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EarthBound Beginnings: Difference between revisions
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Felt we should mention it's still referred to as Mother by fans
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{{StrategyWiki|Mother}} | {{StrategyWiki|Mother}} | ||
'''''EarthBound Beginnings''''' (Japanese: '''{{tt| マザー| Mazā}} | '''''EarthBound Beginnings''''', also known by its Japanese name '''''Mother''''' (Japanese: '''{{tt| マザー| Mazā}}''', stylized as '''ＭＯＴＨＥＲ'''), is a 1989 roleplaying video game originally released on the [[Nintendo Entertainment System| Famicom]]. It was developed by [[Ape Inc.]] and was published by [[Nintendo]], and is the first game in the [[Mother (series)| ''EarthBound'' trilogy]]. Originally created by Japanese copywriter [[Shigesato Itoi]], ''EarthBound Beginnings'' follows the travels of four children — [[Ninten]], [[Lloyd]], [[Ana]], and [[Teddy]] — and their attempts to stop an intergalatic alien's invasion of Earth. Gameplay takes place within an overworld consisting of Americana themes and tropes, where random encounters trigger turn-based battles with menu interfaces. | ||
''Mother'' was released to positive reception and commercial success in Japan, although some noted its difficulty. In 1990, Nintendo of America commenced and completed localization of the game under the name ''Earth Bound''. However, the release of the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] and other difficulties resulted in the game not being released for the NES. Prototype cartridges of the localized version were discovered and uploaded to the Internet in 1998 with the name "EarthBound Zero". ''Mother'' would later be succeeded by ''[[Mother 2]]'' and ''[[Mother 3]]'', of which only ''Mother 2'' would be released internationally as ''[[EarthBound]]''. ''Mother'' was later part of the Game Boy Advance compilation ''[[Mother 1+2]]'' in 2003. On June 15, 2015, Mother was finally released in North America and other countries on the Wii U Virtual Console as ''EarthBound Beginnings'', following the original prototype version, making it the second installment of the series to be released outside Japan. | ''Mother'' was released to positive reception and commercial success in Japan, although some noted its difficulty. In 1990, Nintendo of America commenced and completed localization of the game under the name ''Earth Bound''. However, the release of the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] and other difficulties resulted in the game not being released for the NES. Prototype cartridges of the localized version were discovered and uploaded to the Internet in 1998 with the name "EarthBound Zero". ''Mother'' would later be succeeded by ''[[Mother 2]]'' and ''[[Mother 3]]'', of which only ''Mother 2'' would be released internationally as ''[[EarthBound]]''. ''Mother'' was later part of the Game Boy Advance compilation ''[[Mother 1+2]]'' in 2003. On June 15, 2015, Mother was finally released in North America and other countries on the Wii U Virtual Console as ''EarthBound Beginnings'', following the original prototype version, making it the second installment of the series to be released outside Japan. | ||
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{{Character list| color=M1| Sprite| Name| Description}}} | {{Character list| color=M1| Sprite| Name| Description}}} | ||
{{Character list/cell| [[File:Ninten sprite.png | {{Character list/cell| [[File:Ninten sprite.png| link=Ninten]]| [[Ninten]]| '''Ninten''' is the game's protagonist. A 12-year-old boy from the town of [[Podunk]], he is sent by Queen Mary of Magicant to locate the Eight Melodies. Ninten can use special PSI abilities like [[4th-D Slip]] and [[QuickUp| Quick Up]]. He can also use various [[baseball bat| baseball bats]] to attack opponents.}} | ||
{{Character list/cell| [[File:Lloyd sprite.png | {{Character list/cell| [[File:Lloyd sprite.png| link=Lloyd]]| [[Lloyd]]| '''Lloyd''' is an 11-year-old weak and nerdy boy from [[Merrysville]]. Although lacking PSI, Lloyd can attack enemies using various types of [[gun]]s and explosives.}} | ||
{{Character list/cell| [[File:Ana sprite.png | {{Character list/cell| [[File:Ana sprite.png| link=Ana]]| [[Ana]]| '''Ana''' is a 12-year-old girl from [[Snowman]]. Ana joins Ninten to look for her missing mother. She possesses many powerful offensive PSI abilities. Additionally, Ana can use [[frying pan]]s as weapons.}} | ||
{{Character list/cell| [[File:Teddy sprite.png | {{Character list/cell| [[File:Teddy sprite.png| link=Teddy]]| [[Teddy]]| '''Teddy''' is the boss of the [[Bla-Bla Gang]]. Teddy joins Ninten to avenge his murdered parents. Although he lacks PSI, Teddy excels in physical combat, especially with [[blade]]s.}} | ||
|} | |} | ||
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! style="background: #{{lightcolor|{{{game|EBB}}}}}; {{roundytr|20px}} {{roundybr|5px}}" |Location | ! style="background: #{{lightcolor|{{{game|EBB}}}}}; {{roundytr|20px}} {{roundybr|5px}}" |Location | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[File:Lamp. | | style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[File:Lamp M1 sprite.png]] | ||
! style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[Lamp]] | ! style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[Lamp]] | ||
| style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |6 | | style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |6 | ||
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| style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |5 | | style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |5 | ||
| style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |$10 | | style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |$10 | ||
| style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[South Cemetery]] | | style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[South Cemetery]] <br> [[Rosemary's house]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[File:MrBat.gif]] | | style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[File:MrBat.gif]] | ||
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| style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |36 | | style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |36 | ||
| style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |$30 | | style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |$30 | ||
| style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[Merrysville]] | | style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[Merrysville]]<br>[[Reindeer]]<br>[[Spookane]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[File:Fugitive.gif]] | | style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[File:Fugitive.gif]] | ||
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| style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[Merrysville]] | | style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[Merrysville]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[File: | | style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[File:M1 Mad Car sprite.png]] | ||
! style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[Mad Car]] | ! style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[Mad Car]] | ||
| style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |40 | | style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |40 | ||
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| style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[Merrysville]]<br>[[Reindeer]] | | style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[Merrysville]]<br>[[Reindeer]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[File: | | style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[File:M1 Mad Truck sprite.png]] | ||
! style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[Mad Truck]] | ! style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[Mad Truck]] | ||
| style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |60 | | style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |60 | ||
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| style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[Merrysville]]<br>[[Reindeer]] | | style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[Merrysville]]<br>[[Reindeer]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[File: | | style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[File:M1 Maniac Truck sprite.png]] | ||
! style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[ManiacTruck]] | ! style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[ManiacTruck]] | ||
| style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |80 | | style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |80 | ||
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| style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[Merrysville]]<br>[[Reindeer]] | | style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[Merrysville]]<br>[[Reindeer]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[File: | | style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[File:M1 Psycho Car sprite.png]] | ||
! style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[Psycho Car]] | ! style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[Psycho Car]] | ||
| style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |40 | | style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |40 | ||
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| style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[Merrysville]]<br>[[Reindeer]] | | style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[Merrysville]]<br>[[Reindeer]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[File: | | style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[File:M1 Psycho Truck sprite.png]] | ||
! style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[Psycho Truck]] | ! style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[Psycho Truck]] | ||
| style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |58 | | style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |58 | ||
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| style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[Mt. Itoi]] | | style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[Mt. Itoi]] | ||
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| style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[File:Titanian. | | style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[File:M1 Titanian sprite.png]] | ||
! style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[Titanian]] | ! style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |[[Titanian]] | ||
| style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |320 | | style="background: #fff;text-align:center;" |320 | ||
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==Reception== | ==Reception== | ||
Mother was a commercial success in Japan, receiving the "Silver Hall of Fame" score of 31/40 from ''Weekly Famitsu''. According to a ''Famitsu'' poll, it was considered the 9th best Famicom game and the 38th best game of all time. | Mother was a commercial success in Japan, receiving the "Silver Hall of Fame" score of 31/40 from ''Weekly Famitsu''. According to a ''Famitsu'' poll, it was considered the 9th best Famicom game and the 38th best game of all time. | ||
EarthBound Beginnings also received strong positive reception in the west, similar to its successor. It was one of the most bought NES | EarthBound Beginnings also received strong positive reception in the west, similar to its successor. It was one of the most bought NES games on the Wii U Virtual Console during its lifespan, and was the only NES game with a 5-star rating during the first few months of the release. Critics praised its originality, music, and artstyle, while saying how it "parodies" other more "serious" RPG games such as the ''[[dragonquest:Dragon Quest (series)| Dragon Quest]]'' series. Around the time of its initial release, EarthBound Beginnings was the best selling downloadable game on the Wii U in America and Europe, surpassing Splatoon in digital sales<ref>https://earthboundcentral.com/2015/06/earthbound-beginnings-rules-multiple-wii-u-sales-charts/</ref>. | ||
===Balance issues=== | ===Balance issues=== | ||
While positively received, there are still various criticisms with the game - namely, the infamous difficulty spikes. Many parts of the game have enemies far more powerful than the previous section's (most notably [[Mt. Itoi]]) which forces grinding. Another complaint is also the random encounter rate, with enemies appearing far more frequently than other RPGs of the time. | |||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
