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[[Image:EarthboundTitle.png|300px|center]]
{{Title|''EarthBound'' (universe)}}
[[Image:Symbol-earthbound.gif|left]]
{{ArticleIcons|allgames=y}}
{{Infobox Series
|title          = EarthBound (universe)
|image          =
{{tabber|width=300px|title1=EarthBound|content1=[[File:EarthboundTitle.svg|300px]]|title2=MOTHER|content2=[[File:MotherTitle.png|300px]]
}}
|caption        = [[File:EarthboundSymbol.svg|50px|class=invert-dark]]
|developer      = [[Ape Inc.]]<br>[[HAL Laboratory]]<br>[[Brownie Brown]]
|publisher      = [[Nintendo]]
|distributor    =
|designer      = [[Shigesato Itoi]]
|genres        = Role-playing
|originconsole  = Famicom
|firstinstallment= ''{{s|wikibound|EarthBound Beginnings}}/Mother'' (1989)
|latestinstallment= ''{{s|wikibound|Mother 3}}'' (2006) {{Flag|Japan}}
|interwiki      = wikibound
|interwikiname  = WikiBound
|interwikipage  = EarthBound (series)
}}
The '''''EarthBound'' universe''', also known by its Japanese name the '''''Mother'' universe''' ({{ja|マザー|Mazā}}, ''MOTHER'') refers to the [[Super Smash Bros. (series)|''Super Smash Bros.'' series']] collection of characters, stages, and properties that hail from [[Nintendo]]'s cult-classic trilogy of Japanese role-playing games.  The series was created by [[Shigesato Itoi]], and the franchise's symbol is the Earth, which itself is a recurring motif in the ''EarthBound'' series (being represented in both ''EarthBound'' and ''Super Smash Bros.'' by {{iw|wikipedia|the Blue Marble}}). Despite receiving poor sales in its initial release, the ''EarthBound'' series has received strong acclaim retrospectively due to its dedicated fanbase and representation in the ''Smash Bros.'' series. The games' re-releases have been constantly topping the charts as best sellers on the Nintendo eShop, most notably ''{{b|EarthBound|game}}'' is currently the fourth best selling [[Virtual Console]] game on the Wii U's eShop (surpassed only by ''{{s|mariowiki|Super Mario World}}'', ''{{s|mariowiki|Super Mario 64}}'' and ''{{s|mariowiki|Super Mario Bros. 3}}'')  and the sixth best selling eShop game of all time.  The ''Smash Bros.'' games represent the franchise with [[Ness]] and [[Lucas]] as playable characters, along with various other characters appearing as items and enemies.


The '''EarthBound universe''' (also known as the '''MOTHER universe''') refers to the [[Super smash Bros. (universe)|''Super Smash Bros.'' series']] collection of characters, stages, and properties that hail from [[Nintendo]]'s obscure cult-classic Super Nintendo game ''[[EarthBound (game)|EarthBound]]'', which itself was the second game in a three-game Japanese RPG series titled ''MOTHER'' and is the game starring [[Ness]]. The series was created by [[Shigesato Itoi]] for Nintendo. The franchise's symbol is the Earth, a recurring theme in the EarthBound series.
==Franchise description==
[[File:SSB64 Congratulations Ness.png|thumb|The four main party members from EarthBound appear in Ness's [[congratulations screen]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 64]]''. From right to left they are: [[Ness]], [[Paula]], [[Jeff]], and [[Poo]].]]
An influential Japanese copywriter, actor, and television personality named Shigesato Itoi took a foray into the Nintendo-dominated video game market of the late 1980s despite some initial skepticism from Nintendo's higher-ups about working with celebrities. He and then-Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi formed a new subsidiary called Ape Inc. and Itoi pitched to Shigeru Miyamoto an RPG game set in modern day. this pitch was approved, and the game would release in July of 1989 for Famicom as ''{{iw|wikibound|Mother|video game}}''. Itoi wanted to make an unconventional take on the primarily sword-and-sorcery themed RPG genre. The game was set in a humorous rendition of contemporary America realized in the town of {{iw|wikibound|Podunk}} and had the player assuming the role of {{iw|wikibound|Ninten}}, a neighborhood boy with psychic powers who would go on an adventure that would eventually lead to him confronting {{iw|wikibound|Giygas}}, a villain that would become a series regular and one the few connecting elements of the series. It featured conventional objects such as baseball bats and yo-yos as stand-ins for weapons that could be equipped and a variety of bizarre and comical enemies such as possessed automobiles, crazed animals, and hippies and gang members. It also featured a very odd blend of simplistic character designs and dark themes and undertones. The game sold very well in Japan, and an English localization immediately began, with a planned fall 1991 release date with ''Earth Bound'' as the intended Western title. However, marketing executives anticipating the mid-1991 release of the Super NES decided that the prototype NES game would be too costly to produce and market, and the localized product was shelved with no foreseeable plans for a future release. This was the case until 2015, when the translation was finished and released for the [[Wii U]] [[Virtual Console]] as ''EarthBound Beginnings''.
 
[[File:SSBU Congratulations Ness.png|thumb|The four main party members reappear in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' with updated designs.]]
Itoi returned to design a sequel for the Super Famicom, ''Mother 2'', though the title's development was troubled by a new inexperienced development staff and was stretched across five years, nearly facing cancellation. The project was only saved when late veteran programmer [[Satoru Iwata]] joined the development team, now making the ''Mother 2'' project a joint effort by Ape and [[HAL Laboratory]] (HALKEN at the time), separate studios based at separate locations (employees would regularly have to travel between studios to work). It was released in August 1994 in Japan and, unlike its predecessor, actually saw a Western localization the following June, under the first public occurrence of the name ''{{b|EarthBound|game}}''. This game saw new protagonist [[Ness]] and his friends and their adventures across time and space to save the world from Gyigas. However, while the game's Japanese sales figures were relatively close to the original's, it sold poorly in the West because of an unusual and ineffective marketing campaign and the fact that American audiences were largely indifferent to JRPGs at the time (this would only end with the 1997 release of ''[[Final Fantasy|Final Fantasy VII]]'', which brought the genre to the mainstream). These poor sales even prevented the game from being released in the PAL regions. Critical retrospectives, however, portray it as not only one of the best RPGs in the 1990s, but also one of the most original, both in its approach to established JRPG mechanics and in its uniquely quirky humor, storyline (which is comparatively more light-hearted than its forerunner), character, and bizarre psychedelic aesthetic, as well as its many parodies of American culture and JRPG - and science fiction - storytelling conventions. Some publications have named it the defining example of a cult classic, with substantial fanbases in both Japan and North America.


==Franchise description==
More development and release date woes awaited the ''Mother'' franchise following ''EarthBound''. Ape Inc. would immediately disband after completion, though most would come back to form the modern day [[Creatures]] to assist [[Game Freak]] to develop ''{{iw|bulbapedia|Pokémon Red & Green}}'', which why they share ownership between Game Freak and Nintendo. Itoi immediately began development of the series' second sequel for the Super Famicom in 1994, which was then moved to the Nintendo 64DD add-on for the [[Nintendo 64]], popularized by the media as the then-upcoming ''EarthBound 64''. When the ill-fated disk drive peripheral was met with commercial failure, the game was cancelled and restarted its development cycle on the Nintendo 64 itself, where it was initially expected to be a launch title for the console's Western release. But Itoi's development team was inexperienced with developing three-dimensional titles and the Nintendo 64 hardware itself, and the project remained unreleased even as ''EarthBound'' was included by [[Masahiro Sakurai]] as an unlockable franchise in the original ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' in 1998. Itoi eventually announced the official cancellation of ''EarthBound 64'' in August 2000, citing that he did not want to make anything other than "something truly special" in addition to the project becoming too complex with its interest in three-dimensional graphics. [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] subsequently became interested in finding ways to salvage some of the work, though this had to be put on hold because the ''Mother 3'' development team was put on Nintendo GameCube projects. Meanwhile, the translated prototype of the Western version of the NES game was discovered and purchased by a fan translation group, which was modified, retitled "''EarthBound Zero''", and distributed through the Internet as a ROM image.
In 1989 there was a game released for the Famicom in Japan an RPG named ''MOTHER'', which constituted an unorthodox take on the genre thematically; whereas most RPGs depict knights and wizards in pseudo-medieval settings such as ''Final Fantasy'', the game is set in a suburban area in America in 1988. It depicts a young, psychically gifted boy named [[Ninten]] as a silent red-capped protagonist who must journey across the planet to save it from an evil race of mind-controlling extraterrestrials. Along the way he is joined by a pink-dressed psychic girl named [[Ana (Mother)|Ana]], a bespectacled and gadget-minded boy named [[Lloyd]], and a street gang leader named [[Teddy]] who is skilled in fighting abilities although he replaces Lloyd for as long as he's in the party), and together the four meet many unusual characters and visit strange settings before ultimately confronting the leader of the aliens, the entity Giegue. The game was a smash hit in Japan, and Nintendo of America fully localized and translated it for a planned U.S. release under the name ''EarthBound'', but the game was ultimately deemed unprofitable for a US release because the Super Nintendo was already released and the NES was becoming outdated, so it was canceled.


The distant sequel to the game, ''MOTHER 2'', did see an American release, however, and it received the name ''EarthBound'' in its forerunner's place. It takes place sometime after the first game and depicts Giygas (the American form of Giegue from Mother) returning to defeat humanity, and the rest of the full cast of characters are new but extremely similar to the characters of the first game, enough that they may be considered spiritual counterparts. (Apparently, it also means you can copy and paste the last paragraph and change the names and get the story of MOTHER 2 in a nutshell.) The main character is a young, psychically gifted boy named [[Ness]] as a silent red-capped protagonist who must journey across the world starting in the continent of Eagleland, a parody of the US, to confront Giygas as he was instructed to by an insect-like alien named Buzz Buzz. Starting from his hometown of [[Onett]] and traveling through cities such as Twoson, Winters, and [[Fourside]], Ness is joined by a pink-dressed psychic girl named [[Paula]], a bespectacled and gadget-minded boy named [[Jeff Andonuts|Jeff]], and an oriental prince and martial arts master named [[Poo]]. The game was immensely successful in Japan, but it did not sell well in the U.S. because it was released at a time when graphically superior and highly-hyped RPG titles for the Super NES such as ''Final Fantasy 6'' (released as "3") and ''Chrono Trigger'' (widely considered to be one of the best RPGs of all time) were being released as well. However, the game has since developed one of the strongest cult followings in North America, a community which is still thriving even today.
Itoi and Nintendo eventually decided to rerelease both ''Mother'' titles in Japan as ports compiled on one Game Boy Advance cartridge, ''{{iw|wikibound|Mother 1 + 2}}'', which was released in June 2003 in Japan and included all of the enhancements the English prototype had made to the original ''Mother''; to the dismay of fans, this was never released in the West either. However, Itoi realized he would once again be pressured into reviving his shelved project, an idea he was initially opposed to, but encouragement from fans led to his decision to restart development for the game for Game Boy Advance, which he approached as though he were developing his magnum opus. After three years of development, ''{{iw|wikibound|Mother 3}}'' (essentially now a Game Boy Advance recreation of ''EarthBound 64'') was finally released in Japan in April 2006, twelve years after development began and over a year after the launch of the handheld's successor, the Nintendo DS. This Game Boy Advance title returned the series to a two-dimensional aesthetic but placed more emphasis on a serious plot and character interaction and tweaked gameplay elements of its predecessors. The game saw new protagonist [[Lucas]] and his adventures with his family and later his newfound friends as they try to save the world from being destroyed entirely. It was released to critical acclaim that praised its new rhythm-based but otherwise simple approach to turn-based combat and, most significantly, tragic storytelling and characterization that achieved a rarely seen degree of depth in titles in the genre.
While ''EarthBound'' became a cult classic in the years after its release, it was still undeniably obscure in the gaming community by 1999. To the intrigue of the community worldwide, [[Masahiro Sakurai]] decided to include Ness as a secret playable character in 1999's ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' for Nintendo 64, and Ness and additional ''EarthBound'' properties were featured in its 2001 sequel ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''. This inclusion in the popular fighting-game series may have driven EarthBound's strong cult following in the United States many years after its old release. In addition, during this time Nintendo was developing the series' third and final installment for N64DD, but the N64DD was ended up being a commercial failure in Japan, so the game wound up being canceled. In Japan in 2003, a compilation of the two existing games, ''MOTHER 1 + 2'', was released for Game Boy Advance.


After a multi-year hiatus, in Japan in 2006 the third and apparently final installment in the series was finally released. ''[[MOTHER 3]]'' for Game Boy Advance is indeed ''EarthBound 64'' retooled for the hand-held, and it was released to critical praise and success as before. It is a multi-chaptered story with far darker and more emotional elements than the previous game, although the player will no longer be controlling multiple characters in a group like the previous game, but of course it still retains many humorous and bizarre elements that are common to the series. The various playable characters are made to be main characters of different chapters, unlike in previous games when a foursome of children would be consistently controlled throughout. The game revolves around a boy named [[Lucas]] and the trials and tribulations of him and his family and friends as they fight against the threat of a mysterious group called the "Pig Army" at his home of Nowhere Island. The game was never released outside of Japan due to the fact that the last installment didn't sell that well in the U.S as it did in Japan, and in response, EarthBound's cult fanbase has translated its ROM image entirely into English and released it on the Internet for emulation players in October 2008.
Unfortunately, Nintendo of America would once more decline to localize the game for Western audiences, once again apparently because of fears that its inconvenient timing at the end of the commercial lifespan of the platform it was based on would negatively affect its sales. The fansite Starmen.net made headlines in October 2008 when it released its own English translation patch that could be applied to a copy of the ROM image of ''Mother 3''. This monumental translation effort was spearheaded by professional translator Clyde "Tomato" Mandelin and the patch received over 100,000 downloads from the website in the first week of its release. Despite the project not being completely legal, it became one of a handful of unofficial video game localization projects that officials in the video game industry did not formally object to, but instead expressed admiration for. In the meantime, the ''Mother'' series has regularly appeared in every subsequent ''Super Smash Bros.'' game to date, including ''Mother 3'' being focused on in 2008's ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', though Itoi has announced that he has no plans to direct a fourth ''Mother'' game and reaffirmed this statement several times. In the years to come, developers large and small would create role-playing games that would draw heavy inspiration from the world, humor, and battle system of the ''Mother'' series, including the critically-acclaimed {{uvm3|Undertale}} in 2015 by [[Toby Fox]], and more recently ''{{iw|wikipedia|Omori|video game}}'' in 2020 by omocat. Although the series is seldom referenced directly by Nintendo, the rights held to it by Itoi have enabled the continued development of merchandise and other projects honoring its legacy, such as a collaborative tribute book and a rearranged version of the first game's studio album.


The series is known for spectacularly defying the thematic conventions of most other Role-Playing Games in that games take place in postmodern settings, weapons consist of baseball bats, frying pans, yo-yos, and toy guns, in-game currency is measured in American dollars, and the fact that the series is among the most bizarre, psychedelic, self-referential, and satirical game franchises ever created. With enemies ranging from evil hippies, scalding cups of coffee, and runaway pooches, dialogue and situations serving as social commentary on modern life (that sometimes breaks the fourth wall), and a race of strange little creatures called [[Mr. Saturn]] whose in-game text dialogue is presented as kindergarten scrawl, the series, at least ''EarthBound'' in particular, is known for its offhandedness. The only thing seemingly down-to-earth about it is that its battle screen is based on the old battle screen layout of Japanese ''Dragon Quest'' RPGs.
While never achieving the same mainstream success as [[Mario]] or even other RPG franchises, the ''Mother'' franchise has received a cult following that has only grown in the wake of the internet and continued representation in the form of cameos and the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series. Merchandise being made about the franchise to this day and fan projects that would go on to be successful game releases in their own right is a sign of this fan devotion, as arguably more popular franchises do not share this privilege, such as ''{{iw|wikipedia|Oddity|video game}}'', formely ''Mother 4'', left in development since 2010. Official merchandise featured, produced, or published by Hobonichi titled "Hobonichi Mother Project" also takes part of it, ranging from cosmetics to plushies and even a live concert titled ''The Music of MOTHER''.


==In ''Super Smash Bros.''==
==In ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]''==
''EarthBound'' is one of the "bonus franchises" in the original ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'', for it contributes one unlockable character, and a song (his victory theme).There are no stages based on ''EarthBound'' in the game (Ness has to be fought in [[Dream Land|Kirby's stage]] in order to be unlocked, possibly because both games were made by HAL).
''EarthBound'' is one of the "bonus franchises" in the original ''Super Smash Bros.'' - contributing one unlockable character and a song (his victory theme). There are no stages [[home stage|based on]] ''EarthBound'' in the game, so Ness instead has to be fought on [[Dream Land (SSB)|Kirby's stage]] in order to be unlocked.


===Character===
===Fighter===
[[Image:SSBIconNess.png|right]]
*[[File:NessIcon(SSB).png|50px|right|link=Ness (SSB)]]'''{{SSB|Ness}}''' ([[Unlockable character|Unlockable]]): A boy living in the town of [[Onett]], Ness is gifted with psychic powers. He is chosen by a little alien named Buzz Buzz to save the world from Giygas, a malevolent entity which is causing the citizens and animals of his town and others to become hostile. To do this, he must first travel to eight sanctuaries and record the Eight Melodies in his Sound Stone, given to him by Buzz Buzz. Ness then must combine those melodies and make the "Sound Stone Melody", which will give him the power of the Earth necessary to defeat Giygas at the end of the game. (The second half of the melody comprises Ness' victory theme in the first two games of the ''Smash'' series.) All of Ness's special moves (PSI Magnet, PK Fire, and PK Thunder) were incidentally used by Paula, not Ness, in ''EarthBound''Ness is currently in low tier, sitting at 10th out of 12 on the [[tier list]], mainly due to his easily exploitable [[recovery]].
*'''[[Ness (SSB)|Ness]]''': A boy living in the town of [[Onett]], Ness is gifted with psychic powers. He is chosen by a little alien named Buzz Buzz to save the world from Giygas, a malevolent entity which is causing the citizens and animals of his town and others to become hostile. To do this, he must first travel to eight sanctuaries and record the eight melodies there in his Sound Stone (given to him by Buzz Buzz), then he must combine those melodies and make the "Sound Stone melody", which will give him the power of the Earth necessary to defeat Giygas at the end of the game. (The second half of the melody comprise Ness' fanfare in the ''Smash'' series.) As a ''Smash'' fighter, Ness is high tier and holds the most unusual move in the game, the remote-controlled [[PK Thunder]].


===Music===
===Music===
*'''24''': The victory fanfare of [[Ness]] is a shortened, orchestrated version of the second half of the eight melodies (The full song is called "Smiles and Tears", not to be confused with the Eight Melodies from the prequel, MOTHER) that Ness collects throughout his journey at the eight "Your sanctuary" spots in EarthBound.
*'''[[Victory theme#EarthBound (Mother) Victory Theme|24: Ness Wins]]''': The victory theme of [[Ness]] is an orchestrated version of the last several notes of the Eight Melodies (not to be confused with the separate Eight Melodies from its predecessor, ''Mother'') that Ness collects throughout his journey at the eight "Your Sanctuary" spots in ''EarthBound''. This incarnation of the Eight Melodies also appears in ''EarthBound'' as part of "Smiles and Tears", which also appears in remixed form in ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS'' and ''Wii U''.


==In ''Super Smash Bros. Melee''==
==In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''==
''EarthBound'' is a franchise whose representation in the ''Smash'' series is quite expanded upon in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', with one character, two new stages, a new item, and many new trophies.
''EarthBound''{{'}}s representation in the ''Smash'' series was expanded significantly upon in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'', with a returning character, two new stages, a new item, and many new trophies.


===Character===
===Fighter===
[[Lucas]] was supposed to replace Ness in Melee, but ''[[MOTHER 3]]'' had not come out, so they kept Ness.  
[[Lucas]] was supposed to replace Ness in ''Melee'' but, due to constant delays and then cancellation of ''{{s|wikibound|EarthBound 64}}'', Ness was kept in at the last minute.
[[Image:SSBMIconNess.png|right]]
*[[File:NessIcon(SSBM).png|50px|right|link=Ness (SSBM)]]'''{{SSBM|Ness}}''' ([[Starter character|Starter]]): Ness is still the only playable ''EarthBound'' character in the game, but he now has [[PK Flash]] for his neutral special. As a result, his previous neutral special, PK Fire, has been moved to his side special. Despite his flaws in ''Super Smash Bros.'' like his recovery, Ness has suffered an overall nerf, countering most of his buffs. As a result, Ness is currently ranked 23rd out of 26 in the tier list, similar to his ''Smash 64'' tier placement.
'''[[Ness (SSBM)|Ness]]''' is still the only playable ''EarthBound'' character in the game, but with a new [[PK Flash]] chargeable explosion attack as his new B move. He suffers a similar fate to [[Kirby]] in that the game's redesign and the redesign of all the characters causes him to drop from the highest tier to the lowest.{{clear}}


===Stages===
===Stages===
''Melee'' is the first game to introduce stages for the ''EarthBound'' series.
''Melee'' is the first game to introduce stages for the ''EarthBound'' series.
*'''[[Eagleland: Onett]]''': The quaint suburban hometown of Ness, its citizens and animals become hostile under Giygas' otherwise invisible influence. The red spherical meteor on the hilltop in the background is the alien Buzz Buzz's spacecraft, and when Ness investigates it he is instructed by Buzz Buzz to go on a quest to save Onett and the world from Giygas' influence. This stage takes place on and around houses and a drug store whose balconies serve as battling platforms. The road in front of the characters on the ground has speeding cars on it, and cars zooming past characters on the ground will almost definitely KO them.
*[[File:OnettIconSSBM.png|right|link=Onett]]'''Eagleland: [[Onett]]''' ([[Starter stage|Starter]]): The quaint suburban hometown of Ness, whose citizens and animals become hostile under Giygas' otherwise invisible influence. The red spherical meteor on the hilltop in the background is the alien Buzz Buzz's spacecraft and, when Ness investigates it, he is instructed by Buzz Buzz to go on a quest to save Onett and the world from Giygas' influence. This stage takes place on and around houses and a drug store whose balconies serve as battling platforms. The road in front of the characters on the ground has speeding cars on it, and cars zooming past characters on the ground will almost certainly KO them.{{clr}}
*'''[[Eagleland: Fourside]]''': The New York City-inspired urban metropolis in ''EarthBound'' manifests as a battle-on-skyscrapers-in-the-nighttime stage for ''Melee'', and it can be said that this is the spiritual successor to the [[Saffron City]] Pokémon stage from the first ''Super Smash Bros.'' The layout of the stage allows for bottomless pits in between buildings, so this is the most conceivable stage where the [[Wall jump]] technique can be used to save oneself from a fall. In addition, from time to time a [[UFO]] piloted by a henchman of Giygas called a [[Starman (EarthBound)|Starman]] (not to be confused with the ''[[Mario (universe)|Mario]]'' powerup of the same name) will materialize above the city and serve as an extremely slippery platform. This stage is banned by many [[Tournament legal (SSBM)|tournament legal]] standards.
*[[File:FoursideIconSSBM.png|right|link=Fourside]]'''Eagleland: [[Fourside]]''' ([[Unlockable stage|Unlockable]]): The New York City-inspired urban metropolis in ''EarthBound'' manifests as a battle-on-skyscrapers-in-the-nighttime stage for ''Melee'', and in essence, it is the spiritual successor to the [[Saffron City]] Pokémon stage from the first ''Super Smash Bros.'' The layout of the stage consists of three main platforms with bottomless pits in between buildings, so this is the most conceivable stage where the [[Wall jump]] technique can be used to save oneself from a fall. The {{iw|wikibound|Monotoli}} helicopter occasionally appears in the background, landing on the Monotoli building before flying off after a short time. In addition, from time to time a [[UFO]] will materialize above the city and serve as an extremely slippery semi-soft platform.{{clr}}


===Item===
===Item===
''Melee'' introduced another item for the series as well:
''Melee'' introduced an item for the ''EarthBound'' series as well:
*'''[[Mr. Saturn]]''': A race of odd little creatures with big noses, whiskers, and the ability to talk, Mr. Saturns are encountered as friendly NPCs by Ness in ''EarthBound''. They make their home in an area of Eagleland called Saturn Valley, and when they speak the text in the game is presented as hard-to-read kindergarten scrawl, and they often mix the words "boing", "ding", and "zoom" into their speech for unknown reasons. As a ''Melee'' item, a Mr. Saturn is an intentional "dud" item. It walks around on its own, and it can be picked up and hurled at opponents for minor damage, but it can be reused this way because it does not disappear after one use. In addition, several bonuses are available based on the usage of these creatures.
*'''[[Mr. Saturn]]''': A race of odd little creatures with big noses, whiskers, and the ability to talk, Mr. Saturns are encountered as friendly NPCs by Ness in ''EarthBound''. They make their home in an area of Eagleland called Saturn Valley, and when they speak the text in the game is presented as hard-to-read kindergarten scrawl, and they often mix the words "boing", "ding", and "zoom" into their speech for unknown reasons. As a ''Melee'' item, a Mr. Saturn is an intentional "dud" item. It walks around on its own, and it can be picked up and hurled at opponents for minor damage, but it can be reused this way because it does not disappear after one use. In addition, a thrown Mr. Saturn does 21 shield damage in this game, and several bonuses are available based on the usage of these creatures.


===Music===
===Music===
*'''19: MOTHER''': Music not heard in ''EarthBound'' for SNES. It is actually a combination of three tracks from the original ''MOTHER'' for Famicom, the first track being the song ''Bein' Friends'', the overworld and town song that plays when Ninten (the main protagonist of ''MOTHER'') has another character in his party, the second being the ''Eight Melodies'' that Ninten collects throughout the game, and the third being a clip from the title theme (which would later be the shared victory theme for Ness and Lucas in the third ''Super Smash Bros.''). The music also ends with an enemy encounter tune, which appears in both ''MOTHER'' and ''EarthBound''. It is heard in [[Eagleland: Onett]].
*'''{{SSBMMusicLink|Mother}}''': Despite being known as "Onett" in ''Smash 4'', it is not actually heard in the town of Onett or in ''EarthBound'' for SNES overall, and is instead a combination of two tracks first heard in ''Mother''. The first is ''Bein' Friends'', which is the overworld theme whenever Ninten has more than one character in his party, and the second is the ''Eight Melodies'' that Ninten collects throughout the game. Finally a small portion of title theme is played before the song finishes its loop. The music also ends with an enemy encounter tune, which appears in both ''EarthBound Beginnings'' and ''EarthBound'' - albeit only for bosses in the latter. It is heard on [[Onett]]. It is Song 19 in the [[Sound Test]].
*'''20: EarthBound''': Synthesized music heard prominently in ''EarthBound'', this is the official theme for the city of Fourside in both the game and in ''Melee''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Eagleland: Fourside]] stage, with the first quarter of EarthBound's Sound Stone song inserted at a point (the second half, incidentally, comprises [[Ness]]' victory fanfare).
*'''{{SSBMMusicLink|EarthBound}}''': Synthesized music heard prominently in ''EarthBound'', this is the official theme for the city of Fourside in both the game and in ''Melee''{{'}}s [[Fourside]] stage, with the first half of ''EarthBound''{{'}}s Eight Melodies inserted at a point (the last half of the original version, incidentally, are used as [[Ness]]'s victory theme). It is Song 20 in the Sound Test.
*'''35: MOTHER 2''': The song's real title is ''Pollyanna''. This quaint soft rock is a heavily extended version of a track heard in "''EarthBound''" (known as "''MOTHER 2''" in Japan) whenever [[Ness]] returns to his house during his quest. The track first appeared, however, in the original ''MOTHER'', as the typical overworld music that plays when Ninten is the only character in his own party. It also appeared in ''[[MOTHER 3]]''. It is heard as a secondary track on [[Eagleland: Onett]].
*'''{{SSBMMusicLink|Mother 2}}''': The song's real title is ''Pollyanna''. This is a quaint soft rock remix of the overworld theme in ''Mother'' whenever Ninten is the only character in his party. A slightly abridged remix also appeared in ''EarthBound'' whenever [[Ness]] returns to his house during his quest, with the intro to the original version also being used in that game in Onett when the sun rises. It also appeared in ''{{s|wikibound|Mother 3}}''. It is used as a secondary track on [[Onett]]. It is Song 35 in the Sound Test.
*'''47: Ness's Victory''': The victory fanfare of [[Ness]] is a shortened orchestrated version of the second half of the "Sound Stone song" that Ness collects throughout his journey.
*'''[[Victory theme#EarthBound (Mother) Victory Theme|Ness's Victory]]''': The victory theme of [[Ness]] is an orchestrated version of the last four notes of the Eight Melodies that Ness collects throughout his journey. It is Song 47 in the Sound Test.
 
===Trophies===
{{main|List of SSBM trophies (EarthBound series)}}
 
===Movies===
<gallery>
Runway five 2.png|Members of the Runaway Five before Ness teleports in.
Runaway Five sign.png|Onett sign with the Runaway Five.
</gallery>
Lucky and Nice of the Runaway Five appear in the introduction movie in Onett. There is also a sign showing a picture of both members that is absent in the Onett stage. The equivalent sign in the stage is moved further to the right and has a different design, with only Lucky being present in the picture.
 
Sound effects from ''EarthBound'' can be heard in the beginning of the [[Special Movie]].
{{clr}}


===Full Trophy List===
==In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''==
The content from the ''EarthBound'' franchise have been given a boost
in representation since ''Melee'' with two total playable characters and another item in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''.


*[[Ness (SSBM)|Ness]]' three game trophies
===Fighters===
*[[Paula Polestar]]
*[[File:NessIcon(SSBB).png|50px|right|link=Ness (SSBB)]]'''{{SSBB|Ness}}''' ([[Unlockable character|Unlockable]]): The protagonist of ''{{b|EarthBound|game}}'' was confirmed to be returning in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'' by the opening sequence of the game and by the official Dojo on February 1st, 2008. He has been slightly buffed from ''Melee'' while still retaining his old moveset and voice clips. He gained an additional 10 frames of lag when grab released, making him extremely vulnerable to infinite grab-release follow-ups. Thus, he is ranked 26th on the tier list, being a mid tier character rather than a low tier character in ''Melee''.{{clr}}
*[[Jeff Andonuts]]
*[[File:LucasIcon(SSBB).png|50px|right|link=Lucas (SSBB)]]'''{{SSBB|Lucas}}''' ([[Starter character|Starter]]): The protagonist of ''{{iw|wikibound|Mother 3}}'' and the most recent hero in the series is a [[newcomer]] in ''Brawl''. Although his special moves are similar to Ness's, Lucas's standard moveset is largely different. Some similar moves between the characters differ in function, i.e. whereas Ness would have an attack that deals one solid hit, Lucas has one that deals multiple small ones and vice-versa. One of Lucas's alternate costumes makes him look like his twin brother from ''Mother 3'', Claus. He is ranked 30th on the tier list, being lower than Ness, the lowest of the newcomers in ''Brawl'', and at the very bottom of the lower-mid-tier. He shares the same problem with Ness, having an additional 10 frames of his grab-release animation that leaves him prone to grab-release follow-ups.{{clr}}
*[[Poo]]
*[[Mr. Saturn]]
*[[Starman (EarthBound)]]
*[[UFO]]


==In ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''==
On the final character select screen (after all characters are unlocked), the ''EarthBound'' characters occupy the eighth column alongside the {{uv|Fire Emblem}} characters. Both of these series were originally Japan-only RPG series that later saw at least one entry released in the West.{{clr}}
The content from the ''EarthBound'' franchise have been given a major representation since ''Melee'' with two playable characters and another item in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''


===Characters===
===Boss===
*[[Image:Icon-lucas.gif|right]]'''[[Lucas (SSBB)|Lucas]]''': The protagonist of ''[[MOTHER 3]]'' and the most recent hero of the series is a [[newcomer]] to ''Brawl'' and although his [[Final Smash]] is the same as Ness and he shares most of his special moves, Lucas' standard moveset is slightly different from Ness'. One of Lucas' color swaps makes him look like his twin brother from MOTHER 3, [[Claus]].{{clear}}
*[[File:Porky.jpg|right|120px|link=Porky Minch]]'''[[Porky]]''': Porky Minch appears as a boss in ''Brawl''{{'}}s [[Subspace Emissary]] mode. Porky's supposedly robotic [[Porky Statue|statue form]] chases [[Lucas]] around [[The Ruined Zoo]]. Ness retaliates against the giant statue and uses a PK Flash to destroy it. When the statue crumbles, a mechanized spider-looking machine appears with Porky in the center.


*[[Image:Icon-ness.gif|right]]'''[[Ness (SSBB)|Ness]]''': The protagonist of ''[[EarthBound]]'' and unofficial mascot of the ''EarthBound'' series consisting of ''MOTHER'', ''EarthBound''/''MOTHER 2'' and ''MOTHER 3'' was confirmed to be returning in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'' by the opening sequence of the game and by the Dojo on February 1st, 2008. He retains his old moveset.{{clear}}
===Stages===
*[[File:Icon-onettmelee.gif|right|link=Onett]]{{gameIcon|SSBM}}'''[[Melee Stages]]: [[Onett]]''' ([[Starter stage|Starter]]): One of the stages that returns from the previous game, it only has a few minor changes such as the addition of [[My Music]] and the knockback from the cars having been significantly lowered. {{clr}}
*[[File:Icon-newporkcity.gif|right|link=New Pork City]]'''[[New Pork City]]''' ([[Starter stage|Starter]]): An enormous stage akin to ''Melee''’s [[Temple]] stage. Based on the locale from the Japan-only ''Mother 3'', a beast known as the [[Ultimate Chimera]] makes an appearance here and can [[one-hit KO]] players with its bite.{{clr}}


====Boss====
===Items===
*[[Image:Porky.jpg|right|120px]]'''[[Porky Minch]]''': Porky appears as a boss in ''Brawl's'' [[Subspace Emissary]] mode. Porky's supposedly robotic [[Pig King Statue|statue form]], chases [[Lucas]] around [[The Ruined Zoo]]. Ness retaliates against the giant statue and uses a PK Flash to destroy it. When the statue crumbles, a mechanized spider-looking machine appears with the body of Porky in the center.{{clear}}
<small>'''''Bold italics''''' denote an item new to the ''Smash Bros.'' series.</small>
*'''[[Mr. Saturn]]''': Mr. Saturn is mostly unchanged from his Melee appearance: he inflicts minimal damage when thrown, but now deals 43 units of shield damage, one more than twice as much as its Melee shield damage of 21.
*'''''[[Franklin Badge]]''''': This equippable item from all three ''EarthBound'' games is an item in ''Brawl''. In ''Mother'', it reflects the normally one-hit KO Gamma-level PK Beam attack, while in ''EarthBound'' and ''Mother 3'', it reflects electricity-based attacks back at the attacker; in ''Brawl'', it is worn by a character for a short while, making him or her immune to all projectile-based attacks which get reflected back in the direction whence it came.


====Assist Trophy====
====Assist Trophy====
*'''[[Jeff Andonuts]]''': Jeff uses his bottle rocket launcher and launches homing missiles at all opposing characters.  
*'''[[Jeff]]''': Jeff uses his bottle rocket launcher and launches homing missiles at all opposing characters.
 
===Music===
{{main|List of SSBB Music (EarthBound series)}}
====Original Tracks====
*'''{{SSBBMusicLink|EarthBound|Porky's Theme}}''': The theme of Porky, main villain of ''Mother 3'', and his Pig Mask Army. The main portion is a remix of ''His Highness's Theme'', taken directly from the Mother 3i soundtrack (with the Log-O-Type part of the song taken from another remix in the Mother 3i soundtrack). It is used on the ''New Pork City'' stage.
*'''{{SSBBMusicLink|EarthBound|Unfounded Revenge / Smashing Song of Praise}}''': A remix and combination of the two boss battle songs of the same name from ''Mother 3''. It is used on the ''New Pork City'' stage.
*'''{{SSBBMusicLink|EarthBound|Mother 3 Love Theme}}''': Taken from ''Mother 3'', this song is a remix of ''Mom's Hometown'' and the "Theme of Love" song from the ''Mother 3'' and is the main theme of the game. It is used on the ''New Pork City'' stage. This song also plays during Lucas's Classic Mode credits.
*'''{{SSBBMusicLink|EarthBound|You Call This a Utopia?!}}''': In ''Mother 3,'' it is the background music of New Pork City, which is another remix of Porky's Theme. It is the theme of the ''New Pork City'' stage.
*'''{{SSBBMusicLink|EarthBound|Humoresque of a Little Dog}}''': This theme is a remix of the song played in the Drugstores in the first two games, and in Porky's jukebox in ''Mother 3''. It is used on the ''New Pork City'' stage.
*'''{{SSBBMusicLink|EarthBound|Snowman}}''': A cover of a song that plays in every single ''EarthBound'' game. It is very similar to the Mother 3+ soundtrack's version, minus the chanting and added instrument after first loop. It is used on the ''New Pork City'' stage. This song also plays during Ness's Classic Mode credits.
 
====Returning Tracks====
*{{GameIcon|SSBM}}'''{{SSBBMusicLink|Super Smash Bros.|Mother (Melee)}}''': An arrangement of ''Bein' Friends'' from ''Mother'', it was slightly remixed in the transition from ''Melee'' to ''Brawl''. It is used on the ''Onett'' stage.
*{{GameIcon|SSBM}}'''{{SSBBMusicLink|Super Smash Bros.|Mother 2 (Melee)}}''': An arrangement of recurring series theme ''Pollyanna (I Believe In You)'', taken directly from ''Melee''. It is used on the ''Onett'' stage.
 
====Victory Theme====
*'''[[Victory theme#EarthBound (Mother) Victory Theme|Victory! EarthBound Series]]''': [[Ness]] and [[Lucas]]'s victory theme. Taken from the title song of ''Mother'', ''Mother Earth''.
 
===Trophies===
{{main|List of SSBB trophies (EarthBound series)}}
 
===Stickers===
{{main|List of stickers (EarthBound series)}}
 
===Masterpiece===
{{main|Masterpieces}}
*''[[Mother 2]]'' (Japan only)
 
==In ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''==
The ''EarthBound'' universe is once again represented in ''Super Smash Bros. 4''. Initially, Ness returned while Lucas was cut, but Lucas was later on released as a [[Downloadable content (SSB4)|DLC]] character.
 
===Fighters===
*[[File:NessIcon(SSB4-U).png|50px|right|link=Ness (SSB4)]]'''{{SSB4|Ness}}''' (3DS: [[Unlockable character|Unlockable]]; Wii U: [[Starter character|Starter]]): a small-town boy from ''{{s|wikibound|EarthBound}}'' who saves his world from an alien invasion. He returns as an unlockable character in the 3DS version, but is once again a starter in the Wii U version. His appearance and proportions are closer to his original game; he has a thinner body and his clothing has much brighter colors. Some of his new alternate costumes also hold references to key characters from ''EarthBound''. His extra 10 grab-release frames were removed, making him no longer subject to grab-release follow-ups. Overall, most of his moves are buffed, whether they are faster or stronger, making him more viable than in the past three games. Interestingly, some of his custom moves are taken from Lucas's special moveset. Ness is one of the few veterans to be given new voice clips.{{clr}}
*[[File:LucasIcon(SSB4-U).png|50px|right|link=Lucas (SSB4)]]'''{{SSB4|Lucas}}''' ([[DLC]]): the timid protagonist of ''{{s|wikibound|Mother 3}}'' who fends off [[Porky]]'s {{s|wikibound|Pigmask Army}}. He returns as a [[Downloadable content|downloadable character]] that was made available for purchase on June 14th, 2015, the same day ''{{s|wikibound|EarthBound Beginnings}}'' was released on the Wii U Virtual Console. Like Ness, he now has brighter-colored clothing,  body proportions that match his debut title, and a constant smile. Also like Ness, some of his new alternate costumes make references to other important characters from ''Mother 3''. Similar to Ness, his extra 10 grab-release frames were removed, and despite being slightly nerfed in the transition from ''Brawl'' to ''SSB4'', he has indirect buffs from the nerfs of other characters that countered him before, which makes him play relatively better against the rest of the cast than in ''Brawl''.{{clr}}


===Stages===
===Stages===
*[[Image:Icon-newporkcity.gif|right]]'''[[New Pork City]]''': An enormous stage akin to Melee's [[Temple]] stage. Based on the locale from the Japan-only ''MOTHER 3'', a beast known as the [[Ultimate Chimera]] makes an appearance here.{{clear}}
====''for Nintendo 3DS''====
*[[File:MagicantIconSSB4-3.png|75px|right|link=Magicant]]'''[[Magicant]]''' ([[Unlockable stage|Unlockable]]): staged in a [[wikibound:Magicant|dreamy realm]] from ''{{iw|wikibound|Mother|video game}}'' and ''{{s|wikibound|EarthBound}}''. Its appearance primarily derives from ''Mother'', though some elements are from ''EarthBound''. A [[Flying Man]] will sometimes appear on the right side of the stage as a hazard. If a player touches one, he will fight along side them like an Assist Trophy. The Flying Man can be launched and defeated by other players. Should one be defeated, another Flying Man will spawn on the same right-side platform. After five Flying Men have been defeated, they will no longer appear in the rest of the match. Characters from ''EarthBound'' - the {{s|wikibound|Mobile Sprout}}, {{s|wikibound|Dungeon Man}}, and {{s|wikibound|Sky Runner}} - cameo as platforms. Occasionally, a "rip" in sky will open in the background and shows moments from ''Mother'' and ''EarthBound''. Many characters make cameo in this rip, including {{s|wikibound|Ninten}}, the protagonist of ''Mother''. This is one of the possible stages to appear in Level 5 of [[All-Star Mode]] as a [[home stage]] for Ness, who is also [[unlock]]ed on this stage. Its [[Ω form]] is a floating platform like [[Final Destination]].{{clr}}


*[[Image:Icon-onettmelee.gif|right]]'''[[Past Stages and Melee Stages|Melee Stages]]: [[Eagleland: Onett|Onett]]''': One of the few stages known to return from the previous game, it has only some minor differences such as a few areas that differ and the addition of [[My Music]]. Otherwise, it's unaltered.{{clear}}
====''for Wii U''====
*[[File:OnettIconSSB4-U.png|75px|right|link=Onett]]{{gameIcon|SSBM}}'''[[Onett]]''' ([[Starter stage|Starter]]): staged in Ness's hometown from ''EarthBound''. Various vehicles drive on the road in the foreground and will hit grounded opponents. The colors of the stage are more pronounced than they were in ''Brawl'' and two mailboxes have been removed. It is one of the possible stages to appear in Level 3 of [[All-Star Mode]] as a [[home stage]] for Ness and it is large enough to accommodate [[8-Player Smash]]. Its [[Ω form]] is columnar and staged on top of the Drug Store.{{clr}}


===Items===
===Items===
Two items are in the game:
*'''[[Mr. Saturn]]''' (throwing): a bow-wearing being from ''{{s|wikibound|EarthBound}}''. It can be picked up and thrown as a bouncy projectile that does enough shield damage to cause an instant [[Shield#Shield_breaking|shield break]]. Otherwise, Mr. Saturn walks harmlessly around the stage.
*'''[[Mr. Saturn]]''': Confirmed in a screenshot shown at the 2007 Tokyo Game Show, Mr. Saturn appears to be unchanged from his Melee appearance: minimal damage when thrown, but breaks shields within an instant.
*'''[[Franklin Badge]]''' (status): a badge from the ''EarthBound'' series. It reflects projectile attacks when equipped.
*'''[[Franklin Badge]]''': This equip-able item from ''EarthBound'' is an item in ''Brawl''. In the original game it could reflect electricity-based attacks back at the attacker; in ''Brawl'', it is worn by a character for a short while, making him immune to all projectile-based attacks which get reflected back in the direction whence it came.
 
====Assist Trophies====
<small>'''''Bold italics''''' denote an Assist Trophy new to the ''Smash Bros.'' series.</small>
*'''[[Jeff]]''': a bespectacled friend and ally of Ness's from ''EarthBound''. He attacks opponents with a bottle rocket. He does not harm the summoner.
*'''''{{b|Starman|EarthBound}}''''': an extraterrestrial enemy from ''{{iw|wikibound|Mother|(video game)}}'' and ''EarthBound''. It teleports around the stage and attacks opponents with PK Beam. Opponents can attack and ultimately launch the Starman if it accumulates enough damage. It does not attack the summoner. It also appears as an enemy in Smash Run.
 
====[[Smash Tour]] items====
*'''[[Mr. Saturn]]''' ({{color|#F00|Red}}): a bow-wearing being from ''EarthBound''. The user can break an opponent's shield more easily.
*'''[[Franklin Badge]]''' ({{color|#F00|Red}}): a badge from the ''EarthBound'' series. The user starts battle with the badge equipped.
*'''[[Porky]]''' ({{color|#0F0|Green}}): Ness's neighbor and a major antagonist from ''EarthBound'' and ''Mother 3''. The user steals an opponent's Tour Items.
*'''[[Ultimate Chimera]]''' ({{color|#F00|Red}}): a toothy monster from ''Mother 3''. The user takes two fighters from the last opponent KO'd instead of just one. It will activate even if the user did not place first in the battle.
 
===Enemies===
====[[Smash Run]] enemies====
*'''{{b|Starman|EarthBound}}''': an extraterrestrial enemy from ''Mother'' and ''EarthBound''. It teleports around the stage and attacks opponents with PK Beam. It also appears as an Assist Trophy. Its PK Beam can be reflected and absorbed only in Smash Run.
*'''[[Devil Car]]''': Also known as the '''Psycho Car''' in ''EarthBound Beginnings'', the English release of ''Mother''. It attacks opponents by spinning {{iw|wikipedia|doughnut|driving}}s and running over them. It has a lot of [[HP]] and [[armor]], making it difficult to launch. It cannot be [[grab]]bed.
 
====[[Smash Tour]] enemy====
*'''[[Flying Man]]''': a yellow-and-red birdman from the first two ''EarthBound'' games. In Smash Tour, he aids the first player who bumps into him and travels along the board. He launches the next opponent he crosses paths with. He also appears in the 3DS version as a hazard on the Magicant stage.
 
===[[Mii Costume]]===
{{main|Alternate costume (SSB4)/Mii Fighter}}
 
====Outfit====
*{{Head|Mii Brawler|g=SSB4|s=24px}} '''[[Flying Man|Flying Man Outfit]]''' ([[DLC]]): this outfit is based on a [[Flying Man]], a yellow-and-red birdman from the first two ''EarthBound'' games who resides in Magicant. Pixelated, two-dimensional Flying Men appear on the Magicant stage in the 3DS version as hazards, but they were originally going to be three-dimensional models. This was ultimately scrapped, but the assets used to make the 3D Flying Man were repurposed for this outfit. The outfit was released with a corresponding hat in the Flying Man's likeness on July 31, 2015 as [[downloadable content]].
 
====Headgear====
*'''[[Flying Man|Flying Man Hat]]''' ([[DLC]])


===Music===
===Music===
*'''Porky's Theme''' - The theme of Porky, main villain of ''MOTHER 3'', and his Pig Mask Army. This remix is taken directly from the MOTHER 3i soundtrack. It is used on the ''New Pork City'' stage.
{{main|List of SSB4 Music (EarthBound series)}}
*'''Unfounded Revenge/Smashing Song of Praise''' - A remix and combination of the two boss-battle songs of the same name from ''MOTHER 3''. It is used on the ''New Pork City'' stage.
*'''MOTHER 3 Love Theme''' - Taken from ''MOTHER 3'', this song is a remix of the "Theme of Love" song from the ''MOTHER 3'' and is the main theme of the game. It is used on the ''New Pork City'' stage. This song also plays during Lucas's Classic Mode credits.
*'''You Call This a Utopia?!''' - The background music of New Pork City from ''MOTHER 3'', which is another remix of Porky's Theme. It is the theme of the ''New Pork City'' stage.
*'''Humoresque of a Little Dog''' - A whimsical song taken from the very first ''MOTHER'' game, the Drug Store theme from ''EarthBound'', and in Porky's jukebox in ''MOTHER 3''. It is used on the ''New Pork City'' stage.
*'''Snowman''' - A redone version of a song that is used in every single ''MOTHER'' game. It is taken directly from the MOTHER 3+ soundtrack. It is used on the ''New Pork City'' stage. This song also plays during Ness's Classic Mode credits.
*'''MOTHER (Melee)''' - Taken directly from ''Melee''. It is used on the ''Onett'' stage.
*'''MOTHER 2 (Melee)''' - Taken directly from ''Melee''. It is used on the ''Onett'' stage.
*'''MOTHER (EarthBound) Series Victory Theme''' - Lucas and Ness's victory theme. Taken from the title song of "MOTHER."


Hackers have found unused music in the game, however, Much more music from this series has been cut out than any other.
====Original Tracks====
Arrangements and remixes unique to ''SSB4''.
*'''{{SSB4MusicLink|EarthBound|Magicant / Eight Melodies (Mother)}}''': an arrangement of "Magicant" and "Eight Melodies" from ''Mother''. It plays on Magicant and Onett.
*'''{{SSB4MusicLink|EarthBound|Onett Theme / Winters Theme}}''': an arrangement of "Theme of Onett (from "Let the Adventure Begin")" from ''EarthBound'' and "Snowman" from ''Mother''. It plays on Onett.
*'''{{SSB4MusicLink|EarthBound|Smiles and Tears}}''': an arrangement of the ending theme "Smiles and Tears" from ''EarthBound''. It plays on Magicant and Onett.
 
====Returning Tracks====
Arrangements and remixes from previous ''Smash'' titles.
*{{GameIcon|SSBM}}'''{{SSB4MusicLink|EarthBound|Onett}}''': A medley of the tracks ''Bein' Friends'', ''Eight Melodies'', and ''MOTHER Earth'' from ''Mother''. It has been reverted back to its ''Melee'' version. It plays on Onett.
*{{GameIcon|SSBM}}'''{{SSB4MusicLink|EarthBound|Pollyanna (I Believe in You)}}''': an arrangement of "Pollyanna (I Believe in You)" from ''Mother'' similar to a vocalized arrangement of the same piece from the 1989 ''Mother'' album. This piece was abridged in ''Smash for Wii U''. It plays on Onett.
*{{GameIcon|SSBB}}'''{{SSB4MusicLink|EarthBound|Snowman}}''': an arrangement of "Snowman" from ''Mother'' similar to its arrangement from ''Mother 3''. It plays on Onett.
*{{GameIcon|SSBB}}'''{{SSB4MusicLink|EarthBound|Porky's Theme}}''': an arrangement of "His Highness' Theme" and "LOG-O-TYPE" from ''Mother 3''. It plays on Onett.
*{{GameIcon|SSBB}}'''{{SSB4MusicLink|EarthBound|Unfounded Revenge / Smashing Song of Praise}}''': an arrangement of the boss themes "Unfound Revenge" and "Smashing Song of Praise" from ''Mother 3''. It plays on Onett.
*{{GameIcon|SSBB}}'''{{SSB4MusicLink|EarthBound|Mother 3 Love Theme}}''': an arrangement of "Mother 3 Love Theme" and "Mom's Hometown" from ''Mother 3''. It plays on Onett.
 
====Victory Theme====
*'''[[Victory theme#EarthBound (Mother) Victory Theme|Victory! EarthBound Series]]''': a flourished arrangement of the first few bars of "MOTHER Earth" from ''Mother'' at a faster tempo. It is sourced from ''Brawl''.


===Trophies===
===Trophies===
*[[Lucas (SSBB)|Lucas]]
{{main|List of SSB4 trophies (EarthBound series)}}
*[[PK Starstorm |PK Starstorm (Lucas)]]
 
*[[Ness (SSBB)|Ness]]
===Masterpiece===
*[[PK Starstorm |PK Starstorm (Ness)]]
{{main|Masterpieces}}
*[[Mr. Saturn]]
*''{{b|EarthBound|game}}''
*[[Franklin Badge]]
 
*[[Jeff]]
==In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''==
*[[Porky]]
The ''EarthBound'' / ''MOTHER'' universe returns in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', with its content from across the ''Smash'' series being curated for this installment (barring the [[Porky]] boss and [[Porky Statue]] hazard). All past fighters, music tracks, stages, items, and Assist Trophies return, with new elements such as a new item and music remixes being added. In English, the original ''Mother'' is now consistently referred to as ''EarthBound Beginnings''. This is the first time since ''SSB'' where all of the ''EarthBound'' series fighters must be unlocked.
*[[Pig King Statue]] (Known as Porky Statue)
 
===Fighters===
*10. [[File:NessIcon(SSBU).png|50px|right|link=Ness (SSBU)]]'''{{SSBU|Ness}}''' ([[Unlockable character|Unlockable]]): The small town boy from Onett returns as an unlockable fighter after being a starter in ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U''. He is significantly more expressive than his past appearances, even having his pupils grow when he gets hit. Many of his attacks and animations, such as neutral air, up air, pummel, and PK Fire, have been reworked to distinguish himself further from Lucas and now even feature new PSI-inspired visual effects. For his Final Smash, {{s|wikibound|Paula}} and {{s|wikibound|Poo}} now join him to perform [[PK Starstorm]]. Although Ness was previously strongly buffed in his transition to ''Super Smash Bros. 4'', Ness once again received improvements between games, and additionally, the new gameplay mechanics of ''Ultimate'' have indirectly buffed him in other ways, such as the return of directional [[air dodging]] greatly improving his recovery. Overall, Ness has achieved great tournament results in ''Ultimate's'' early metagame.{{clr}}
*37. [[File:LucasIcon(SSBU).png|50px|right|link=Lucas (SSBU)]]'''{{SSBU|Lucas}}''' ([[Unlockable character|Unlockable]]): The timid boy from Tazmily Village returns as an unlockable fighter after being DLC in ''Smash 4''. Like Ness, he is significantly more expressive than his past appearances, even having his pupils enlarge when he gets hit. Several of his attacks and animations have been reworked, such as his pummel and throws, and some now feature PSI-inspired visuals. For his Final Smash, {{s|wikibound|Kumatora}} and {{s|wikibound|Boney}} now join him to perform PK Starstorm. Lucas has received a mix of nerfs and buffs in his transition to ''Ultimate''. While his combo game was toned down, his overall mobility has been increased, and his aerials and specials were improved. ''Ultimate's'' engine has also indirectly buffed him in similar ways to Ness, such as the aforementioned changes to air dodging. Lucas has since achieved favorable tournament results in the early metagame, though not to the same degree as Ness.{{clr}}
 
===Stages===
All ''EarthBound'' stages from previous titles return.
*{{gameIcon|SSBM}}[[File:OnettIconSSBU.png|75px|right|link=Onett]]'''[[Onett]]''' ([[Starter stage|Starter]]): Based on Ness's hometown in ''EarthBound''. The battleground is situated around a drug store and a couple of houses, with more buildings being visible in the background. Cars occasionally pass by and can damage fighters in their path, including a car based on the Runaway Five’s black bus. This stage is similar to its previous appearances, although the colors stand out more and some textures have been redone.{{clr}}
*{{gameIcon|SSBM}}[[File:FoursideIconSSBU.png|75px|right|link=Fourside]]'''[[Fourside]]''' ([[Starter stage|Starter]]): A metropolitan city that Ness and company visit in ''EarthBound'' makes its return after a 17-year absence. Its nightly appearance is based off of Moonside, an illusion created by the Mani Mani Statue. The Monotoli helicopter and the slippery-surfaced UFO make occasional appearances. The stage is darker than its ''Melee'' counterpart, and the colors stand out more; overall, the jump to HD required a graphical overhaul for the stage. {{clr}}
*{{gameIcon|SSBB}}[[File:NewPorkCityIconSSBU.png|75px|right|link=New Pork City]]'''[[New Pork City]]''' ([[Starter stage|Starter]]): The last city Lucas and company visit in ''Mother 3'', being the headquarters of Master Porky and the location of the final needle returns after an absence in ''Smash 4''. The flying limo makes occasional appearances and the Ultimate Chimera also roams around the city, and fighters who hit it get instantly KO'd, though no longer via the blast lines. The colors and streetlights now stand out more, and the city walls are now shaded purple. {{clr}}
*{{gameIcon|SSB4-3DS}}[[File:MagicantIconSSBU.png|75px|right|link=Magicant]]'''[[Magicant]]''' ([[Starter stage|Starter]]): Based on a mystical realm in both ''EarthBound Beginnings'' and ''EarthBound'' that Ninten and Ness travel to, respectively. A rip in the sky reveals key moments from both titles. Elements from ''EarthBound'' make cameo appearances such as the octopus statue, Dr. Andonut’s Skyrunner, and the Dungeon Man. The Flying Men makes frequent appearances and - once a character allies with one - attacks other nearby fighters. The colors and textures are much more vibrant and detailed than its 3DS counterpart, and the background has been significantly updated to closer match the layout of ''EarthBound Beginnings''{{'}}s Magicant.{{clr}}
 
===Items===
<small>'''''Bold italics''''' denote an item new to the ''Smash Bros.'' series.</small>
*'''[[Mr. Saturn]]''': A peculiar entity that first appeared in ''EarthBound''. They do minimal damage when thrown, but can instantly break a full shield on contact.
*'''[[Franklin Badge]]''': A badge of great importance that has appeared in all three ''Mother'' games. When equipped, it will instantly reflect projectiles.
*'''''[[Ramblin' Evil Mushroom]]''''': A minor enemy that first appeared in ''EarthBound''; it acts as a spraying weapon that reverses the opponent's left and right controls.
 
====Assist Trophies====
*'''[[Jeff]]''': One of Ness's party members in ''EarthBound'', he launches one round of bottle rockets at the opponents. Cannot be KO’d.
*'''{{b|Starman|EarthBound}}''': Extraterrestrial entities that first appeared in ''EarthBound Beginnings''. They teleport around the stage and shoot PK Beams at opponents. The Starman can be KO'd.
 
===Mii Costumes===
{{main|Alternate costume (SSBU)/Mii Fighter}}


===Stickers===
====Outfit====
*[[Ninten]] (''MOTHER'')
*{{Head|Mii Brawler|g=SSBU|s=24x24px}} '''[[Flying Man|Flying Man Outfit]]'''
*[[Ana (Mother)|Ana]] (''MOTHER'')
 
*[[Lloyd]] (''MOTHER'')
====Headgear====
*[[Teddy]] (''MOTHER'')
*'''[[Flying Man|Flying Man Hat]]'''
*[[Little Saucer]] (''MOTHER'')
*'''[[Mr. Saturn|Mr. Saturn Hat]]'''
*[[Mad Truck]] (''MOTHER'')
 
*[[Devil Car]] (''MOTHER'')
===Music===
*[[New Age Retro Hippie]] (''MOTHER'')
{{main|List of SSBU Music (EarthBound series)}}
*Ness (''EarthBound'')
All music tracks from the original ''Mother'' are now labeled under ''EarthBound Beginnings''.
*Paula (''EarthBound'')
====Original Tracks====
*Jeff (''EarthBound'')
Arrangements and remixes unique to ''Ultimate''.
*Poo (''EarthBound'')
*'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Magicant}}''': A synth-heavy rock remix of the [[Magicant]] theme, sampling some 8-bit sounds from the original game's version, from ''{{iw|wikibound|EarthBound Beginnings}}''.
*Porky (''EarthBound'')
*'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Fourside}}''': A fast-paced rock and trumpet-centric remix of [[Fourside]]'s theme, also known as "Because I Love You", that also incorporates the {{iw|wikibound|Eight Melodies}} from ''{{iw|wikibound|EarthBound}}''.
*Starman (''EarthBound'')
 
*[[Master Belch]] (''EarthBound'')
====Returning Tracks====
*Mr. Saturn (''EarthBound'')
Arrangements and remixes returning from previous ''Smash'' games.
*Lucas (''MOTHER 3'')
*{{gameIcon|SSBM}}'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Bein' Friends}}''': A medley of tracks from ''EarthBound Beginnings'', including "{{iw|wikibound|Bein' Friends}}", the {{iw|wikibound|Eight Melodies}}, the title theme, and the "Enemy Encounter Theme". Returns from ''Melee'', renamed from '''Mother''' in ''Melee'' and '''Onett''' in ''Smash 4''. This track played in Ness's character trailer.
*[[Claus]] (''MOTHER 3'')
*{{gameIcon|SSBM}}'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Pollyanna (I Believe In You)}}''': A soft rock remix of "[[wikibound:Pollyanna|Pollyanna (I Believe in You)]]" from ''EarthBound Beginnings''. Returns from ''Melee'', renamed from '''Mother 2'''.
*[[Kumatora]] (''MOTHER 3'')
*{{gameIcon|SSBM}}'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Fourside (Melee)}}''': A techno-based remix of "Because I Love You", the {{iw|wikibound|Fire Spring}} theme, and the Eight Melodies from ''EarthBound''. Returns from ''Melee'', renamed from '''EarthBound'''.
*[[Duster]] (''MOTHER 3'')
*{{gameIcon|SSBB}}'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Humoresque Of A Little Dog}}''': The theme that plays in {{iw|wikibound|Drugstore}}s and {{iw|wikibound|Department store}}s, from ''EarthBound Beginnings''. Returns from ''Brawl''.
*[[Boney]] (''MOTHER 3'')
*{{gameIcon|SSBB}}'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Snowman}}''': A remix of the theme of {{iw|wikibound|Snowman}} from ''EarthBound Beginnings''. Returns from ''Brawl''.
*[[Salsa]] (''MOTHER 3'')
*{{gameIcon|SSBB}}'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Mother 3 Love Theme}}''': A remix of "Mom's Hometown", the theme that plays during the prologue, in ''{{iw|wikibound|Mother 3}}''. Returns from ''Brawl''.
*[[Hinawa]] (''MOTHER 3'')
*{{gameIcon|SSBB}}'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Unfounded Revenge / Smashing Song of Praise}}''': A remix of "Unfounded Revenge" and "Smashing Song of Praise" from ''Mother 3''. Returns from ''Brawl''. This track played in Lucas's character trailer.
*[[Flint]] (''MOTHER 3'')
*{{gameIcon|SSBB}}'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|You Call This A Utopia?!}}''': A remix of the theme "Isn't This Place Such a Utopia?" played in [[New Pork City]], which itself is an arrangement of "His Highness's Theme", "The Pig King's Playroom", and "Theme of King P", from ''Mother 3''. Returns from ''Brawl''.
*[[Pig Mask]] (''MOTHER 3'')
*{{gameIcon|SSBB}}'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Porky's Theme}}''': An arrangement of "His Highness' Theme" and "LOG-O-TYPE" from ''Mother 3''. Returns from ''Brawl''.
*Mr. Saturn (''MOTHER 3'')
*{{gameIcon|SSB4}}'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Magicant (for 3DS / Wii U)}}''': An arrangement of the theme from Magicant and the Eight Melodies, from ''EarthBound Beginnings''. Returns from ''Smash 4''.
{{Universe}}{{EarthBound universe}}
*{{gameIcon|SSB4}}'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Smiles and Tears}}''': A remix of the staff credits theme, "{{iw|wikibound|Smiles and Tears}}", from ''EarthBound''. Returns from ''Smash 4''.
[[Category:Universes]]
*{{gameIcon|SSB4-WiiU}}'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Onett Theme / Winters Theme}}''': A remix of the theme of [[Onett]] from ''EarthBound,'' and the theme of {{iw|wikibound|Snowman}}, from ''EarthBound Beginnings''. Returns from ''Smash for Wii U''.
 
====Victory Theme====
*'''[[Victory theme#EarthBound (Mother) Victory Theme|Victory! EarthBound Series]]''': A new flourished, faster arrangement of the final two melodies of the "Eight Melodies" from ''EarthBound Beginnings''.
 
===Spirits===
{{main|List of spirits (EarthBound series)}}
 
==Media with elements appearing in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series==
The ''EarthBound'' universe has media represented throughout the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series with a total of 6 games and media. The latest media represented in this universe is ''{{s|wikibound|Mother 3i}}'', released on April 20, 2006.
 
===''{{s|wikibound|Mother}} / {{s|wikibound|EarthBound Beginnings}}''===
*Playable characters:
**{{gameIcon|SSB}} Ness uses {{s|wikibound|Teleport}} on his [[on-screen appearance]] in all ''Smash'' games except for ''Melee''.
**{{gameIcon|SSB}} The special moves [[PK Fire]], [[PK Thunder]], and [[PSI Magnet]], first appeared in this game. Neither Ness or Lucas were able to learn these moves in their respective games, however.
**{{gameIcon|SSB}} A {{s|wikibound|Baseball bat}}, a recurring weapon in this series, appears as Ness's forward smash, in one of his [[taunt]]s, and in one of his [[victory pose]]s.
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} The special move [[PK Freeze]] first appeared in this game. Neither Ness or Lucas were able to learn this move in their respective games, however.
**{{gameIcon|SSB4}} [[Flying Men]] serve as a Mii costume for the {{SSB4|Mii Brawler}}. It was available as a DLC in ''Smash 4'', and in the base game of ''Ultimate''.
*Stages:
**{{gameIcon|SSB4-3DS}} The overall aesthetics of [[Magicant]] primarily takes inspiration from the titular place in this game.
*Stage elements:
**{{gameIcon|SSB4-3DS}} Flying Men originate in this game, meant to represent the courage of the protagonist. They appear on Magicant as a stage hazard.
**{{gameIcon|SSB4-3DS}} {{s|wikibound|Ninten}}, {{s|wikibound|Mick}}, and {{s|wikibound|Lloyd}} make cameos in Magicant's background during the "rip" in the sky sequences. The {{s|wikibound|Twinkle Elementary School}} also appears during one of these sequences.
*Items:
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} The [[Franklin Badge]] originated from this game.
*Assist Trophies:
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} While [[Jeff]] did not make his debut in this game, his {{s|wikibound|Bottle Rockets}} did.
**{{gameIcon|SSB4}} The {{b|Starman|EarthBound}}, a recurring enemy in the series, appears as an Assist Trophy in ''Smash 4'' and ''Ultimate''.
**{{gameIcon|SSB4}} PK Beam, used by the Starmen Assist Trophies and [[Smash Run]] enemies, also appears in this game.
*Enemies:
**{{gameIcon|SSB4-3DS}} The [[Devil Car]] and the Starman appear in Smash Run.
**{{gameIcon|SSB4-WIIU}} Flying Man appears in [[Smash Tour]].
*Trophies:
**{{gameIcon|SSBM}} Starman appears as a trophy.
**{{gameIcon|SSB4}} Flying Man appears as a trophy.
**{{gameIcon|SSB4-3DS}} Magicant appears as a trophy.
*Stickers:
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} {{s|wikibound|Ana}}, Devil Car, {{s|wikibound|Little Saucer}}, Lloyd, {{s|wikibound|Mad Truck}}, {{s|wikibound|Hippie}} (mislabeled as the {{s|wikibound|New Age Retro Hippie}} enemy from ''EarthBound''), Ninten, {{s|wikibound|Teddy}}, and Starman appear as stickers.
*Spirits:
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} Ana, {{s|wikibound|EVE}}, Flying Man, Lloyd, Ninten, Starman, and Teddy appear as spirits.
*Music:
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} "'''[[Victory theme#EarthBound (Mother) Victory Theme|Victory! EarthBound Series]]'''": Ness and Lucas's victory theme in ''Brawl'' and ''Smash 4'', which is an arrangement of the track "Mother Earth", the game's introduction theme.
**{{gameIcon|SSBM}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Pollyanna (I Believe In You)}}'''": One of the overworld themes, sourced from this game.
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Humouresque of a Little Dog}}'''": The recurring shop theme in the series, originated form this game.
**{{gameIcon|SSBM}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Bein' Friends}}'''": One of the overworld themes, sourced from this game.
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Snowman}}'''": The theme that plays in the titular town, also originated from this game.
**{{gameIcon|SSB4-WIIU}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Onett Theme / Winters Theme}}'''": Incorporates the theme of the Snowman town from this game.
**{{gameIcon|SSB4}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Magicant (for 3DS / Wii U)}}'''" The ''Smash 4'' arrangement of the track originates from this game; both are themes that are played in the titular area.
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Magicant}}'''" The ''Ultimate'' arrangement of the track originates from this game; both are themes that are played in the titular area.
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} "'''[[Victory theme#EarthBound (Mother) Victory Theme|Victory! EarthBound Series]]'''": Ness and Lucas's victory theme in ''Ultimate'', which is a fast arrangement of the last two melodies of the "Eight Melodies" from this game.
 
===''{{s|wikibound|Mother 2}} / {{s|wikibound|EarthBound}}''===
{{Main|EarthBound (game)}}
*Playable characters:
**{{gameIcon|SSB}} [[Ness]], the main protagonist of the game, is a playable character in all of the ''Smash Bros'' games to date. Several of Ness's costumes also originate from this game.
**{{gameIcon|SSB}} Ness uses a {{s|wikibound|Yo-yo}} from this game in his up and down smash.
**{{gameIcon|SSBM}} [[PK Flash]] originates from this game. Ness can learn PK Flash.
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} [[PK Starstorm]] originates from this game. However, neither Ness nor Lucas can learn PK Starstorm.
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} The shirt of Ness's black costume features the sprite of a [[Mr. Saturn]].
**{{gameIcon|SSB4}} The shirt on Ness's purple costume features the tile patern of this game's file select and character naming screens.
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} [[Paula]] and [[Poo]], two of Ness's party members, appear alongside him during PK Starstorm in ''Ultimate''.
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} Ness's moveset features new visual effects sourced from this game.
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} A hat based on Mr. Saturn appears for every {{SSBU|Mii Fighter}} type.
*Stages:
**{{gameIcon|SSBM}} [[Onett]], Ness's hometown, has appeared in nearly every ''Smash'' game since ''Melee''.
**{{gameIcon|SSBM}} [[Fourside]], the largest city in Eagleland, appears in ''Melee'' and ''Ultimate''.
*Stage elements:
**{{gameIcon|SSBM}} The {{s|wikibound|Runaway Five}}'s tour bus appears on Onett as a stage hazard.
**{{gameIcon|SSBM}} A UFO appears on Fourside as a stage element.
**{{gameIcon|SSB4-3DS}} {{s|wikibound|Dungeon Man}}, {{s|wikibound|Sky Runner}}, and {{s|wikibound|Mobile Sprout}} appear on Magicant as stage elements.
**{{gameIcon|SSB4-3DS}} Paula, Jeff, and Poo make cameos in Magicant's background during the "rip" in the sky sequences. {{s|wikibound|Threed}}, {{s|wikibound|Lumine Hall}}, and {{s|wikibound|Saturn Valley}} also appear during these sequences.
**{{gameIcon|SSB4-3DS}} The design of the Flying Men is based of their design from this game.
*Items:
**{{gameIcon|SSBM}} Mr. Saturns, docile creatures who reside in their namesake valley, appear as items in every ''Smash'' game since ''Melee''.
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} [[Ramblin' Evil Mushroom]] is a common overworld enemy in this game, it appears as an item in ''Ultimate''.
*Bosses:
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} [[Porky Minch]], Ness's obnoxious neighbor and secondary antagonist in this game, appears as a boss in [[The Subspace Emissary]].
*Assist Trophies:
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} [[Jeff]], one of Ness's party members, is an Assist Trophy in ''Smash''.
*Trophies:
**{{gameIcon|SSBM}} UFO, Paula, Jeff, and Poo appear as trophies.
**{{gameIcon|SSB4-3DS}} The Sky Runner and Dungeon Man appear as trophies.
**{{gameIcon|SSB4-WIIU}} Porky appears as a trophy.
*Stickers:
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} Jeff, {{s|wikibound|Master Belch}}, Mr. Saturn, Ness, Paula, Poo, and Porky appear as stickers.
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} Starman appears as a sticker using its paper clay model from this game.
*Spirits:
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} {{s|wikibound|Buzz Buzz}}, {{s|wikibound|Dungeon Man}}, Jeff, Master Belch, Mr. Saturn, {{s|wikibound|Ness's Father}}, Paula, Poo, and Ramblin' Evil Mushroom appear as spirits.
*Music:
**{{gameIcon|SSB4-WIIU}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Onett Theme / Winters Theme}}'''": Has themes from both Onett and Winters (which is based off of the Snowman theme from ''EarthBound Beginnings'').
**{{gameIcon|SSBM}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Fourside (Melee)}}'''": The ''Melee'' arrangement of the track originates from the titular city in this game.
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Fourside}}'''": The ''Ultimate'' arrangement of the track originates from the titular city in this game.
**{{gameIcon|SSB4}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Smiles and Tears}}'''": Is the theme that plays during the end credits of this game.
**{{gameIcon|SSB}} "'''[[Victory theme#EarthBound (Mother) Victory Theme|Victory! Ness]]'''": Ness's victory theme in ''64'' and ''Melee'', which is an orchestrated version of the last four melodies of the "Eight Melodies" from this game.
*Misc:
**{{gameIcon|SSB}} Ness himself, his party members, two of the Runaway Five members, {{s|wikibound|Frankystein Mark II}} (who is a mini-boss in the game), a Mr. Saturn, and three UFOs can be seen in Ness's congratulations screen from ''Super Smash Bros.''
**{{gameIcon|SSBM}} Two Runaway Five members and a Mr. Saturn appear on ''Melee''{{'}}s opening.
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} ''EarthBound'' itself is one of the playable [[masterpieces]] in ''Brawl'' (only in the Japanese version) and ''Smash 4''.
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} A Mr. Saturn appears on ''Ultimate''{{'}}s panoramic character artwork.
 
===''{{iw|wikibound|Mother 1+2|soundtrack}}'' (soundtrack)===
*Music:
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Humouresque of a Little Dog}}'''": The arrangement includes an extra line that comes from this version.
 
===''{{s|wikibound|Mother 3}}''===
*Playable characters:
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} [[Lucas]], the main protagonist of the game, has been a playable character since ''Brawl'', but was also originally planned to replace Ness back in ''Melee''.
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} The [[Rope Snake]] appears as Lucas's [[grab]] and in one of his taunts.
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} A {{s|wikibound|Stick}}, Lucas and {{s|wikibound|Flint}}'s primary weapon, appears as Lucas's forward smash and in one of his victory poses.
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} Lucas pulls one of the {{s|wikibound|Seven Needles}} in one of his victory poses. His up smash also closely resembles this animation.
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} [[Ness]]'s white costume is based off of {{s|wikibound|Fuel}}, a character from this game.
**{{gameIcon|SSB4}} The shirt on Lucas's grey, green, and purple costumes each contain the sprites of the {{s|wikibound|Masked Man}}, [[Boney]], and of a baby {{s|wikibound|Drago}}, respectively.
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} When Lucas uses PK Starstorm in ''Ultimate'', [[Kumatora]] and Boney, two of his party members, appear alongside him.
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} Lucas's moveset features new visual effects sourced from this game.
*Stages:
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} [[New Pork City]], the final area of the game and the biggest city on the Nowhere Islands, appears in ''Brawl'' and ''Ultimate''.
*Stage elements:
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} The [[Ultimate Chimera]], a hazard on New Pork City, is an invincible enemy that originates from this game.
*Bosses:
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} While Porky first appeared in ''EarthBound'', his design, mech, and certain attacks originate from this game.
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} The [[Porky Statue]] is a statue that can only be destroyed by either the {{s|wikibound|New Year Eve's Bomb}} or, in rare cases, PK Flash. It appears as a hazard on [[The Ruined Zoo]] stage of The Subspace Emissary.
*Trophies:
**{{gameIcon|SSB4}} Lucas appears as a trophy.
**{{gameIcon|SSB4-3DS}} The Porky Statue appears as a trophy.
**{{gameIcon|SSB4-WiiU}} The Ultimate Chimera appears as a trophy.
*Stickers:
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} Boney, {{s|wikibound|Claus}}, {{s|wikibound|Duster}}, Flint, {{s|wikibound|Hinawa}}, Kumatora, Lucas, {{s|wikibound|Pigmask}}, and {{s|wikibound|Salsa}} appear as stickers.
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} A sprite of a Mr. Saturn from this game appears as a sticker.
*Spirits:
**{{gameIcon|SSBU}} {{s|wikibound|Absolutely Safe Capsule}}, Boney, Claus, Duster, Flint, Hinawa, Kumatora, Masked Man, Salsa, and {{s|wikibound|Ultimate Chimera}} appear as spirits.
*Music:
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Mother 3 Love Theme}}'''": The main theme of this game and is played during many cutscenes. This rendition also includes the theme of pre-modernized Tazmily Village (Mom's Hometown).
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Porky's Theme}}'''": Incorporates many themes from this game that relate to the Pig Mask Army and Porky Minch.
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Unfounded Revenge / Smashing Song of Praise}}'''": Takes two themes from this game; the former plays during the fight with the Fierce Pork Trooper, and the latter plays during the fight with the Steel Mechorilla.
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|You Call This A Utopia?!}}'''": The theme that plays in New Pork City.
 
===''{{s|wikibound|Mother 3+}}''===
*Music:
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Snowman}}'''": The arrangement uses its version in this album as a basis.
 
===''{{s|wikibound|Mother 3i}}''===
*Music:
**{{gameIcon|SSBB}} "'''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Porky's Theme}}'''": The "LOG-O-TYPE" portion of "Tazmily in the Stage" from this album is used in this arrangement.
 
==Trivia==
*The copyright for Shigesato Itoi / Ape Inc. is not listed in the title screen of ''Super Smash Bros.'' and the back boxart for ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS'', possibly due to Ness being an unlockable fighter in both games. Additionally, the copyright is not listed in the ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'' eShop copyright listings without including the DLC page.
*''EarthBound'', {{uv|Final Fantasy}}, {{uv|Persona}}, and {{uv|Dragon Quest}} are the only universes that do not have a character from their original installment playable in ''Super Smash Bros.''
**Subsequently, ''EarthBound'' is the only Nintendo series with this distinction, as well as the only series not introduced as DLC.
*''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'' marks the first and only time both ''EarthBound'' characters share the same availability, being unlockables.
*''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' marks the first time where ''Mother'' is retitled ''EarthBound Beginnings'' via music source. This is due to ''Mother'' making its international debut on Wii U Virtual Console in 2015 as ''EarthBound Beginnings''. The stage prefix for Magicant, however, is simply listed as ''EarthBound'' rather than ''EarthBound Beginnings'', despite the stage being heavily based on its appearance in the latter game.
*In the Famicom version of ''Mother'', a kid asks Ninten "Have you played ''Dragon Quest IV''? I'm still having trouble with ''Dragon Quest III''." The [[Hero]] protagonists from ''Dragon Quest III'' and the then-upcoming ''Dragon Quest IV'' would become playable alongside ''EarthBound'' and ''Mother 3'' protagonists Ness and Lucas in ''Ultimate'' almost exactly 30 years later.
 
==External links==
*{{iw|wikibound|WikiBound}}
 
{{Universe}}
{{EarthBound universe}}
[[Category:EarthBound universe|*]]
[[Category:EarthBound universe|*]]
[[es:EarthBound (universo)]]

Latest revision as of 20:50, October 26, 2024

EarthBound (universe)
EarthboundTitle.svg
MotherTitle.png

EarthboundSymbol.svg
Developer(s) Ape Inc.
HAL Laboratory
Brownie Brown
Publisher(s) Nintendo
Designer(s) Shigesato Itoi
Genre(s) Role-playing
Console/platform of origin Famicom
First installment EarthBound Beginnings/Mother (1989)
Latest installment Mother 3 (2006) Japan
Article on WikiBound EarthBound (universe)

The EarthBound universe, also known by its Japanese name the Mother universe (マザー, MOTHER) refers to the Super Smash Bros. series' collection of characters, stages, and properties that hail from Nintendo's cult-classic trilogy of Japanese role-playing games. The series was created by Shigesato Itoi, and the franchise's symbol is the Earth, which itself is a recurring motif in the EarthBound series (being represented in both EarthBound and Super Smash Bros. by the Blue Marble). Despite receiving poor sales in its initial release, the EarthBound series has received strong acclaim retrospectively due to its dedicated fanbase and representation in the Smash Bros. series. The games' re-releases have been constantly topping the charts as best sellers on the Nintendo eShop, most notably EarthBound is currently the fourth best selling Virtual Console game on the Wii U's eShop (surpassed only by Super Mario World, Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Bros. 3) and the sixth best selling eShop game of all time. The Smash Bros. games represent the franchise with Ness and Lucas as playable characters, along with various other characters appearing as items and enemies.

Franchise description[edit]

The four main party members from EarthBound appear in Ness's congratulations screen in Super Smash Bros. 64. From right to left they are: Ness, Paula, Jeff, and Poo.

An influential Japanese copywriter, actor, and television personality named Shigesato Itoi took a foray into the Nintendo-dominated video game market of the late 1980s despite some initial skepticism from Nintendo's higher-ups about working with celebrities. He and then-Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi formed a new subsidiary called Ape Inc. and Itoi pitched to Shigeru Miyamoto an RPG game set in modern day. this pitch was approved, and the game would release in July of 1989 for Famicom as Mother. Itoi wanted to make an unconventional take on the primarily sword-and-sorcery themed RPG genre. The game was set in a humorous rendition of contemporary America realized in the town of Podunk and had the player assuming the role of Ninten, a neighborhood boy with psychic powers who would go on an adventure that would eventually lead to him confronting Giygas, a villain that would become a series regular and one the few connecting elements of the series. It featured conventional objects such as baseball bats and yo-yos as stand-ins for weapons that could be equipped and a variety of bizarre and comical enemies such as possessed automobiles, crazed animals, and hippies and gang members. It also featured a very odd blend of simplistic character designs and dark themes and undertones. The game sold very well in Japan, and an English localization immediately began, with a planned fall 1991 release date with Earth Bound as the intended Western title. However, marketing executives anticipating the mid-1991 release of the Super NES decided that the prototype NES game would be too costly to produce and market, and the localized product was shelved with no foreseeable plans for a future release. This was the case until 2015, when the translation was finished and released for the Wii U Virtual Console as EarthBound Beginnings.

The four main party members reappear in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate with updated designs.

Itoi returned to design a sequel for the Super Famicom, Mother 2, though the title's development was troubled by a new inexperienced development staff and was stretched across five years, nearly facing cancellation. The project was only saved when late veteran programmer Satoru Iwata joined the development team, now making the Mother 2 project a joint effort by Ape and HAL Laboratory (HALKEN at the time), separate studios based at separate locations (employees would regularly have to travel between studios to work). It was released in August 1994 in Japan and, unlike its predecessor, actually saw a Western localization the following June, under the first public occurrence of the name EarthBound. This game saw new protagonist Ness and his friends and their adventures across time and space to save the world from Gyigas. However, while the game's Japanese sales figures were relatively close to the original's, it sold poorly in the West because of an unusual and ineffective marketing campaign and the fact that American audiences were largely indifferent to JRPGs at the time (this would only end with the 1997 release of Final Fantasy VII, which brought the genre to the mainstream). These poor sales even prevented the game from being released in the PAL regions. Critical retrospectives, however, portray it as not only one of the best RPGs in the 1990s, but also one of the most original, both in its approach to established JRPG mechanics and in its uniquely quirky humor, storyline (which is comparatively more light-hearted than its forerunner), character, and bizarre psychedelic aesthetic, as well as its many parodies of American culture and JRPG - and science fiction - storytelling conventions. Some publications have named it the defining example of a cult classic, with substantial fanbases in both Japan and North America.

More development and release date woes awaited the Mother franchise following EarthBound. Ape Inc. would immediately disband after completion, though most would come back to form the modern day Creatures to assist Game Freak to develop Pokémon Red & Green, which why they share ownership between Game Freak and Nintendo. Itoi immediately began development of the series' second sequel for the Super Famicom in 1994, which was then moved to the Nintendo 64DD add-on for the Nintendo 64, popularized by the media as the then-upcoming EarthBound 64. When the ill-fated disk drive peripheral was met with commercial failure, the game was cancelled and restarted its development cycle on the Nintendo 64 itself, where it was initially expected to be a launch title for the console's Western release. But Itoi's development team was inexperienced with developing three-dimensional titles and the Nintendo 64 hardware itself, and the project remained unreleased even as EarthBound was included by Masahiro Sakurai as an unlockable franchise in the original Super Smash Bros. in 1998. Itoi eventually announced the official cancellation of EarthBound 64 in August 2000, citing that he did not want to make anything other than "something truly special" in addition to the project becoming too complex with its interest in three-dimensional graphics. Shigeru Miyamoto subsequently became interested in finding ways to salvage some of the work, though this had to be put on hold because the Mother 3 development team was put on Nintendo GameCube projects. Meanwhile, the translated prototype of the Western version of the NES game was discovered and purchased by a fan translation group, which was modified, retitled "EarthBound Zero", and distributed through the Internet as a ROM image.

Itoi and Nintendo eventually decided to rerelease both Mother titles in Japan as ports compiled on one Game Boy Advance cartridge, Mother 1 + 2, which was released in June 2003 in Japan and included all of the enhancements the English prototype had made to the original Mother; to the dismay of fans, this was never released in the West either. However, Itoi realized he would once again be pressured into reviving his shelved project, an idea he was initially opposed to, but encouragement from fans led to his decision to restart development for the game for Game Boy Advance, which he approached as though he were developing his magnum opus. After three years of development, Mother 3 (essentially now a Game Boy Advance recreation of EarthBound 64) was finally released in Japan in April 2006, twelve years after development began and over a year after the launch of the handheld's successor, the Nintendo DS. This Game Boy Advance title returned the series to a two-dimensional aesthetic but placed more emphasis on a serious plot and character interaction and tweaked gameplay elements of its predecessors. The game saw new protagonist Lucas and his adventures with his family and later his newfound friends as they try to save the world from being destroyed entirely. It was released to critical acclaim that praised its new rhythm-based but otherwise simple approach to turn-based combat and, most significantly, tragic storytelling and characterization that achieved a rarely seen degree of depth in titles in the genre.

Unfortunately, Nintendo of America would once more decline to localize the game for Western audiences, once again apparently because of fears that its inconvenient timing at the end of the commercial lifespan of the platform it was based on would negatively affect its sales. The fansite Starmen.net made headlines in October 2008 when it released its own English translation patch that could be applied to a copy of the ROM image of Mother 3. This monumental translation effort was spearheaded by professional translator Clyde "Tomato" Mandelin and the patch received over 100,000 downloads from the website in the first week of its release. Despite the project not being completely legal, it became one of a handful of unofficial video game localization projects that officials in the video game industry did not formally object to, but instead expressed admiration for. In the meantime, the Mother series has regularly appeared in every subsequent Super Smash Bros. game to date, including Mother 3 being focused on in 2008's Super Smash Bros. Brawl, though Itoi has announced that he has no plans to direct a fourth Mother game and reaffirmed this statement several times. In the years to come, developers large and small would create role-playing games that would draw heavy inspiration from the world, humor, and battle system of the Mother series, including the critically-acclaimed Undertale in 2015 by Toby Fox, and more recently Omori in 2020 by omocat. Although the series is seldom referenced directly by Nintendo, the rights held to it by Itoi have enabled the continued development of merchandise and other projects honoring its legacy, such as a collaborative tribute book and a rearranged version of the first game's studio album.

While never achieving the same mainstream success as Mario or even other RPG franchises, the Mother franchise has received a cult following that has only grown in the wake of the internet and continued representation in the form of cameos and the Super Smash Bros. series. Merchandise being made about the franchise to this day and fan projects that would go on to be successful game releases in their own right is a sign of this fan devotion, as arguably more popular franchises do not share this privilege, such as Oddity, formely Mother 4, left in development since 2010. Official merchandise featured, produced, or published by Hobonichi titled "Hobonichi Mother Project" also takes part of it, ranging from cosmetics to plushies and even a live concert titled The Music of MOTHER.

In Super Smash Bros.[edit]

EarthBound is one of the "bonus franchises" in the original Super Smash Bros. - contributing one unlockable character and a song (his victory theme). There are no stages based on EarthBound in the game, so Ness instead has to be fought on Kirby's stage in order to be unlocked.

Fighter[edit]

  • Ness (SSB)
    Ness (Unlockable): A boy living in the town of Onett, Ness is gifted with psychic powers. He is chosen by a little alien named Buzz Buzz to save the world from Giygas, a malevolent entity which is causing the citizens and animals of his town and others to become hostile. To do this, he must first travel to eight sanctuaries and record the Eight Melodies in his Sound Stone, given to him by Buzz Buzz. Ness then must combine those melodies and make the "Sound Stone Melody", which will give him the power of the Earth necessary to defeat Giygas at the end of the game. (The second half of the melody comprises Ness' victory theme in the first two games of the Smash series.) All of Ness's special moves (PSI Magnet, PK Fire, and PK Thunder) were incidentally used by Paula, not Ness, in EarthBound. Ness is currently in low tier, sitting at 10th out of 12 on the tier list, mainly due to his easily exploitable recovery.

Music[edit]

  • 24: Ness Wins: The victory theme of Ness is an orchestrated version of the last several notes of the Eight Melodies (not to be confused with the separate Eight Melodies from its predecessor, Mother) that Ness collects throughout his journey at the eight "Your Sanctuary" spots in EarthBound. This incarnation of the Eight Melodies also appears in EarthBound as part of "Smiles and Tears", which also appears in remixed form in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U.

In Super Smash Bros. Melee[edit]

EarthBound's representation in the Smash series was expanded significantly upon in Super Smash Bros. Melee, with a returning character, two new stages, a new item, and many new trophies.

Fighter[edit]

Lucas was supposed to replace Ness in Melee but, due to constant delays and then cancellation of EarthBound 64, Ness was kept in at the last minute.

  • Ness (SSBM)
    Ness (Starter): Ness is still the only playable EarthBound character in the game, but he now has PK Flash for his neutral special. As a result, his previous neutral special, PK Fire, has been moved to his side special. Despite his flaws in Super Smash Bros. like his recovery, Ness has suffered an overall nerf, countering most of his buffs. As a result, Ness is currently ranked 23rd out of 26 in the tier list, similar to his Smash 64 tier placement.

Stages[edit]

Melee is the first game to introduce stages for the EarthBound series.

  • Onett
    Eagleland: Onett (Starter): The quaint suburban hometown of Ness, whose citizens and animals become hostile under Giygas' otherwise invisible influence. The red spherical meteor on the hilltop in the background is the alien Buzz Buzz's spacecraft and, when Ness investigates it, he is instructed by Buzz Buzz to go on a quest to save Onett and the world from Giygas' influence. This stage takes place on and around houses and a drug store whose balconies serve as battling platforms. The road in front of the characters on the ground has speeding cars on it, and cars zooming past characters on the ground will almost certainly KO them.
  • Fourside
    Eagleland: Fourside (Unlockable): The New York City-inspired urban metropolis in EarthBound manifests as a battle-on-skyscrapers-in-the-nighttime stage for Melee, and in essence, it is the spiritual successor to the Saffron City Pokémon stage from the first Super Smash Bros. The layout of the stage consists of three main platforms with bottomless pits in between buildings, so this is the most conceivable stage where the Wall jump technique can be used to save oneself from a fall. The Monotoli helicopter occasionally appears in the background, landing on the Monotoli building before flying off after a short time. In addition, from time to time a UFO will materialize above the city and serve as an extremely slippery semi-soft platform.

Item[edit]

Melee introduced an item for the EarthBound series as well:

  • Mr. Saturn: A race of odd little creatures with big noses, whiskers, and the ability to talk, Mr. Saturns are encountered as friendly NPCs by Ness in EarthBound. They make their home in an area of Eagleland called Saturn Valley, and when they speak the text in the game is presented as hard-to-read kindergarten scrawl, and they often mix the words "boing", "ding", and "zoom" into their speech for unknown reasons. As a Melee item, a Mr. Saturn is an intentional "dud" item. It walks around on its own, and it can be picked up and hurled at opponents for minor damage, but it can be reused this way because it does not disappear after one use. In addition, a thrown Mr. Saturn does 21 shield damage in this game, and several bonuses are available based on the usage of these creatures.

Music[edit]

  • Mother: Despite being known as "Onett" in Smash 4, it is not actually heard in the town of Onett or in EarthBound for SNES overall, and is instead a combination of two tracks first heard in Mother. The first is Bein' Friends, which is the overworld theme whenever Ninten has more than one character in his party, and the second is the Eight Melodies that Ninten collects throughout the game. Finally a small portion of title theme is played before the song finishes its loop. The music also ends with an enemy encounter tune, which appears in both EarthBound Beginnings and EarthBound - albeit only for bosses in the latter. It is heard on Onett. It is Song 19 in the Sound Test.
  • EarthBound: Synthesized music heard prominently in EarthBound, this is the official theme for the city of Fourside in both the game and in Melee's Fourside stage, with the first half of EarthBound's Eight Melodies inserted at a point (the last half of the original version, incidentally, are used as Ness's victory theme). It is Song 20 in the Sound Test.
  • Mother 2: The song's real title is Pollyanna. This is a quaint soft rock remix of the overworld theme in Mother whenever Ninten is the only character in his party. A slightly abridged remix also appeared in EarthBound whenever Ness returns to his house during his quest, with the intro to the original version also being used in that game in Onett when the sun rises. It also appeared in Mother 3. It is used as a secondary track on Onett. It is Song 35 in the Sound Test.
  • Ness's Victory: The victory theme of Ness is an orchestrated version of the last four notes of the Eight Melodies that Ness collects throughout his journey. It is Song 47 in the Sound Test.

Trophies[edit]

Movies[edit]

Lucky and Nice of the Runaway Five appear in the introduction movie in Onett. There is also a sign showing a picture of both members that is absent in the Onett stage. The equivalent sign in the stage is moved further to the right and has a different design, with only Lucky being present in the picture.

Sound effects from EarthBound can be heard in the beginning of the Special Movie.

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]

The content from the EarthBound franchise have been given a boost in representation since Melee with two total playable characters and another item in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Fighters[edit]

  • Ness (SSBB)
    Ness (Unlockable): The protagonist of EarthBound was confirmed to be returning in Super Smash Bros. Brawl by the opening sequence of the game and by the official Dojo on February 1st, 2008. He has been slightly buffed from Melee while still retaining his old moveset and voice clips. He gained an additional 10 frames of lag when grab released, making him extremely vulnerable to infinite grab-release follow-ups. Thus, he is ranked 26th on the tier list, being a mid tier character rather than a low tier character in Melee.
  • Lucas (SSBB)
    Lucas (Starter): The protagonist of Mother 3 and the most recent hero in the series is a newcomer in Brawl. Although his special moves are similar to Ness's, Lucas's standard moveset is largely different. Some similar moves between the characters differ in function, i.e. whereas Ness would have an attack that deals one solid hit, Lucas has one that deals multiple small ones and vice-versa. One of Lucas's alternate costumes makes him look like his twin brother from Mother 3, Claus. He is ranked 30th on the tier list, being lower than Ness, the lowest of the newcomers in Brawl, and at the very bottom of the lower-mid-tier. He shares the same problem with Ness, having an additional 10 frames of his grab-release animation that leaves him prone to grab-release follow-ups.

On the final character select screen (after all characters are unlocked), the EarthBound characters occupy the eighth column alongside the Fire Emblem characters. Both of these series were originally Japan-only RPG series that later saw at least one entry released in the West.

Boss[edit]

  • Porky Minch
    Porky: Porky Minch appears as a boss in Brawl's Subspace Emissary mode. Porky's supposedly robotic statue form chases Lucas around The Ruined Zoo. Ness retaliates against the giant statue and uses a PK Flash to destroy it. When the statue crumbles, a mechanized spider-looking machine appears with Porky in the center.

Stages[edit]

  • Onett
    Super Smash Bros. MeleeMelee Stages: Onett (Starter): One of the stages that returns from the previous game, it only has a few minor changes such as the addition of My Music and the knockback from the cars having been significantly lowered.
  • New Pork City
    New Pork City (Starter): An enormous stage akin to Melee’s Temple stage. Based on the locale from the Japan-only Mother 3, a beast known as the Ultimate Chimera makes an appearance here and can one-hit KO players with its bite.

Items[edit]

Bold italics denote an item new to the Smash Bros. series.

  • Mr. Saturn: Mr. Saturn is mostly unchanged from his Melee appearance: he inflicts minimal damage when thrown, but now deals 43 units of shield damage, one more than twice as much as its Melee shield damage of 21.
  • Franklin Badge: This equippable item from all three EarthBound games is an item in Brawl. In Mother, it reflects the normally one-hit KO Gamma-level PK Beam attack, while in EarthBound and Mother 3, it reflects electricity-based attacks back at the attacker; in Brawl, it is worn by a character for a short while, making him or her immune to all projectile-based attacks which get reflected back in the direction whence it came.

Assist Trophy[edit]

  • Jeff: Jeff uses his bottle rocket launcher and launches homing missiles at all opposing characters.

Music[edit]

Original Tracks[edit]

  • Porky's Theme: The theme of Porky, main villain of Mother 3, and his Pig Mask Army. The main portion is a remix of His Highness's Theme, taken directly from the Mother 3i soundtrack (with the Log-O-Type part of the song taken from another remix in the Mother 3i soundtrack). It is used on the New Pork City stage.
  • Unfounded Revenge / Smashing Song of Praise: A remix and combination of the two boss battle songs of the same name from Mother 3. It is used on the New Pork City stage.
  • Mother 3 Love Theme: Taken from Mother 3, this song is a remix of Mom's Hometown and the "Theme of Love" song from the Mother 3 and is the main theme of the game. It is used on the New Pork City stage. This song also plays during Lucas's Classic Mode credits.
  • You Call This a Utopia?!: In Mother 3, it is the background music of New Pork City, which is another remix of Porky's Theme. It is the theme of the New Pork City stage.
  • Humoresque of a Little Dog: This theme is a remix of the song played in the Drugstores in the first two games, and in Porky's jukebox in Mother 3. It is used on the New Pork City stage.
  • Snowman: A cover of a song that plays in every single EarthBound game. It is very similar to the Mother 3+ soundtrack's version, minus the chanting and added instrument after first loop. It is used on the New Pork City stage. This song also plays during Ness's Classic Mode credits.

Returning Tracks[edit]

  • Super Smash Bros. MeleeMother (Melee): An arrangement of Bein' Friends from Mother, it was slightly remixed in the transition from Melee to Brawl. It is used on the Onett stage.
  • Super Smash Bros. MeleeMother 2 (Melee): An arrangement of recurring series theme Pollyanna (I Believe In You), taken directly from Melee. It is used on the Onett stage.

Victory Theme[edit]

Trophies[edit]

Stickers[edit]

Masterpiece[edit]

Main article: Masterpieces

In Super Smash Bros. 4[edit]

The EarthBound universe is once again represented in Super Smash Bros. 4. Initially, Ness returned while Lucas was cut, but Lucas was later on released as a DLC character.

Fighters[edit]

  • Ness (SSB4)
    Ness (3DS: Unlockable; Wii U: Starter): a small-town boy from EarthBound who saves his world from an alien invasion. He returns as an unlockable character in the 3DS version, but is once again a starter in the Wii U version. His appearance and proportions are closer to his original game; he has a thinner body and his clothing has much brighter colors. Some of his new alternate costumes also hold references to key characters from EarthBound. His extra 10 grab-release frames were removed, making him no longer subject to grab-release follow-ups. Overall, most of his moves are buffed, whether they are faster or stronger, making him more viable than in the past three games. Interestingly, some of his custom moves are taken from Lucas's special moveset. Ness is one of the few veterans to be given new voice clips.
  • Lucas (SSB4)
    Lucas (DLC): the timid protagonist of Mother 3 who fends off Porky's Pigmask Army. He returns as a downloadable character that was made available for purchase on June 14th, 2015, the same day EarthBound Beginnings was released on the Wii U Virtual Console. Like Ness, he now has brighter-colored clothing, body proportions that match his debut title, and a constant smile. Also like Ness, some of his new alternate costumes make references to other important characters from Mother 3. Similar to Ness, his extra 10 grab-release frames were removed, and despite being slightly nerfed in the transition from Brawl to SSB4, he has indirect buffs from the nerfs of other characters that countered him before, which makes him play relatively better against the rest of the cast than in Brawl.

Stages[edit]

for Nintendo 3DS[edit]

  • Magicant
    Magicant (Unlockable): staged in a dreamy realm from Mother and EarthBound. Its appearance primarily derives from Mother, though some elements are from EarthBound. A Flying Man will sometimes appear on the right side of the stage as a hazard. If a player touches one, he will fight along side them like an Assist Trophy. The Flying Man can be launched and defeated by other players. Should one be defeated, another Flying Man will spawn on the same right-side platform. After five Flying Men have been defeated, they will no longer appear in the rest of the match. Characters from EarthBound - the Mobile Sprout, Dungeon Man, and Sky Runner - cameo as platforms. Occasionally, a "rip" in sky will open in the background and shows moments from Mother and EarthBound. Many characters make cameo in this rip, including Ninten, the protagonist of Mother. This is one of the possible stages to appear in Level 5 of All-Star Mode as a home stage for Ness, who is also unlocked on this stage. Its Ω form is a floating platform like Final Destination.

for Wii U[edit]

  • Onett
    Super Smash Bros. MeleeOnett (Starter): staged in Ness's hometown from EarthBound. Various vehicles drive on the road in the foreground and will hit grounded opponents. The colors of the stage are more pronounced than they were in Brawl and two mailboxes have been removed. It is one of the possible stages to appear in Level 3 of All-Star Mode as a home stage for Ness and it is large enough to accommodate 8-Player Smash. Its Ω form is columnar and staged on top of the Drug Store.

Items[edit]

  • Mr. Saturn (throwing): a bow-wearing being from EarthBound. It can be picked up and thrown as a bouncy projectile that does enough shield damage to cause an instant shield break. Otherwise, Mr. Saturn walks harmlessly around the stage.
  • Franklin Badge (status): a badge from the EarthBound series. It reflects projectile attacks when equipped.

Assist Trophies[edit]

Bold italics denote an Assist Trophy new to the Smash Bros. series.

  • Jeff: a bespectacled friend and ally of Ness's from EarthBound. He attacks opponents with a bottle rocket. He does not harm the summoner.
  • Starman: an extraterrestrial enemy from Mother and EarthBound. It teleports around the stage and attacks opponents with PK Beam. Opponents can attack and ultimately launch the Starman if it accumulates enough damage. It does not attack the summoner. It also appears as an enemy in Smash Run.

Smash Tour items[edit]

  • Mr. Saturn (Red): a bow-wearing being from EarthBound. The user can break an opponent's shield more easily.
  • Franklin Badge (Red): a badge from the EarthBound series. The user starts battle with the badge equipped.
  • Porky (Green): Ness's neighbor and a major antagonist from EarthBound and Mother 3. The user steals an opponent's Tour Items.
  • Ultimate Chimera (Red): a toothy monster from Mother 3. The user takes two fighters from the last opponent KO'd instead of just one. It will activate even if the user did not place first in the battle.

Enemies[edit]

Smash Run enemies[edit]

  • Starman: an extraterrestrial enemy from Mother and EarthBound. It teleports around the stage and attacks opponents with PK Beam. It also appears as an Assist Trophy. Its PK Beam can be reflected and absorbed only in Smash Run.
  • Devil Car: Also known as the Psycho Car in EarthBound Beginnings, the English release of Mother. It attacks opponents by spinning doughnuts and running over them. It has a lot of HP and armor, making it difficult to launch. It cannot be grabbed.

Smash Tour enemy[edit]

  • Flying Man: a yellow-and-red birdman from the first two EarthBound games. In Smash Tour, he aids the first player who bumps into him and travels along the board. He launches the next opponent he crosses paths with. He also appears in the 3DS version as a hazard on the Magicant stage.

Mii Costume[edit]

Outfit[edit]

  • Mii Brawler (SSB4) Flying Man Outfit (DLC): this outfit is based on a Flying Man, a yellow-and-red birdman from the first two EarthBound games who resides in Magicant. Pixelated, two-dimensional Flying Men appear on the Magicant stage in the 3DS version as hazards, but they were originally going to be three-dimensional models. This was ultimately scrapped, but the assets used to make the 3D Flying Man were repurposed for this outfit. The outfit was released with a corresponding hat in the Flying Man's likeness on July 31, 2015 as downloadable content.

Headgear[edit]

Music[edit]

Original Tracks[edit]

Arrangements and remixes unique to SSB4.

  • Magicant / Eight Melodies (Mother): an arrangement of "Magicant" and "Eight Melodies" from Mother. It plays on Magicant and Onett.
  • Onett Theme / Winters Theme: an arrangement of "Theme of Onett (from "Let the Adventure Begin")" from EarthBound and "Snowman" from Mother. It plays on Onett.
  • Smiles and Tears: an arrangement of the ending theme "Smiles and Tears" from EarthBound. It plays on Magicant and Onett.

Returning Tracks[edit]

Arrangements and remixes from previous Smash titles.

  • Super Smash Bros. MeleeOnett: A medley of the tracks Bein' Friends, Eight Melodies, and MOTHER Earth from Mother. It has been reverted back to its Melee version. It plays on Onett.
  • Super Smash Bros. MeleePollyanna (I Believe in You): an arrangement of "Pollyanna (I Believe in You)" from Mother similar to a vocalized arrangement of the same piece from the 1989 Mother album. This piece was abridged in Smash for Wii U. It plays on Onett.
  • Super Smash Bros. BrawlSnowman: an arrangement of "Snowman" from Mother similar to its arrangement from Mother 3. It plays on Onett.
  • Super Smash Bros. BrawlPorky's Theme: an arrangement of "His Highness' Theme" and "LOG-O-TYPE" from Mother 3. It plays on Onett.
  • Super Smash Bros. BrawlUnfounded Revenge / Smashing Song of Praise: an arrangement of the boss themes "Unfound Revenge" and "Smashing Song of Praise" from Mother 3. It plays on Onett.
  • Super Smash Bros. BrawlMother 3 Love Theme: an arrangement of "Mother 3 Love Theme" and "Mom's Hometown" from Mother 3. It plays on Onett.

Victory Theme[edit]

  • Victory! EarthBound Series: a flourished arrangement of the first few bars of "MOTHER Earth" from Mother at a faster tempo. It is sourced from Brawl.

Trophies[edit]

Masterpiece[edit]

Main article: Masterpieces

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]

The EarthBound / MOTHER universe returns in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, with its content from across the Smash series being curated for this installment (barring the Porky boss and Porky Statue hazard). All past fighters, music tracks, stages, items, and Assist Trophies return, with new elements such as a new item and music remixes being added. In English, the original Mother is now consistently referred to as EarthBound Beginnings. This is the first time since SSB where all of the EarthBound series fighters must be unlocked.

Fighters[edit]

  • 10.
    Ness (SSBU)
    Ness (Unlockable): The small town boy from Onett returns as an unlockable fighter after being a starter in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. He is significantly more expressive than his past appearances, even having his pupils grow when he gets hit. Many of his attacks and animations, such as neutral air, up air, pummel, and PK Fire, have been reworked to distinguish himself further from Lucas and now even feature new PSI-inspired visual effects. For his Final Smash, Paula and Poo now join him to perform PK Starstorm. Although Ness was previously strongly buffed in his transition to Super Smash Bros. 4, Ness once again received improvements between games, and additionally, the new gameplay mechanics of Ultimate have indirectly buffed him in other ways, such as the return of directional air dodging greatly improving his recovery. Overall, Ness has achieved great tournament results in Ultimate's early metagame.
  • 37.
    Lucas (SSBU)
    Lucas (Unlockable): The timid boy from Tazmily Village returns as an unlockable fighter after being DLC in Smash 4. Like Ness, he is significantly more expressive than his past appearances, even having his pupils enlarge when he gets hit. Several of his attacks and animations have been reworked, such as his pummel and throws, and some now feature PSI-inspired visuals. For his Final Smash, Kumatora and Boney now join him to perform PK Starstorm. Lucas has received a mix of nerfs and buffs in his transition to Ultimate. While his combo game was toned down, his overall mobility has been increased, and his aerials and specials were improved. Ultimate's engine has also indirectly buffed him in similar ways to Ness, such as the aforementioned changes to air dodging. Lucas has since achieved favorable tournament results in the early metagame, though not to the same degree as Ness.

Stages[edit]

All EarthBound stages from previous titles return.

  • Super Smash Bros. Melee
    Onett
    Onett (Starter): Based on Ness's hometown in EarthBound. The battleground is situated around a drug store and a couple of houses, with more buildings being visible in the background. Cars occasionally pass by and can damage fighters in their path, including a car based on the Runaway Five’s black bus. This stage is similar to its previous appearances, although the colors stand out more and some textures have been redone.
  • Super Smash Bros. Melee
    Fourside
    Fourside (Starter): A metropolitan city that Ness and company visit in EarthBound makes its return after a 17-year absence. Its nightly appearance is based off of Moonside, an illusion created by the Mani Mani Statue. The Monotoli helicopter and the slippery-surfaced UFO make occasional appearances. The stage is darker than its Melee counterpart, and the colors stand out more; overall, the jump to HD required a graphical overhaul for the stage.
  • Super Smash Bros. Brawl
    New Pork City
    New Pork City (Starter): The last city Lucas and company visit in Mother 3, being the headquarters of Master Porky and the location of the final needle returns after an absence in Smash 4. The flying limo makes occasional appearances and the Ultimate Chimera also roams around the city, and fighters who hit it get instantly KO'd, though no longer via the blast lines. The colors and streetlights now stand out more, and the city walls are now shaded purple.
  • Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
    Magicant
    Magicant (Starter): Based on a mystical realm in both EarthBound Beginnings and EarthBound that Ninten and Ness travel to, respectively. A rip in the sky reveals key moments from both titles. Elements from EarthBound make cameo appearances such as the octopus statue, Dr. Andonut’s Skyrunner, and the Dungeon Man. The Flying Men makes frequent appearances and - once a character allies with one - attacks other nearby fighters. The colors and textures are much more vibrant and detailed than its 3DS counterpart, and the background has been significantly updated to closer match the layout of EarthBound Beginnings's Magicant.

Items[edit]

Bold italics denote an item new to the Smash Bros. series.

  • Mr. Saturn: A peculiar entity that first appeared in EarthBound. They do minimal damage when thrown, but can instantly break a full shield on contact.
  • Franklin Badge: A badge of great importance that has appeared in all three Mother games. When equipped, it will instantly reflect projectiles.
  • Ramblin' Evil Mushroom: A minor enemy that first appeared in EarthBound; it acts as a spraying weapon that reverses the opponent's left and right controls.

Assist Trophies[edit]

  • Jeff: One of Ness's party members in EarthBound, he launches one round of bottle rockets at the opponents. Cannot be KO’d.
  • Starman: Extraterrestrial entities that first appeared in EarthBound Beginnings. They teleport around the stage and shoot PK Beams at opponents. The Starman can be KO'd.

Mii Costumes[edit]

Outfit[edit]

Headgear[edit]

Music[edit]

All music tracks from the original Mother are now labeled under EarthBound Beginnings.

Original Tracks[edit]

Arrangements and remixes unique to Ultimate.

Returning Tracks[edit]

Arrangements and remixes returning from previous Smash games.

Victory Theme[edit]

  • Victory! EarthBound Series: A new flourished, faster arrangement of the final two melodies of the "Eight Melodies" from EarthBound Beginnings.

Spirits[edit]

Media with elements appearing in the Super Smash Bros. series[edit]

The EarthBound universe has media represented throughout the Super Smash Bros. series with a total of 6 games and media. The latest media represented in this universe is Mother 3i, released on April 20, 2006.

Mother / EarthBound Beginnings[edit]

  • Playable characters:
    • Super Smash Bros. Ness uses Teleport on his on-screen appearance in all Smash games except for Melee.
    • Super Smash Bros. The special moves PK Fire, PK Thunder, and PSI Magnet, first appeared in this game. Neither Ness or Lucas were able to learn these moves in their respective games, however.
    • Super Smash Bros. A Baseball bat, a recurring weapon in this series, appears as Ness's forward smash, in one of his taunts, and in one of his victory poses.
    • Super Smash Bros. Brawl The special move PK Freeze first appeared in this game. Neither Ness or Lucas were able to learn this move in their respective games, however.
    • Super Smash Bros. 4 Flying Men serve as a Mii costume for the Mii Brawler. It was available as a DLC in Smash 4, and in the base game of Ultimate.
  • Stages:
    • Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS The overall aesthetics of Magicant primarily takes inspiration from the titular place in this game.
  • Stage elements:
    • Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS Flying Men originate in this game, meant to represent the courage of the protagonist. They appear on Magicant as a stage hazard.
    • Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS Ninten, Mick, and Lloyd make cameos in Magicant's background during the "rip" in the sky sequences. The Twinkle Elementary School also appears during one of these sequences.
  • Items:
  • Assist Trophies:
    • Super Smash Bros. Brawl While Jeff did not make his debut in this game, his Bottle Rockets did.
    • Super Smash Bros. 4 The Starman, a recurring enemy in the series, appears as an Assist Trophy in Smash 4 and Ultimate.
    • Super Smash Bros. 4 PK Beam, used by the Starmen Assist Trophies and Smash Run enemies, also appears in this game.
  • Enemies:
  • Trophies:
    • Super Smash Bros. Melee Starman appears as a trophy.
    • Super Smash Bros. 4 Flying Man appears as a trophy.
    • Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS Magicant appears as a trophy.
  • Stickers:
  • Spirits:
    • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Ana, EVE, Flying Man, Lloyd, Ninten, Starman, and Teddy appear as spirits.
  • Music:
    • Super Smash Bros. Brawl "Victory! EarthBound Series": Ness and Lucas's victory theme in Brawl and Smash 4, which is an arrangement of the track "Mother Earth", the game's introduction theme.
    • Super Smash Bros. Melee "Pollyanna (I Believe In You)": One of the overworld themes, sourced from this game.
    • Super Smash Bros. Brawl "Humouresque of a Little Dog": The recurring shop theme in the series, originated form this game.
    • Super Smash Bros. Melee "Bein' Friends": One of the overworld themes, sourced from this game.
    • Super Smash Bros. Brawl "Snowman": The theme that plays in the titular town, also originated from this game.
    • Super Smash Bros. for Wii U "Onett Theme / Winters Theme": Incorporates the theme of the Snowman town from this game.
    • Super Smash Bros. 4 "Magicant (for 3DS / Wii U)" The Smash 4 arrangement of the track originates from this game; both are themes that are played in the titular area.
    • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate "Magicant" The Ultimate arrangement of the track originates from this game; both are themes that are played in the titular area.
    • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate "Victory! EarthBound Series": Ness and Lucas's victory theme in Ultimate, which is a fast arrangement of the last two melodies of the "Eight Melodies" from this game.

Mother 2 / EarthBound[edit]

Main article: EarthBound (game)
  • Playable characters:
    • Super Smash Bros. Ness, the main protagonist of the game, is a playable character in all of the Smash Bros games to date. Several of Ness's costumes also originate from this game.
    • Super Smash Bros. Ness uses a Yo-yo from this game in his up and down smash.
    • Super Smash Bros. Melee PK Flash originates from this game. Ness can learn PK Flash.
    • Super Smash Bros. Brawl PK Starstorm originates from this game. However, neither Ness nor Lucas can learn PK Starstorm.
    • Super Smash Bros. Brawl The shirt of Ness's black costume features the sprite of a Mr. Saturn.
    • Super Smash Bros. 4 The shirt on Ness's purple costume features the tile patern of this game's file select and character naming screens.
    • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Paula and Poo, two of Ness's party members, appear alongside him during PK Starstorm in Ultimate.
    • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Ness's moveset features new visual effects sourced from this game.
    • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate A hat based on Mr. Saturn appears for every Mii Fighter type.
  • Stages:
    • Super Smash Bros. Melee Onett, Ness's hometown, has appeared in nearly every Smash game since Melee.
    • Super Smash Bros. Melee Fourside, the largest city in Eagleland, appears in Melee and Ultimate.
  • Stage elements:
    • Super Smash Bros. Melee The Runaway Five's tour bus appears on Onett as a stage hazard.
    • Super Smash Bros. Melee A UFO appears on Fourside as a stage element.
    • Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS Dungeon Man, Sky Runner, and Mobile Sprout appear on Magicant as stage elements.
    • Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS Paula, Jeff, and Poo make cameos in Magicant's background during the "rip" in the sky sequences. Threed, Lumine Hall, and Saturn Valley also appear during these sequences.
    • Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS The design of the Flying Men is based of their design from this game.
  • Items:
    • Super Smash Bros. Melee Mr. Saturns, docile creatures who reside in their namesake valley, appear as items in every Smash game since Melee.
    • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Ramblin' Evil Mushroom is a common overworld enemy in this game, it appears as an item in Ultimate.
  • Bosses:
  • Assist Trophies:
    • Super Smash Bros. Brawl Jeff, one of Ness's party members, is an Assist Trophy in Smash.
  • Trophies:
    • Super Smash Bros. Melee UFO, Paula, Jeff, and Poo appear as trophies.
    • Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS The Sky Runner and Dungeon Man appear as trophies.
    • Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Porky appears as a trophy.
  • Stickers:
    • Super Smash Bros. Brawl Jeff, Master Belch, Mr. Saturn, Ness, Paula, Poo, and Porky appear as stickers.
    • Super Smash Bros. Brawl Starman appears as a sticker using its paper clay model from this game.
  • Spirits:
  • Music:
    • Super Smash Bros. for Wii U "Onett Theme / Winters Theme": Has themes from both Onett and Winters (which is based off of the Snowman theme from EarthBound Beginnings).
    • Super Smash Bros. Melee "Fourside (Melee)": The Melee arrangement of the track originates from the titular city in this game.
    • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate "Fourside": The Ultimate arrangement of the track originates from the titular city in this game.
    • Super Smash Bros. 4 "Smiles and Tears": Is the theme that plays during the end credits of this game.
    • Super Smash Bros. "Victory! Ness": Ness's victory theme in 64 and Melee, which is an orchestrated version of the last four melodies of the "Eight Melodies" from this game.
  • Misc:
    • Super Smash Bros. Ness himself, his party members, two of the Runaway Five members, Frankystein Mark II (who is a mini-boss in the game), a Mr. Saturn, and three UFOs can be seen in Ness's congratulations screen from Super Smash Bros.
    • Super Smash Bros. Melee Two Runaway Five members and a Mr. Saturn appear on Melee's opening.
    • Super Smash Bros. Brawl EarthBound itself is one of the playable masterpieces in Brawl (only in the Japanese version) and Smash 4.
    • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate A Mr. Saturn appears on Ultimate's panoramic character artwork.

Mother 1+2 (soundtrack)[edit]

Mother 3[edit]

  • Playable characters:
    • Super Smash Bros. Brawl Lucas, the main protagonist of the game, has been a playable character since Brawl, but was also originally planned to replace Ness back in Melee.
    • Super Smash Bros. Brawl The Rope Snake appears as Lucas's grab and in one of his taunts.
    • Super Smash Bros. Brawl A Stick, Lucas and Flint's primary weapon, appears as Lucas's forward smash and in one of his victory poses.
    • Super Smash Bros. Brawl Lucas pulls one of the Seven Needles in one of his victory poses. His up smash also closely resembles this animation.
    • Super Smash Bros. Brawl Ness's white costume is based off of Fuel, a character from this game.
    • Super Smash Bros. 4 The shirt on Lucas's grey, green, and purple costumes each contain the sprites of the Masked Man, Boney, and of a baby Drago, respectively.
    • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate When Lucas uses PK Starstorm in Ultimate, Kumatora and Boney, two of his party members, appear alongside him.
    • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Lucas's moveset features new visual effects sourced from this game.
  • Stages:
    • Super Smash Bros. Brawl New Pork City, the final area of the game and the biggest city on the Nowhere Islands, appears in Brawl and Ultimate.
  • Stage elements:
    • Super Smash Bros. Brawl The Ultimate Chimera, a hazard on New Pork City, is an invincible enemy that originates from this game.
  • Bosses:
    • Super Smash Bros. Brawl While Porky first appeared in EarthBound, his design, mech, and certain attacks originate from this game.
    • Super Smash Bros. Brawl The Porky Statue is a statue that can only be destroyed by either the New Year Eve's Bomb or, in rare cases, PK Flash. It appears as a hazard on The Ruined Zoo stage of The Subspace Emissary.
  • Trophies:
    • Super Smash Bros. 4 Lucas appears as a trophy.
    • Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS The Porky Statue appears as a trophy.
    • Super Smash Bros. for Wii U The Ultimate Chimera appears as a trophy.
  • Stickers:
    • Super Smash Bros. Brawl Boney, Claus, Duster, Flint, Hinawa, Kumatora, Lucas, Pigmask, and Salsa appear as stickers.
    • Super Smash Bros. Brawl A sprite of a Mr. Saturn from this game appears as a sticker.
  • Spirits:
  • Music:
    • Super Smash Bros. Brawl "Mother 3 Love Theme": The main theme of this game and is played during many cutscenes. This rendition also includes the theme of pre-modernized Tazmily Village (Mom's Hometown).
    • Super Smash Bros. Brawl "Porky's Theme": Incorporates many themes from this game that relate to the Pig Mask Army and Porky Minch.
    • Super Smash Bros. Brawl "Unfounded Revenge / Smashing Song of Praise": Takes two themes from this game; the former plays during the fight with the Fierce Pork Trooper, and the latter plays during the fight with the Steel Mechorilla.
    • Super Smash Bros. Brawl "You Call This A Utopia?!": The theme that plays in New Pork City.

Mother 3+[edit]

  • Music:
    • Super Smash Bros. Brawl "Snowman": The arrangement uses its version in this album as a basis.

Mother 3i[edit]

  • Music:
    • Super Smash Bros. Brawl "Porky's Theme": The "LOG-O-TYPE" portion of "Tazmily in the Stage" from this album is used in this arrangement.

Trivia[edit]

  • The copyright for Shigesato Itoi / Ape Inc. is not listed in the title screen of Super Smash Bros. and the back boxart for Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, possibly due to Ness being an unlockable fighter in both games. Additionally, the copyright is not listed in the Super Smash Bros. for Wii U eShop copyright listings without including the DLC page.
  • EarthBound, Final Fantasy, Persona, and Dragon Quest are the only universes that do not have a character from their original installment playable in Super Smash Bros.
    • Subsequently, EarthBound is the only Nintendo series with this distinction, as well as the only series not introduced as DLC.
  • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate marks the first and only time both EarthBound characters share the same availability, being unlockables.
  • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate marks the first time where Mother is retitled EarthBound Beginnings via music source. This is due to Mother making its international debut on Wii U Virtual Console in 2015 as EarthBound Beginnings. The stage prefix for Magicant, however, is simply listed as EarthBound rather than EarthBound Beginnings, despite the stage being heavily based on its appearance in the latter game.
  • In the Famicom version of Mother, a kid asks Ninten "Have you played Dragon Quest IV? I'm still having trouble with Dragon Quest III." The Hero protagonists from Dragon Quest III and the then-upcoming Dragon Quest IV would become playable alongside EarthBound and Mother 3 protagonists Ness and Lucas in Ultimate almost exactly 30 years later.

External links[edit]