• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Earthbound Coming to Wii U Virtual Console in NA / Europe

neoGAFs number 1 Earthbound fan checking in and ready for action (or actually I think I am the number 2 Earthbound fan, someone on neoGAF once showed their Earthbound collection and it was like a golden temple compared to mine). Huzzah
 
neoGAFs number 1 Earthbound fan checking in and ready for action (or actually I think I am the number 2 Earthbound fan, someone on neoGAF once showed their Earthbound collection and it was like a golden temple compared to mine). Huzzah
So are you going to buy a bunch of people a copy of the game? ;-)
 
...I just saw this news...

Okay, I officially love Nintendo Direct. It's like mini E3's scattered through the year that are Nintendo-focused that usually deliver numerous Megaton's. This is yet another one, in addition to Bravely Default, 3DS Zelda, Yoshi's Island 3DS, etc.

It almost makes you wonder what they have left in-store for E3. O_O
 
I bet you're one of those guys who rebought all of the God of War and/or Metal Gear Solid HD collections when you actually had all these games on PS2 and PSP already, right?
WHY BUY THEM THEY'RE THE SAME GAMES YOU PLAYED EIGHT YEARS AGO, AMIRITE?!

Wat. Widescreen and 720p resolution (from 480i in most cases) are pretty big improvements. Plus, PS2 emulation requires a good computer, and even then I'm pretty sure it's kinda wonky.

By contrast, this VC release adds nothing to the original SNES release, save for progressive output (the SNES was limited to interlaced output). Furthermore, you could've played Earthbound emulated to 99% accuracy as early as 2000, on a 1997 PC. (I did.)

Now, obviously, there are some people who care about that 1% inaccuracy, and perhaps the Wii U emulator takes care of that. And of course, this release increases the chances of further Mother games coming here. But let's not pretend Nintendo is doing more than throwing a bone at longtime fans.
 
as an owner of said cart & book since its first week of release: id be good with the price plummeting, it (and other SNES carts) are way too high right now and i want more people experiencing that game, not just collectors

I agree; I've had pretty much all of the SNES must-haves since childhood (cart only, sadly) and it greatly bothers me how expensive they've gotten. These are classics to be played, not kept in glass display cases, especially Earthbound.
 
Wat. Widescreen and 720p resolution (from 480i in most cases) are pretty big improvements. Plus, PS2 emulation requires a good computer, and even then I'm pretty sure it's kinda wonky.

By contrast, this VC release adds nothing to the original SNES release, save for progressive output (the SNES was limited to interlaced output). Furthermore, you could've played Earthbound emulated to 99% accuracy as early as 2000, on a 1997 PC. (I did.)

Now, obviously, there are some people who care about that 1% inaccuracy, and perhaps the Wii U emulator takes care of that. And of course, this release increases the chances of further Mother games coming here. But let's not pretend Nintendo is doing more than throwing a bone at longtime fans.
Some people don't like to pirate games.
 
Super Metroid 2.

Super Metroid HD.

Metroid Prime 4, 5 & 6.

Nothing but Metroid.

All made by Retro x Irrational Games.

I WILL TAKE IT!

Wii U stuff.

True enough.

Here's hoping that Nintendo has as many quality titles to show us for the Wii U as they do the 3DS. That little system is really impressing me as of late.

Although honestly, even if the Wii U had more games to play they would be neglected right now. That Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate...
 
Wat. Widescreen and 720p resolution (from 480i in most cases) are pretty big improvements. Plus, PS2 emulation requires a good computer, and even then I'm pretty sure it's kinda wonky.

By contrast, this VC release adds nothing to the original SNES release, save for progressive output (the SNES was limited to interlaced output). Furthermore, you could've played Earthbound emulated to 99% accuracy as early as 2000, on a 1997 PC. (I did.)

Now, obviously, there are some people who care about that 1% inaccuracy, and perhaps the Wii U emulator takes care of that. And of course, this release increases the chances of further Mother games coming here. But let's not pretend Nintendo is doing more than throwing a bone at longtime fans.

Is that not enough?

Do I need to link you to Starman.net.
 
Amazing that people still talk like "but you could be playing emulated since...", greatly missing the point why a good number here is amazed by this release:

- Euro guys didnt had a chance to play the game LEGALLY since forever.
- Shows that nintendo finally CARE about USA fans of the franchise.
- Chance to new Mother/Earthbound and, who knows, digital releases of Mother 1 and 3.
 
Wonderful news. Selling my copy of Earthbound was something I always regretted. But I still have my guide book, and it will be a fantastic companion to the adventure. It sucks that people playing it here for the first time won't get to read it. Probably one of the most fun guides for a game I have ever read.

Surprised at people downplaying this as being an unimportant announcement. It's one of the most sought after and rare SNES JRPGs of all time. Glad that Europe will get to experience this gem.
 
Wat. Widescreen and 720p resolution (from 480i in most cases) are pretty big improvements. Plus, PS2 emulation requires a good computer, and even then I'm pretty sure it's kinda wonky.

By contrast, this VC release adds nothing to the original SNES release, save for progressive output (the SNES was limited to interlaced output). Furthermore, you could've played Earthbound emulated to 99% accuracy as early as 2000, on a 1997 PC. (I did.)

Now, obviously, there are some people who care about that 1% inaccuracy, and perhaps the Wii U emulator takes care of that. And of course, this release increases the chances of further Mother games coming here. But let's not pretend Nintendo is doing more than throwing a bone at longtime fans.

I think there is more of an excitement to LEGALLY buy the game, cheaply, anyways.
 
NoA didn't forget about EB...

Pretty big news actually.

When I was out there back in 2000, they had a conference room named the "Earthbound Conference Room" (a reference to the below picture from Earthbound), so, I feel safe in saying that they hadn't forgotten about it, at least for a number of years.

mother3_fourside.png
 
Some people don't like to pirate games.

I don't like to pirate anything, but seeing as there was no other viable alternative for years, who was actually waiting for a legal re-release? I mean, it takes all of 5 minutes to get Earthbound up and running on your computer. You can even play it in your web browser, with cloud saves. All I'm saying is that, in the time it took Nintendo to cave-in to fans and digitally release a ROM, you could've played the whole game.

Also, Nintendo isn't exactly a wonderful company that absolutely needs your support. They became stinking rich off a mediocre product that was marketed to consumers as a revolution in interactive entertainment. I'm not shedding any tears for the miniscule amount of money they lose due to piracy of ancient games.
 
Wat. Widescreen and 720p resolution (from 480i in most cases) are pretty big improvements. Plus, PS2 emulation requires a good computer, and even then I'm pretty sure it's kinda wonky.

By contrast, this VC release adds nothing to the original SNES release, save for progressive output (the SNES was limited to interlaced output). Furthermore, you could've played Earthbound emulated to 99% accuracy as early as 2000, on a 1997 PC. (I did.)

Now, obviously, there are some people who care about that 1% inaccuracy, and perhaps the Wii U emulator takes care of that. And of course, this release increases the chances of further Mother games coming here. But let's not pretend Nintendo is doing more than throwing a bone at longtime fans.

1. I believe it's morally wrong to pirate games you can buy
2. The game is $200 friggin' dollars so hardly anyone is willing to play the game legally
3. And if you're in Europe good luck because the game never even came out there, have fun paying international shipping
4. You need to own an SNES to play it which is only getting more unlikely as time goes on

So now when someone says "hey this EarthBound game everyone keeps mentioning sounds interesting, where can I get it" I can just say "Wii U Virtual Console, 8 bucks" instead of "welllll... it may cost your firstborn son, but the game is worth it, trust me please"
 
I don't like to pirate anything, but seeing as there was no other viable alternative for years, who was actually waiting for a legal re-release?

I did. Or at least I was hoping for the ridiculous ebay prices to drop.
Don't pretend like you were forced to pirate this.
 
I don't like to pirate anything, but seeing as there was no other viable alternative for years, who was actually waiting for a legal re-release? I mean, it takes all of 5 minutes to get Earthbound up and running on your computer.

Everyone?

Also, Nintendo isn't exactly a wonderful company that absolutely needs your support. They became stinking rich off a mediocre product that was marketed to consumers as a revolution in interactive entertainment. I'm not shedding any tears for the miniscule amount of money they lose due to piracy of ancient games.

Wow, did Nintendo kill your pet? or took your job? You sound so buthurt because someone is excited to legally play a game that hasn't experienced before.
 
neoGAFs number 1 Earthbound fan checking in and ready for action (or actually I think I am the number 2 Earthbound fan, someone on neoGAF once showed their Earthbound collection and it was like a golden temple compared to mine). Huzzah

All I have are these (and a Mr. Saturn cell phone charm, a Courage Badge keychain, and two Mother 3 Handbooks):

dAzOxxO.jpg


Oh wait, I also had an NES Earth Bound (re?)production cart made:

DGqE7.gif


Where does that place me?

EDIT: I also made this:
3a0nPzl.jpg
 
Wow, did Nintendo kill your pet? or took your job? You sound so buthurt because someone is excited to legally play a game that hasn't experienced before.

Both. But I'm not butthurt. I just think the excitement and hyperbole is peculiar. My interest in the matter is purely anthropological.
 
It's not just about playing it - maybe it could lead to Mother 3 localization and even more

It's pretty interesting that illegal shit is being proposed in the first few pages and being thought of as normal
 
It's not just about playing it - maybe it could lead to Mother 3 localization and even more

It's pretty interesting that illegal shit is being proposed in the first few pages and being thought of as normal

it sucks, but i think shockingalberto said it - the mother 3 fan translation might've killed the prospect of them doing it officially.

and what illegal shit? all i saw were a few sad trolls 19 YEAR OLD GAME HURRRR
 
I don't like to pirate anything, but seeing as there was no other viable alternative for years, who was actually waiting for a legal re-release? I mean, it takes all of 5 minutes to get Earthbound up and running on your computer. You can even play it in your web browser, with cloud saves. All I'm saying is that, in the time it took Nintendo to cave-in to fans and digitally release a ROM, you could've played the whole game.

Also, Nintendo isn't exactly a wonderful company that absolutely needs your support. They became stinking rich off a mediocre product that was marketed to consumers as a revolution in interactive entertainment. I'm not shedding any tears for the miniscule amount of money they lose due to piracy of ancient games.

Are you angry?

You seem angry, and I'd tread lightly around justification of piracy in these waters.
 
Will this be available on the Wii as well? I'm not gonna run out and buy a Wiiu just for this game, but I would like to play it "legally". This is still good news for long time fans. The game is cute and quirky but nowhere near worth the current price tag for the Cart.
 
neoGAFs number 1 Earthbound fan checking in and ready for action (or actually I think I am the number 2 Earthbound fan, someone on neoGAF once showed their Earthbound collection and it was like a golden temple compared to mine). Huzzah

Some of us were starting to get worried you weren't around a few pages back, and also there was a reminder about your promise to give free copies. :P
 
I don't like to pirate anything, but seeing as there was no other viable alternative for years, who was actually waiting for a legal re-release?
Took so long that you could've pirated/dug up your SNES copy if you're lucky enough to have one that still works, played through it, then years later have this pop up for a replay.
 
I wish Wii U VC had scanlines... Life after XRGB, I'm convinced they perfect the look of old games on new HDTVs.
 
I find it funny when people come into virtual console related threads and go "GEEZE JUST DOWNLOAD THE ROM AND PLAY IT" - such people are missing the point of virtual console and it's other variants on Sony and Microsoft's systems.

Yes you could download Earthbound for free, play it on an emulator and still enjoy the game. But your giving nothing back to developer in terms of money or feedback - Virtual Console is amazing in that it's given quite a few old titles that maybe got limited print runs in it's day, or simply didn't make it to your shores, a new lease of life and a new audience. Sin and Punishment 2 surely only happened because Nintendo dared to finally give it a western release on the Wii, and theres countless instances of SNES and N64 games that possibly cost a bomb for some reason or another, but are all there in affordable form on the VC for those of us that simply want to enjoy a good game.

It means more than sticking some roms on the system, charging $5 and calling it a day. Nintendo monitors how well VC releases do, and if a VC release does do well, it can have an effect on what they plan to release for the service next or even future new releases. This also arguably opens the floodgates and confirms Miiverse is one of the del-facto ways to make Nintendo hear a collective minority. (Anyone up for a Starfy campaign?). There's also nothing quite like being able to own a game and play it, even if it is via digital download. Specially in this case where it makes the seemingly impossible finally possible - Mother 1 and 3 still have yet to see release. Nintendo certainly will look into both if the sales for Earthbound deliver like I assume they are hoping for.

It's also a defining moment for Earthbound fans who have for years been petitioning Nintendo for Earthbound or Mother releases, and never gotten anything more but excuses as to why they couldn't have the game they wanted on VC. They kept believing beyond all hope, even when Nintendo made it clear they had no interest in releasing it to the west last gen. It's a small victory to them, they still need to get Mother 1 and Mother 3 officially released in the west too, though I suspect we'll more likely see Mother 3 than we will ever see Earthbound 0
 
In VC games, can the screen on the game pad be stretched to fit? Yeah, I'm one of those people, sorry about that. Not a dealbreaker or anything for me, just curious.
 
Put your tin foil hats on.

Is there any chance this is a sign Nintendo is making a new Mother/Earthbound? Or maybe sales of this could dictate such a decision? Thoughts?
 
Top Bottom