Earthbound
The Mother 3 translation patch hits this week, and that’s just about the most wonderful news ever. It’ll work via GBA emulator on your computer, but if you want to go the GB/DS route for superior performance and the geek satisfaction of playing it the way it was meant to be played, compatible flash carts like this one are listed at the above link.
In anticipation, I’ve started playing Earthbound again for the first time in years, and I’m floored. I remember it being good, but I don’t remember it being this good. Some things only get better with age, and such is most certainly the case with Earthbound. Simply magical stuff. My only problem is that there’s no way I can finish it before the fan translation is released, and as I’m already super into it, I have a bit of a dilemma on my hands.
Regarding Mother 3 and the issue of translation, there are some interesting things to note as brought out by Tim Rogers in his old mega-review of the game. It’s apparent that, no matter how good the fan translation is, a good deal of the charm in the game’s writing may be lost due to the rhythmic and poetic style in which series creator Shigesato Itoi wrote the script. Some things just don’t translate well. Still, I have a feeling they did a fantastic job.
So I urge everyone to make this week’s Mother 3 festivities as big a deal as possible, sending out a real message in the process. It’s both sad and oddly inspiring when the most exciting Nintendo release of the year isn’t coming from Nintendo itself, but from neglected fans who had to take matters into their own hands to get something done.
I too recently played through Earthbound. And it IS just as good as ever. The coolest thing for me, is the ending. You just get to wind down, it’s, in my opinion, the best ending of all time. You just get to walk around the enemy-less areas, talking to people, and doing whatever you wanted.
I went to Summers with Paula and bought some Chef’s Special. I returned my book to the library, I talked to a TON of people, just to see what they were doing now, then I rode my bike in the swamp in Deep Darkness. I spent about 45 minutes doing all this stuff, partially because I just didn’t want the game to end.
I have been looking forward to this game since I saw the “Earthbound 2 Planning Meeting” in Earthbound.
And about the translation issue, I don’t think we’ll have a problem. A lot of people talk about how Earthbound’s translation isn’t as good as the original, but I think we’d all agree that Earthbound’s translation is EASILY one of the best ever.
rbelmont000 - 10.15.08, 10:39 am
This has sealed the deal for me. I’ll be shopping at Deal Extreme tonite.
Kyle - 10.15.08, 11:30 am
Be aware that you’ll need one of these too: http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....=mini%20sd
And here’s the guide for getting it running: http://ezflash.sosuke.com/wiki.....V_Tutorial
Nick - 10.15.08, 11:44 am
Call me crazy, but I’ve NEVER played Earthbound…
Also, just wanted to say I found this blog through the pipeline and I freaking love it! Keep it up. It’s good to stray away from up-to-the-minute gaming blogs and read some meaty, awesome, hardcore gamer-related stuff. Shmups? Play Yan Micro? Yeah, I’ll be coming back.
*Bookmarked*
brownkidd - 10.15.08, 12:10 pm
Thank’ee kindly, brownkidd!
Nick - 10.15.08, 12:17 pm
Thanks Nick!
Kyle - 10.17.08, 8:56 am