Monday Memories - Earthbound

Within the collage of memories in my brain, there is not one video game that comes up the most, in my passive recollections, than Earthbound for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). I believe to think my passion for this game made a lasting impression to the capability of what a game can really creatively expand in depth within a 16-bit console. Any memory before this game would probably be the simplicity of Super Mario Brothers for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).

I was young, it was 199X, and games were to these standards, shitty. No matter how much effort a developer would put into a game, most games seemed to have the same concept and simple dimensions, with a few exceptions of course. This game defied all the measures of simplicity in the heavy contents of the game that is Earthbound. This game was a roller-coaster ride of emotions with mesmerizing 16-bit music madness that will blow your brain out.

Earthbound, from what I remember it, embarks you on a journey most epic about a young boy, Ness, whose journey was foretold by an alien bee who had crash landed on a meteor from the future on Earth. He would be told he was defender of Earth along with 3 trusty companions who all have too been destined to defend the Earth. You leave your home to see evil forces are at at hand and quickly begin to engage in a role playing situation where you would have the options to fight, your powers, or run, similar gaming structure to that of Pokémon. You will face a number of unique enemies who plan on stopping Ness from accomplishing his destiny. Almost every new location you will have to explore has difficult mini-bosses to which you must acquire a certain level of experience to become more powerful. After defeating a spot, you will unlock the door to a sanctuary location, to which you must collect 8 sanctuary sounds to get to the final boss "Giygas". As you progress through the game, you will find your companions and followers, Paula, Jeff, and Poo. Every character is uniqe and come from different backgrounds. There is a number of places to go through, ensuring a time devoted game.


Although this is a game you probably have never played or ever even heard of, this game is definitely worth a mention in video game history. Although the story line seemed basic and straight forward, the games value really goes to the social interaction within the game. Every character you run into will have unique dialogue and talk about the strangest things. The silent hero, Ness, never speaks throughout the game, and you really begin to feel some sort of empathy between you and Ness.  

For it's time, this game was legendary to my eyes. I cannot think of a better game SNES game than Earthbound.