EarthBound is a kickass game made by the famous Japanese personality Shigesato Itoi for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (Super Famicom in Japanese). It's the second in a series of games called Mother, but you don't need to play the first one to understand EarthBound's plot. It was released in Japan in 1994 and in America in 1995, and proceeded to get an awesome cultlike fanbase in the 2000s.
It tells the tale of the boy named Ness, who would later appear in Super Smash Bros. games, and his new friends. Paula, a girl with powerful psychic abilities, is found relatively early in the game, and then meet up with Jeff, a mechanical genius. Eventually, the three of them encounter a mysterious eastern prince named Poo, and they all form a dream team to save the world. At the beginning of the game, you can even name them whatever you want, and you can name your favorite food, favorite thing and your pet dog too.
The game is brilliant because of its off-the-wall humor. You can find perfectly good burgers from the trash, and there are a lot of trippy drug references, Beatles references and complaints about the IRS. It's a zany trip through a modern world that resembles America, and everyone wears modern clothes. Instead of magic, the heroes (except for Jeff) use psychic powers, or PSI. Weapons are baseball bats, frying pans, slingshots, homemade bottle rockets, and yo-yos. If you're hungry, you can order a pizza. And aliens, robots and UFOs are rampant. Weird little creatures like Mr. Saturns and Tendas are often enjoyable to talk to.
The graphics are cute, yet vivid in color. You may not be impressed at first, but the Peanuts-reminiscent characters walking around fit the mood a lot. The battle backgrounds are trippy, colorful and warp the background. The music is made up of a cornucopia of genres from heavy metal to country to weird ambient techno to something that sounds like it might be an instrumental of a song by The Who.
EarthBound is also a roller-coaster ride. Despite the game's humor, it also has a wondrous value to it, and near the end of the game, it's more terrifying and psychological. Some moments are geniunely emotional, and some moments might make you nauseous. Be prepared to carry a barf bag AND a tissue box. And you might want to take some drugs before you check out what's behind the counter at the cafe.
EarthBound is greatly celebrated on the internet. Starmen.Net, created by a small community of people who first got EarthBound in 1995, has expanded to a large central hub for EarthBound information. It's a place to find tons of fanart, fanfics and other creative things about EarthBound and the other games in its parent series, MOTHER.
I recommend that if you don't own this game (and/or an SNES), get it on eBay or just download it, even though the latter is illegal. But, if you have a Wii, you might be in luck. The ESRB has recently rated EarthBound, so it may eventually show up on the Virtual Console. Playing it on a TV might be the closest experience to the original, though the fun Nintendo Power's player's guide may be something worth looking for.
It's not a video game. It's a way of life.
It tells the tale of the boy named Ness, who would later appear in Super Smash Bros. games, and his new friends. Paula, a girl with powerful psychic abilities, is found relatively early in the game, and then meet up with Jeff, a mechanical genius. Eventually, the three of them encounter a mysterious eastern prince named Poo, and they all form a dream team to save the world. At the beginning of the game, you can even name them whatever you want, and you can name your favorite food, favorite thing and your pet dog too.
The game is brilliant because of its off-the-wall humor. You can find perfectly good burgers from the trash, and there are a lot of trippy drug references, Beatles references and complaints about the IRS. It's a zany trip through a modern world that resembles America, and everyone wears modern clothes. Instead of magic, the heroes (except for Jeff) use psychic powers, or PSI. Weapons are baseball bats, frying pans, slingshots, homemade bottle rockets, and yo-yos. If you're hungry, you can order a pizza. And aliens, robots and UFOs are rampant. Weird little creatures like Mr. Saturns and Tendas are often enjoyable to talk to.
The graphics are cute, yet vivid in color. You may not be impressed at first, but the Peanuts-reminiscent characters walking around fit the mood a lot. The battle backgrounds are trippy, colorful and warp the background. The music is made up of a cornucopia of genres from heavy metal to country to weird ambient techno to something that sounds like it might be an instrumental of a song by The Who.
EarthBound is also a roller-coaster ride. Despite the game's humor, it also has a wondrous value to it, and near the end of the game, it's more terrifying and psychological. Some moments are geniunely emotional, and some moments might make you nauseous. Be prepared to carry a barf bag AND a tissue box. And you might want to take some drugs before you check out what's behind the counter at the cafe.
EarthBound is greatly celebrated on the internet. Starmen.Net, created by a small community of people who first got EarthBound in 1995, has expanded to a large central hub for EarthBound information. It's a place to find tons of fanart, fanfics and other creative things about EarthBound and the other games in its parent series, MOTHER.
I recommend that if you don't own this game (and/or an SNES), get it on eBay or just download it, even though the latter is illegal. But, if you have a Wii, you might be in luck. The ESRB has recently rated EarthBound, so it may eventually show up on the Virtual Console. Playing it on a TV might be the closest experience to the original, though the fun Nintendo Power's player's guide may be something worth looking for.
It's not a video game. It's a way of life.
If you name your favorite food Babies, you get this:
Ness's Mom: You look tired. Are you hungry? Ok, eat some Babies and scoot up to bed.
You meet the New Age Retro Hippie.
New Age Retro Hippie used Ruler!
New Age Retro Hippie can now measure things easily!
Annoying Old Party Man grumbled about today's youth.
Master Barf: Gwahaha! *burp* Drown to death in puke! Don't you think that's an incredibly masculine taunt?
Citizen: Here's a quiz. A Beatles song, XXXterday. Can you fill in the blanks? (Yes or no choice)
Ness: Yes.
Citizen: Correct!
Gang Member: To tell the truth, I like drinking tea and eating fresh vegetables, but that doesn't fit my super cool image. I guess I just have to accept this about myself.
Mr. Saturn: Boing! Zoom! You want a Peanut Cheese Bar? Yummy!
Cameraman: 1, 2, 3... Say "fuzzy pickles"!
Player: I played EarthBound for two days straight without taking a bathroom break...
Player's Friend: Dude, are you alright?
Player: I'm better than I've ever been, in fact... *collapses*
Ness's Mom: You look tired. Are you hungry? Ok, eat some Babies and scoot up to bed.
You meet the New Age Retro Hippie.
New Age Retro Hippie used Ruler!
New Age Retro Hippie can now measure things easily!
Annoying Old Party Man grumbled about today's youth.
Master Barf: Gwahaha! *burp* Drown to death in puke! Don't you think that's an incredibly masculine taunt?
Citizen: Here's a quiz. A Beatles song, XXXterday. Can you fill in the blanks? (Yes or no choice)
Ness: Yes.
Citizen: Correct!
Gang Member: To tell the truth, I like drinking tea and eating fresh vegetables, but that doesn't fit my super cool image. I guess I just have to accept this about myself.
Mr. Saturn: Boing! Zoom! You want a Peanut Cheese Bar? Yummy!
Cameraman: 1, 2, 3... Say "fuzzy pickles"!
Player: I played EarthBound for two days straight without taking a bathroom break...
Player's Friend: Dude, are you alright?
Player: I'm better than I've ever been, in fact... *collapses*
by Officer Jordan May 5, 2008
Get the EarthBoundmug. The best damn game I've ever played. Just watch ChuggaConroy play it because it's really good. No, actually. Play it yourself!
by SBD2042 October 30, 2019
Get the Earthboundmug. by ZaiMatarese August 22, 2003
Get the EarthBound Zeromug. When a person becomes overly obsessed about a game/series that not too many people cared about, until it was brought back from another popular series, either through reference, re-ports, or in-game demo(s). (Gaming is not the only restriction to this disease, as it can work for shows, or musical artists as well, should the definition fit this situation.) This produces an "unrealistic" fanbase that would not have existed in the first place, had the game/character never appeared as a selectable choice in the first place. (Taking gaming as an example.)
Another example/series includes Phoenix Wright. The game was originally released for the Game Boy Advance back in 2001. It was never translated or cared about too much in the United States, until it was re-released in 2005 for the Nintendo DS. Only then did people start wearing blue, formal attire to gaming conventions shouting "OBJECTION!" every time.
Recently, even "Osu!" has been receiving this illness.
Another example/series includes Phoenix Wright. The game was originally released for the Game Boy Advance back in 2001. It was never translated or cared about too much in the United States, until it was re-released in 2005 for the Nintendo DS. Only then did people start wearing blue, formal attire to gaming conventions shouting "OBJECTION!" every time.
Recently, even "Osu!" has been receiving this illness.
Look at the definitions written for 'EarthBound' and tell me how they're NOT experiencing EarthBound Syndrome. The poor souls.
by the dude that walks September 23, 2010
Get the EarthBound Syndromemug. "earthbound" significa alguien que esta atado o enlazado a este mundo (o a la tierra). Un enajenado atado a/confinado en la tierra (atrapado sin salida, condenado a vivir donde siente que no pertenece).
by Mary Jane Harper January 14, 2016
Get the earthbound misfitmug. A term people often use to slander "quirky" indie turn-based RPG games that have similarities in terms of gameplay or themes that tackle mental health issues such as depression. Often used for indie games that are inspired or has the same vibe with the "Earthbound/MOTHER" series, hence the sentence.
Person A: Dude you should play OMORI, this game is so depressing.
Person B: Ah yes, the quirky earthbound inspired indie rpg.
Person A: bruh who cares about that! It's a great game anyway!
Person B: Ah yes, the quirky earthbound inspired indie rpg.
Person A: bruh who cares about that! It's a great game anyway!
by qweurtyip809 June 13, 2023
Get the the quirky earthbound inspired indie rpgmug. literally how people describe actual awesome indie rpgs nowadays (bonus points if they havent even played the game themselves)
(Insert game)? Ah hell nah another quirky earthbound inspired indie rpg
Are you kidding me? Have YOU even played the game at all? Sure it may contain earthbound aesthetics/inspos but don’t go around hating because of “oh wow another earthbound game”. Just go play it. There’s literally a millions of those out there.
Nah I’d rather play YIIK thank you very much
Are you kidding me? Have YOU even played the game at all? Sure it may contain earthbound aesthetics/inspos but don’t go around hating because of “oh wow another earthbound game”. Just go play it. There’s literally a millions of those out there.
Nah I’d rather play YIIK thank you very much
by skullmaster64 July 17, 2023
Get the quirky earthbound inspired indie rpgmug.