When players want a game to release, they usually make it known. The release of Half-Life 3 was so desired, for example, that it became a meme. Valve partially satisfied this demand with Half-Life: Alyx, but other developers aren't always as generous. Mother 3 is a great example of this. While demand for a Mother 3 localization is arguably as high as it was when the game released, there are many reasons why Nintendo likely refuses to speak on a western release.

Mother 3 was originally released on April 20, 2006 for the Game Boy Advance. The game was exclusive to Japan, and while its predecessor was released in the west as Earthbound, Mother 3 saw no such treatment. Since then, fans have been vocal about their desire for an officially version, going as far as contacting Nintendo directly, creating petitions, and translating the game themselves. Despite this, Nintendo has never addressed Mother 3's localization officially - barring some jokes by former Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. Fifteen years later, fans are still hoping for an official release.

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Earthbound Sales

earthbound n64 footage

The most compelling explanation for Mother 3's exclusivity is financial. When Mother 2 was introduced to North America as Earthbound, sales were lackluster. The cartoon aesthetic of Earthbound was competing with other RPGs like Final Fantasy 6 (released in the west as Final Fantasy 3) and Chrono Trigger. Moreover, Earthbound was marketed with taglines like "this Game Stinks" in an attempt to capture the humor of the 1990s. Such marketing failed to capture the game's earnestness, and it's no surprise that Earthbound sold a meager 140,000 copies in the United States (compared to 518,000 units in Japan).

Drugs, Alcohol, and Other Adult Themes

Lucas and the rest of the Mother 3 gang stumble upon funky-looking mushrooms in a forest.

Even if Nintendo did expect commercial success with Mother 3, localization would present other challenges. Its story is dark and full of mature themes, touching on subjects like death, dictatorship, drugs, and alcohol. Moreover, sexual allusions occasionally appear, often with tongue-in-cheek humor reminiscent of Dragon Quest's infamous "puff puff" joke. Some of these elements could be removed from the game with relative ease, but the removal of other parts would necessitate new sprite artwork and animations.

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The Magypsies

Ionia, a Magypsy from Mother 3, admires their reflection as Lucas and Boney look on.

Perhaps the most difficult part of Mother 3 to localize would be the Magypsies. These characters are depicted with a combination of both conventionally masculine and conventionally feminine features, described in an unofficial translation as "neither man nor woman." The Magypsies have five o'clock shadows but wear dresses and earrings, and bear a resemblance to the Japanese concept of "Okama." Shigesato Itoi, the game's writer, has stated that his intention with the game was to be unlike other JRPGs and embrace femininity rather than masculinity.

Japanese culture greatly differs from western culture regarding LGBTQ+ matters, and Nintendo has historically veered away from political conversations. The Magypsies are wise and compassionate characters who are integral to Mother 3's story, but their inclusion in localization would result in discussions about transphobia and whether the Magypsies frame non-binary gender identity in a positive light. No matter what, this is something Nintendo wouldn't want to address.

It's not an overstatement to say Mother 3's development was something of a mess. The game was intended to be released on the SNES Disc Drive before it was delayed and moved to the Nintendo 64 Disc Drive, and then to the Game Boy Advance. Much like Mother 2's development, which was salvaged largely because of Satoru Iwata's intervention, Mother 3 was incredibly close to never being released.

Regardless, the developers persevered and created what many feel to be one of the most moving, heartfelt video games ever. It's understandable why Nintendo has never made any public attempts to localize the game, but Mother 3's lasting legacy warrants better treatment and preservation. Perhaps a remake, not a rerelease or localization, is the only hope of seeing Mother 3 released worldwide.

Mother 3 is available on Game Boy Advance exclusively in Japan.

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