SNES

EarthBound

It's tough to review a game like EarthBound. The graphics are horrid, the sound is an absolute fright night, and the plot isn't what someone would call spectacular. But, inexplicably, many of us see past that and it ranks high with us. For many of us, it was the game that brought us into the Role Playing Game world (and boy are we thankful!). I won't even begin to try and decipher why this game is liked so much, but it just works out that way.

On the whole, this is a pretty good game. Sure, its rather lax in the character department, and has nothing special in it, and is an almost complete rip-off of Dragon Warrior, but come on! Who cares? It's fun! And for those who are stuck, it even comes with a Nintendo Power Player's Guide (which isn't really that good, as it skips over some things)! This game is living proof that you don't need to throw in good graphics, great music, complicated battle systems, or any other innovations (other than the atmosphere, which sets this game apart from just about any medievil or sci-fi style RPG you could think of) just to be a good game.

Earthbound is a game filled up to the brim with personality, atmosphere, and entertainment. It’s easy to see why this game has developed such a cult following --myself included. There are simply no words that can adequately describe this game; it’s just so weird and quirky that words fail me. If you own this game, you owe it to yourself to at least go mess around in Onett for just a little bit. If you have never played this game before but are a fan of RPG, adventure, or games filled with great storylines, this is the perfect match for you. And finally, from one Earthbound fan to another, do your mom a favor and get out of your jammies before you play this game!

Any RPGer who wants something new would be well advised to purchase this game, because it's too long to rent. The amusing graphics, audio, and storyline all force you to keep playing, and the secret items and bonus areas will bring you back around at least once.

Overall, anyone who has a SNES needs to have this game in their collection. This review contains quite a few words, but these eight bear repeating: They need to make more games like Earthbound.

Take a gander at this game, you'll really enjoy its unique angle. RPG fans especially, will appreciate the parody of other games in the genre and the new ideas it puts forth. I give it four stars.

After reading this, you either can’t wait to get your hands on this game, or you’d like to find and destroy every copy of it. Either way, good luck getting a copy, as they’re hard to find. The ROM may be floating about somewhere, and that’s probably your best bet. Last time I checked, a copy in the box was $50, and $75 for the limited edition with the action figures. Happy gaming.

In case you haven't been able to deduce this for your self, Earthbound is easily one of the most original role-playing games of the 1990s. And it's an extraordinary game to say the least. It's good because it tries to be different by creating an Earth based world and because it has an immersing storyline, witty, humorous and just plain good character development and interactions, stylish weapons and detailed battles. Any RPG fan looking for a totally refreshing and inspiring experience should check this game out.

The game itself is very comical and entertaining. It is a nice break from the seriousness of some other role-playing games, and fits well into the SNES era. For the time, it had average graphics and average tunes. Nothing in there blew me away, and it certainly doesn't now, but what really matters is the content of the game. That's where Earthbound shines.

Earthbound can be amusing if you know where to look for the funny parts. Otherwise, the humor is too mature for little kids and the gameplay is too immature for older gamers. This one is bound to fail to Earth sometime soon.

Under it's original title, this was a pretty big hit in Japan. RPG addicts looking for a quick fix (like me, for instance) could do worse, but without a doubt, the younger you are, the more you're gonna like it.

Earthbound is not a bad game if you like "cuteness". In fact, with a little violence and some more menacing weapons and creatures, this would have been an excellent RPG. Sadly, all Earthbound has to offer is a Barney-esque romp in a McDonald's playground.