Earthbound: The Hint Shop Project Version 1.0 This is a list of the hints that can be purchased at the Hint Shops found troughout Earthbound. Until Ness learns teleport a, I have listed the town in which the hint is most likely to be purchased in, i.e. the town in which the hint takes place. It should be noted that it is not absolutely necessary to purchase these hints in these towns (except in the case of Threed when it is overrun by zombies and impossible to either return to Twoson or journey on to Fourside), but really, who wants to trek from Fourside all the way back to Onett after every minor plot point just to save $115? (Chump change in Earthbound terms.) Admittedly, whenever I teleported back to a town to get a hint later in the game, I usually went to Onett simply because it is a very short trek from where you teleport in to the Hint Shop. It should also be noted that I believe I am missing a few hints in this guide and soon plan to play it through again to be sure of where they fall in terms of the plot. The hints are in sequential order as you play through the game, and are organized as follows: Where: Where the specific hint was purchased. Going Rate: How much the unnamed Hint Shop owner charges you in each town for a hint. There are a total of six hint shops in the game, with a different price attached to each one. Onett = $35. Twoson = $50. Threed = $60. Fourside = $75. Summers = $150. And the Scaraba Desert = $100. When: At what point in the game this hint becomes available. Hint: The in-game text of the actual hint. Enjoy! Where: Onett. Going Rate: $35 When: as soon as you get in to town. Hint: “It seems that the citizens of Onett have been harassed by those dang street punks called the Sharks. I wonder if going and talking to Frank, the leader of the Sharks, would do any good?” Where: Onett. Going Rate: $35 When: After defeating the Sharks. Hint: “So, have you met B.H. Pirkle, the mayor of Onett? Mayor Pirkle’s office is on the second floor of City Hall. Where: Onett. Going Rate: $35 When: after going to city hall and getting the key to the traveling Entertainer’s shack. Hint: “Go Northwest. A traveling entertainer is having some trouble getting into a locked shack…” Where: Onett. Going Rate: $35 When: Immediately after unlocking the Traveling Entertainer’s Shack. Hint: “You’re on your way to Giant Step, aren’t you? Just be careful, the police are pretty touchy about people, not to mention kids, going up there…” Where: Onett. Going Rate: $35 When: after defeating Giant Ant and getting the Giant Step melody. Hint: “The police were here looking for you. Did you do something illegal? Head South on the street in front of my shop. You‘ll find the Onett Police Station. I think it‘s best if you turn yourself in… no matter what you may have done.” Where: Onett. Going Rate: $35 When: After defeating Captain Strong, before going to Twoson. Hint: “Have you heard of a girl named (Paula)? She lives in Twoson, the town next to Onett… They say she has some pretty spectacular supernatural powers. You can get to Twoson by heading south.” Where: Twoson Going Rate: $50 When: As soon as you get into town from Onett Hint: “Have you been to Apple Kid and Orange Kid’s houses? Their places are south of the Polestar Preschool. They are great inventors …to be. They need some financial help. If you help them …later, for sure, without fail, certainly, something wonderful will happen. Believe me, this hint is worth a lot more than you paid.” Where: Twoson Going Rate: $50 When: After giving Apple Kid some money Hint: “If you go east from the bus stop, you will enter the Peaceful Rest Valley. If you keep going east, you will come to Happy Happy Village. You should maybe go there, unless you have something better to do?” Where: Twoson Going Rate: $50 When: After you get back to Twoson after checking out the pencil statue & Apple Kid calls you for the first time Hint: “You got a call from Apple Kid on your receiver phone? What are you doing here, so far away from his home? I can’t give you any hints, but I’ll keep your $50.” Where: Twoson Going Rate: $50 When: After getting the pencil eraser from Apple Kid in Burglin Park Hint: “Have you spoken to Everdred in Burglin Park?” Yes: “What you DID talk to him? So, why are you here? Go back to the Peaceful Rest Valley.” No: “Well, well, well… that’s not good. You really should take the time out to meet Everdred.” Where: Twoson Going Rate: $50 When: As soon as you enter Happy Happy Valley Hint: “Have you been to the Happy Happism headquarters at the center of Happy Happy village? Do you want to go there? Or not? What? Why can’t you make up your mind!” Where: Twoson Going Rate: $50 When: After Carpainter zaps you outside before owning the Franklin Badge Hint: “Do you remember seeing a little mountain cabin on the way through the Peaceful Rest Valley? There must be a cave in the Happy Happy Village that leads to that cabin.” Where: Twoson Going Rate: $50 When: Immediately after receiving the Franklin Badge Hint: “This is my business, so I’m happy to have customers. But don’t you know this is a crisis? You shouldn’t be wasting time here. Anyway, I’ll keep your $50.” Where: Twoson Going Rate: $50 When: After defeating Carpainter but before rescuing Paula Hint: “You know that Paula is in the mountain cabin, right? By rescuing her, you actually rescue yourself.” Where: Twoson Going Rate: $50 When: After rescuing Paula but before getting the second melody. Hint: “Paula’s father at the Polestar Preschool must be really worried. You should be considerate of a father’s feelings toward his daughter. He’s only human, y’know!” Where: Twoson Going Rate: $50 When: After taking (Paula) to talk to her father, and Everdred’s lackey tells you to meet him. Hint: “Go and see Everdred, the boss of Burglin Park. Just trust me…you go see him.” Where: Twoson Going Rate: $50 When: After getting the wad of bills from Everdred. Hint: “The Runaway Five, the band at the Chaos Theater, is up to their eyes in debt. Could anyone pay off their debt for them?” Where: Twoson Going Rate $50 When: After freeing the Runaway Five from their debt. Hint: “I don’t think there is anything else you need to do in this town. It’s okay of you stay, but it’s really okay if you leave…” (Note: This hint does not contain a typo. The in-game text really does read "It's okay of you stay...") Where: Threed Going Rate: $60 When: As soon as you get into town Hint: “There’s a tunnel northwest of this town. There are two guard zombies that hang out at the entrance. They are actually pretty nice guys… It might be a good idea to meet those guys…But it’s quite all right if you don’t…Though I think that you really ought to go there.” Where: Threed Going Rate: $60 When: After going to check out the tunnel entrance but being stopped by the two guard zombies. Hint: “So, how are you doin’ kid? If you’re tired, you should go to the hotel and rest.” Where: Threed Going Rate: $60 When: After Jeff arrives in the Sky Runner Hint: “Do you know about that mysterious tent that appeared at the south end of town? I don’t know, but…it looks kinda… strange…” Where: Threed Going Rate: $60 When: After defeating Boogey Tent but before Apple Kid calls you. Hint: “There’s a tunnel northwest of this town. There are two guard zombies that hang out at the entrance. They are actually pretty nice guys… It might be a good idea to meet those guys…But it’s quite all right if you don’t…Though I think that you really ought to go there.” Where: Threed Going Rate: $60 When: After Apple Kid calls you and you get the zombie paper. Hint: “ “Zombie Paper only works well in a tent.” “After you set the paper in a tent, go to the hotel and put your dogs up.” What, didn’t you read the Zombie paper instructions?” Where: Threed Going Rate: $60 When: After setting the Zombie Paper in the circus tent and spending the night in the hotel. Hint: “There’s an underground path northwest of this town. Those guard zombies should be gone now.” Where: Threed Going Rate: $60 When: After defeating Mini Barf blocking the cave exit leading the way to Saturn Valley and Grapefruit Falls Hint: “(quarter note)Saturn Valley is very nice! You should go at least once or twice(quarter note)” Where: Threed Going Rate: $50 When: As soon as you enter Saturn Valley without doing anything important. Hint: “It seems like you don’t know what to do in Saturn Valley. The Mr. Saturn on the second floor of the cave should be able to tell you a password to get you into the secret base. Now that sounds like some handy info!” Where: Threed Going Rate: $60 When: After getting the Wait Three Minutes password from the Mr. Saturn but before you go to Grapefruit Falls Hint: “Mr. Saturn must have told you to wait for three minutes in front of the waterfall. What? You don’t know where the waterfall is? The waterfall is actually named Grapefruit Falls. After you exit the tunnel that begins in the Threed graveyard, go to the north. You certainly now about the cave to Saturn Valley that is then on your right. But… you should not go in that cave. Keep going straight north. You’ll eventually come to the Grapefruit Falls. Then, wait patiently for three minutes.” (Note: I had not walked up to the falls yet when I got this hint.) Where: Threed Going Rate: $60 When: After entering Belch’s lair/the secret base. Hint: “How about this for some extra special help—I’ll teach you some great tactics for dealing with Belch. Belch really loves Fly Honey, from what I’ve heard. Therefore, you should use the Fly Honey during battle.” Where: Threed. Going Rate: $60 When: After defeating Master Belch but before acquiring the Milky Well melody. Hint: “In the middle of Dusty Dunes Desert, there is someone who’s starving. …I just sense it.” (Note, this is also the hint you get as soon as you get into Fourside, providing that you haven’t fed the miner yet.) Where: Fourside Going Rate: $75 When: After giving the miner in Dusty Dunes Desert something to eat. Hint: “At the Topolla Theater, the Runaway Five have booked a series of gigs. This is just a rumor, but I hear that they’ve been snowed again and are in some kind of trouble. So… If I were you, I’d go and talk with them.” Where: Fourside Going Rate: $75 When: After talking with the Topolla Theater owner OR the Runaway Five Hint: “The Runaway Five, who are now appearing at the Topolla Theater, got stuck again because of financial problems. To help them, a tremendous amount of money will be needed. Hey, talking about a tremendous amount of money, do you know about someone in the Dusty Dunes Desert? You should head to the desert to look for buried treasure. It would be fabulous if you found it!” Where: Fourside Going Rate: $75 When: After defeating the 5 Guardian Diggers and getting the diamond on your way back to Fourside. Hint: “It’s such a pity… The Runaway Five have managed to get stuck at the Topolla Theater because of their debt problems. Why don’t you go and talk to Miss Fake, the manager of the theater? That diamond you’re carrying should come in handy.” (Note, I didn’t kill myself after the cave and check the hint before I got the diamond.) Where: Fourside Going Rate: $75 When: After freeing the Runaway Five from the Topolla Theater. Hint: “The department store in Fourside has reopened after being renovated. People say that they have a good variety of things, but he prices are a little bit high. Have you been there yet?” Where: Fourside Going Rate: $75 When: After Paula is abducted in the department store. Hint: “Well… I’m not exactly sure, but it seems to me that… the top floor of the department store is kind of suspicious…” Where: Fourside Going Rate: $75 When: After defeating the Department Store Spook Hint: “Have you been to Jackie’s Café? It’s not difficult to find… the sign says “café.”” Where: Fourside Going Rate: $75 When: After going to Jackie’s Café, talking to people, and coming out to find Everdred passed out in the street. Hint: “These days, young people seem to be so indifferent to what’s happening in the real world? It’s disappointing that you seem to be indifferent about the real world, too. For example, if you see someone lying in the street, don’t you think that you should really stop and try to help him?” Where: Fourside. Going Rate: free When: After you talk to Everdred. Hint: “Do you want to hear the hint once more? This is a special service just for you… Did you go back to Jackie’s Café? There seems to be something mighty suspicious behind the counter… that’s it for today.” Where: Fourside Going Rate: $75 When: After completing Moonside, exiting the café, and the monkey burns itself as it runs into the building. Ignore the monkey and go get this hint. Hint: “The monkey…got charred. Is he all right?” Where: Fourside Going Rate: $75 When: After talking to the monkey, Escargo Express Neglected Class delivery man, & Monotoli’s maid outside the café. Hint: “You should be able to find something out at the monkey cave in the Dusty Dunes Desert. That’s what I say… On to the desert!” Where: Fourside Going Rate: $75 When: After completing Talah Ramah’s cave and getting the yogurt machine. Hint: “The maid out front of the Monotoli Building is waiting for the Yogurt dispenser.” Where: Fourside Going Rate: $75 When: After giving the maid the yogurt machine. Hint: “I heard that you were asked to dinner by the cute maid at the Monotoli Building. Lucky you! I envy kids like you… but just a bit.” Where: Threed Going Rate: $60 When: After the Runaway Five drop you off back in town. Hint: “It was a while ago, but I heard that a silver flying contraption of some sort crash landed in the graveyard in Threed.” Where: Any town Going Rates: $35/50/60/75 When: After you return to Winters in the Sky Runner Hint: “In Winters, you’ve been to the cave north of Stonehenge, right? I would bet it’s one of “Your Sanctuary.” ” Where: Any town Going Rates: $35/50/60/75 When: After getting the Rainy Circle sound but before leaving Winters in the Sky Runner, teleport back to any town. Hint: “Do you remember that Dr. Andonuts had the Sky Runner? What do you say to your going and giving it a whirl?” Where: Any town Going Rates: $35/50/60/75/150-Summers When: As soon as you get to Summers Hint: “You need to make a reservation by phone to go to the Stoic Club. Someone in Toto, the port town next to Summers, should know the phone number.” Where: Any town Going Rate: $35/50/60/75/150 When: After getting the Stoic Club number but before calling them. Hint: “Try placing a call to the Strip… ooops! Sorry, I mean the Stoic Club.” Where: Any town Going Rate: $35/50/60/75/150 When: After making a reservation at the Stoic Club. Hint: “After you get into the Stoic Club, be sure to talk to the man with the mustache at the back table. This is a pretty important hint.” Where: Any town Going Rate: $35/50/60/75/150 When: After getting the lady to make magic cake for you but before you find her cart to eat it. Hint: “People say that there is a Magic cake vendor on the pavement by the beach in the resort of Summers. Oh, yeah, “pavement” means “sidewalk.” Well, I was just testing you… Are you angry? I didn’t mean it… sorry!” Where: Any town Going Rate: $35/50/60/75/150 When: As soon as Poo joins your party. Hint: “Scaraba Cultural Museum… Scaraba Cultural Museum… Scaraba Cultural Museum…” Where: Any town Going Rate: $35/50/60/75/150 When: After going to the Scaraba Cultural Museum and acquiring the hieroglyph photo. Hint: “At the Dinosaur Museum in Fourside…A man called Mr. Spoon has a heavy mustache…” Where: Any town Going Rate: $35/50/60/75/150 When: After talking to Mr. Spoon in the Fourside museum AND immediately after defeating the giant rat guarding Magnet Hill. Hint: “If you want to sail across the ocean, who better than to ask but a sailor?” Where: Any town Going Rate: $35/50/60/75/150 When: After going to the sailor for a ride and being turned away for lack of funds, but before you complete Magnet Hill. Hint: “Heck, since the door to the sewer is open, why not go all the way inside and look around? I know the stink and the vermin could overpower you, but it might make you tougher, too.” Where: Any town Going Rate: $35/50/60/75/150 When: After travelling to Scaraba. (I let the Kraken kill me just in case the hint changed again once I got to Scaraba. It didn’t) Hint: “If you have the Carrot Key, you should go to Dalaam and give it to the bunny at Pink Cloud. If you don’t have the Carrot Key, you should go to Magnet Hill. You should be able to find the carrot key there.” Where: Any town Going Rate: $35/50/60/75/150 When: After unlocking Pink Cloud with the Carrot Key, the hint goes back to “If you want to sail across the ocean, who better than to ask but a sailor?” Where: Any town Going Rate: $35/50/60/75/150 When: After completing Magnet Hill & Pink Cloud, resume your journey to Scaraba. As soon as the Kraken is defeated and you arrive in Scaraba, teleport out. Hint: “After you’ve made all the necessary preparations, go to the pyramid. In front of the pyramid, as the writing on the hieroglyph told, step on the round plates in front of the sphinx, and draw a star. That was really too much info to give out as a hint, wasn’t it?” Where: Any town Going Rate: $35/50/60/75/150/100-Scaraba Desert When: Immediately after opening the door to the pyramid Hint: “Deep in the pyramid, there is an item called the Hawk eye, or so I’ve heard. You shouldn’t exit the pyramid unless you have the Hawk eye.” Where: Any town Going Rate: $35/50/60/75/150/100 When: Upon exiting the pyramid, when Poo leaves to learn Starstorm. Hint: “I don’t know if he’s an enemy of yours or not, but the guy called “Dungeon Man” seems to be waiting for you. Have you already met him before this?” Where: Any town Going Rate: $35/50/60/75/150/100 When: After Dunbeon Man is stuck in the trees in the Scaraba Desert. Teleport (with some skill) away. There is a lone tree toward the lower-right section of the map. I started my teleport on the Northwest corner of the tree, wrapped my way around it counterclockwise, and finished the teleport by heading straight West. It should be noted that some risk is involved in teleporting here, because, like anywhere, enemies become invisible while teleporting, but they are still solid enough to make your teleport come to a grinding halt and force you into battle. If this happens, simply clear the area of enemies and try again. I was successful with this teleport on about the second or third attempt. Hint: “There is a broken submarine in the Dungeon Man’s tummy. Once the submarine gets fixed you can go to the Deep Darkness. Uhhh… maybe…” Where: Any town Going Rate: $35/50/60/75/150/100 When: After arriving at Deep Darkness. Hint: “If you need to brighten up a dark street you use…Yep, that’s right! A flashlight! Oh… you don’t have one? Actually, I knew that you didn’t. Well, what comes in handy is something that you, y’know, picked up in, y’know, the pyramid… I forgot the name… It’s that whatchyamacallit… oh… crud!” Where: Any town Going Rate: $35/50/60/75/150/100 When: After using the Hawk Eye in Deep Darkness. Hint: “It’s tough, but you have to keep pressing on through the Deep Darkness. That way, you’ll find the village of the Tenda. Don’t give up yet.” Where: Any town Going Rate: $35/50/60/75/150/100 When: Immediately after entering Tenda village, walking outside, and receiving calls from Apple Kid and Orange Kid. Hint: “Apple…Winters…Andonuts…” Where: Any town Going Rate: $35/50/60/75/150/100 When: Immediately after receiving the Eraser Eraser machine from Apple Kid’s mouse in Dr. Andonuts’ lab in Winters. Hint: “The Pencil Eraser makes pencil-shaped stuff disappear. What do you think the Eraser Eraser machine does?” Where: Any town Going Rate: $35/50/60/75/150/100 When: After defeating the Starman DX at Stonehenge. Hint: “Well, usually you find books at the library. One who goes to the fishmonger and expects to find books is likely to get very embarrassed indeed.” Where: Any town Going Rate: $35/50/60/75/150/100 When: After obtaining “Overcoming Shyness” from the Onett library. Hint: “To correct shyness, you should let that person read a self-help book. “Overcoming Shyness” is probably the best… It was a best-seller, y’know. If a whole group is shy, the leader of the group should read the book on shyness to all the group members, and the whole group may get over shyness though at least a part will certainly stop being shy. So, how many times did I use the word “shy”?...” Where: Any town Going Rate: $35/50/60/75/150/100 When: After giving the shyness book to the Tendas. Hint: “Oh, heeey! Have you spoken with like, the Tenda deep in the cute, little Tenda village? Oh… my… gosh… Really??? Are you like, really serious??? I sound like a y’know, teenage girl? Do you like the way I talk now?” Where: Any town Going Rate: $35/50/60/75/150/100 When: Immediately after getting the one Tenda to lift the rock to Lumine Hall. Hint: “There is a very important place under the Tenda Village.” Where: Any town Going Rate: $35/50/60/75/150/100 When: After arriving in the Lost Underworld. Hint: “Do you know about the talking rock in the Lost Underworld? You should listen to what the rock has to say and then put it into practice.” Where: Any town Going Rate: $35/50/60/75/150/100 When: After getting the melody from Fire Spring. I ignored the melody from Milky Well behind Saturn Valley to see if or how the hints would tell me to go back and get it. Unfortunately, the hint is only generalized for every non- plot essential Shining Spot you may have missed. Hint: “Do you know that talking rock in the Lost Underworld? You should listen to what the rock has to say.” Where: Any town except Onett Going Rate: $50/60/75/150/100 When: Immediately after defeating Ness’ Nightmare, leaving Magicant, and teleporting to Saturn Valley. Hint: “Maybe… where you should visit is Saturn Valley…” Where: Any town except Onett Going Rate: $50/60/75/150/100 When: After Dr. Andonuts sends you to Onett to get Zexonyte but before getting it. Hint: “A very special substance is necessary to complete the Phase Distorter. You know, I wonder if the site in Onett where the meteorite landed has something to do with this? I say, go there and check out the site.” Where: Any town except Onett Going Rate: Free When: After getting Zexonyte Hint: “I have no more hints for you. You’ve done such a good job to this point. From here on out… Trust your judgment, and also your luck.” Where: Any town Going Rate: Free When: Any time after Giygas is defeated and before you go home to let the game’s credits roll. Hint: “Well, I want to thank you for all the times that you used the hint shop. It’s been a while since I firzst saw you… This is my final day in business. ………. Well, so long kid, No, no… Master Ness. See you again, if fate allows it.” Copyright 2012 Nathan Benkert All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by their respective trademark and copyright holders. This may be not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal, private use. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise distributed publicly without advance written permission. Use of this guide on any other web site or as a part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a violation of copyright.