Franklin Badge

The Franklin Badge (Japanese: フランクリンバッヂ in Mother and Mother 3, フランクリンバッジ in Mother 2) is a reoccurring item in the Mother series, and also makes an appearance in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. It functions differently in every game that it appears in.

The real-life Franklin Badge that came packaged with the Mother 3 Deluxe Box.

Mother

Two Franklin Badges are found in Mother, the first being given to Ninten by Pippi after rescuing her, with the second being found in Duncan's Factory. If in a character's inventory, it automatically reflects PK Beam γ back to the enemy, allowing the character to survive an otherwise automatically fatal PSI attack.

EarthBound

Artwork of the Franklin Badge from the EarthBound Player's Guide.

Only one Franklin Badge is found in EarthBound, being given to Ness by Paula before he faces Mr. Carpainter. Unlike in the previous game, it reflects all lightning-based attacks back to the enemy if in a person's inventory, instead of PK Beam γ.

Mother 3

The Franklin Badge is given to Lucas indirectly by Flint in Chapter 7, originally as a Courage Badge. However, after giving it to a Mr. Saturn in Saturn Valley for inspection and cleaning, it is revealed that the Courage Badge was merely an old and rusted Franklin Badge. It is given back to Lucas after he meets Ionia in Argilla Pass, and stays in the key items section of the inventory, as opposed to being able to stay in an individual's inventory. Because of this, it will only deflect lightning for Lucas. It otherwise behaves similarly as it does in EarthBound.

Gallery
The Courage Badge as it appears in the inventory in Mother 3.	The Franklin Badge, after being polished by Mr. Saturn.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Franklin Badge artwork from Super Smash Bros. Brawl

The Franklin Badge makes an appearance in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Here it is a trophy and item. Its purpose is to deflect projectile attacks, like many attacks other fighters have. However the Franklin Badge only stays temporarily.

Trophy description

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

A badge you can put on to gain the ability to reflect all projectiles. It has exactly the same effect as other reflectors in the game, like the one Fox uses. In EarthBound, it was used to counter Thunder attacks. The lightning bolt on the badge is proof of its capacity. Its importance and usefulness made a deep impression on players.