EarthBound’s cartoonish exterior and quirky humor belie an undercurrent of intensely dark themes. The series’ Japanese title, Mother, was inspired partially by creator Shigesato Itoi’s melancholy upbringing. Mr. Itoi’s parents were largely absent and he was instead raised by his grandmother. In EarthBound, the main character’s father is never shown, only connecting briefly to his son through phone calls and monetary deposits in a bank account. Ness, the hero’s name by default, lives in a home with his mother, who cares for him very much and provides a safe-haven throughout the game. In addition to its personal significance, the name “Mother” is also derived from the word, “mothership,” as well as the 1970 song of the same name by John Lennon, which shares similar themes of abandonment.
“I wanted to make a video game that didn’t just reek of—well, video games.”
Mr. Itoi’s life experiences influence the entirety of the game. Sometimes it’s a nod to his favorites songs or rock bands, a reaction to police brutality, or satirizing a real-life cult who, at the time of development, was responsible for several deadly terrorist attacks throughout Japan. In the case of the game’s terrifying final battle, Mr. Itoi drew from a deeply traumatic childhood event where he accidentally viewed a film titled The Military Policeman and the Dismembered Beauty.
Yet the game is more than the result of emotional scarring and painful ordeals; most of EarthBound comes across as whimsical and borderline cheerful, even as the world’s fate lies in uncertainty. It’s this unconventional dichotomy that makes EarthBound such a memorable experience.