A critically acclaimed famicom JRPG from the mind of Shigesato Itoi, Mother was originally slated for a North American release for 1991. In fact, it was going to get things like an 80-page manual, detailed maps, and so much more. However, due to budget issues, the upcoming Super Nintendo, and honestly the west not adapting to video game role playing games yet, the game was cancelled just as the rom was completed. The rom was found in 1998 and would soon be distributed across the web as Earthbound Zero.
Now after 25 years since the game's completion and the time coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the western release of Earthbound, this title finally gets its long awaited release, and at a price much better than going online and paying for a reproduction cart. I gave it a download, and so far have made it to the first time in the world of Magicant, so I can give my quick thoughts on the game so far.
The game for the most part feels like your basic NES RPG in that it's not the most deep and detailed of stories (at least to where I've been so far, and I know it does get deeper as it goes on). You control Ninten, a child with psychic powers, as he and the friends he gains along the way have to put a stop to the strange things happening in the world.
Gameplay is your basic grind up levels by defeating enemies throughout the world. In fact the amount of needed grinding and rate of random encounters are both annoyingly high. As someone more used to the encounter styles of this game's sequel, beating an enemy only to have to fight another one step later gets tiring fast. Other than that, for the most part many of the concepts from Earthbound still exist in its prior installment.
Where the game shines best are the graphics and music. The music is some of the most beautiful tracks on the console, while the graphics help build both a 1980's suburban world along with fantastical ideas and concepts. And the game is definitely addictive one you get into the swing of the game's basic mechanics. If you love NES games like the Dragon Warrior series or Final Fantasy, then even with some issues, you'll enjoy Earthbound Beginnings.
Now the big question that most people are asking is "If this is being released now, what does this mean for Mother 3?" While it is still awful that Nintendo has yet to release one of the most requested titles of all time, I also think that the release of Earthbound Beginnings may just be some further proof that the release of Mother 3 could be a reality. We finally got Earthbound on the Virtual Console last year, and this year we finally got Mother 1. Next year is the 10th anniversary of Mother 3, so right now I'm thinking that it's still a possibility. As for now, I definitely say you should pick up Earthbound Beginnings. While it may not be as functionally solid as its sequel, it's still a must-play.