Earthbound (SNES) Review & Retrospective | Happy Video Game Nerd

[@StopSkeletonsFromFighting]

1/21/12: Me: "... the last official Earthbound release we'll ever see" 7/18/13: Earthbound on WiiU Virtual Console 6/14/15: Earthbound Beginnings aka Mother 1 on WiiU Virtual Console 12/17/15: Mother 3 on Japanese Virtual Console 3/24/16: Earthbound on New 3DS Virtual Console This video's just getting older and older ...

[@Anfernee_G]

"And that's fucking rad". I remember watching this before I started playing the game and it really pumped me up to play it. As a guy with a full time job, 72 mile round trip daily commute and sole provider for my girlfriend and two dogs, I don't have that much time to play games. That doesn't stop me from doing so every chance I get though, and I've been playing this game for the better part of a year. I don't look at this as a bad thing though, because I get to spend more time with this amazing game and I love every minute of it. Tonight, I just left my "mind" and on my way to finish the game. I'm sad it's coming to an end, but my god what a great ride it has been. Thanks for the video that tipped me into buying the game and giving it a shot.

[@scatlinksean]

+Stop Skeletons From Fighting Like what you said near the end "you might have to remake this video in a couple of years", I think you should. BUT, wait until after this years E3; Mother 3 is still a possibility. If not, you can make mention of EarthBound on WiiU VC AND New3DS VC, and EarthBound Beginnings on WiiU VC.

[@kaimcdragonfist4803]

+Stop Skeletons From Fighting If there's anything that is good to be wrong about, I'd say this qualifies.

[@Antiprogressivepraxis]

What ever happened to that fan made Mother 4? I was looking forward to that.

[@thecrookedman3851]

But in a good way, right?

[@brycestrife5605]

The memories of playing this with my father.. beautiful, amazing stuff. I miss you Dad

[@MuttonTheDragon]

I'm going to be honest, I was more neutral the game than anything. The only reason I bought it on Virtual Console was because I wanted to support the people that loved the game on the SNES and on their emulators to get a legit copy without breaking the bank. Then I played it. By God I played it, and it skyrocketed into my top 5 games of all time, even further than Pokemon.

[@wozthescott2804]

The Mutton Chop Gamer nice

[@leeartlee915]

Hmmm, i was following you until that whole Pokémon comment. Ugh.

[@TommyTom21]

@@leeartlee915 Pokemon is mid

[@leeartlee915]

@@TommyTom21 Mid what? Mid level trash? Okay, okay, I need to stop myself before I get carried away. Must remind myself that just because people like a game series you don’t like, that is not a crime. *Deep breaths*

[@TommyTom21]

@@leeartlee915 I don’t like pokemon

[@somedude3596]

_"The words criminally underrated do not even BEGIN to describe Earthbound."_ Couldn't have described the game better myself.

[@StopSkeletonsFromFighting]

The Administrator and that ain't even really true any more!! a lot can happen in a couple years

[@somedude3596]

Yeah, I know. The internet happened.

[@SuperEggsNBacon]

What happened? Did a game get released?

[@MrAweeze]

+The Administrator except it's not underrated.

[@supermariozelda]

+Mr Aweezy It isn't? The only reason people are talking about it recently is because of Undertale, other than that, few to no people (outside of Japan at least) even know what it is.

[@lucasvaandrager1061]

Mr. Itoi sounds like Mystery Toy

[@sukebae339]

ye

[@lucasvaandrager1061]

+Kakashi Hatake even tho the art isnt even myn, NICE PROFILE PIC!

[@seanobi777]

+Popcorn Box Mr. Itoi... Mystery Toy... *FUN* for the *WHOLE FAMILY!* :D

[@danievanderwesthuyzen238]

+Popcorn Box I was thinking the same thing. :p

[@senormonkey98]

@@seanobi777 fun for the whole family, especially for a MOTHER

[@vankook]

This has been my favorite game since it came out. I was 16. I ignored when Chrono Trigger came out because I was so into this. I still play it every year. The ending gets me so emotional still. Just listening the tune gets me all nostalgic. Watching this is like hearing my own words coming out of your mouth. Well done!

[@Gryphonrage]

as an avid fan of this game since 1996 when i was 14, i endorse this message. 100/10. One of the best and most underrated SNES games ever. and like he said, one of the greatest games of all times. for many, many reasons. No, its not perfect, but damn, its as close as you can find.

[@leeartlee915]

I was 12 in 1996 but ditto to everything you said

[@flower5185]

this is the video that got me to play Earthbound years ago and it's been my favorite RPG since. thanks Derek

[@charlespage8692]

I got this game when I was 10 years old in 1994. My parents really did a solid for me. Still the best gift I ever got from them for a BDay or Christmas. Had so much fun playing this game. The modern setting. The hilarious references. The off kilter feelings. This game actually helped me make sense of the world as it was back then. Anyone that gets to play this game for the first time is really really lucky. Someday I wanna introduce my own children to this wonder of a game.

[@vaiyt]

One of the interesting things about the Mother series is that Shigesato Itoi is a philosopher and essayist as well as a game designer. And it shows in the game's writing. It touches on several serious themes with more intelligence and heart than a million hackneyed, overly pretentious fantasy epics. Now, let's be honest, being smarter than most JRPGs is a very low bar to clear, but still!

[@chroniquephilousophique9983]

Another interesting fact is that the main inspiration for mother is the books "Le grand cahier" by Agota Kristof. A very particuliar read and way more darker, but very good nonetheless

[@GeoNosiS26]

Earthbound best game ever and the best out of the series

[@mikumika3819]

you and me are one of the few people who actually think that earthbound is the best mother game. mother 3 is so overrated

[@Kragglover2003]

@@mikumika3819 mother 3 has a smaller fanbase,how can it be overrated?

[@mikumika3819]

@@Kragglover2003 bruh if you ask people most of them will tell your mother 3 is the best mother game

[@pathetic_girl]

@@mikumika3819 Its probably because it tugs at your heartstrings. Games that do that just kinda have a way of sticking with you, the first playthrough of these games are literally unforgettable experiences.

[@mikumika3819]

@@pathetic_girl I mean, all of the mother games tug at my heartstrings soooooooo

[@PepeElMago]

you are great dererk alexander

[@AnimeboyIanpower]

3/24/16 The Day Earthbound was released on the NEW Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console... Was also my birthday!

[@danielwilson8604]

Happy birthday! Such a gift will always bring back the fondest of memories. Now, blow out your candles and say: "fuzzy pickles!"

[@qazuninja]

Sorry that I’m late, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

[@tasoganedude]

Fuzzy pickles!

[@goofybutserious4807]

Fly Honey

[@koemon_exe]

Now Earthbound Beginnings and Earthbound are on Switch! I guess the video description can be updated again!

[@gaybowser]

Well, you were right about having to remake the video. Two years after you've made this video they released Earthbound and Mother 1 on virtual console, added Ness and Lucas into the new smash, and made a ness amiibo.

[@JSWUDNN]

itoi has stated before that someone else could try making a mother 4 and since it so popular in japan i'm not sure why nintendo did not try to get a new developer that knows the mother series well to try to make a new one

[@emberhermin52]

The fans are making Mother 4.

[@JSWUDNN]

yeah I know and that's cool and all but it would be cool to have a big official video game developer make it or maybe nintendo takes the fan made mother 4 as the official sequel which could be cool too but I think most of all I would like to see a full official mother game sequel with 3d models

[@PikaLink91]

JSWUDNN On that note, it would just be cool overall if we had a community where fans could make a deal with a certain company, to make a sequel to their favorite franchise. That would mean no effort from the licence holders, and when the game was finally finished, they would take the majority of the profit, with that group of fans just being happy that they were allowed to make the game. Follow me?

[@SageOwl]

JSWUDNN You should play some fan made sequels if you haven't because they contain some true heart and soul in the midst of these soulless abominations being pumped out by fortune 500 publishers like EA or Squeenix (your final fantasy -2s and Dragon Age 2). If I were to suggest any: Flames of Eternity previously Crimson Echoes if you are a Chrono Trigger fan (and why the hell would you not be) or, if you are into the genre of point/click adventures, The Silver Lining aka Kings Quest IX, a game that has the production value of most titles nowadays.

[@TinyDancerX99]

Beat it last night on my Wii U. Now one of my favorite games ever. True brilliance and an amazing showcase that games are art, Is it weird the ending (pre-credits) made me cry?...I'll just go home now...

[@Alexis-vv5bk]

I watched this when you originally uploaded it on the old channel. It was so hard to find people talking about the series on KZbin back then. This video made my middle school self feel connected and like she got to hang out with a cooler older friend and talk about her favorite series with someone who actually played it. Thank you for reuploading it. It still feels like a friend.

[@captawesome42]

Something I read this year that changed my perspective a bit - "instead of shaming people who haven't experienced something you love or is notoriously of high quality, be excited for them that they get to experience it with fresh eyes".

[@GambitLP]

earthbound is my favorite rpg of all time

[@jaxxh6529]

1 and 2 are now on the wii u e shop as earthbound beginnings and just earthbound even the trilogy will come to the nintendo switch

[@InfinityDz]

The irony is, the RPG genre saw its beginnings in the US, with games like Ultima and Wizardry. The influence for these games was Dungeons & Dragons, which was influenced by The Lord of the Rings. Both Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest were inspired by Ultima and Wizardry. Isn't it ironic that the japanese assumed the West couldn't handle RPGs?

[@Lunarmemory]

It use to baffle me why these huge companies would make such odd, and seemingly idiotic decisions. Especially Nintendo. Then I lived in Japan and worked for a Japanese company. It all makes sense now.

[@trueblueclue]

@@Lunarmemory what did you come up with?

[@SonofSethoitae]

@@subzero8679 Holy racism, Batman

[@SonofSethoitae]

I mean, the worry wasn't that nobody would get them, but that nobody would buy them. Computer RPGs did well in their community, but the community wasn't very big and it grew very slowly. RPGs take a phenomenal amount of work to localize, so they need to know they'll recoup that investment. And that was unlikely with any RPG at the time, let alone a weird ass RPG like Earthbound.

[@alanlee67]

Infinitydz nobody in the US bought rpgs until ff7

[@DougVandegrift]

14:00 that's the page from the AVGN episode "Nintendo Power" haha. "Fun is right there, oh that's where the fun is?"

[@GaigeGrosskreutzsMissingBicep]

+Doug Vandegrift lmfao, i didnt catch that. and theres the trees.

[@BenLucasCritic]

Still an incredible video to this day. I remember sitting my Dad down almost 10 years ago to watch, enjoy and learn about this game with me cause I thought the video was just that good. Happy to see you're still going strong Derek

[@uba754]

One of my absolute favorite videos of all time, liked, favorited, everything. Seen it multiple times and still love watching it. Do more reviews!

[@LiquidPr1d3]

I'm realllllly glad I played this game a few months ago. I don't know Ness as that one character from Smash Bros. Nowadays, I know him as the main protagonist as Earthbound, probably my favorite RPG of all time. I'm 13 minutes in, but great review so far. Love the Top 5.

[@Vyse195]

The Wii U is now the "Earth Bound machine" All we need is Mother 3.

[@phreeze83]

+Vyse195 naaa, still the snes is ! (fucking 500$ for that cib....and shipped to europe...NINTENDO NEVER RELEASE GAMES IN 1/2 COUNTRIES ONLY!!!)

[@TheYoshiGamer]

+phreeze83 I think what he means is that the Wii U is the machine for the EarthBound series, not just EarthBound.

[@d.townzen1337]

+Vyse195 I actually considered buying a Wii U only to get the Mother series on Virtual Console, but then I couldn't really justify it since there are no other games that really grab my interest sadly. Maybe one day Nintendo will be less dense... if that happens expect the apocalypse to come shortly there after.

[@Vyse195]

The new president seems like he is open minded, at least more than Iwata was.

[@phreeze83]

There are enough good games for the Wii U. If you don't want the wannabe-AAA titles from 3rd publishers, jsut get the nintendo ones, everything that mentions mario/zelda/donkey kong ;)

[@jtbirdACC]

"Who knows? Maybe I'll have to remake this video again in a few years." HVGN, you know what you should do. Even if you already did. Do it again. (If you have plans whether or not to re-expanding and/or re-reediting it, please disregard this message.)

[@aldojoel4836]

I watched until the end before I realized this video came out ten years ago, and the love for this game has only grown

[@564madman]

I have to say, great job on this video, and i also enjoy the fact that you are willing to go back to your old videos and put more information from current gaming news. Hats off to you happy video game nerd!

[@ThePribylProductions]

Mother 1 confirmed for Wii U to release as "Earthbpund Beginnings" today!!!

[@92soothsayer]

Yea I just saw about that. In that case what I'm wondering is what are people supposed to do with the red painted reproduction carts of EB Zero and EB Easy?

[@turtleanton6539]

Ysy

[@maddlad_l5257]

RIP Iwata-san ;.;

[@tylerpancake780]

I love RPGs which is why I've been wanting to try EarthBound and I love it

[@NekroFukker]

Over 2 years later and I am still loving this video or well, documentary. Thanks to you Derek, I got to discover Earthbound and I am no RPG-buff to begin with. Thanks to you, I am right now playing through Mother 3 for the first time. Thank you. :)

[@NekroFukker]

PS, Ruby Dagger is the most awesome thing in recent years!

[@RetroVideoGamer23]

Almost 13 years ago since you made this, wow, time flies

[@nnnkechi]

Excellent video for my favorite game of all time

[@indigotyrannova6113]

How do you do a no death run of earthbound?? can you reset????

[@BigA207]

Well Derek, since it's been years since I saw this and I just downloaded Earthbound last night and been playing it for the first time, I really would like to see a follow-up video with info on how Earthbound was able to make it back to America after all that. I know the fans demanded it on Miiverse, but there had to be other reasons if these kind of legal issues happened right? Did they change anything for the rerelease? Also, isn't it interesting that it's now been given a T rating? Other than that, the video was great, it got me excited now that I can finally play Earthbound AND that the first Mother game has finally been officially released! Here's hoping for "Earthbound 2".

[@AlexRN]

Not out yet. Not even a release window given as of now. It was just announced it was coming to the WiiU VC only.

[@Jdudec367]

As a younger gamer I mainly grew up with the wii I feel like I with many others are discovering earthbound to such a amazing game

[@Riz2336]

Definitely one of the best rpg's ever

[@andrewdavis8317]

Best game series EVAR

[@tastethepainbow]

Who's here after the actual AVGN took a look at this?

[@GreatJobStudio]

Watched this one first about 2 years ago. I'm pretty sure that it started Earthbound's rise back to fame. The Nerd's video has a lot of points that are eerily similar to this one.

[@turtleanton6539]

@@GreatJobStudio cool

[@dennisdemooij1912]

32:23 Can't even describe the goosebumps when I here the endtheme of Super mario land on the original gameboy. It's high up there with the Moontheme from DT and the better megaman 2 & 3 songs. Thnx Hvgn

[@reneporsche9209]

Please describe the goosebumps properly. Thanks.

[@StopSkeletonsFromFighting]

I honestly can't say. I'm going to have to do SOMETHING but right now, in April 2013, the thought of redoing this whole video again makes my head hurt a little.

[@callicottjr]

I was so fucking excited when I saw the Earthbound DLC case at gamestop for the Wii U! It's one of the most amazing RPGs that I've ever played right next to Secret of Mana.

[@SkabCrowley]

he's a kid who go's around beat things to shit with his baseball bat.

[@Darticus42]

*SPOILERS* (must I give this for a 20 year old game but still) 4:44 Actually he is kind of a tortured person battling his inner demons

[@mikumika3819]

you're partially right. yes, ness does have to battle his inner demons towards the end but he's not tortured.

[@PulseTrendTrading]

Thank you, Derek for introducing me to a game series, that made an impact on my life, more than any other media.

[@MaatUMD]

Wasn't expecting the full history lesson there. Amazing video! subbed

[@Discern4]

7:35 "I couldn't begin to tell you how many RPGs I've played where I couldn't give two shits about the plot" Yeah, for me that's like every Final Fantasy game haha 32:25 Now there's a tune I haven't heard for a while - the Super Mario Land ending. Nice choice.

[@SUPERLINKX2]

I can't wait for the fanmade Mother 4. Looks fantastic!

[@RPGtourguide]

It is looking like a great game! Very excited to play it as soon as it comes out. :)

[@ScorpionSlayer66]

When is it coming out? And will there be a physical copy of just rom?

[@RPGtourguide]

It is a downloadable game for Windows/Mac/Linux. The only release info I can find is 2015, so sometime this year. You can look it up on Google, it's the first result for Mother 4

[@tus9533]

ScorpionSlayer66 I think it said winter? So they got till' May!

[@Himora33]

The Ultimate Starman I believe they're aiming for a June release, you can find more info on their subreddit which also had an AMA with the devs recently.

[@thatguyontheright1]

Earthbound is Nintendo's Shenmue.... NoA really just has bad luck with Mother, and it's really sad. They put a lot of effort and money into the US release of Earthbound only to see a flop. Then when they do finally release Earthbound on the Virtual Console, its the VC for a Nintendo System not many people own, and even less would be interested in a SNES RPG that many have not heard of. I'd like to see NoA hand Mother off to a 2nd Party for the grunt work, and then Nintendo publishes it, that way maybe we'd get Mother 1 and 3 someday and Nintendo doesn't risk a loss.

[@GiordanDiodato]

actually Earthbound made it to #1 on the eShop, so it became a small success that, imo, it should have been.

[@Kapenguin448]

Giordan Diodato Indeed. It's funny how, despite doing no advertising for the Wii U VC release (probably worked out better than the literally shitty advertising for the SNES original), it still managed to sell very well and even sell more Wii U units. Maybe the original game's cult status is not as insignificant as we all thought.

[@l0stndamned]

Interesting comparison.

[@iamcharizard5468]

This is easily one of the greatest reviews of all time. Well done! I can't seem to help coming back and watching this one.

[@natecw4164]

Holy crap 11 years ago lol 😂 Uncle Derek looks like Nephew Derek 😂❤

[@TOMMYDACOMMIE]

It took me about a year but I beat this game. Now I'm not really a fan of a game where you walk around and press the A button, but this game is amazing. I don't want to call this a guilty pleasure because I don't feel guilty, but I am usually a fan of gameplay before story. So way am I in love with this game? Well to quote JonTron "Earthbound isn't really great as a game, but as an experience Earthbound succeed." Earthbound is a game experience while that sounds pretentious, that is the best way to describe it. The gameplay and story mix together to become extremely satisfying, the ending is extremely rewarding. People who are into gameplay more then story give this game a chance because it does story in a game right. Now the only 3 flaws I have with the game are One: there is exp. grinding. Now it does help that after a while you just auto kill the enemy, but there could be up to an hour of grinding. Two: The items need better descriptions, by which I mean they need descriptions. This is a design choice that I disagree with. That game comes with a manual so they get explained in there. When I played the last 3rd of the game with the Casey bat not knowing it misses 25% of time. And three: Theres a part that makes you wait 3 minutes just to continue. Fuck you lol it's still a game don't make me wait just so I can "learn patience. Well it is only $10 on the eshop. Which get that one because spending $200 on the game is not worth it unless you are a collector. #fuzzypickles

[@Michael-ke8on]

Wow, it was very hard to read what you said. Please go back to English class. Your sentences don't even make sense...

[@minecraftaddictXD]

Michael R Way to completely ignore the point behind his message and call him out on his grammar. *COUGH On youtube might I add COUGH*

[@laggory]

Tom Atkinson Um, you might wanna scratch number 2 off the list because there is an option in the game where you can read the item description. Press A on the item and choose the option "Help!".

[@TOMMYDACOMMIE]

Cairil Yakup Ah, well thank you for that!

[@TOMMYDACOMMIE]

Michael R My grammar is poor? You are the one ending you sentence with three periods.

[@Alex-ut3qy]

Personally, I think Mother 3 is better than Earthbound.

[@ethanphilpot7643]

It is the only game to have ever made me cry. Hell, it still does to this day. I can't even listen to the soundtrack without bursting into tears.

[@MakaveliTheDonKilluminati]

Disagree 100%

[@leon30517]

Heldagrif EH FUCK U NIGGA. (jk everyone has opinions)

[@MakaveliTheDonKilluminati]

Earthbound is my favorite game ever made. I tried Mother 3 but I always end up quitting after 2 hours. I loved Ness, and the rest of the characters from earthbound. When I saw they weren't coming back to battle Pokey or Gigyas again I wept, and I wept hard. True story.

[@leon30517]

Heldagrif oh... sorry about that. i understand now

[@mrpokemon8778]

any fellow gametheriost?

[@Fermifire]

Great nostalgia as a 8 year old kid playing this game. Thanks for this short docu.

[@charlespage8692]

I was 10 years old when I got this game for Christmas. BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT EVER, EVER, EVER. There is no other comparison. My parents had a streak of genius in getting me this gift. Earthbound is a fantastic and beautiful and caring parody of America, by the Japanese, in the 90's. Thank God for this game! It helped me have a sense of humor and a divine sense of where I'm going as a person! One of the best video games ever made!

[@SeanAkolom]

i think i no where gta got the idea from spawning back at the hospital after u die

[@joseluki]

Always hated the battle system

[@nunyanunya4147]

this game is campy and cheesy. as a life long rpg fan i felt like they where making fun ov my favorite genre. it felt like a farce.

[@SonofSethoitae]

There are farcical elements, but it has real heart and soul. There's nothing wrong with laughing at something you love, anyway

[@nunyanunya4147]

@@SonofSethoitae lol

[@nunyanunya4147]

@Dr. Golden Sonic OH that explains it. thanks for quoting me and adding nothing to the conversation. go enjoy your juice box bubbles

[@bumsonmyporch]

I don't know much of anything about Earthbound, or the history of... that is until now. This is a fantastic video! Great, great job!!

[@Liquidgrin]

One of my favorite SNES games of all time! Great review.

[@brockguffalo]

Thank you. I watched this video, and because of it, I downloaded an Earthbound rom. It is probably one of the greatest games i have ever played. Thank you for getting me into this!

[@superretroworld9501]

One of the best reviews and short-documentaries on a video game video I've ever seen. Excellent work! Also, Mother 3 have a chance on Switch's Online membership

[@jreschke5]

Best opening to a KZbin video ever made

[@gheldon]

Just gotta say - in the first two minutes of the video, before you even started talking, I was shedding a few tears. Just remembering my first experience with the game brings me to a place in my memories that no other game can. "One of the best games ever made" is a gargantuan mantle that Earthbound can wear with ease.

[@gamingsociety3684]

Hell yes, in your intro, 1:26 "this game has [an enormous amount of] heart, [and] creativity" ; "criminally under-rated" ; "to play Earthbound is to love Earthbound" ; "one of the greatest games of all time"

[@EmptyGray]

My favorite game of all time. I play through it once a year. Thank you so much for making AND reworking this video HVGN! Here's hoping some good news down the line will get it reedited one more time.

[@Hendrix1326]

You really nailed the NPC dialogue point, my friend! I love going around and talking to everyone, their comments are so hilarious and sometimes heartfelt. I literally go and talk to everyone, especially at the end of the game when you can go to all the towns and see where everyone is at in their lives now that Giygas is gone. So much attention to detail with this game, it cannot be adequately praised. Seriously the best game I've ever played, hands down. Soulful, great music, perfect balance.

[@edhc44]

You know, I waste A LOT of time on youtube, particularly videogame channels and this was one of the best, if not THE BEST video I've ever watched. I fall into the category of people curious about the game who never actually played it (well, I've played it a little bit actually) but it sure won't be long until I give it a full spin. I'm loving your videos Derek. Thank you so much

[@GreatScooty]

I've probably watched this video more than I'd like to admit. You really outdid yourself with this one. I'm watching it in celebration of the announcement!

[@jamespierce9815]

Man, I remember when this video came out. By June 13th (I think), I will have known about EarthBound for 10 years and will finally play the game for my very first time. Watching Chuggaaconroy’s video of when Ness fights his nightmare was the first video I saw of this game and it got me immediately hooked. The perception of gaming has changed so much since then. I came back to this video as a memory. A memory of a simpler time in my life and what this game meant to me when I was younger. The video may be dated, but the soul and message is still there. I’ve been getting into game design. I haven’t played many games, but reviews, retrospectives, and the numerous LPs that I’ve watched have helped me get a good sense of game feel. I find myself getting side tracked with story or character design a lot. Honestly, sometimes I believe I’ve lost my way with it all because of how it all stemmed from something so simple. As I’m writing, I can remember pieces of what I was doing and thinking all within the past decade. I really want to get great with programming one day, but right now I’m a decent artist and spriter with a need to better my animation skills. There’s still a lot I need to learn, but I’ve been helping around with some low profile game developers to start myself off. It’s just a long winding road right now, but that’s fine and it’s a start. This game and how I perceive it has changed. Or at least whenever I think about it now with the memes and various comments or latest video about this game have changed the way I see the game. And, you know, they don’t matter, like, I can just ignore it all this toxicity every so once in a while. However, the genuine innocence I felt, and I stress this is just my opinion here, has not entirely faded, but grayed. However, last year, when I watched Vinny from Vinesauce go through the game, everything just flooded back. I don’t know what it was, but it was so overwhelming. I’m so happy so many people know about this series now. I used to tell my friends, people I hardly knew, my parents, about EarthBound all the gosh darn time. I’m just going to cast the rest of my opinions aside and say thank you for the video and anyone reading this the whole way through (I’m very wordy). Love this channel and keep making great content.

[@Scythecastle]

I do think with the Switch Rerelease of it and beginnings it'd be a interesting time to revisit this video and update it once more.

[@middlethenerd]

Just got earthbound on virtual console it's amazing

[@Korncakes1]

Derek, just wanted to let you know that this is my go to video when I'm feeling down or sick. I fucking love this game so much.

[@tenjhotenge]

Very good video! I didn't think I'd actually sit through the whole thing and watch. I grew up playing Earthbound. Great video!

[@lokik21]

Hey Derek I just wanted to say thanks. Partially to you and partially to a challenge from my friend I played through Earthbound with no strategy guide and... it easily became one of my top 10 games. So thanks I appreciate that =D

[@sojar6598]

This remains one of my favorite HVGN vids! The Mother series, as well as both the AVGN and HVGN, were huge parts of my high school years, and I have such fond memories spending hours playing the games and rewatching your and Roo's retrospective. Mother has one of the best fanbases out there, and I can safely say that if it weren't for members of that fanbase I wouldn't have gotten into the series, and it wouldn't have helped shaped me into the person I am today! An interesting side note though, it's interesting to see how this channel has grown! I loved HVGN, and though I was sad to see the departure of the character, I love the new segments like Re-Certified Classic and Past Mortem! Plus its always great to see more Is It Really That Bad segments too! Keep up the great work as always!

[@neosnex4907]

I liked Earthbound after I found out about it through Super Smash Bros. on the N64. I still thought Square's RPGs on the SNES were still just a tad better. But still, that is my opinion. I would still by a real physical copy of the game if the price came down on ebay, I find it cheap enough around where I live. Only a couple years ago they had a copy in my local Game X Change. I never picked it up because it was like 80 bucks or something.

[@uba754]

After the announcement of the virtual console release, and due to the length it already has... I would love to see this turned into a full-length documentary (you even joke about it at one point). By far my favorite game of all time and love the video regardless.

[@jaxsonmedia3541]

Hey Derek...I just wanna say thank you for all the hard work you put into your videos through all these years. I saw your first review of Metal Storm about 10 years ago. It is because of you I played Earthbound (and not just once). Now it is probably my favorite game of all time. The same goes for Illbleed. I bought a Dreamcast from eBay just to play that game because of your praise. It was one of the greatest experiences I had as a gamer. You introduced me to games I never would have played if it wasn't for your videos. I saw your Earthbound & Illbleed review probably more than 100 times. Please never stop doing what you are doing. If its Pastmortem or The Happy Video Game Nerd I will always look forward to another video. You truly deserve to be ranked among the top reviewers on KZbin. Thank you again for all your hard work and entertainment through all these years.

[@gamerex9378]

Such a great video. I come back to this video from time to time. So well done. I can tell you are a big fan. But yeah, its hard to believe that this game is 20 years old today.

[@taylord5381]

I'm going to sound stupid. but at 16:03 what game is that?

[@GamerGoingGrey]

Taylord Lufia 2 Rise of the Sinistrals

[@azurneon]

Earthbound, Tails Adventure and Rocket Knight Adventures are my favorite games of all time

[@MichiKKing1807]

I love your Videos Derek , its always fun as it is interesting to hear your opinion on these classic games. Thank you very much for your work!

[@firdauskotp]

It is translated even into my national language that is Malay? Nice! Earthbound will be remembered for a long time as a game that made my childhood awesome :*)

[@ziq1292]

wow org mlysia

[@knockers21]

"Maybe I'll have to remake this video again in a couple years." Can't say you didn't call that, Derek.

[@MrSHURIKENCHO]

It's interesting to see this intro from 2012 and listen to the passion in his voice of how underrated this game is and now everyone knows about it.

[@AngryNerdBird]

...you're kidding, right? Psychic powers and alien invaders and time travel are no more based on our world than fantasy monsters that people use to fight each other.

[@selma2295]

Earthbound was released on the virtual console on my 18th birthday. I didn't expect it to be released that day. It was something magical.

[@NotePadStudio]

you may have been asked before, But the music for your credits...sounds so familiar. What is it? I'd love to make a beat with it.

[@jackcastillo9124]

I'm thinking of getting the virtual console version of this for my little cousin. I've played it before and it's hard but fun. He's in like first or second grade. Do you think I should?

[@Twiizzy0]

No he might not like it because it might be to complicated for him

[@GreyWolfLeaderTW]

*Chuckle You better prepare him for that final boss out of your nightmares before doing so.

[@92soothsayer]

I feel you man, video editing can HURT in cases like trying to find time for it between work and personal life happenings, and especially if we're trying to get the videos done by a certain time, it's sanity-testing lol. But I've found that in the end it can show to be one of the things that make life worth living

[@Potterlions16]

Awesome video Derek and I'm very happy that Earthbound is FINALLY Released. If it keeps selling well hope they could FINALLY released Mother 1 and 3

[@nothingislogical]

This video is probably the HVGN Magnum Opus. The best thing that was released under this banner (every HVGN video was great, so that's saying something.) I love Stop Skeletons but these old HVGN videos bring me back to a certain period of my life. I was fresh out of college, starting in the working world, and I had just moved out of my parents' house. I discovered this channel and have been hooked ever since.

[@ThePreciseClimber]

Also I think this is the only game covered by both the HVGN and the AVGN? Would be neat if AVGN covered Splatterhouse on some Halloween special. Or Sweet Home.

[@missuscake]

that might have been a compliment to their spirit its hard to read tone, "you don't know when to quit" is often said as a testament to someone's spirit.

[@Michirin9801]

"EarthBound is better than most RPGs" 100% Agreed! Not just EarthBound, but the whole Mother series... God, Mother 3 might even be the very best game ever created!!

[@seekerseraphimtherecluse4314]

Michirin9801 convenient meeting you again on a 4 year old comment on a 6 year old review! XD