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Mother 3 Finished After 11 Years

Posted by Zonk on from the coming-home-to-roost dept.

reidman writes "The unusual Japanese RPG Mother 2 (later released as "EarthBound" stateside) was a huge success in Japan. Hints about the development of the game's sequel were everywhere (even in the game itself). Originally developed for the ill-fated 64DD, the sequel was downgraded, delayed, and eventually cancelled. The fans, however, were too obsessed to let it be - and the game was quietly picked up again. Earlier this month an official announcement was finally made - the obsessive pursuit of the fans has made Mother 3 a reality (in Japan, at least) - it will be released on April 20, 2006 for the GBA! Now to get it translated..."

15 of 31 comments (clear)

  1. What are the chances... by Gr33nNight · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I dont see much hope in NOA bringing this state-side. Mother 1+2 has been on the GBA in Japan for a long time, with no word on bringing that here to America. They took a chance with Fire Emblem, take a chance with Mother Nintendo. I own the SNES version and it was excellent.

    1. Re:What are the chances... by shoptroll · · Score: 4, Insightful

      My hope is to see Mother 1+2 released in anticipation of Mother 3, like it was done in Japan (although they released it in Japan to coincide with the annoucnement of Mother 3's continued development on the GBA... which in hindsight really jumped the gun to some degree). They already have a good translation for Mother 2 (although I wouldn't object to loosening up the 90's era self-censoring enforced by NOA), they really only need to tidy up Mother 1 if the prototype NES cart dump that has floated around the net has anything to show for itself. Not really in terms of readibility, but there really needs to be some work done to liven up the script.

      --
      Insert Sig Here
  2. Translation... by saboola · · Score: 5, Interesting

    If not officially translated, it has a large enough fanbase to where an unoffical translation may take place. Much like the 1997 fanmade translation of Final Fantasy 5 for the Super Famicom. I for one seriously hope it does get an official translation.

  3. Sweet... by mikeisme77 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Earthbound is one of my favorite RPGs of all time. While gameplay-wise it may not be that innovative, the quirkiness of the story and the characters made a unique and memorable experience. Since RPGs (to me) are more about the story and characters any way, this is definitely on my list of must haves... Too bad it'll probably be quite a wait before the translated version.

    ----
    Mr. Saturn

    --
    Read my blog posts on usability.
  4. There's some hope! by chrismcdirty · · Score: 5, Funny

    That must mean that Duke Nukem Forever can't be too far off!

    --
    It's like sex, except I'm having it!
    1. Re:There's some hope! by slysithesuperspy · · Score: 2, Funny

      Bah, I've been upgrading my computer for 7 years for duke forever, now i'll have to buy a GBA!

  5. Awesome! by Eightyford · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Here's to hoping that this game comes with scratch and sniff goodness again. Who could forget Nessie, Zombie Flypaper, and Newage Retro Hippy? I skipped class so often in middle school to play Earthbound...

    --
    Religion for nerds. Stuff that really matters
  6. In other news... by bluemeep · · Score: 2
    There is a God.

    Seriously though, I think this is another case of showing that fans actually have impact. Us English speaking ones may have to rely on translation efforts rather than an official release, but they made it.

  7. Re:*ahem* by reidman · · Score: 5, Informative

    Sorry about that - Starmen.Net turned on some anti-hotlinking measures between when this was submitted and when it was accepted. Here is the screenshot:

    http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/9960/scplanning meeting5ui.gif

  8. Parking meters! And you're walking around! by Captain+Spam · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Call me cynical, but after eleven years and endless delays and a cancellation, I'm not going to be happy until I've got a copy of it (yes, I mean a US copy) sitting cheerfully in my GBA, waiting to be played. Granted, I WILL be significantly happy once that DOES happen, but still...

    I will say, though, that Earthbound remains one of my all-time favorite RPGs. Nintendo's localization crew has a LOT to live up to from that once they start translating Mother 3.

    --
    Demanding constant attention will only lead to attention.
  9. Re:Parking meters! And you're walking around! by Xerxus · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The localization team did a pretty good job with Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga and Paper Mario 2. If they retained that level of quality, I will be damn glad.

  10. 'Mother' -- the computer from Alien returns! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    'Mother'!?!? -- the Japanese already built HAL (http://sanlab.kz.tsukuba.ac.jp/HAL/indexE.html), and now they're working on that damndable computer from Alien too!?

  11. I'm waiting it out by PopCulture · · Score: 2, Funny

    for Mother 4... it's gonna be AWESOME.

    --

    Here's to finally giving Bush his exit strategy in November
    1. Re:I'm waiting it out by Lucre+Lucifer · · Score: 2, Funny

      I'll be sure to check up on you around 2040.

  12. Wow they finally released it! by twilightzero · · Score: 2, Funny

    What's the world coming to?? Diakatana got released, Mother 3 got released...what's next, Duke Nukem Forever? My god, it'll rip a hole in the space-time continuum!

    --

    "Christ what a design! I could eat a handful of iron filings and PUKE a better emergency pump than that!"