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[Icelandic_Jazz]

This is the first time the game will be realistically available for an astronomically lower price, as well as being a legal and official way to own the game. This is also the FIRST time it has been sold in Europe. It is wonderful news.

It's far from impossible to get a cart of Earthbound, but this still makes things much easier for people that have a passing interest in the game. You can argue the prices, but $5 vs $100-200 is going to make a lot of people happy regardless.

 

[Jobbs]

Seriously. Anyone who has a physical copy of this game.. It just became worthless. Better dump them on Ebay. Or better yet. PM me. I'll be fair.

I don't agree with this at all. People aren't paying hundreds for Earthbound cartridges because they want to play with them. That amount of money represents desire for something, if the desire was just to play it, they'd find various ways to emulate it on a computer or on a device. (edit: I am not in any way suggesting, advocating, or promoting this activity, I'm simply offering an analyses on the value of the cartridge)

This is a collector thing. There's nothing you can do to devalue the rare collector item; Even if they re-released the cartridge, the original ones would still be the collectible ones.

 

[shira]

Why would you need 8-4 for a game that's been in English for nearly 20 years now?

So glorified ROM dump. . . disappointed after the hype

 

[Wiseblade]

Absolutely. I dont bullshit on here.

The crappy indie store. Your Ebays and Amazons sell it at those crazy prices because the sellers arent idiots. They know the hardest of the hard desire the game and will pay whatever price for it even though it isnt worth anywhere close to that amount. Finding a copy isn't like picking gnat shit out of pepper.

Yes, let me just GET ON A PLANE AND FLY TO A DIFFERENT CONTINENT to go to some random shop you went to a couple weeks ago.

 

[btkadams]

will the strategy guide be displayed on the gamepad screen?

 

[Foxtastical]

A little bit of me is still hoping for a physical 3DS compilation release or some shit.

 

[Parallacs]

Really glad to hear this. I think Earthbound won every single VC reader request poll on Nintendo Power. I'm also really happy that Europe is getting it.


The game is very unique. About 20 minutes in, you may think it is the worst game ever made.

-It feels strange not seeing yourself in the battles.
-Inventory is a nightmare.
-There is a huge difficulty spike early on.
-Things like buying, resting, and saving are a chore.

Once you get used to these things, the game becomes amazing. You start to realize all of the reasons why these things are like this. It is an interesting study in game design.

 

[Frolow]

What are the chances they release Mother 3 over here using the fan translation?

 

[dinosaur_hunter2]

Oh man. When Iwata said, "Now I'd like to talk about Earthbound..."

That was pretty much my reaction. I can't believe they actually payed attention to all those messages on Miiverse. Amazing. Will buy this the second it comes out.

 

[SmithnCo]

It is, but Earthbound has had a rather contentious history in the west, stemming from its legendarily disappointing sales in the US, especially after the huge marketing campaign it received.

There was also a rumor about music stuff preventing them from releasing it, so it's good to see it's not an issue or they ironed it out.

 

[Sigma722]

I don't agree with this at all. People aren't paying hundreds for Earthbound cartridges because they want to play with them. That amount of money represents desire for something, if the desire was just to play it, they'd find various ways to emulate it on a computer or on a device.

This is a collector thing. There's nothing you can do to devalue the rare collector item; Even if they re-released the cartridge, the original ones would still be the collectible ones.

Quiet, you.

 

[Ridley327]

So glorified ROM dump. . . disappointed after the hype

It has one of the best localizations ever, to say nothing of how far ahead it was of localizations in its time. There's nothing that 8-4 could do to improve upon it.

 

[Smiles and Cries]

so Iwata basically said on the Nintendo Direct that port begging does work on Miiverse

not the exact words but he said people went to the Japanese community asking for this so here

 

[mclem]

Oh man. When Iwata said, "Now I'd like to talk about Earthbound..."

I loved that. No buildup, not even an apple-esque 'just one more thing'.

 

[Foxtastical]

Really glad to hear this. I think Earthbound won every single VC reader request poll on Nintendo Power. I'm also really happy that Europe is getting it.


The game is very unique. About 20 minutes in, you may think it is the worst game ever made.

-It feels strange not seeing yourself in the battles.
-Inventory is a nightmare.
-There is a huge difficulty spike early on.
-Things like buying, resting, and saving are a chore.

Once you get used to these things, the game becomes amazing. You start to realize all of the reasons why these things are like this. It is an interesting study in game design.

I think it's less an interesting example of game design, and more an interesting example of why you should view and understand video games as more than just the sum of their parts.

1+1=4

 

[Samurai_Heart]

so Iwata basically said on the Nintendo Direct that port begging does work on Miiverse

not the exact words but he said people went to the Japanese community asking for this so here

What's the next agenda for Miiverse lol, we have the power now =P

 

[shakin_haitian]

Absolutely. I dont bullshit on here.

The crappy indie store. Your Ebays and Amazons sell it at those crazy prices because the sellers arent idiots. They know the hardest of the hard desire the game and will pay whatever price for it even though it isnt worth anywhere close to that amount. Finding a copy isn't like picking gnat shit out of pepper.

I have never seen Earthbound in a brick and mortar store. Do you live in a huge city packed with game stores that sell their rare games for unbelievably cheap prices or something?

 

[Tiktaalik]

So glorified ROM dump. . . disappointed after the hype

Do you want it re-localized? I don't know why it would be necessary. The original has an incredibly good localization. One of the primary stand out features of the game that so many people enjoy is the quality writing.

http://legendsoflocalization.com/earthbound/

 

[Reversed]

Legal issues are in control, I see.

Or we're going to get a modified version that protects the copyright issues.

 

[ThatObviousUser]

Man, I'm incredibly disappointed the trickle of releases is back for Wii U VC. Come on Nintendo, integrate this stuff. Why don't the 3DS and Wii U have VC parity? Sheeeeeit.

 

[Professor Renegade]

 

[papercamm]

It's about time sheesh. Will probably get day one.

Well, if you think it's worth it...

 

[RPG]

will the strategy guide be displayed on the gamepad screen?

Nintendo's going to pioneer that scratch n' sniff tech on a touchpad.

 

[Ridley327]

Nintendo's going to pioneer that scratch n' sniff tech on a touchpad.

I'm not sure they're brassy enough to proclaim that the Wii U stinks.

 

[The Boat]

I think it's less an interesting example of game design, and more an interesting example of why you should view and understand video games as more than just the sum of their parts.

1+1=4

Precisely why it's an interesting example of game design.

 

[ThatsMytrunks]

I got shivers when they showed the Earthbound logo and had a moment of "this is a joke, right?"

Glad to see it's coming out, but I'd really, really like a localization of Mother 1 and Mother 3, as well. I'd bet if this does incredibly well, we'll see that happen.

 

[ASTROID2]

OMG!!!! This is the greatest day ever.

 

[F#A#Oo]

I for one hope Nintendo stays in panic mode!

Maybe Nintendo can get 1080 Snowboarding/F-Zero/Wave Race kick started.

Who knows if the VC Earthbound sells enough copies if then Nintendo might consider doing a console version plus 1-3 special edition release.

 

[Foxtastical]

Precisely why it's an interesting example of game design.

Game design is such an amazingly nebulous term.

Edit: I say this in a positive manner.

 

[GoddyofAus]

3DS plz.

 

[Gartooth]

Hmm never, played Earthbound so I will probably buy it given it's acclaim. Though it's hilarious how long people had to bother Nintendo just for them to re-release an old ass SNES game.

 

[Toma]

Huh, why is this only WiiU?

 

[Dinda]

Didn't expect it this soon in Europe. I mean it's not even been 20 years.

 

[KageZero]

If i ever get a wii u this will be the first vc game i will buy on it. Played it as a kid but couldn't get even past the first town... Was stuck at that tunnel that would always return you to town.

 

[F#A#Oo]

Man, I'm incredibly disappointed the trickle of releases is back for Wii U VC. Come on Nintendo, integrate this stuff. Why don't the 3DS and Wii U have VC parity? Sheeeeeit.

That's for Wii U and 3DS successors. You have to remember Nintendo is always 1-2 steps behind.

 

[dark_prinny]

And here is another proof of how AMAZING Miiverse is.

 

[kayos90]

I'm excited. Just a tad.

Spoiler

OMGGGGGGGGG

 

[terrisus]

I can't wait for nobody to actually buy it.

While I don't expect it to be that extreme, I won't be surprised when it sells far less than some people seem to think it will.

Not that I want that to happen - I would love for it to sell immensely well, for Mother 3 to officially be released over here, and for the US to be filled with love for this series - I just don't see it doing all that differently.

Ah well <goes back to playing SNES version>

 

[mclem]

That was pretty much my reaction. I can't believe they actually payed attention to all those messages on Miiverse. Amazing. Will buy this the second it comes out.

Miiverse is really shaping up to be the killer app for Nintendo in general; it's the best tool they've ever had for drawing from direct fan feedback.

 

[JoeFenix]

Awesome news!

Finally a reasonable way to play this legit, should be nice on the Wii U pad too!

 

[friskykillface]

but Japan got it for 30 cents , i dont want to pay $8 ;P
will buy day 1 when its released.
miiverse we did it guys, all our bitching worked.

If Nintendo does a special anniversary or limited edition of Earthbound for $50-60 with lots of stuff and guide book D: then i will buy it for $50 , do it Nintendo


now we gotta tell them to put Bomberman 64: the second attack on wii u vc, please

 

[Flightmare]

Never played this, but with the reception it has here it has to be good

 

[cbrun44]

This will actually drive me to buy a WiiU. Finally Nintendo!

 

[Cheska]

This is freakin' fantastic news! I've never had a chance to play this and refuse to pay those eBay prices so I'm thrilled to finally be able to experience it.

 

[mclem]

Huh, why is this only WiiU?

I would genuinely not put it past Nintendo for the logic to be "Well, 3DS owners didn't ask for it on Miiverse, so clearly only Wii U owners want it!"

 

[Nekofrog]

It is, but Earthbound has had a rather contentious history in the west, stemming from its legendarily disappointing sales in the US, especially after the huge marketing campaign it received.

Well, the marketing campaign was disastrous to start with. "THIS GAME STINKS" in giant bold letters. Yeah Nintendo, way to market that game.

 

[Jaded Alyx]

*clenches fist*

You don't know the POWER of Miiverse!

 

[StatsChu]

Can try to get that rare bat now! I think I gave up after 30 battles or so...

 

[dwu8991]

I can not wait - hype hype hype !!!

 

[rockmanjoe]

Seriously. Anyone who has a physical copy of this game.. It just became worthless. Better dump them on Ebay. Or better yet. PM me. I'll be fair.

Eh... nope. Digital releases for games like Radiant Silvergun didn't lower the price for the original by much. There will still be demand for the original physical copy by collectors.