Earthbound Review

Few games in the Super Nintendo library are as beloved — and as unusual — as EarthBound. Known as Mother 2 in Japan, the quirky RPG from Shigesato Itoi and HAL Laboratory has grown from a modest commercial release into a true cult classic. Its strange blend of humor, heartfelt storytelling, and everyday suburban surrealism still makes it stand out in a genre often dominated by high fantasy and science fiction.

A Different Kind of RPG

While most RPGs of its era revolved around knights, dragons, and sprawling medieval kingdoms, EarthBound pulls players into an offbeat version of 1990s America. You play as Ness, a baseball-cap-wearing kid from the town of Onett, who teams up with a psychic girl, a boy genius, and a martial artist from across the globe to save the world from an alien evil known as Giygas.

The premise feels simple on the surface, but the execution is unlike anything else. Instead of castles and swords, you’re exploring suburbs, malls, coffee shops, and caves. Your “weapons” are baseball bats, frying pans, and yo-yos. Enemies range from possessed taxis and spiteful crows to hippies and piles of puke. The absurdity is part of the charm, and it constantly keeps you smiling.

Gameplay and Mechanics

At its core, EarthBound is a turn-based RPG. Combat resembles Dragon Quest with first-person battles, but adds its own twist with the iconic rolling HP meters. Damage trickles down over time, giving you a chance to heal before hitting zero — a small feature that adds surprising tension and strategy.

Exploration is straightforward but fun, with towns, dungeons, and overworld travel connected in a seamless map. Unlike random encounters in most RPGs, enemies appear on-screen, and if you’re strong enough, you can instantly win a fight without entering battle. This keeps grinding from feeling like a chore.

Humor and Writing

The writing is EarthBound’s crown jewel. It’s witty, self-aware, and full of surreal comedy that ranges from laugh-out-loud absurd to bizarrely unsettling. Yet beneath the humor lies a surprisingly emotional story about friendship, growing up, and confronting fear. The localization team did an outstanding job capturing its offbeat tone, and the game’s charm has only grown stronger with time.

Presentation

Graphically, EarthBound uses a bright, cartoon-like art style that may look simple next to other SNES RPGs, but it’s bursting with personality. The music, however, is extraordinary — a mix of quirky jingles, jazzy tracks, and haunting experimental compositions that fit the game’s tone perfectly. Few SNES soundtracks are as memorable.

Legacy

Upon its release, EarthBound was a commercial disappointment in the U.S., partly due to its unusual marketing and the dominance of Final Fantasy VI and Chrono Trigger. But over the years, it developed a devoted fanbase that propelled it into legendary status. Today, it’s often cited as one of the greatest RPGs of all time, influencing games like Undertale.

Final Verdict

EarthBound is not just a great RPG; it’s an experience unlike anything else on the SNES. Its quirky humor, creative world, and emotional depth make it timeless. If you’ve never played it, you owe it to yourself to see why this game has such a dedicated following.

Score: 10 / 10
A one-of-a-kind adventure that proves RPGs don’t need swords and sorcery to be unforgettable.