by Nick - 11.04.05
Apparently, EarthBound creator Shigesato Itoi let the cat out of the bag. He made a quick post on his website, which the awesome folks at Starmen.net quickly translated:
After some discussion with Nintendo, I’ve decided to make a slightly head-start announcement here on Hobonichi. I’ve worried people quite a bit this whole time, but I’m happy to report that Mother 3 for Game Boy Advance is nearing release.
I’ve thought to myself, “It should be all right now that it’s this far along,” on many occasions, but I always made sure not to announce anything until I could say that it was “ABSOLUTELY all right.” At any rate, this time I’ve decided to try and be reserved about everything. It looks like its release date will be about one season away, and I’m in the middle of doing many work retreats to get it finished. I’m going to work especially hard for a short while longer to get everything done.
By announcing this, I’m sure I’ll receive all sorts of questions, but I’m probably going to stay quiet about Mother 3 until just before its release. I know the importance of publicity, but what I feel is that I want players to REALLY enjoy Mother 3. So until just before the game comes out, I’m going to remain as quiet as possible.
In any case, we’re working on Mother 3. I’m happy as well that it’s reached the point where we can make an announcement. Thank you to all who have waited patiently. Please forget about it again for a short while.
Everything seems to be kosher, but I still can’t say that this is 100% true. I’m too tired to expound upon this, but I’ll dig around some more tomorrow. If you guys find any more juicy info that legitimizes it, let me know!
Whoa O_O
NoBullet - 11.04.05 3:48 am
I can read Japanese and confirm that it’s really written on his site. Awesome! This kicks ass! I hope they translate it too, ‘cos just because I can read Japanese doesn’t mean it’s my bag…
Carl - 11.04.05 4:41 am
why does it say “MOTHER3POO?! nippon!!!!”
funtographer - 11.04.05 4:44 am
And after being disappointed by the “Contact Conspiracy” (not that that looks like a bad game, I just got my hopes up), This is GREAT NEWS!!!
And it’s decided for GBA? Awesome!
I can’t Wait! I just finished playing Mother 2 for the second time a couple weeks ago!
Rynen10K - 11.04.05 9:26 am
I have never played ANY of the series, so I hope this will be a good place to start. It seems to be revered everywhere. I guess it was just a game that I missed. Looking forward to a realease in USA.
abraham - 11.04.05 9:46 am
There’s a bigger market for RPGs now, and a bigger market for quirky games, so, hey NOA! Why the hell not?!
We’re kicking off our Game Club site by playing Earthbound. None of us has played through it before, and we’re just getting started. Check it out at http://gameclub.blogsome.com
tanukisan - 11.04.05 10:59 am
Let’s just hope is makes it across the ocean to the US. Also glad to hear that nintendo is continuing to support the GBA!
SithLord - 11.04.05 11:07 am
Well this certainly brightens my day
Stubhy - 11.04.05 11:18 am
I hope he sticks to his word and doesn’t say anything about the game. I feel that this is what happens too often these days, you already know everything about the game before you even play it and there’s no mystery involved. Of course, we don’t have to look at previews and hands-on impressions, but it’s just so easy to click on those links.
Garman - 11.04.05 11:21 am
Nearing release?!? So that means it won’t be much longer!!! It sounds as though Itoi is very excited about his new creation so it must be awesome!
Steven - 11.04.05 12:40 pm
I’m hopeful that Nintendo won’t hesitate to bring this to the US, only because they’ve been so great with the DS titles lately (still waiting for Ouendan though
). I just hope they can finish the localization quickly.
OnWarmerMusic - 11.04.05 12:44 pm
I TOLD you guys.
Thores - 11.04.05 12:51 pm
Actually, it was confirmed to be on the GBA two years ago.
He said that, and then pretty much “Just forget about it for awhile.”
But, FINALLY! I’ve been waiting eleven years for an EarthBound sequel! I just hope it’s not a direct sequel to Mother 2, and instead, it’s a whole new thing, similar to how Mother 1 was to Mother 2.
Nin10dude - 11.04.05 12:55 pm
As long as it comes out here. I’d assume it would considering the petition and the idea that Nintendo seems to be localizing some random things to pad out the GBA and GCN release schedules… but not getting Mother 1+2 creates this small worry in me.
Tony - 11.04.05 1:25 pm
Despite certain enthusiasm, I’m still plenty steamed that the Mother 3 I was expecting is long gone.
DeAngelo Guillory - 11.04.05 2:58 pm
We WILL be getting this game. What I’m wondering though, is what are they going to call it here? Earthbound 3, or 2? Or maybe even keep the mother name? Doubtful… It’s really all about the english localization though. Playing it in japanese, or a fan translation just wouldn’t be the same.
Joseph - 11.04.05 4:15 pm
Hmm… I wonder if it does well over here, if NOA will finally release Eartbound 1+2 over here in the States?
Rynen10K - 11.04.05 4:40 pm
Nice to see new Mother information. I think Nintendo of America was pretty much waiting for this information before considering the release of Earthbound Collection.
Philip Wesley - 11.04.05 5:15 pm
:)
That really just made my day..
TheOtherPedro - 11.04.05 9:01 pm
It already has an official Japanese site citing a Spring 2006 release so major w007!
http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n08/mother3
Bowser-sama - 11.10.05 9:14 pm
WOW! This is really great news, and I just can not wait untill Spring 2006. It’s just too bad I have to wait close to a year (after translating) to actually understand it. I wish there was some way to let Itoi know just how I feel. I made a damn good paper mache Ness for an art project. I made lots of art, like constructing my own paper plates, Clay models, and other miscellaneous art. I played through the games a few times, and cried at the end every time. I guess Itoi just does not know how crazy Americans are over Mother. By the way, what about Dragon Quest 8? It’s also tied up with Mother in the catagories I’m crazy about
. I just can’t wait for tomarrow to get here (counts the hours). MESSAGE TO SHIGESATO ITOI: You better make this damn game this time! We’re counting on you to bring it to America–and hurry (as in make it a universal release!)!!!
Nick - 11.14.05 6:43 pm