In a genre commonly populated by swords and sorcery, one game dared to pick up a baseball bat and SMAAAAAAASH! expectations. That game was Mother 2, though we all know and love it as EarthBound. This Super Nintendo gem has gone from store shelf oddity, to obscure cult classic, to that niche cousin in the Nintendo family that only gets invited to big reunions but you still love to see ‘em every time.
While it’s certainly better off than it was previously (the fact you can play the game on the 3DS, Wii U, and SNES Classic is nothing to sneeze at) it’s not exactly a game Nintendo heralds all that often. So even if it’s still curiously absent from the SNES Online library on Switch, there’s still some comfort knowing that the game’s creator was thinking of its overseas adaptation this past weekend.
Happy Birthday!!
EarthBound was released in North America on June 5, 1995. pic.twitter.com/PEseXIeezb— ほぼ日MOTHERプロジェクト (@hobonichimother) June 5, 2021
Delivering a hearty “Happy Birthday!” to EarthBound was the Hobonichi Mother Project – with a little help from Mr. Saturn. Mother series mastermind Shigesato Itoi’s company has continued to use this branding to celebrate all the smiles and tears that can be found in each of the three games, and though that’s primarily focused on Japan it was nice to see Giygas’ counterattack get a little love for its localization.
If you thought that was cute, you should see what they put together for Mother 3’s 15th anniversary. As for EarthBound, if you’re never given the game I try I highly suggest doing so as soon as you can by whatever means you can manage. Contrary to what its marketing said, it most definitely doesn’t stink.
Written by Ricky Berg
When he isn’t writing for Nintendo Wire, Ricky’s anticipating the next Kirby, Fire Emblem, or if the stars ever align, Mother 3 to be released. Till then he’ll have the warm comfort of Super Smash Bros. to keep him going.
