarthBound |last=Plante |first=Chris |date=August 5, 2013 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214035914/http://www.polygon.com/2013/8/5/4590356/cooperatives-earthbound |archivedate=February 14, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="Polygon: now available">{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/7/18/4534898/earthbound-wii-u-virtual-console-release-date-players-guide |accessdate=June 15, 2014 |title=EarthBound now available on Wii U Virtual Console for $9.99 |last1=Sarkar |first1=Samit |date=July 18, 2013 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QMZ6ljSU |archivedate=June 15, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="Polygon: Quash">{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/1/18/5308416/why-did-nintendo-quash-a-book-about-earthbounds-development |accessdate=January 26, 2014 |title=Why did Nintendo quash a book about EarthBound's development? |last1=Campbell |first1=Colin |date=January 18, 2014 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6Mv0TfxUa |archivedate=January 26, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="Polygon: South Park">{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/7/18/4536822/how-south-park-the-stick-of-truth-got-too-big |accessdate=July 6, 2014 |title='South Park' creators explain how The Stick of Truth got too big for its own&nbsp;good |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=July 18, 2013 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QsLWf3Ak |archivedate=July 6, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="Polygon: Wii U Japan">{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/1/23/3907188/earthbound-mother-2-wii-u-virtual-console-japan-release-date |accessdate=July 6, 2014 |title=EarthBound launching on Japanese Wii U Virtual Console in&nbsp;March |last=Sarkar |first=Samit |date=January 23, 2013 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QsdXd4sx |archivedate=July 6, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name=Rogers>{{cite web |url=http://largeprimenumbers.com/article.php?sid=mother2 |accessdate=June 15, 2014 |title="the literature of the moment": a critique of mother 2 |last1=Rogers |first1=Tim |authorlink=Tim Rogers (journalist) |date=2005 |work=Large Prime Numbers |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022032055/http://www.largeprimenumbers.com/article.php?sid=mother2 |archivedate=October 22, 2013 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="RPGFan: soundtrack">{{cite web |url=http://rpgfan.com/soundtracks/mother2/index.html |accessdate=July 5, 2014 |title=Mother 2: Gigya's Counterattack |last1=Chorley |first1=Vincent |work=RPGFan |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6Qr5Ave3H |archivedate=July 5, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="RPS: LISA">{{cite web |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/11/26/the-sacrificial-limb-lisa-the-painful-rpg/ |accessdate=July 6, 2014 |work=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]] |title=The Sacrificial Limb: LISA – The Painful RPG |last=Smith |first=Adam |date=November 26, 2013 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QsLwv0ad |archivedate=July 6, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="SFM 1992">{{cite journal |title=Mother 2 |work=Super Famicom Magazine |volume=5 |date=November 10, 1992 |pages=70–71 |language=Japanese}}</ref> <ref name="SGP review">{{cite journal |last=Kamikaze |first=Marcelo |editor-last=Barros |editor-first=Rubem |title=SNES: EarthBound |work=Super GamePower |issn=0104-611X |language=Portuguese |number=16 |pages=26–27 |date=July 16, 1995 }}</ref> <ref name="Shacknews: EarthBotched">{{cite web |url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/52563/earthbotched-a-history-of-nintendo |accessdate=July 6, 2014 |title= EarthBotched: A History of Nintendo vs. Starmen |last1=Linde |first1=Aaron |date=May 6, 2008 |work=[[Shacknews]] |publisher=[[GameFly]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QrnAeTlB |archivedate=July 6, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="USgamer: bid farewell">{{cite web |url=http://www.usgamer.net/articles/smash-bros-character-cuts |accessdate=December 31, 2014 |title=Time to Bid Farewell to these Smash Bros. Characters |last1=Bailey |first1=Kat |date=September 20, 2014 |work=[[USgamer]] |publisher=Gamer Network |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6VEqScXS4 |archivedate=December 31, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="USgamer: metatext">{{cite web |url=http://www.usgamer.net/articles/metatext-separating-the-player-from-the-character |accessdate=June 14, 2014 |title=Metatext: Separating the Player from the Character |last1=Parish |first1=Jeremy |date=June 5, 2013 |work=[[USgamer]] |publisher=Gamer Network |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QL6q6Jfm |archivedate=June 14, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="USgamer: the deal">{{cite web |url=http://www.usgamer.net/articles/whats-the-deal-with-earthbound |accessdate=June 14, 2014 |title=What's the Deal With Earthbound? |last1=Sinclair |first1=Brendan |date=July 19, 2013 |work=[[USgamer]] |publisher=Gamer Network |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QL6mdp8B |archivedate=June 14, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="Wired: Lindblom">{{cite web |url=http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2013/07/marcus-lindblom-earthbound/all/ |accessdate=January 25, 2014 |title=Octopi! Spinal Tap! How Cult RPG EarthBound Came to America |last1=Meyer |first1=John Mix |date=July 23, 2013 |work=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast Publications|Condé Nast]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6MuDJySJm |archivedate=January 25, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <ref name="The Verge: today">{{cite web |url=http://www.theverge.com/2013/7/18/4534994/cult-classic-earthbound-launches-today-on-wii-u |accessdate=June 15, 2014 |title=Cult classic 'Earthbound' launches today on Wii U |last1=Webster |first1=Andrew |date=July 18, 2013 |work=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6QMXZfGhO |archivedate=June 15, 2014 |deadurl=no }}</ref> <!-- old refs --> <ref name="1UP: Retronauts 5">{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/features/retronauts-earthbound | title=Retronauts 5: Earthbound | last=Parish |first=Jeremy | work=[[1UP.com]] | date=April 13, 2006 |accessdate=April 17, 2013 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6Fx1M2K6B |archivedate=April 17, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref> <!--unused refs here for posterity <ref name="1UP: Vapor Trails">{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=1&cId=3154276 |title=Vapor Trails: Games that Never Were |page=2 |last=Cowan |first=Danny |work=[[1UP.com]] |date=February 7, 2007 |accessdate=April 17, 2013 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6Fx2GYRaa |archivedate=April 17, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="IGN: Earthbound 64 Cancelled">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/22/earthbound-64-cancelled |title=Earthbound 64 Cancelled |work=[[IGN]] |date=August 21, 2000 |accessdate=April 17, 2013 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6Fx1mBQo5 |archivedate=April 17, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref> <ref name="RPGAMER: Mother 1 and 2 Hit the GBA">{{cite web |url=http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q2-2003/041403b.html |title=Mother 1 and 2 Hit the GBA |last1=Hindman |first1=Heath |date=April 14, 2003 |work=[[RPGamer]] |accessdate=April 17, 2013 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6Fx31k1rV |archivedate=April 17, 2013 |deadurl=no }}</ref> --> }} ; Sources {{Refbegin}} * {{cite book|editor-last=Mott|editor-first=Tony|title=1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=olpPoAswgHoC|year=2010|location=New York|publisher=[[RCS MediaGroup|Universe]]|isbn=978-0-7893-2090-2|ref=harv}} * {{cite book |url=http://earthbound.nintendo.com |title=EarthBound Player's Guide |publisher=[[Nintendo of America]] |year=1995 |editor-last=Tilden |editor-first=Gail |ref=harv }} {{Refend}} == External links == {{Commons category-inline|EarthBound|''EarthBound''}} * {{Official website|http://earthbound.nintendo.com/}} * {{Official website|http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n02/shvc/mb/index.html}} {{ja icon}} * [http://earthbound.nintendo.com/playersguide/ Nintendo Player's Guide] {{Prone to spam|date=March 2013}} {{Z148}} {{EarthBound series|state=uncollapsed}} {{Portal bar|Culture|Japan|Nintendo|United States|Video games|border=yes}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Earthbound}} [[Category:Role-playing video games introduced in 1994]] [[Category:Dinosaurs in video games]] [[Category:Mother (video game series)]] [[Category:HAL Laboratory games]] [[Category:Robot video games]] [[Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System games]] [[Category:Game Boy Advance games]] [[Category:Time travel video games]] [[Category:Video games with oblique graphics]] [[Category:Video games set in the 1990s]] [[Category:Virtual Console games]] [[Category:Virtual Console games for Wii U]] [[Category:Video game sequels]] [[Category:Video games developed in Japan]] [[Category:1994 video games]]'