Mother (video game series)
Japanese role-playing game series created by Shigesato Itoi and produced with Nintendo. Noted for its modern, suburban setting, quirky humor and emotional storytelling; includes Mother, EarthBound and Mother 3.
The Mother series is a Japanese role-playing video game franchise created and written by Shigesato Itoi in collaboration with several development teams and Nintendo. The games stand apart from many fantasy RPGs by placing their stories in familiar, often suburban, modern settings and combining offbeat comedy with unexpectedly serious themes. Across three main entries the series has attracted a devoted international fanbase despite most installments remaining Japan-only.
Image gallery
3 Images
Characteristics
Mother titles typically feature turn-based combat, memorable melodies, and a cast of ordinary children who confront strange, often supernatural events. Dialogue emphasizes personality and humor rather than generic genre text, and emotional beats are a recurring element of the storytelling. Gameplay mixes exploration, item management and encounters that sometimes subvert standard RPG expectations, while the visual and musical design give each installment a distinctive tone.
History and development
The project began on the NES with the first entry, commonly referred to as Mother. Later the team moved to the Super NES for the best-known western release, EarthBound, and ultimately to handheld hardware for Game Boy Advance with Mother 3. Development involved multiple companies over time, including Ape, Inc., HAL Laboratory and Brownie Brown, with Itoi guiding the series’ tone and narrative through each entry.
Main games
- Mother — original entry for the NES; released in Japan.
- EarthBound (Mother 2) — Super NES title that received an official international release and remains the series' best-known game in the West; see notes on English localization.
- Mother 3 — released on the Game Boy Advance in Japan and praised for its narrative, though never officially localized into English.
Reception and legacy
Although only one main entry was officially released in English, the series has a strong cult following that has produced fan translations, petitions and extensive community documentation. Critics and players often highlight the writing, memorable soundtrack, and the way the games blend whimsy with darker emotional moments. Mother’s influence can be seen in later indie and mainstream titles that emphasize character-driven stories set in contemporary worlds.
For more detailed references, development notes and community resources see developer pages and retrospective articles linked here: genre overview, series profile, publisher information, studio notes, later developer credits, creator interviews, platform history, first game, EarthBound, console details, Mother 3, handheld release, localization discussion.
Questions and answers
Q: What is Mother Mother?
A: Mother Mother is a role-playing video game series made by Nintendo, Ape, Inc., HAL Laboratory, and Brownie Brown.
Q: Who was in charge of all three games in the Mother Mother series?
A: Shigesato Itoi was in charge of all three games in the Mother Mother series.
Q: How many main games does the Mother Mother series have?
A: The Mother Mother series has three main games in it.
Q: What was the first game in the Mother Mother series and on what console was it released?
A: The first game in the Mother Mother series was Mother, which was released on the NES.
Q: On which consoles were the other two main games in the Mother Mother series released?
A: EarthBound was released on the Super NES and Mother 3 was released on the Game Boy Advance.
Q: Which of the three main games in the Mother Mother series came out in English?
A: EarthBound is the only game of the three that came out in English.
Q: Does the fanbase of the Mother Mother series want the other two games in English too?
A: Yes, the fanbase of the Mother Mother series has a strong desire for the other two games, Mother and Mother 3, to be released in English as well.
Related articles
Author
AlegsaOnline.com Mother (video game series) Leandro Alegsa
URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/66888