My first love...
Earthbound was a failure commercially back when it was released because it was just too ahead of its time. Even though that time can still be looked back on as Nintendo’s domination of videogames, Earthbound was released and didn’t make much of a splash on the gaming scene. I think one of the biggest problems was the packaging itself, yes although I personally thought it was amazing to see an SNES game box (outside of Mario paint and another few others) that was huge, it almost seemed intimidating to the average gamer. The large packaging was obviously due to the fact that they included the strategy guide with it, which just makes things even worse because although it happens to be one of the most unique guides I have ever experienced, many would be intimidated with a game that chooses to include the guide, honestly something like that just screams “this game is hard”.
In order to make its sequel a success you first have to appeal to the cult followers of the game itself. Yes Starmen.net faithful, I am referring to us. Earthbound may not have made a big splash immediately but now it has a cult following almost as unique as the game itself. Petition after Petition must have at least sent a message to Nintendo, and they would be committing suicide by not first marketing this game to its hardcore fan base. Outside of just its cult, we have to look at the average gamer, now thank to Super Smash Bros. on the N64 and Gamecube, Ness as a character himself has had exposure and who hasn’t enjoyed using Mr. Saturn as an item either? Many people even if they don’t know his origin understand he came from a SNES game and you’d have to look to that audience to pitch this game too. This is regardless if the sequel even directly involves ness and friends, but you would be looking in the right direction for potential buyers if you went this route.
Starmen.net has been largely responsible for holding the Earthbound community together. Through the years it has evolved to not only enhance it, but continuing to find ways to get everyone back into the game. Summer funfests, petitions, and the always entertaining Radio PSI are just a few ways the community thrives now. It’s really hard to even consider how to make the website even better and to be honest; I think Starmen.net is soon going to hit its full potential as a fansite. In the end, it’s the community that will keep this site alive, regardless of any new contests, or discoveries about earthbound. We all remain faithful to Starmen.net because we love earthbound, and that love for such a unique game will keep us around waiting for a sequel after getting crushed for years. Starmen.net is near perfect and will hold this community together for years to come.
My first reaction to earthbound was complete confusion. I made the mistake of renting it and it did not come with the strategy guide, on top of the fact that I was very young at the time; I had a real hard time even getting started. It wasn’t till almost a year later that I was getting a game and remembered earthbound when I decided to get it. I loved it so much and was amazed with it from start to finish. Most of my friends at the time were completely baffled by the game and wanted nothing to do with it. And for years after that I almost had the feeling that I was playing a game that was under appreciated. It wasn’t until the past few years that friends of mine have started to realize how great earthbound is, and even a few weeks ago when talking games with a person I had just met earlier, when I mentioned earthbound as my favorite game of all time, he completely agreed and was equally shocked that he had actually met someone else who even knew about the game. He looked as if he had made it to the Promised Land when I showed him Starmen.net
As much as I’d love to someday see a sequel, or even find out what could be on those alleged development disks of mother 3, I don’t think anything will ever meet up to the experience Earthbound has been for me. Not ever getting a sequel after all this time isn’t half as much as a crime as it is for people to not have played the original. I am currently playing through it for the 20 plus time and now I find myself going as slowly as possible to just enjoy the rich experience I wish I felt with current games. Mother 3 or not, I am grateful to own and enjoy Earthbound now and for years to come.
Earthbound was a failure commercially back when it was released because it was just too ahead of its time. Even though that time can still be looked back on as Nintendo’s domination of videogames, Earthbound was released and didn’t make much of a splash on the gaming scene. I think one of the biggest problems was the packaging itself, yes although I personally thought it was amazing to see an SNES game box (outside of Mario paint and another few others) that was huge, it almost seemed intimidating to the average gamer. The large packaging was obviously due to the fact that they included the strategy guide with it, which just makes things even worse because although it happens to be one of the most unique guides I have ever experienced, many would be intimidated with a game that chooses to include the guide, honestly something like that just screams “this game is hard”.
In order to make its sequel a success you first have to appeal to the cult followers of the game itself. Yes Starmen.net faithful, I am referring to us. Earthbound may not have made a big splash immediately but now it has a cult following almost as unique as the game itself. Petition after Petition must have at least sent a message to Nintendo, and they would be committing suicide by not first marketing this game to its hardcore fan base. Outside of just its cult, we have to look at the average gamer, now thank to Super Smash Bros. on the N64 and Gamecube, Ness as a character himself has had exposure and who hasn’t enjoyed using Mr. Saturn as an item either? Many people even if they don’t know his origin understand he came from a SNES game and you’d have to look to that audience to pitch this game too. This is regardless if the sequel even directly involves ness and friends, but you would be looking in the right direction for potential buyers if you went this route.
Starmen.net has been largely responsible for holding the Earthbound community together. Through the years it has evolved to not only enhance it, but continuing to find ways to get everyone back into the game. Summer funfests, petitions, and the always entertaining Radio PSI are just a few ways the community thrives now. It’s really hard to even consider how to make the website even better and to be honest; I think Starmen.net is soon going to hit its full potential as a fansite. In the end, it’s the community that will keep this site alive, regardless of any new contests, or discoveries about earthbound. We all remain faithful to Starmen.net because we love earthbound, and that love for such a unique game will keep us around waiting for a sequel after getting crushed for years. Starmen.net is near perfect and will hold this community together for years to come.
My first reaction to earthbound was complete confusion. I made the mistake of renting it and it did not come with the strategy guide, on top of the fact that I was very young at the time; I had a real hard time even getting started. It wasn’t till almost a year later that I was getting a game and remembered earthbound when I decided to get it. I loved it so much and was amazed with it from start to finish. Most of my friends at the time were completely baffled by the game and wanted nothing to do with it. And for years after that I almost had the feeling that I was playing a game that was under appreciated. It wasn’t until the past few years that friends of mine have started to realize how great earthbound is, and even a few weeks ago when talking games with a person I had just met earlier, when I mentioned earthbound as my favorite game of all time, he completely agreed and was equally shocked that he had actually met someone else who even knew about the game. He looked as if he had made it to the Promised Land when I showed him Starmen.net
As much as I’d love to someday see a sequel, or even find out what could be on those alleged development disks of mother 3, I don’t think anything will ever meet up to the experience Earthbound has been for me. Not ever getting a sequel after all this time isn’t half as much as a crime as it is for people to not have played the original. I am currently playing through it for the 20 plus time and now I find myself going as slowly as possible to just enjoy the rich experience I wish I felt with current games. Mother 3 or not, I am grateful to own and enjoy Earthbound now and for years to come.
