TOGP #40: "That One Game: Earthbound"

Listen to your mom and go get dressed, and don’t forget your baseball bat and trusty red cap because this week Colin, Lucas, and Neal explore the quirky cult classic RPG That One Game Earthbound for the Super Nintendo. Released in Japan on August 27 of 1994 and later in North America on June 5th of the following year, Earthbound centered around Ness and his group of 3 friends who have all been chosen to save the world from the pending destruction to be wrought by the evil Giygas, a terrifyingly enigmatic being from beyond the reaches of space and time.

Unlike many popular role-playing games of the era which preferred a more fantasy-inspired setting, Earthbound stood unique at the time by choosing to take place in the modern day country of Eagleland, inspired by the United States. The game utilizes this setting to great effect, offering a humorous satirical take on the American lifestyle.

While Earthbound was successful in Japan, it was not met with the same praise when it landed overseas, and the game in turn sold poorly. However, with the inclusion of Ness in the original Super Smash Bros for the Nintendo 64, a cult following gradually began to form and the game is now looked upon with high regard. Notably, the game received a sequel in 2006 on the Gameboy Advance, but for numerous reasons Nintendo never ported the game outside of Japan, and those wishing to play it have sought out translation mods instead.

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Lucas:
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Neal:
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