First Mother 3 (Earthbound 2) Screenshots - GBA

[ChairHome]

http://www.gamesarefun.com/news.php?newsid=6055

Interesting. The theme song is out, too, on the game's website. This game comes out in April, and I thought the creator wanted to be secretive about it. He even stated that no screenshots would be shown, maybe not even on the back cover. I guess he was lying.

[quiche]

This game comes out in April, and I thought the creator wanted to be secretive about it. He even stated that no screenshots would be shown, maybe not even on the back cover. I guess he was lying.Or he got overruled by his higher-ups.

Anyway this game looks decidedly like Mother 2. I was kinda hoping for a big graphical upgrade, but maybe the still screencaps don't do it justice. Earthbound-style visuals with lotsa animation and making use of GBA's special effects would be pretty hot.

...seriously.

[white shadow]

This is sex!!!:bgrin:


Shigesato Itoi stated that he wanted to do the game on GBA to keep the simplistic feel of the game, he didn't want to make it look extraordinarily snazzy. What a purist.:blush:

[ChairHome]

I just hope it comes out here. I haven't played the SNES earthbound in quite some time, but I remember it was good. I do kinda wish it was DS instead of GBA, but oh well. I don't think the graphics are that bad.

[Penguin]

Holly shit, Earthbound sequel... for GBA? I still have one of those!
This is amazing!

[ParryPerson.]

Awesome.

You know, the GBA is really an amazing system that will never be used to it's full potential. I can't belive they stuck with the 64m carts for most games, GBA is a highly capable system, and the graphics CAN be amazing, but most devolepers spammed it with 3rd party BS. There are a few games that show what the GBA can do, but they are all to rare imo.

Glad to see a game on the GBA that was put time and thought into.

[ShinkuuR]

The link doesn't work.

This is a cruel joke and I WON'T STAND FOR IT DAMN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! :mad: :shake: :sad:

Gimme pics!

[ChairHome]

Just tried it again. It works.

[ParryPerson.]

Link works fine for me.

[ReggieHadoken]

Nice. Hopefully the game will be released here.

[ShinkuuR]

The link still doesn't work for me...

My day sucks right now, and honestly the only thing that can make me smile is looking at some Mother 3 pics! It's a conspriacy!! :sad:

EDIT: Never mind, I saw some! Good shit...but feels weird without Ness being around there. Anyway can't wait for it!

[Fadedsun303]

The link still doesn't work for me...

My day sucks right now, and honestly the only thing that can make me smile is looking at some Mother 3 pics! It's a conspriacy!! :sad:

rpgamer.com is where you need to be. Right on the front page

[ChairHome]

ShinkuuR - Try this: the official site. Click on the third gift:
http://1101.com/MOTHER3/

[Septimus Prime]

I hope there aren't too many 1/128 items in this game because I always feel compelled to get everything.

[ChairHome]

When I first began receiving the 1/128 items, I thought it meant it was 1 out of 128 special items. I didn't know it meant 1/128 scale :-(

I was young and foolish

[Stabby]

Those graphics are infinitely better than Earthbound's. Someone needs to play that game again and realize just how shitty they were.

[ParryPerson.]

You avatar depresses me to no end.

[DarkGiygas]

omgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomg

[white shadow]

omgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomg
I feel the same way!:bgrin: :clap:

[ChairHome]

More new screens and the special edition revealed:
http://www.gamesarefun.com/news.php?newsid=6072

I want the special edition. In english (sigh.)

[DarkGiygas]

fuck english, im buying that micro no matter what

[white shadow]

More new screens and the special edition revealed:
http://www.gamesarefun.com/news.php?newsid=6072

I want the special edition. In english (sigh.)

I want to get the special edition, but why?:looney:

[PingPong]

this is going to be the best gba rpg ever

[white shadow]

this is going to be the best gba rpg ever
Ping Pong got a hard on like King Kong~ for Earthbound. :rofl:

[PingPong]

dood, you know it will be thee best gba rpg, moreso than Golden Sun 1&2. and cmon you can't deny it either.

[white shadow]

dood, you know it will be thee best gba rpg, moreso than Golden Sun 1&2. and cmon you can't deny it either.
I've stated many times that Earthbound is my favorite RPG of all time, even though most gamers say I'm insane to say that.:rolleyes:

Mother Pride!!!:cool::encore:


Awesome battle system and great modern theme w/ funny gags = My kind of adventure!:tup:

[Don Knotts]

Other than the Lucas Arts Scumm system games (which I just mentioned in the old PC games post), Earthbound was the only RPG to ever consistantly suprise and amuse me to the point of actually laughing out loud, while simultaniously getting me interested in the plot and invested in the characters.

Thing is, we have no lock on Nintendo even bringing Mother 3 to the US. My bet is that they don't.

After Giftpia got dissed for no reason other than it being "too weird", I have little faith in Nintendo's faith in the American videogaming public.

http://cube.ign.com/articles/505/505660p1.html

Meaning- Nintendo seems to think that Americans don't like weird, semi-"for kids" games, especially ones that involve a whole lot of reading. They almost didn't bring Animal Crossing to the US, and didn't bring it out on the N64 at all.

The fact that they didn't put out Earthbound 0 and 1 in the USA is a bad sign, especially seeing as the version of Earthbound zero on the Japaense GBA is actually a port of the never released american version.

See this article for more on that.

http://www.lostlevels.org/200407/200407-earthbound2.shtml

Oh, and Doshin the Giant! That's another great game not released in the states for its fun weirdness.

http://cube.ign.com/articles/374/374722p1.html

It's a miracle that we even got WarioWare and the original Earthbound.

[SolidSnakeKA13]

Seeing as no one posted it yet!

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b362/SolidSnakeKA13/screen02_001.gif

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b362/SolidSnakeKA13/screen02_002.gif

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b362/SolidSnakeKA13/screen02_003.gif

Those are more screenshots!

And for what i'll be spending my money to get two of!!!

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b362/SolidSnakeKA13/deluxe_package.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b362/SolidSnakeKA13/deluxe_micro.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b362/SolidSnakeKA13/deluxe_badge.jpg

Its the mother fucking Franklin Badge!!!

Earthbound is my favorite RPG game of all time, and now...its just I can die now

[ChairHome]

Seeing as no one posted it yet!

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b362/SolidSnakeKA13/screen02_001.gif

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b362/SolidSnakeKA13/screen02_002.gif

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b362/SolidSnakeKA13/screen02_003.gif

Those are more screenshots!

And for what i'll be spending my money to get two of!!!

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b362/SolidSnakeKA13/deluxe_package.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b362/SolidSnakeKA13/deluxe_micro.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b362/SolidSnakeKA13/deluxe_badge.jpg

Its the mother fucking Franklin Badge!!!

Earthbound is my favorite RPG game of all time, and now...its just I can die now

Sorry, foiled again. Look at the last post of the first page.

[Penguin]

Everyday I feel like I NEED to play this game even more.

[Ho0v-Man]

A Franklin Badge! Deluxe Edition here I come!

[ytwojay]

Those graphics are infinitely better than Earthbound's. Someone needs to play that game again and realize just how shitty they were.
"Infinitely better?" What the fuck, I just played through EB the other day. I don't know what you're talking about.

[ramza]

Motherfuckin Poo. I hope there's at least references to the characters from Earthbound 1

[CrotchMonkey]

The fact that they didn't put out Earthbound 0 and 1 in the USA is a bad sign, especially seeing as the version of Earthbound zero on the Japaense GBA is actually a port of the never released american version.

See this article for more on that.

i read the article but i couldnt understand. which game is 0 and which one is 1? is 0 the one for nes that wasnt released outside of japan and is 1 the game on snes?

i downloaded the rom of the nes game and got to the 3rd (or 2nd i think?) party member and quit. the game was repetitive and not as fun as the snes game, but is ness also the character in the nes game? i just remember the story starting out in the nes game being weird but dont remember anything else storyline wise about that one.

[Septimus Prime]

i read the article but i couldnt understand. which game is 0 and which one is 1? is 0 the one for nes that wasnt released outside of japan and is 1 the game on snes?

i downloaded the rom of the nes game and got to the 3rd (or 2nd i think?) party member and quit. the game was repetitive and not as fun as the snes game, but is ness also the character in the nes game? i just remember the story starting out in the nes game being weird but dont remember anything else storyline wise about that one.
Correct. "Earthbound Zero" is a fan-made name for Mother 1 (NES) while Earthbound is Mother 2 (SNES).

The main character of Mother 1 is Ninten and not Ness, though they look the same.

[white shadow]

Correct. "Earthbound Zero" is a fan-made name for Mother 1 (NES) while Earthbound is Mother 2 (SNES).

The main character of Mother 1 is Ninten and not Ness, though they look the same.
What do you guys think the new guy's name will be? My guess is Vance™:wgrin:

[gabrielzero]

Why Vance ? Sorry ........>_<

I don't get it.

[shiningsoul]

Mother 1 for Nintendo = Ninten
Earthbound for SNES = Ness
Mother 3 for GBAdvance = Vance?

[white shadow]

Mother 1 for Nintendo = Ninten
Earthbound for SNES = Ness
Mother 3 for GBAdvance = Vance?
Yup!:cool:

I guess Gabe could also work but Vance sounds better IMO.:pleased:

[Don Knotts]

Or it could be Dave, or Mac, or Candy Bag Man, or any other combination of the letters in the words Game Boy Advance.

Or not at all.

We'll see. Vance and Gabe ar good ideas though.

Anyone know the full scoop on what the previous Mother 3 for the N64 was going to be about? I read somewhere that Pokey was to be leading an army of evil pigs, and that a cowboy was the main character.

I sort of hope that has changed, though it looks like the main logo is the same as the N64 one.

[white shadow]

Or it could be Dave, or Mac, or Candy Bag Man, or any other combination of the letters in the words Game Boy Advance.

Or not at all.

We'll see. Vance and Gabe ar good ideas though.

Anyone know the full scoop on what the previous Mother 3 for the N64 was going to be about? I read somewhere that Pokey was to be leading an army of evil pigs, and that a cowboy was the main character.

I sort of hope that has changed, though it looks like the main logo is the same as the N64 one.

Actually I had a teaser trailer of that game on my old comp and it had cool minecart chase scene which *I think* involved swine.:lol:

I think it will be Vance though Knotts because all the previous characters didn't have their letters mixed around.:wgrin:

[Don Knotts]

SNES to NESS?

Not a mix around?

[ChairHome]

New Screens... battle screen!
http://www.1101.com/MOTHER3/images/0228_kazan.gif
http://www.1101.com/MOTHER3/images/0228_battle.gif

[Don Knotts]

Awesome. Thanks!

[Fadedsun303]

New Screens... battle screen!
http://www.1101.com/MOTHER3/images/0228_kazan.gif
http://www.1101.com/MOTHER3/images/0228_battle.gif

I'm glad to see the HP counter is back! Battles look to be the same. I wonder if they'll add anything different to the table this time?

[Don Knotts]

Well, it looks like they've already added a few things, the smash for one is now on the graphics screen and not in the text screen. And it looks like that bat may be actually animating in taking that smash hit.

I hope for at least limited animations this time around.

[Septimus Prime]

The damage numbers popping up in right over the enemy sprites is a good idea, too.

[white shadow]

The damage numbers popping up in right over the enemy sprites is a good idea, too.
Reminds me of actual combo counters. :pleased:

I hope the limited animations will be at least Pokemon Emerald good.:lovin:

[ChairHome]

The map: http://www.1101.com/MOTHER3/images/map.gif

Looks small.

[Don Knotts]

Looks big to me. i mean, the picture is small. But the world looks big.

[white shadow]

Looks big to me. i mean, the picture is small. But the world looks big.
Knowing Itoi that "world" could just be the beginning of the adventure. I wonder if we'll still have teleport though?:sweat:

[DarkGiygas]

looks like it will be more focused on wilderness instead of cities this time

[white shadow]

looks like it will be more focused on wilderness instead of cities this time
Fern Gully Earthbound edition!:cool:

You fight the deforestation tractor.... WHAAAAAAMMMM!!! Barry Bonds Bat does 999 damage!!!

[ChairHome]

Its Tuesday, you know what that means: Mother 3 update.

http://starmen.net/mother3/mother3world/

This is a link to the translation of the Mother 3 website. The two newest "gifts" are available: An introduction to the main characters (sorry, no Vance, guys), and cellphone wallpaper for those lucky Japanese.

[ChairHome]

You know, i hate bumping for the sake of bumping, but the two main characters were named yesterday, I thought that some of you might want to know.

[white shadow]

What a surprising change of pace. Twins Lucas and Claus huh? Well I like Lucas' color scheme much more.:cool:

Hmmm I wonder if they'll be in SSB: Rev. :razzy:

[ChairHome]

http://www.1101.com/MOTHER3/index.html

No translation yet, but here are some new characters...

[Crunch]

---

Lucas and Claus' family is introduced. They are moving along. The dog is moving with them. They are pleased to meet you.

Flint - He is strong and kind. He is a father you can depend on.

Hinawa - A lovable mother.

Po - A brave and clever dog.

---

There's a quick translation cuz I'm bored, not sure when that site does theirs but there ya have it.

[white shadow]

---

Lucas and Claus' family is introduced. They are moving along. The dog is moving with them. They are pleased to meet you.

Flint - He is strong and kind. He is a father you can depend on.

Hinawa - A lovable mother.

Po - A brave and clever dog.

---

There's a quick translation cuz I'm bored, not sure when that site does theirs but there ya have it.
Thanks, nice to see that there might be a sentient doggie in this game.:wgrin:

[ChairHome]

Update time:

Enemy sprites:
http://www.1101.com/MOTHER3/monster.html

Wallpapers:
http://www.1101.com/MOTHER3/wall_paper.html

[Fadedsun303]

Update time:

Enemy sprites:
http://www.1101.com/MOTHER3/monster.html

Wallpapers:
http://www.1101.com/MOTHER3/wall_paper.html

Here's the enemy sprites with description translations.

http://www.rpgfan.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=28&start=15

[Don Knotts]

http://www.1101.com/MOTHER3/view.html

New update with only one new present.

:(

Looks amazing though. The first screen appears to take place underwater, with an "air" meter and everything. The second is either in a town, or a forrest filled with hostile, walrus headed monkeys. The third is at a train depot that has deer/python hybrids causualy grazing about.

And you always have your dog with you.

Could this game look any more awesome?

No. Not really.

[ParryPerson.]

Can't wait.

[white shadow]

http://www.1101.com/MOTHER3/view.html

New update with only one new present.

:(

Looks amazing though. The first screen appears to take place underwater, with an "air" meter and everything. The second is either in a town, or a forrest filled with hostile, walrus headed monkeys. The third is at a train depot that has deer/python hybrids causualy grazing about.

And you always have your dog with you.

Could this game look any more awesome?

No. Not really.
The backgrounds have amazing and vibrant colors, I love how "comfy" everything looks. (I don't have any other word to describe it. :razzy:)

[Don Knotts]

I just said the exact same thing over at gamefaqs.

Why wouldn't this game get localized? Is there something I'm not seeing here?

[MAGUS1234]

Im so DLing this when it comes out.

[Don Knotts]

Even if it's untranslated?

I don't think I could stand to play this game without and in game translation.

[Bowling Pin]

My guess and only hope is that NOA wants to release this along with Mother 1+2.

[white shadow]

My guess and only hope is that NOA wants to release this along with Mother 1+2.
That would be awesome my mind can't even make a apropiate equivalent to such an event!!!!!:wow::pray:

[Don Knotts]

My theory is that they will release Mother 3 first, and if that does well, then Mother 1 and 2 later the same year.

Since you don't have to play the games in chronological order, it would make sense for them to release the most impressive game in the series first (which from all appearances will be Mother 3) and then the others later, as fans of the better game are more likely to buy the worse games after being sucked into the series.

Conversely, if Mother 1 and 2 had already been released, and people were turned off by them (especially Mother 1), it would only hurt the rep of the series, and potentially cause less people to give Mother 3 a chance.

[white shadow]

My theory is that they will release Mother 3 first, and if that does well, then Mother 1 and 2 later the same year.

Since you don't have to play the games in chronological order, it would make sense for them to release the most impressive game in the series first (which from all appearances will be Mother 3) and then the others later, as fans of the better game are more likely to buy the worse games after being sucked into the series.

Conversely, if Mother 1 and 2 had already been released, and people were turned off by them (especially Mother 1), it would only hurt the rep of the series, and potentially cause less people to give Mother 3 a chance.
I concur, but I must admit that hearing you callen EB 1 & 2 "worse" games feels a bit wierd to me. :sweat:

[Bowling Pin]

Since you don't have to play the games in chronological order, it would make sense for them to release the most impressive game in the series first (which from all appearances will be Mother 3) and then the others later, as fans of the better game are more likely to buy the worse games after being sucked into the series.

Three words: Gekitou Ninja Taisen.

Also, we have no idea whether or not Mother 3 is going to be superior to Mother 1 & 2.

[Don Knotts]

I have no idea what Gekitou Ninja Taisen is.

As for me already assuming Mother 3 will be a "better" game, let me rephrase.

Mother 3 looks as though it will be a more "mainstream friendly" game, with more detailed graphics, more overtly "fun and wacky" enemies and chacacters, etc.

Mother 1, which you can assume people would play first, is really only a 3 out of 10 for graphics, and a 6 out of 10 for fun and wacky. Mother 2, 6 out of 10 for graphics, 8 out of 10 for fun anad wacky (it is pretty slow until after the first boss, only really gets funny when you fight the painter cult, plus it's a really hard game at first, IMHO).

Mother 3 is yet to be played, but to me it looks like a 7 out of 10 of graphics, 10 out of 10 on fun and wacky. But that's just from what we've seen so far. And that's going on "mainstream" tastes

And let me also say that I think Earthbound's graphics are a 10 out of 10 for my personal taste, as is the game in general. But for "normal" people, it may be a little low tech for them.

[white shadow]

I think Earthbound for the SNES was a 10/10 in the fun department, otherwise it wouldn't be my favorite RPG. The graphics are far from blockbuster but the way the game is portrayed is better than some cluttered RPGs.

[Don Knotts]

I agree, but that's my opinion.

The masses, however, disagree with us. The rough around the edges 1-ten scale I did was based only of my own loose understanding of the public's perception.

Anyway, what do you think of my original point, that Nintendo may have more success if Mother 3 is released before Mother 1+2?

[white shadow]

I agree, but that's my opinion.

The masses, however, disagree with us. The rough around the edges 1-ten scale I did was based only of my own loose understanding of the public's perception.

Anyway, what do you think of my original point, that Nintendo may have more success if Mother 3 is released before Mother 1+2?
I think that nintendo's biggest selling game for the past 5 years now, Super Smash Bros. Melee and it's predecessor Smash Bros. 64 have opened up a new generation of Ness enthusiasts that wouldn't mind playing either games. Same thing happened with Fire Emblem.:tup: :wink:

[Bowling Pin]

I have no idea what Gekitou Ninja Taisen is.

The Gamecube Naruto fighters. By this rationale, TOMY and Nintendo would have released the fourth game in the series in America first, but they instead released the inferior first game first.

Mother 3 looks as though it will be a more "mainstream friendly" game, with more detailed graphics, more overtly "fun and wacky" enemies and chacacters, etc.

Mainstream friendly? The graphics are just as minimalist as the last game, the enemies are just as whacked out, and if the way the game is being advertised is any indication, it's just as counter-culture. Regardless, Mother 3 doesn't seem to be pushing the "wackiness" as much as it will push a sense of drama. The tagline for the game is "It was bizaare. It was fascinating. And then... it was devastating." The current commercial that's making rounds on Japanese TV features an interview with an actress who played the game. She talks about how touching the dialogue was, and actually had to hold back her tears. The very first media that was released on this game was the Theme of Love, which is a somber sounding piano theme.

Although I know Mother 3 is wacky, when I play it I really hope it will be poignant and touching.

And normal people will hate Mother 3 for its Dragon Quest RPG system alone.

[ChairHome]

http://starmen.net/mother3/mother3world/

Update time, lots of new screens!

Look, a commercial... interesting... but is it bull?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8HhfZW_9D0&search=mother%203

And for Gekitou Ninja Taisen, I believe that you may be forgetting that the games actually have characters from specific parts of the story... if they released the later ones, there would be many confused gamers.

[white shadow]

http://starmen.net/mother3/mother3world/images/0411_02_02.gif I think one of the twin brothers turn into a monkey.


http://starmen.net/mother3/mother3world/images/0411_03_02.gif Oh snap!!! Does this remind you of Pitfall or what?!:bgrin:

[Bowling Pin]

http://starmen.net/mother3/mother3world/

Update time, lots of new screens!

Look, a commercial... interesting... but is it bull?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8HhfZW_9D0&search=mother%203

And for Gekitou Ninja Taisen, I believe that you may be forgetting that the games actually have characters from specific parts of the story... if they released the later ones, there would be many confused gamers.


It's not bull, that commercial's legit. And if the screens from the canceled Mother 3 are any indication, this game definitely takes place after Earthbound and in the same world. So, more than likely, we'll probably see some Mother 2 cast members in Mother 3.

This still does not support why NOA would hold off Mother 1+2 before releasing Mother 3.

[Don Knotts]

The Gamecube Naruto fighters. By this rationale, TOMY and Nintendo would have released the fourth game in the series in America first, but they instead released the inferior first game first.



Mainstream friendly? The graphics are just as minimalist as the last game, the enemies are just as whacked out, and if the way the game is being advertised is any indication, it's just as counter-culture. Regardless, Mother 3 doesn't seem to be pushing the "wackiness" as much as it will push a sense of drama. The tagline for the game is "It was bizaare. It was fascinating. And then... it was devastating." The current commercial that's making rounds on Japanese TV features an interview with an actress who played the game. She talks about how touching the dialogue was, and actually had to hold back her tears. The very first media that was released on this game was the Theme of Love, which is a somber sounding piano theme.

Although I know Mother 3 is wacky, when I play it I really hope it will be poignant and touching.

And normal people will hate Mother 3 for its Dragon Quest RPG system alone.

It's just my opinion, but I think that the graphics are much more detailed and maintstream friendly in Mother 3 than Mother 2, x100 that to Mother 1. Likewise, the enemies appear to be "weird and fun" from the start in Mother 3, as evidenced from the chimeras being everyday animals in many screen shots, including the country train station, forrest, and museum.

Many people that I know didn't like Earthbound because it was too mundane at the start. Sure, their was Buzz Buzz and a meteor, but other than that it was just fighting dogs, crows, snakes and "crazy towns folk" for some time.

As for Mother 1, the graphics are really low detail due of course to being 8-bit, and the enemies are even less exciting.

So that is why I think that Mother 1, and to a lesser extent Mother 2, might turn people off from the series if they play them before Mother 3.

But I haven't even played Mother 3, so it's all silly speculation.

[ChairHome]

Last present is a letter from Itoi.

http://starmen.net/ has a translation.

go to http://www.insertcredit.com/ for a few tidbits from an interview from Itoi.

The game comes out in a few days. I think I will wait til a translation comes out for it before I.... "try it", or will wait altogether if it gets announced for a US release.

Oh, and at starmen.net, the second post has Mother 3 T-shirts... I would get one if they didn't cost $45 after shipping.

[eddymasta]

I think that nintendo's biggest selling game for the past 5 years now, Super Smash Bros. Melee and it's predecessor Smash Bros. 64 have opened up a new generation of Ness enthusiasts that wouldn't mind playing either games. Same thing happened with Fire Emblem.:tup: :wink:

exactly, I haven't gotten the chance to play any of the mothers/earthbounds, but if they release em on gba i'll most likely buy em all just for the fact that Ness is my main in SSBM :p

EDIT:It'd be SICK if the main characters from Mother 3 are included in SSBR.... Can't wait for that game

[white shadow]

EDIT:It'd be SICK if the main characters from Mother 3 are included in SSBR.... Can't wait for that game
Me neither, hopefully some of the landscapes can be stages too!:cool:

[Bowling Pin]

After playing the game, I can assure you that it's not really wacky at all. In fact, it's kind of sad so far... much more cinematic than Earthbound ever was.

[Don Knotts]

Really? Wow. I would have never guessed that, based on the bat with walrus head and rocket-rhino.

Do you know japanese?

[Bowling Pin]

I don't, but the game uses very little Kanji, so Japanese-language scrubs can try to have a go at it if they want. Either way, if NOA doesn't announce a localization, expect this game to be translated by the end of the year.

So far, Mother 3 is to EarthBound like Wind Waker was to Ocarina, at least as far as its characterizations are concerned. Just like how Wind Waker Link came to life with subtle facial expressions and animations, the Mother 3 sprites are fluid despite their small resolution. There's a fairly powerful scene early on in the game that comes out of nowhere... you'll all get what I mean soon enough.

There's still some wackiness, like t-rex headbutting, but it comes off as window dressing to the world and the drama the accompanies it.

Oh yeah. Pig Army is back.

[white shadow]

Hey Bowling Pin are the sprites comparable to Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga or even better?!

[Don Knotts]

HOLY SMOKES! I can't wait.

My Japanese is very weak, but I have heard of a site called babble fish or something that I can use to translate.

Can't wait to play the game.

EDIT AND SPOILERS.

Played the first ten minutes. The game is no dissapointment. The graphics are nothing like M&L, they retain the Earthbound "simpleness", but are much better animated. All characters seem to turn in eight directions, and even have multiple frames of animation for mouth movements adn facial expressions.

As far as wackyness goes, to save my game, I had to talk to a frog, my first "mission" was to learn how to dash by headbutting some apparently tame T-Rex's, me and my twin brother fist-fought a beetle, and an army of Pig Men attacked my dad's town. He got a wacky legged fireman and his dog to help him out. That's where I quit.

Baisically, there is no shortage of wackyness thus far, but no more or less than Mother 2. But my Japanese doesn't go much farther than "Hai" and "Iie", so it the dialouge could have been much sadder for all I know.

There was a letter that mom sent to dad that probably was very sad based on the music that played as it read on screen, and the way she attached it to a carrier pigeon.

But I can only guess.

The music is definately more serious. It's very good, but I hope it gets weird like Mother 2 did later on in the game. Mother 2's battle music was some of my all time favoriate for summing up the surreal, exciting, and fun experience that videogames can be.

In summation, it does appear as though this game is even more ambitious in it's attempt to tell a legitimate story, with multiple emotions and non-cookie cutter characters, than the first two games. Seems like the opera scene of FFVI but from the very start. These are little sprites who are really acting, really developing. And that's just from the japanese copies first ten minutes.

I really would be suprised if this game were not localized. You only need to play it for that long to see that it would have mass appeal. It did not seem alienating at all. I would imagine that the average Pokemon player would give it a try on their GBA or the DS, and enjoy it enough to play until the end.

And even if just 1 in 100 American Pokefans buy this game, would Nintendo not make it's money back?

[ChairHome]

I really would like to see a domestic release, its getting a lot of good press so far.

Here's another writeup:
http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2768&Itemid=2

What I thought was interesting was that it says that attacks are more effective if you do them on beat, to the rhythm of the music. Cool.

And I totally forgot, since its a GBA game, I can play it on a GBA Player for GC, if it ever comes out here translated... :-D But that's a big if, I guess.

[Don Knotts]

The first thing you see after the siezure warning screen in the "Gameboy Advance Player" Screen, just like in Mario and Luigi.

I think that this game was really meant to be player on a tv.

Haven't played through any more, my lack of japanese is too frustrating to me.

As soon as there is any sort of translation on line, I'm going for it.

[Don Knotts]

Hate to double post, but www.starmen.net is the place to go for more info on this game. The forums for Mother 3 are filled with walkthroughs and translations.

Just wanted you all to know.

[Bowling Pin]

So far I'm up to Chapter 4. I'm really loving the party members so far. It's one of the most varied casts since... um, Shadow Hearts III and Chrono Cross? Middle aged men, animals, butches, and a kid. Awesome. The monkey is my favorite character so far, because I feel sad for him. Flint and Lucas are probably the most unfortunate Nintendo characters of all time, though.

And do scope the Sound Library. There are remixes of classic Earthbound/Earthbound Zero tracks, and the next to last track is a medley of the Mother 1/2/3 themes.

[Don Knotts]

Wow. Sounds awesome. I've had really mixed feeling about playing this game, but I'm planning to put some time into it toady. Without knowing japanese, I feel like I'm sort of spoiling the story for myself. Without the text, can you really appreciate the story? If so, I'll probably continue playing.

Would you say that the game is too depressing for american audiences? That's what I'm seeing alot of people say on other boards.

[Bowling Pin]

I'm not going to say the game is too depressing for American audiences because it's a bogus thought to begin with.

However, it may very well top Terranigma in depressing video game tiers.

[Fadedsun303]

Mother 3 will be the last game in the series. :sad:

http://rpgamer.com/news/Q2-2006/050406a.html

[white shadow]

^ WHAAAAAA!!!!!!:crybaby::shake:

[Bowling Pin]

I don't mind it at all. Mother 3 offers fine closure to the series.

What's more interesting is that NOA's Reggie Fils-Aime supposedly had this to say about Mother 3 recently:

"We haven't announced that yet. Wait ten more days."

Discuss.

[Penguin]

Hey guys, are you playing the game on an emulator? (pm link to rom anyone?)
Or did you guys import it?

[ChairHome]

Looks like that Mother 3 english patch is making some progress... I hope it finishes within a few months.

http://www.mother3.org/march02.php

[quiche]

Me too. I want to play this game, but I also want to understand the text.

IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK, NINTENDO?!?!

...seriously.

EDIT: Oh well, their loss. Instead of shelling out $29.99 for the GBA cart, I'll play the translated rom for free.

[white shadow]

Looks like that Mother 3 english patch is making some progress... I hope it finishes within a few months.

http://www.mother3.org/march02.php

YAY! FINALLY!!! :bgrin: Hopefully it won't interfere with my Pokemon play time.

I love the music!:rock: