In a surprise move during the latest Nintendo Direct showcasing games releasing in the first half of 2022, the publisher announced two cult favorites to the Nintendo Switch Online shop, with EarthBound and EarthBound: Beginnings. This is the second time EarthBound: Beginnings has been released for western audiences, after it launched worldwide on the Wii U Virtual Console back in June 2015.
Released originally in the United States for Super Nintendo in June 1995, EarthBound, or Mother 2: Gigu no Gyakushuu, as it was originally titled in Japan. The game became an instant classic not just for collectors but for players who discovered the game after Ness’ introduction as a secret character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 64.
In EarthBound, after investigating a crashed meteorite, Ness and his friends search for magical artifacts known as melodies in an attempt to stop the destruction of the world by the malevolent alien force, Giygas. The JRPG has inspired many fan communities who have attempted for years to petition Nintendo to localize Mother 3 for current consoles. EarthBound: Beginnings which is chronologically the first game in the series, was released on the original Nintendo Entertainment System on July 27, 1989, and was then later released on Game Boy Advance in 2003.
The announcement did not come as a complete surprise for some Nintendo fans following Shigesato Itoi, the original creator, and writer for all three games, posting a series of tweets, which translated to, “7 am, huh? Amazing. Maybe it’ll be snowing.” He followed with another tweet showing an unusual weather map hinting at the game’s iconic setting.
Itoi has previously cheered on fans for their rabid interest in Mother 3, and some communities have taken it upon themselves to share fan translations of the game. As reported by Kotaku, some fans have even begun to create their own version of a sequel changing the name to Oddity to avoid potential legal problems.
Both games are now available to download in the Nintendo Switch Online shop. You can check out the entire Nintendo Direct broadcast below.
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