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|caption=International logo of the ''EarthBound'' franchise | |caption=International logo of the ''EarthBound'' franchise | ||
|image2=Mother series logo.png | |image2=Mother series logo.png | ||
|size2=250px | |||
|caption2=Japanese logo | |caption2=Japanese logo | ||
|first=''[[EarthBound Beginnings|EarthBound Beginnings/Mother]]'' (1989) | |first=''[[EarthBound Beginnings|EarthBound Beginnings/Mother]]'' (1989) | ||
|latest=''[[Mother 3]]'' (2006, Japan only) | |latest=''[[Mother 3]]'' (2006, Japan only) | ||
|games=''[[EarthBound Beginnings|EarthBound Beginnings/Mother]]''<br>''[[EarthBound|EarthBound/Mother 2]]''<br>''[[Mother 3]]'' | |games=''[[EarthBound Beginnings|EarthBound Beginnings/Mother]]''<br>''[[EarthBound|EarthBound/Mother 2]]''<br>''[[Mother 1+2]]''<br>''[[Mother 3]]'' | ||
}} | }} | ||
The '''''EarthBound''''' series, also known as the '''''Mother''''' series in Japan ('''マザー''' ''MOTHER''), is a series of role-playing video games published by [[Nintendo]]. There are three games in the series. ''[[EarthBound Beginnings]]'', ''[[EarthBound]]'', and ''[[Mother 3]]'' have been released on the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and Game Boy Advance respectively. Only Mother 3 has been released exclusively in Japan. The franchise debuted in Japan on July 27, 1989 with ''Mother'' (''EarthBound Beginnings'' in English) for the [[Family Computer]]. In North America and Europe the series debuted with ''EarthBound'' (''Mother 2'' in Japan), released in North America on June 5th, 1996 for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]], then later in Europe on July 18, 2013 for the [[Wii U]]. Characters, music, weapons, and locations from the series also appeared in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series, with Ness and Lucas being playable characters. | The '''''EarthBound''''' series, also known as the '''''Mother''''' series in Japan ('''マザー''' ''MOTHER''), is a series of role-playing video games published by [[Nintendo]]. There are three games in the series. ''[[EarthBound Beginnings]]'', ''[[EarthBound]]'', and ''[[Mother 3]]'' have been released on the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and Game Boy Advance respectively. Only Mother 3 has been released exclusively in Japan. The franchise debuted in Japan on July 27, 1989 with ''Mother'' (''EarthBound Beginnings'' in English) for the [[Family Computer]]. In North America and Europe the series debuted with ''EarthBound'' (''Mother 2'' in Japan), released in North America on June 5th, 1996 for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]], then later in Europe on July 18, 2013 for the [[Wii U]]. Characters, music, weapons, and locations from the series also appeared in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series, with Ness and Lucas being playable characters. | ||
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==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
[[File:Ness Onett.png|thumb|150px|''EarthBound'''s modern-day setting sets it apart from other traditional RPGs released during that time]] | [[File:Ness Onett.png|thumb|150px|''EarthBound'''s modern-day setting sets it apart from other traditional RPGs released during that time.]] | ||
The series' Japanese title, ''Mother'', was inspired by a song of the same name by {{wp|John Lennon}}. The lyrics of "Mother" deal with Lennon's experience of growing up without a father. EarthBound creator Shigesato Itoi chose this name for his project because his own father was absent through much of his life. This theme is addressed in the first two ''Mother'' games, in which the main protagonist's father is never seen and only makes an appearance as a voice on a telephone. Itoi also felt the title of ''Mother'' was especially fitting as this game series is more feminine than other RPGs. <ref | The series' Japanese title, ''Mother'', was inspired by a song of the same name by {{wp|John Lennon}}. The lyrics of "Mother" deal with Lennon's experience of growing up without a father. EarthBound creator Shigesato Itoi chose this name for his project because his own father was absent through much of his life. This theme is addressed in the first two ''Mother'' games, in which the main protagonist's father is never seen and only makes an appearance as a voice on a telephone. Itoi also felt the title of ''Mother'' was especially fitting as this game series is more feminine than other RPGs. <ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UOLj1-q67U&ab_channel=DidYouKnowGaming%3F EarthBound - Did You Know Gaming? Feat. Chuggaaconroy]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved June 12, 2020.</ref> | ||
The origin of the name ''EarthBound'' is currently unknown, | The origin of the name ''EarthBound'' is currently unknown. However, initially the localization team considered using the title ''Mother'' overseas, until the name ''EarthBound'' was filed and then chosen. The name "''SpaceBound''" was also considered, though it ultimately was scrapped likely to avoid misleading players into thinking the game involved space travel or combat. | ||
==Franchise history== | ==Franchise history== | ||
The series was created by an influential Japanese copywriter, actor, and minor television celebrity named [[Shigesato Itoi]], who took part in Nintendo's video game industry in the late 1980s. After forming his own subsidiary [[Ape Inc.]] with then-Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi, he began working on the franchise starting with ''{{vg|Mother}}'', later released internationally as ''[[EarthBound Beginnings]]''. Released in July of 1989, the game took on a different theme opposed to the medieval sword-and-sorcery theme found in most RPG games at the time. Instead, the game was set in modern-day [[America]] with the cast consisting of average children with [[PSI|psychic powers]], using average everyday items such as [[baseball bat]]s and [[frying pan]]s as weapons. ''Mother'' was a commercial success in Japan, and so the game was then planned to be translated and released internationally with the title '''Earth Bound'''. It was scheduled to release in 1991, however it was cancelled because the upcoming [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] was thought to overshadow the English release of the game, thus the game was decided too costly to market and produce, and was shelved with no plans for a release in the future. | The series was created by an influential Japanese copywriter, actor, and minor television celebrity named [[Shigesato Itoi]], who took part in Nintendo's video game industry in the late 1980s. After forming his own subsidiary [[Ape Inc.]] with then-Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi, he began working on the franchise starting with ''{{vg|Mother}}'', later released internationally as ''[[EarthBound Beginnings]]''. Released in July of 1989, the game took on a different theme opposed to the medieval sword-and-sorcery theme found in most RPG games at the time. Instead, the game was set in modern-day [[America]] with the cast consisting of average children with [[PSI|psychic powers]], using average everyday items such as [[baseball bat]]s and [[frying pan]]s as weapons. ''Mother'' was a commercial success in Japan, and so the game was then planned to be translated and released internationally with the title '''Earth Bound'''. It was scheduled to release in 1991, however it was cancelled because the upcoming [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] was thought to overshadow the English release of the game, thus the game was decided too costly to market and produce, and was shelved with no plans for a release in the future. | ||
[[File:Ninten sprite | [[File:Ninten sprite upscaled.png|thumb|100px|[[Ninten]]'s sprite in ''EarthBound Beginnings''. Characters are rendered in game as sprites throughout the series.]] | ||
On June 15th, 2015, the game was released for the first time internationally to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the series in North America, the game was given the official title ''EarthBound Beginnings''. Similar to Japan, the game received positive reception, with critics praising its originality story, and its music. However, the game did receive criticism for its difficulty and balance issues. | On June 15th, 2015, the game was released for the first time internationally to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the series in North America, the game was given the official title ''EarthBound Beginnings''. Similar to Japan, the game received positive reception, with critics praising its originality story, and its music. However, the game did receive criticism for its difficulty and balance issues. | ||
With the success of Mother, Shigesato Itoi began to work on a sequel for the Super Famicom, ''Mother 2''. However the game featured numerous delays with development taking 5 years, with the game nearly facing cancellation. | With the success of ''Mother'', Shigesato Itoi began to work on a sequel for the Super Famicom, ''Mother 2''. However the game featured numerous delays with development taking 5 years, with the game nearly facing cancellation. | ||
However, the project was saved when veteran programmer Satoru Iwata joined the development team, making the ''Mother 2'' project now a joint effort by Ape and [[HAL Laboratory]] (HALKEN at the time), separate studios based at separate locations (employees would regularly have to travel between studios to work). The game was then completed and released in Japan in August 1994. It was then released in North America on June 5th, 1995. While the game was a success in Japan, it received poor reception in America. During the time of ''EarthBound''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s release, the RPG genre was generally unpopular in the west (this eventually changed with the release of ''{{wp|Final Fantasy VII}}''), and the game was criticized for having simple, cartoonish graphics as opposed to advanced graphics that were more appealing at the time. ''EarthBound''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s unusual marketing campaign, "this game stinks", was also thought to be a cause for the game's failure in America. These poor sales prevented the game from being released in PAL regions. | However, the project was saved when veteran programmer Satoru Iwata joined the development team, making the ''Mother 2'' project now a joint effort by Ape and [[HAL Laboratory]] (HALKEN at the time), separate studios based at separate locations (employees would regularly have to travel between studios to work). The game was then completed and released in Japan in August 1994. It was then released in North America on June 5th, 1995. While the game was a success in Japan, it received poor reception in America. During the time of ''EarthBound''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s release, the RPG genre was generally unpopular in the west (this eventually changed with the release of ''{{wp|Final Fantasy VII}}''), and the game was criticized for having simple, cartoonish graphics as opposed to advanced graphics that were more appealing at the time. ''EarthBound''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s unusual marketing campaign, "this game stinks", was also thought to be a cause for the game's failure in America. These poor sales prevented the game from being released in PAL regions. | ||
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Despite this, the game began to receive recognition because of Ness, the protagonist of EarthBound, receiving representation in ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' and its successors. Because of this, the game began to receive a large following on internet sites such as Starmen.Net. Retrospectively, the game became a massive success with critics calling it not only one of the best RPGs of all time, but also the most original. The game received praise for its quirky humor, and its many parodies of American culture. The Wii U Virtual Console release of the game was the first time the game was released in PAL regions, it was one of Nintendo's most popular downloadable games of all time. | Despite this, the game began to receive recognition because of Ness, the protagonist of EarthBound, receiving representation in ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' and its successors. Because of this, the game began to receive a large following on internet sites such as Starmen.Net. Retrospectively, the game became a massive success with critics calling it not only one of the best RPGs of all time, but also the most original. The game received praise for its quirky humor, and its many parodies of American culture. The Wii U Virtual Console release of the game was the first time the game was released in PAL regions, it was one of Nintendo's most popular downloadable games of all time. | ||
[[File:Ninten.png|thumb|100px|Ninten's clay model. Clay models were made for many characters in the series.]] | [[File:Ninten EBB Artwork.png|thumb|100px|Ninten's clay model. Clay models were made for many characters in the series.]] | ||
After the release of ''Mother 2'', Itoi began on a sequel to the game, ''Mother 3'' (named ''[[EarthBound 64]]'' by western fans). The subtitle used in the Japanese game was changed several times during development, with one being ''Forest of the Chimera'' (森のキマイラ), but the most common one being ''Fall of the Pig King''. Initially planned for the Super Famicom, development actually began on the [[Nintendo 64]], where it was planned to be a launch title for the system in the west. Development then moved onto the Nintendo 64 disk drive expansion to use the expanded features. When the disk drive was seen as a commercial failure, the development moved back onto the N64. ''EarthBound 64'' featured 3D graphics as opposed to the 2D art style from the previous 2 games. However, the development team faced many difficulties, forcing the game to have numerous delays across the years of the N64 lifespan. One of the biggest difficulties was how Itoi and his team were inexperienced with developing 3D video games. Development continued to struggle, with fears that the upcoming [[Nintendo GameCube]] would overshadow the release of the game. After more delays, the game was officially cancelled in August 2000, with Itoi citing that he did not want to make anything other than "something truly special" in addition to the project becoming too complex with its interest in 3D graphics. | After the release of ''Mother 2'', Itoi began on a sequel to the game, ''Mother 3'' (named ''[[EarthBound 64]]'' by western fans). The subtitle used in the Japanese game was changed several times during development, with one being ''Forest of the Chimera'' (森のキマイラ), but the most common one being ''Fall of the Pig King''. Initially planned for the Super Famicom, development actually began on the [[Nintendo 64]], where it was planned to be a launch title for the system in the west. Development then moved onto the Nintendo 64 disk drive expansion to use the expanded features. When the disk drive was seen as a commercial failure, the development moved back onto the N64. ''EarthBound 64'' featured 3D graphics as opposed to the 2D art style from the previous 2 games. However, the development team faced many difficulties, forcing the game to have numerous delays across the years of the N64 lifespan. One of the biggest difficulties was how Itoi and his team were inexperienced with developing 3D video games. Development continued to struggle, with fears that the upcoming [[Nintendo GameCube]] would overshadow the release of the game. After more delays, the game was officially cancelled in August 2000, with Itoi citing that he did not want to make anything other than "something truly special" in addition to the project becoming too complex with its interest in 3D graphics. | ||
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!colspan="2" style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|''[[EarthBound]]'' | !colspan="2" style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|''[[EarthBound]]'' | ||
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|align="center"|[[Image: | |align="center"|[[Image:EarthBound box.png|329px]]<span style="font-size:8pt"><br>August 27, 1994: Japan<br>July 2, 1995: North America<br>July 18, 2013: Europe and Oceania (Virtual Console)<br>[[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]]</span> | ||
|Also known as ''Mother 2'', ''[[EarthBound]]'' is the sequel to Mother in which [[Ness]], [[Paula]], [[Jeff]] and [[Poo]] team up to defeat [[Giygas]] and save the world. It was released on August 27th, 1994 in Japan, it is also the only game to be released outside of Japan, being released in North America on June 2nd, 1995. It was released on July 18, 2013 on the Virtual Console for the Wii U. | |Also known as ''Mother 2'', ''[[EarthBound]]'' is the sequel to Mother in which [[Ness]], [[Paula]], [[Jeff]] and [[Poo]] team up to defeat [[Giygas]] and save the world. It was released on August 27th, 1994 in Japan, it is also the only game to be released outside of Japan, being released in North America on June 2nd, 1995. It was released on July 18, 2013 on the Virtual Console for the Wii U. | ||
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