Earthbound: My Love Letter to a Timeless Franchise#

My First Experience: A Cousin’s SNES and Unreachable Dreams#

I’ll never forget the first time I played Earthbound. I didn’t even own the game—I couldn’t. My dad wasn’t about to drop money on a game he thought didn’t make sense. He’d buy me “funny, famous” stuff like Mario or Duck Hunt instead. But my cousin? He had the SNES game: Earthbound. Every time I’d visit, I’d sneak as much time with it as I could. Something about the funky, offbeat world and those colorful battles just clicked with me.

To a kid who grew up with more mainstream games, Earthbound felt like a secret handshake between me and a weirder, deeper world of storytelling.

From Mother 1 to Mother 3: The Journey#

The series as a whole is something special:

• Mother 1 (Earthbound Beginnings): It might not be as polished as its sequels, but it laid the groundwork with its small-town vibes and eerie undertones. And let’s not forget “Bein’ Friends,” one of my favorite tracks.
• Mother 2 (Earthbound): The masterpiece. A game so ahead of its time, people didn’t even get it when it came out. “All That I Needed (Was You)” still gives me chills. And Pokey? Best chaotic villain ever.
• Mother 3: Never officially released in English, but wow, what a game. It’s darker, more emotional, and the Magypsies are just… something else. The way it deals with themes like grief and community? Unmatched.

The Never-Released Mother 64#

Here’s where it gets weird: Mother 3 was originally planned for the Nintendo 64 as Mother 64. Early screenshots showed 3D models of Flint and the gang. Imagine a fully 3D Earthbound experience! But the project got scrapped—a combination of hardware limitations and delays. While it’s sad we’ll never see that version, it’s fascinating to think about what could’ve been, here’s the official gameplay so you can check it out:

Songs That Stick With You#

Music is a huge part of what makes Earthbound so iconic. My personal favorites?

• “Bein’ Friends”: A sweet, nostalgic tune that just feels like hanging out with your best buds.
• “All That I Needed (Was You)”: A song that manages to be both triumphant and melancholic, perfectly capturing Earthbound’s duality.
• “Pollyanna”: This cheerful anthem is such a standout that if I ever have a daughter, I’d name her Pollyanna. It’s all about optimism and believing in the goodness of life—just like the series itself.
• “The Flying Man”: A whimsical and adventurous track that embodies the surreal and brave spirit of Earthbound’s world.
• “Wisdom of the World”: A contemplative and emotional melody that always makes me stop and reflect.

The music isn’t just catchy—it’s integral to the experience. It’s weird, it’s bold, and it’s unforgettable. It’s weird, it’s bold, and it’s unforgettable.

How Dark Can a “Funny” Game Get?#

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Earthbound is dark. Beneath the quirky humor and colorful graphics, there’s some seriously heavy stuff.

• Giygas: The embodiment of fear and trauma. Fighting him isn’t just a boss battle—it’s existential horror.
• Themes of isolation and community: From Ness’s lonely walk home to Lucas’s loss in Mother 3, the series constantly reminds you of the fragility of relationships.

It’s that balance between light and dark that makes the series so special. You’re laughing one minute, then rethinking your life choices the next.

Earthbound’s Influence on Pop Culture and Undertale#

Let’s not forget how much Earthbound paved the way for modern gaming:

• Undertale: Toby Fox’s love letter to Earthbound. The quirky humor, the turn-based combat, the emotional punches—it’s all there. And it’s beautiful.
• Pop Culture: Earthbound’s unique style—from its fourth-wall-breaking moments to its offbeat humor—has influenced countless games, shows, and creators.

Final Thoughts#

Earthbound is more than a game—it’s an experience. It’s about friendship, courage, and the weird, beautiful messiness of life. It shaped how I think about storytelling in games and gave me some of my most cherished gaming memories.

To this day, I can’t listen to “Bein’ Friends” without tearing up a little. Thanks, Earthbound, for being so wonderfully, unapologetically strange.

I can’t recommend Earthbound enough to all my friends. Whether you’re into quirky humor, heartfelt stories, or just want to experience something truly unique, this series has something for everyone. It’s one of those games that leaves a mark on you, making you think about its world and characters long after you’ve put down the controller. If you haven’t played it yet, trust me, you’re missing out on something special. Go ahead, give it a try—I promise it’ll be worth it!