Matt Schley
April 2, 2013 
Yep, guys, it’s another story to file under the “Japan gets all the cool stuff” column.
What’s got us asking why life is so unfair this time? It’s the virtual console rerelease of of the cult Super Nintendo hit Earthbound – aka Mother 2 – in Japan, with no word from Nintendo of America on a possible Stateside release.
The Wii U rerelease has been accompanied by a lot of online fanfare, including the game’s original creator and writer, Shigesato Itoi, posting regularly on the game’s Miiverse message board and even doing a livestream of the game on his website. Game Center CX, the TV show where the lovable Chief attempts to play through challenging games, also got in on the action, doing a special Earthbound episode.
For the uninitiated, Earthbound was a mid-90s RPG that, unlike the dungeons-and-dragons-based Dragon Quests and Final Fantasies of the day, took place in a contemporary, America-though-a-Japanese lens setting and told the story of Ness (best known to U.S. gamers via Super Smash Bros.) and his pals on their quest to save the world. Featuring incredible music, sharp dialogue and an undefinable warm and fuzzy feeling, Earthbound was nonetheless a failure in the U.S., but its reputation grew over time thanks to fan communities. An original cart now fetches over 200 dollars on eBay.
To add insult to injury, until April 18th, Japanese Wii U owners can purchase Mother 2 for 30 yen. Yes, one of the most celebrated RPGs in Nintendo history can be had for about 25 cents.
Source: Earthbound Central
This story originally ran in the 4/2/13 issue of the Otaku USA e-News email newsletter. If you’re not on the mailing list, then you’re reading it late! Click here to join.
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