EarthBound Retrospective | Guaranteed Masterpiece

[@PGReviews_]

Just caught a mistake near the end of the video where I mention a certain date. I mean to say July 11th, not July 7th. The correct date is used shortly after when it's brought up again, though!

[@onojioboardwalk9748]

.. You dont understand what real 'Diversity' is. +

[@spicysesam]

When Satoru Iwata died I was old enough to get the news but too young to realise what an important role he played at Nintendo. I didn´t know that he also played an important role in saving this game so I´m glad that you used the last moments of the video to salute him. He wasn´t a normal CEO and will always be remembered as a true legend.

[@KeithFitz81]

When earthbound came out our local video/game rental store had one copy and I snagged it day one and kept it for 8days till I finished it. Everyday they’d call and ask if I was bringing it back and I’d say no, maybe tomorrow. 13yr old me blew all my allowance on solving that game.

[@NintendoHero]

Earthbound really is something special, and you did a fantastic job covering why it's so great. I had to skip around a little bit since I still haven't beaten it myself (I know, I know) but I still thoroughly enjoyed this video. This series clearly means a lot to you, and it's awesome to listen to you talk about it for so long. And that tribute to Satoru Iwata was just beautiful. Miss that man everyday. I'm looking forward to coming back to this video later on once I've beaten it and watching the few sections I skipped, but until then, bravo my friend, bravo. The runtime alone shows that this was a pure labor of love for you, and I'm glad you completed it successfully and that it turned out so terrific. Now get some well earned rest!

[@decas5505]

I just recently made my first ever playthrough of earthbound, i needed to know why people call this game a masterpiece I am a person who even if something emotional happens on a movie or a game i am just like ¨meh¨ How TF this game made me shed a tear???? Like seriously, this is the first time a game makes me feel emotional with its messages about family and stuff This game is the best game i have ever played, and when i have free time i am going to play it again

[@johnnym2069]

I replayed and finished it just now. The only bad thing about a masterpiece game such as this one is that it ends. ☹️

[@johnkotis9410]

What specific moments made you shed a tear?

[@decas5505]

@@johnkotis9410 When ness started talking about his family and his dad. I was in a bad mood and that message caught me off guard

[@stzaleft7355]

Watch Iamrob. He cries every game he plays and posts the videos for all to see. You guys could be cryovervideogamebrothers.

[@justinlloyd2446]

I am 41. I can clearly remember seeing Earthbound behind the counter at KayBee Toys at the mall. I was 12 when it was released in America. Looking back, I am rather glad that I didn't attempt to aquire it at the age of 12. The whole thing would have been lost on me. It has become one of my favorite games ever. I wish I could have an original copy of it now. However, I am a parent with a job and mortgage and the whole nine yards. I just can't afford it. I can however enjoy it on the switch. Every time I play it, it just makes me feel happy. The game is about as close to a time machine as I have ever found. As strange as it sounds, playing it just gives me hope. It helps me remember to laugh and be open minded/hearted. It is great medicine for the modern soul in my opinion. Great video! Great job! Thank you for posting it. Much love❤❤❤

[@nintendogeek24005]

Man that Iwata bit made me tear up.

[@PGReviews_]

Should've put a warning for people to be prepared with tissues.

[@zerohour9861]

No way bro said money is hard to come by 😂

[@DanielLivant]

Yea, one of the worst/best videos on the game

[@iammuffins]

This is the one of the best video essays on Earthbound and or Mother I've ever seen this is so underrated

[@PGReviews_]

Thank you! :)

[@Vulpas]

@@PGReviews_ "I LOVE GAY, LOOK AT ME I LOVE GAY KIDS IN VIDEO GAMES IM NIT A WEIRDO TRUST ME BRO. GAY GAY GAY." - You, Itoi, libs generally.

[@xywm]

what

[@josephboehmer1245]

​@Vulpas there's one gay kid in the games

[@kirby47897]

@@Vulpashow is this in any way relevant to this comment

[@alanlee67]

Everybody gangster til home sweet home starts playing.

[@Dustinisnotavailable]

Earthbound is one of those rare retro RPGs where the dialogue is so entertaining that it's worth talking to every NPC if you haven't played through the game in a while.

[@underkoverist5254]

im only in the beginning but thanks for making this video i just finished earthbound after just finishing undertale and liking it . earthbounds a masterpiece fr

[@Kihambo]

Such a beautiful love letter to one of my favorite games of all time. Thank you for making this

[@andybandy4662]

i just finished earthbound a few days ago. honestly, no video game has ever made me feel such pure joy and sentiment.

[@rotciv97]

Thank you for all the passion and effort put into this fantastic retrospective. Having a hunch on how you were going to conclude the video, it still got me in the feels and yet am comforted that the emotional gratitude towards Iwata, Itoi and all involved in creating this amazing game will always have a place in our hearts.

[@jessebrower4362]

You weren’t kidding about this being a masterpiece! I just finished EarthBound for the second time in my life, and it is easily on my Mount Rushmore of my favorite games of all time! You definitely did this game justice with your analysis and insight - thanks for your work 👏🏻

[@FKCENSORSHIP]

I lost my original copy of the game and guide back in the early 2000s, I was pretty upset when I forked out $125 for a cartridge and game guide at the time. I see the prices now and not upset about it anymore as I still have both to this day. Earthbound has been my all time favorite game since the first day I played it back in 1996! Great video!

[@fredo3161]

I always loved this game from the time I saw it back in the day and got my own copy. Was like a dream come true for a 9yo in 95. I can understand trying to play it many years later it's not going to have the same effect.

[@Hitalinic]

Listened to this while getting ready for work and I have to say it was really well done and encapsulated the reason why I fell in love with the game the first time I played. For me, it was one of those sort of..those last "innocent child-like happiness" moments in my life while I was in college just before I realized the responsibilities of the adult world being thrust upon me. It's as bittersweet as the word nostalgia. I kinda want to go back and play it now to make new memories and see what new things I feel about it. Thank you so much for your wonderful essay and respect for Iwata at the end! We're all connected in a way!~❤

[@phils2086]

The dialogue is easily the best part of the game , I’ve never seen a game that has such deadpan humour

[@WesleyC5771]

Your review really does this games justice! Love it!

[@GimmeTOKYO]

I fell down a Mother/Earthbound rabbit hole, and the ending to this got me so choked up. What a beautiful tribute to Iwata. 😭

[@estebanminnoye1236]

20:00 i swear to od that tony is my boi and his cruch for jeff can be seen from the moon.

[@MilkJugA_]

I remember getting into undertale in october 2015 because someone on the earthbound subreddit discussed how the papyrus sprite had an earthbound reference

[@Musicombo]

Here's a way to make the beginning of the game much more tolerable: Before going down to Onett after you bring Pokey/Porky and Picky home, go back up the hill to visit Lier X. Agerate. Why? Because you'll encounter a few enemies going up and down the hill, giving you some experience/level ups and *most importantly* easy money for the equipment you can buy in Onett. Plus, seeing the Mani Mani Statue in Agerate's house is some nice foreshadowing! After visiting Agerate's house and you're going down to Onett, make sure you visit that hidden treehouse and get the Mr. Baseball cap, then go out and buy the Tee ball bat and Cheap bracelet. In my experiences, that not only made the beginning fights with Frank's gang a breeze, it *also* made my friends' first playthroughs much easier. This stuff is also mentioned in the game's big and colorful Player's Guide, so it's probably what the devs intended anyway! Give it a shot next time. tl;dr: If you want smooth-sailing through Onett: 1.) after Buzz Buzz, visit Lier X. Agerate's house *before* going down to fight Frank, fighting enemies you encounter for experience and money, 2.) get the Mr. Baseball cap from the treehouse, and 3.) buy the Tee ball bat + Cheap bracelet with the money from the Lier X. Agerate trip.

[@PGReviews_]

Yeah, I do all of these steps. Very helpful, I agree, but it's still pretty hard. Or I just suck :)

[@Musicombo]

@@PGReviews_ Huh! Interesting... Make sure you fight all the gang members in the arcade before Frank, perhaps?

[@autismandgaming4532]

I beat Earthbound for the first time last night. Even though it may not be perfect (Loaded dice are some of the most evil JRPG enemies ever), This is definitely one of those games that... It sticks with you, y'know?

[@sarundayo]

Earthbound is Stranger Things before ST was even a thing

[@ahsdjsdgfhjgdhhhhhhh]

What a great video! Subscribed and looking forward to future videos.

[@Sharkspartan6548]

I grew up watching Chuggaaconroy play this game, then he did it again for his 10th anniversary of lets playing. It was after he did that that i got a repro copy and beat it for the first time.

[@seth7726]

It's been many years since I got to experience Earthbound for the first time, and the impression it left is something unique. This kind of videos help me to recreate that same feeling. Listening to people talk about each and every aspect of the game, the characters, music, all sorts of feelings and such... I just love it. I might someday make my own. As the old saying goes, "No crying until the end"

[@tokenhol]

Was randomly in the mood to watch stuff about the mother series and stumbled on your mother 1 vid. And it seems just in time that this vids been out only a couple weeks. Really enjoyed them both and now subbed and plan to watch your other videos. Keep up the good work.

[@mayzcorn27]

Oh man this game is one of my favorite snes games. Earthbound and Mario RPG made me a fan of RPGs. My brother got me into the games in the early 2000s

[@VikingBoyBilly]

@43:50 Ah, the 1/128 drops. Earthbound, the game that invented Shiny Hunting for pokémon palette swaps.

[@DanHoger]

Got me in tears at the end, bro. All together an absolutely beautiful video. I was one of the few weirdos who actually liked the marking in 1995 and just had to have this game. I still have my original copy. Sadly, my player's got lost during a move many years ago. This still is my all time favorite game.

[@stzaleft7355]

Look up Iamrob. He cries over like ever videogame he plays too. You can be his side piece probably who knows.

[@jeremyweinstock1963]

I remembered now seeing this in the rental store and was like wtf is this? I never rented it.

[@Poker2735]

Always nice to see a game like earthbound getting the PG treatment

[@illuminatingone]

My older brother was gifted the Earthbound box set when it first came out. One of my favorite childhood memories was going through the players guide as his little helper. I think he ended up giving away his SNES and all his games to someone else, including Earthbound and the guide 😂

[@emvk2002]

Teared up from watching this. After playing and beating it less than a week ago, and it left a mark. It's been quite a contrast of up and down for me lately, and playing it was a help in some way. The music at times was so emotionally effective. Has kinda been a pattern for me with other weird JRPGs. Thank you for this retrospective

[@justinlloyd2446]

I love the enemies in this game. I can never decide which one is my favorite. I really like the Gruff Goat. But also The Violent Roach is hilarious. " The Violent Roach knitted his brow" 😅😅😅😅

[@XenoZach]

Hey man, great video! I’ve never played any of the Mother games, but this makes me want to give them a try. I think your channel is very underrated and I hope it is suggested to others like it was suggested to me.

[@bluestrife28]

Just when I think ima do something different than I did yesterday I see this video and I’m about to load my wiiU up . Thanks for loving a game I love so much. And you’re so right about how much there is in the game, this new play through almost feels like my first time when I run into some things I never noticed since I first played this back in like 96….but yeah my first real play and finish was a ROM on my PC .. ahem …. cough … I’m old enough to have been a kid when Dragon Quest and FF were in the single digits, gotta give it up for the Mother series keeping that old school rpg hardness even by todays standards.

[@LuisMan9]

This video deserves more views and more likes! Can’t wait to see where your channel goes!

[@Flower_Mom]

I rented EarthBound as a kid. I don't think I had ever played an RPG before and I had no idea how to get out of Onett because I couldn't beat Frankie. I got lucky enough to come across a copy of it for only $60 on eBay many, many years ago so I bought it and was finally able to complete it and now it's one of my favorite games ever.

[@SushiElemental]

Pretty sure the Runaway five are more Blues, not Jazz. But we'll let it slide. Nice video!

[@opaljk4835]

Right. They are obviously based on The Blues Brothers

[@heckincat1406]

Incredible analysis. Your humor mixes really well! Thanks for spreading the gospel that is the Mother series❤️

[@carihikikomori]

This video is so informative and well-made! I thoroughly enjoyed and subscribed :)

[@markmoses5199]

Beautiful analysis bro great job fr

[@safframlan]

"When they say 'this game stinks', people during that time did not yet understand what clickbait is... Lol"

[@xenos_n.]

Pretty good video, I've watched so many on Earthbound but I still like watching them. I was lucky enough to play this when it came out and it was instantly my favorite and seared itself into my DNA. I felt like I was the only person who played it for many years. It was kind of a ghost game here in the USA for the second half of the 90's until the community started to coalesce online and grow.

[@bmeht]

Really great stuff. Thanks.

[@erwin6877]

man the story is amazing youre basicly a kid going around doing exorcisms on people saving them from possesion and in the end defeating gyagas which if youre really playing the game the way the maker wanted you to play it you would realize giagas is a real energy and its pretty wild everytime you play through the game you also save the girl from being kidnapped and in the end you can only win my praying for forgiveness and asking for help its a pretty amazing game its my fav rpg and 2 fav game ever my first one is ocarina of time! love yall stay tight

[@jaredsmith112]

Played Earthbound last year. One of my favorite experiences!

[@marcoaraujo88]

This channel is like if KingK and SNESDrunk had a KZbin child (kinda weird, I know. But awesome all the same). Keep up the good work! Greetings from Brazil!

[@hollowayraulie1422]

I didn’t realize the sword of kings was so rare, I just finished my first playthrough and had it for quite awhile 😳

[@rezterralico4369]

Smash brothers in 1999 I was like what is a NESS?? FOund a used SNES copy. Still have a loose copy.

[@flippant_foe]

(5:15) Neither Dan Owsen nor Marcus Linblom came up with the American localized name for the MOTHER series, that credit goes to Phil Sandhop. When MOTHER 1 released in Japan in July 1989 and saw commercial success it was a no brainer for Nintendo to capitalized off the game's Japanese success and try to release that game overseas to an international audience. In the year 1990 an English translation for MOTHER 1 was put to work and completed by late 1990. The game was ready for its American release to the point where US gaming magazines were marketing the title with a planned Fall 1991 retail release date. Nintendo of America knew that not many Americans were familiar with the RPG genre of video games, so when it came with trying to market MOTHER 1 in the west NOA had planned for a player guidebook to be bundled with the game cartridge itself to help out newcomers of the RPG genre get use to the game's gameplay. (Something which eventually NOA ended up doing when it came time to market MOTHER 2 to Americans.) Sadly, when it was time for NOA to actually spend their money on mass producing a bunch of those player guides for a NES RPG releasing in the the prime of the SNES lifespan, Nintendo backed out "last second" on the whole releasing MOTHER 1 overseas ordeal. NOA saw it as too costly and a gamble to try and spend that much money to market and release a game for an outdated piece of hardware of which the genre of said game is known to not even sell well in America to begin with. (Keep in note Nintendo back then had so little faith in how well their RPG games they released overseas sold, that they offered Dragon Quest/Warrior 1 for free to any American who had a Nintendo Power subscription. NOA thought that was the only successful way to get Americans to buy and play RPGs back then.) With all of that MOTHER 1 localization history humbo jumbo being said, the reason I bring all that stuff up is because Phil Sandhop was the localizer for that "cancelled" early 90s MOTHER 1 American release project. (I say cancelled but as of 2015 the ROM made for that cancelled localization project ended up getting reused for "EarthBound Beginnings." "EarthBound Beginnings" is the only official way to play MOTHER 1 in English using either the Nintendo Wii U's and or the Nintendo Switch's retro game library.) Phil Sandhop when working on MOTHER 1's localization knew the average early 90s American wouldn't purchase a video game titled "MOTHER" that sort of name would sound too girly and cheesy to them. They needed to rename the game to appeal with the more "mature" American audience. Eventually Sandhop came up with the name "EARTH BOUND" (2 words separated with space) for the game's American title. That name later on after MOTHER 1's American localization was cancelled was used for MOTHER 2's US localization, there now being written as "EarthBound" (1 whole with an uppercase B and 0 spaces) instead. Basically the MOTHER franchise was always planned to have been renamed to some sort of spelling variation that spells out the name EarthBound here in the US ever since the very release of the first MOTHER game in Japan.

[@BTthekingnocap]

I love the mother series so much and I cried almost one million times for each games and I cried 2 billion more when Itoi said he was discountinuing the mother series

[@DerAvanor]

Dude, please never ever go for that Wii Sports joke again when I'm taking a sip from my ice tea. Thank you

[@IbrahimAmer-rq6mv]

LMAO

[@joedanormalguy31]

Amazing video!!! Currently binging your vids lmao Keep up the great work brother!

[@JordanStar7]

Thank you for this. Happy I found your channel!

[@devod123]

Hilarious @14:55 nice reference to the O.C.

[@johnbrennan4863]

Just found the channel. Absolutely great work, really enjoyable listen. Subscribed!

[@ItMeRobin]

Alright, but when's the Wii Sports video?

[@BTthekingnocap]

I do agree Halloween is the best holiday

[@ern1813]

It’s like iwata said “don’t be a lil bitchboy until the end”

[@kais.dollhouse]

can’t wait for the mother 3 video :D

[@nikolasincorporated]

I wish they would remake this links awakening style. I love this little game so much

[@sunny__41]

31:21 everyone talks about the kraken being difficult but when i fought it for the first time i just spammed my strongest attacks for like 2 turns and it was dead

[@higgz8547]

Keep up the great work bro. I probably should play earthbound...

[@voltron77]

I’m currently playing earthbound and am having a blast, though I do think that right now, it’s like if Paula is impossible to find and every enemy is kicking my ass, but I know I’ll get better at one point. Edit: I did get better and I now have Paula and Jeff and am trying to find Mr. Monotelli or whatever his name is.

[@rezterralico4369]

I got a used copy with the players guide in 1999.

[@liamnicholls7106]

Beautiful ending!

[@ForgetfulPretzel]

An excellent video.

[@MaxLadik]

Okay, so I love FFVI, but growing up, I only ever rented it. I rented Earthbound, and I asked for it for my birthday. That was good summer, playing it for the first time.

[@fsdfgasgfisd]

The fact I was able to not buy fresh eggs but just steal them in happyhappy Village and hatch them to sell chickens for $110 a pop using the for sale sign from twoson to only return to the store eventually being closed made me laugh

[@vbkngx]

Great content mate. FYI "psi" is pronounced "sy", as in "psychic".

[@powerofk]

It’s funny - Nintendo Power actually promoted the heck out of this game (though the advertising could have been better, the only way anyone heard about Earthbound’s existence back in the day was through Nintendo Power). My brother, sister, and I actually got Earthbound right when it came out. Played it three times through, and yet each time was more difficult. I think Ness’s Nightmare in Magicant actually matched your level. In other words, the more powerful you were when you met Ness’s Nightmare, the more powerful Ness’s Nightmare was. Which is similar to Sephiroth in FF7.

[@harry23612]

How’s this vid only got 6k views it’s dope, good work man

[@A-bit-Shifty]

" theres nothing you get for doing this 1/128 challenge" i mean... you get the items lol ive done the challenge and took 12 hours to get the gutsy bat but in that same play through, got the enemy that drops jeffs weapon parts to drop it twice in a row right off the bat. Two fights two drops lol its fun hunting the 1/128 items. Also, the gutsy bat is from the BIONIC krakens right before you enter the cave to face giygas for anyone wondering

[@minermole101]

Tempted to play for a 3rd time. And yes, the beginning of the game is what turned me off on the first playthrough. But when I came back I think around 6 months later, then I was able to finally appreciate the game and later the franchise/series.

[@seanpocius9365]

Caught me off guard while the music was playing at 56:19 lmao

[@BTthekingnocap]

The games are just so memorable

[@gordoperodeculto2967]

Seriously new players, give this Nintendo gem a chance, it's awesome.

[@muscovyducks]

might just have to play this

[@_PuppetMaster86]

*Play it.*

[@wolfpack_104]

Well this was a surprise I hadn't expected today. This is gonna be good I can tell

[@ZeldaGirl799]

Totally not me crying at the end

[@tacticalwookiee7476]

My sister and i pooled money together as kids to get Earthbound and me her and my dad all loved it and used that players guide so much it disintegrated lol. I wonder if my sister still has the cartridge? Have to ask her lol

[@hanezutchins2786]

The monkey cave gives me Ikana Canyon ptsd

[@PGReviews_]

Gosh you're right, never made that connection before.

[@nathanielbennett2950]

Great video 🎉

[@sahilhossian8212]

Lore of EarthBound Retrospective momentum 100

[@King4Mammoth]

Confirmed reveal, PGR's name is Pedro

[@loreleiofthemist]

you had to grind for money? my experience is that Ness's dad just aggressively pelts you with money bags the whole time. i had an unhinged amount of money by the end of the game, more than i could ever spend

[@pmontu333]

My name is also Pedro lol

[@6youtubeperson]

58:04 wait how did toby fox get there

[@naki051]

So Tony is confirmed gay! I always see people trying to argue against it, but it's so nice to see Itoi being supportive.

[@YB_.]

Tony being gay has been known for a while now. I remember learning about it as a kid and feeling weirded out because I identified with Jeff the most out of the main cast.

[@pksprite6401]

“Paula is just a love interest for Ness” Yea, let’s forget about the part where her abilities single handily defeat the final boss. Or how many times she bails Ness and Jeff out with her premonitions. Or how she gets all the cool and memorable PSI moves. What a horrid take in an otherwise excellent video.

[@Destiny-dv7w]

29:16 Why is Kirby screaming in the background?

[@名無し-x6p]

PSI is pronounced psy "サイ" as in psychic btw

[@peter-r3o3v]

if it werent for emulation i would have never played this one.... or secret of mana.... or ff6.... nintendo, stop your war on your own history, embrace the fanpassion that is emulation

[@felixorozco4055]

I am playing thru FF6 right now, incredible game

[@ICharlyl]

Been a while since i played mother 3 but i just dont love it as much, the story is just waaaaay to tragic for me, to the point that at points (to me) it felt like tragic porn, its a tragedy after a tragedy until lucas has no family and the world is destroyed (i probably remember it different from how it actually is). I love much more earthbound's philosophical approach and the intangible nature of its main villain