EarthBound series

This article is a short summary of EarthBound series. WikiBound features a more in-depth article.

EarthBound

MOTHER (マザー)

EarthBound logo

Creator: Shigesato Itoi First game: Mother (1989) Best-selling game: EarthBound (? copies) Latest game: Mother 3 (2006)

NIWA Wikis English: Italian: For in-depth information: is dedicated to chronicling the EarthBound series. For additional information: is another wiki dedicated to {{{niwa2-purpose}}} the EarthBound series.

EarthBound (Also referred to as MOTHER, the series' Japanese name) is a series of role-playing games created by producer Shigesato Itoi. Unlike most RPGs, these games are notable for their unusual sense of humor, the setting (similar to the 20th century United States), and main characters (generally a group of children). While a popular franchise in Japan, EarthBound failed to find success worldwide, instead attracting a cult following.

Overview

Main series

The Mother series began development after Japanese celebrity Shigesato Itoi pitched his idea for Mother to Nintendo's lead designer, Shigeru Miyamoto. The game was developed by Ape Inc., the script being written by Itoi himself. The game was released in Japan, and was slated for an English release under the title "Earth Bound", but was cancelled despite being completed. The translated version was eventually released in 2015 on the Wii U Virtual Console, as EarthBound Beginnings.

In 1994, Mother 2 would be released for the Super Famicom, jointly developed by HAL Laboratory and Ape Inc. The game was in development for five years and was repeatedly threatened to be cancelled until Satoru Iwata was made part of team. Mother 2 would be the first game in the series to receive an officially released English localization as EarthBound, released in North America in 1995. However, the game underperformed both critically and financially, generally blamed on its simple graphical style, the unpopularity of role-playing games in the west at the time, and Nintendo's marketing campaign (themed around the phrase "this game stinks", based on the game's weird humor and the included scratch-and-sniff cards). Despite this, the game became a cult classic in the west, eventually leading to its re-release as a Virtual Console title for Wii U.

The third game in the series would not be released until several years later. While in development for the Nintendo 64DD as EarthBound 64, the project was eventually cancelled. However, after the release of Mother 1+2, it was announced that the game had started development again, this time as Mother 3 and slated for release on the Game Boy Advance. Developed by HAL Laboratory and Brownie Brown, the game was released in Japan in 2006, and, despite fan demand, has not seen a western release.

Since the release of Mother 3, when asked about the possibility of a new game in the series, Itoi has stated repeatedly that he has no plans to develop a fourth installment and has denied that there is a new title in development.

Other appearances

Many elements of the EarthBound series have appeared in Super Smash Bros. Ness, the central character of EarthBound, has appeared in every game as a playable character, while Lucas, the main character of Mother 3, debuted in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and returned as add-on content in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. For stages, Onett, based on the first area of EarthBound, has been a stage in every home console game since Super Smash Bros. Melee, Fourside, another town in EarthBound, appears only in Super Smash Bros. Melee, New Pork City from Mother 3 is a stage in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Magicant is a stage in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS. Finally, Mr. Saturn and the Franklin Badge appear as items in the series, while Jeff and Starman are Assist Trophies.

Ness and Lucas have also received amiibo based on their appearances in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. These amiibo can be used to unlock content based on these characters, such as Costume Mario costumes in Super Mario Maker and Yoshi patterns in Yoshi's Woolly World and its Nintendo 3DS port.

Games

Game	JP release	NA release	EU release	AUS release	KOR release	Platform
00 Main games
Mother	1989	2015	2015	2015	N/A	Nintendo Entertainment System
EarthBound	1994	1995	2013	2014	N/A	Super Nintendo
Mother 3	2006	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	Game Boy Advance
00 Ports and remakes
Mother 1+2	2003	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	Game Boy Advance
00 Cancelled
EarthBound 64	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	Nintendo 64
Untitled EarthBound game (Nintendo GameCube)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	Nintendo GameCube

External links

• The Mother series on Wikipedia

References

This article is a stub. You can help NintendoWiki by expanding it.

Main games Mother / EarthBound Beginnings • Mother 2 / EarthBound • Mother 3 Ports and remakes Mother 1+2 Other / canceled games EarthBound 64 • Nintendo GameCube prototype
Related NIWA Wikis: English  • Italian

Animal Crossing Art Academy Art Style Big Brain Academy BoxBoy! Brain Age Chibi-Robo Cruis'n Custom Robo Donkey Kong EarthBound Excitebike F-Zero Fire Emblem Game & Watch Golden Sun Jam with the Band Kid Icarus Kirby Legend of Zelda Magical Vacation Master of Illusion Metroid Nintendogs Pikmin Pilotwings Pokémon Punch Out Pushmo Puzzle League Rhythm Heaven Splatoon Super Mario Super Smash Bros. Star Fox Starfy Style Boutique Wario Wars Wave Race Wii Xeno Yoshi Bayonetta Dragon Quest Final Fantasy Inazuma Eleven Mega Man Professor Layton Story of Seasons Tetris Yo-kai Watch