History YMMV / EarthBoundBeginnings

** After the Virtual Console release was revealed to be called ''"[=EarthBound=] Beginnings"'', what is the "true" English title of this game? The big contenders are ''MOTHER'' and ''[=EarthBound=] Beginnings'', with the official title of the first English prototype, ''Earth Bound'', being ruled out as being too similar to the almost universally accepted English title of the second game, ''[=EarthBound=]'' and thus would cause confusion. ''[=EarthBound=] Zero'' is also eliminated, being an obligatory FanNickname to solve said problem. Supporters of the ''[=EarthBound=] Beginnings'' title do so because it's official and makes more sense next to ''[=EarthBound=]''. Supporters of the ''MOTHER'' title argue that ''MOTHER'' is just as official an English title, citing ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'', and also support it because it was Itoi's original and intended title[[note]]although the same could be said for ''MOTHER 2''[[/note]] and [[NostalgiaFilter it's what they were used to for years]]. This wiki and the [=EarthBound=] Wiki have settled for ''[=EarthBound=] Beginnings'', but Website/TheOtherWiki and [=WikiBound=], another ''[=EarthBound=]/MOTHER'' wiki, decided to leave it at ''MOTHER'' until discussion comes to a consensus.

** A few fans wanted the game to be on the UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS Virtual Console instead of or in addition to just the UsefulNotes/WiiU, either due to lack of a Wii U, desire for portability, or otherwise. Other fans once again tell them to be glad another ''[=EarthBound=]/MOTHER'' game is being released overseas in the first place. They also pointed out that since ''VideoGame/MOTHER3'' is a GBA game, if it was localized and released on Virtual Console in the near future, it would have likely be on Wii U, which would conveniently have made all three games playable on the same console, the Wii U; this was made moot when the Switch was released and Nintendo shortly stopped any first party work on the Wii U.

** The game was once widely known as "''[=EarthBound=] Zero''" prior to its official international release, and is still used in a few circles afterwards. Its North American release was canceled at the last minute, and the DubNameChange title, ''Earth Bound'', was later reused, albeit without the space, for [[Videogame/EarthBound1994 the SNES sequel]] ''MOTHER 2''. When a prototype of the game was discovered and dumped, after a few modifications to get it to work properly on the emulators of the day, the releasers tacked "Zero" onto the title screen to differentiate the release from the nonfunctional ROM releases, also acting as a nod to it sharing the name of its sequel, and the name stuck for a while. The name used for the English UsefulNotes/VirtualConsole release is ''[=EarthBound=] Beginnings'', although the in-game title screen is unaltered.

** Many of the (Itoi-approved) changes Nintendo of America made in the unreleased American version, including the run button and an epilogue, were added to the game in ''MOTHER 1+2'', a UsefulNotes/{{GBA}} port of this game and ''VideoGame/{{EarthBound|1994}}''. The change of Halloween to Spookane deserves special mention -- it not only keeps the "Halloween"-theme intact, but also [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spokane,_Washington sounds like an actual city in the US]].

* SeinfeldIsUnfunny: ''Beginnings'' suffers from a major problem that everything unique it did, ''VideoGame/{{EarthBound|1994}}'' and ''VideoGame/Mother3'' would go on to do better.
** The combat is largely bog-standard for [=RPGs=] of its era, with nothing unique to make it stand out from other offerings at the time, largely relying on ''VideoGame/DragonQuest'' as a design template.[[note]]Considering ''Dragon Quest'' is what ultimately inspired Itoi to get into making games, this isn't too surprising.[[/note]] This, however, was an ''intentional'' choice, as the juxtaposition of classic RPG combat in a 'modern' setting was supposed to contribute to the general weirdness of the series and put a subtle unsettlingness to certain combat encounters. However, with games like ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'', ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' and even certain ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' games setting themselves in 'modern' times with RPG combat, or at least having strong UrbanFantasy elements, it can be hard to see why a modern setting for an RPG could be considered weird to begin with.
** ''Beginnings'' has the distinction of being one of the earliest games to use psychic powers over magic as the 'spells' of the game. While it gave a unique charm at the time, it was largely just flavor as there was really nothing that made it any different from standard magic spells in [=JRPGs=] at the time. Not only have psychic powers become the secondary norm to magic when it comes to 'spells' in [=JRPGs=]; often with the two types appearing in the same game as different damage types, but later [=JRPGs=] such as ''VideoGame/GoldenSun'' would incorporate psychic powers in a way that would make them ''feel'' like proper psychic abilities.
** Although it was ''the'' earliest example of an UrbanFantasy JRPG, a setting that's still comparatively rare in the genre, the limitations of the ''NES'' makes it hard for it to really take advantage of it, with most towns largely resembling one another without too many distinct features to make them standard in comparison to later examples of the genre. The fact that it takes place in ''UsefulNotes/TheEighties'' ends up feeling like an InformedAttribute as a result, with the game feeling more like it takes place in rural ''1800s'' America.
** The game is rather notable for having a large, expansive overworld that's all loaded on the ''NES'' without any need to transitions during outdoor areas. While still incredibly impressive that they were able to get it onto the ''NES'' with zero lag, these days large, expansive overworlds have long become the norm for [=JRPGs=]. Combined with the game [[QuicksandBox often not guiding the player where to go next and expecting them to find it by exploring]], this can result in the large overworld feeling more like a hindrance rather than anything exciting.
** The FinalBoss being a case of SheatheYourSword was a ''major'' surprise at the time. Back during those days, having encounters in [=RPGs=] where you don't attack the enemy, let alone ''for the final boss'', was ''nigh-unheard of'' back then. Not just that, the game managed to do something not many games back then did, RPG or not; it makes you actually ''care'' for the main villain. Even though Giygas is a case of GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere, from what little the game manages to show through dialogue, you can tell how conflicted he really is about invading Earth. Not only does he still clearly love his adopted mother despite wanting revenge for what his father did, as you constantly remind him of that through his mother's lullaby, he goes from threatening you to flat-out begging for the player to stop reminding him of her. At the time, a villain being anything BUT a CardCarryingVillain in [=RPGs=] was almost like bigfoot; practically non-existent. So having a villain that manages to get ''any'' emotion out of the player was a monumental task back in the day. However, as hardware improved and writing in games became more nuanced, Giygas can feel like a generic GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere by comparison to sympathetic villains from later game; especially when stacked against ''VideoGame/Mother3'''s final boss; which is a similar scenario, but manages to be ''even more'' emotionally charged.

* EnjoyTheStorySkipTheGame: The story is often stated to be the strongest point of the game, with some even believing it to be better than ''VideoGame/{{EarthBound|1994}}'''s story, due to the intricate lore, the incredibly [[TrueCompanions close bond]] between the protagonists, and Ninten's [[ItsPersonal personal stakes]] against Giygas. The gameplay, on the other hand, is [[BrokenBase incredibly divisive]], with many finding it to be [[SeinfeldIsUnfunny archaic]] and [[NintendoHard unforgivingly hard]].

** Another one is the Power Shield PK Magnet combo. Power Shield essentially renders the target invulnerable for the rest of the battle, and doing so on all three teammates essentially makes winning a formality. Its intend to be [[PyrrhicVictory "win the battle, lose the war"]] kind of move, as it costs 9 PP per attempt. However, Ana can learn this move an PK Magnet. PK magnet drains 10 PP from the target and gives them to the caster. Combined, every battle (except bosses) can essentially be a race to get your party members power shielded, then leisurely healing up and sucking all the PP it costs you to do this maneuver back.

* CheeseStrategy: Despite being infamously difficult, it's possible to this to Mt.Itoi, provided your party members are durable enough to survive the battle with Giygas. If you buy a bread use it in the healers house with either Anna or Ninten after the sequence where Teddy is replaced by Lloyd, warp up back to the healers house. There, its a short walk to the dock where you'll eventually get Eve. Essentially, Teddy and Eve can escort you the whole way up the mountain. There are only two very short treks where you don't have them in company, and you can use 4th D slip to avoid encounters during them. You don't even have to worry about running out of PP because you'll stop through Magicant on the way to Giygas.

** After the Virtual Console release was revealed to be called ''"[=EarthBound=] Beginnings"'', what is the "true" English title of this game? The big contenders are ''MOTHER'' and ''[=EarthBound=] Beginnings'', with the official title of the first English prototype, ''Earth Bound'', being ruled out as being too similar to the almost universally accepted English title of the second game, ''[=EarthBound=]'' and thus would cause confusion. ''[=EarthBound=] Zero'' is also eliminated, being an obligatory FanNickname to solve said problem. Supporters of the ''[=EarthBound=] Beginnings'' title do so because it's official and makes more sense next to ''[=EarthBound=]''. Supporters of the ''MOTHER'' title argue that ''MOTHER'' is just as official an English title, citing ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'', and also support it because it was Itoi's original and intended title[[note]]although the same could be said for ''MOTHER 2''[[/note]] and [[NostalgiaFilter it's what they were used to for years]]. This wiki and [[TheWikiRule EarthBound Wiki]] have settled for ''[=EarthBound=] Beginnings'', but Website/TheOtherWiki and [=WikiBound=], another ''[=EarthBound=]/MOTHER'' wiki, decided to leave it at ''MOTHER'' until discussion comes to a consensus.

* HarsherInHindsight:
** Lloyd is a bullied kid who stole explosives from a factory. Back in the eighties, you were supposed to view him as TheWoobie who just so happens to like fireworks. In this day and age, though, where there have been a number of terrorist attacks on schools carried out by students using real weaponry…
** As mentioned under ScrappyMechanic, you can get a cold by talking to people. One NPC has heard that someone actually died from a cold. This is a harsh bit of realism that got especially harsh in the COVID-19 pandemic, in which social distancing required to contain the spread of the disease forced many people to give up many face-to-face social interactions that they'd taken for granted.

* AlternateCharacterInterpretation:

* WTHCastingAgency: "All That I Needed (Was You)" is a somewhat generic, but still catchy PowerPop pastiche. The vocal arrangement featured on the official soundtrack album features vocals by Jeremy Budd, a choirboy, which comes off as more than a little jarring.

** Is George an awful man who stole knowledge man wasn't meant to know from Aliens and abandoned his wife? Was he a bold hero who stood up to forces that threatened to destroy him, his world, and the love of his life, whom he never wanted to leave behind? Is what eventually becomes of the Earth his fault, or is it Giygas' or perhaps [[spoiler: [[VideoGame/EarthBound Po]][[VideoGame/Mother3 rky's]]]], or even [[HumansAreFlawed nobody’s fault in particular]]?

** Similarly, is Giygas really a heartless monster destined to destroy the universe like ''VideoGame/EarthBound'' claims he is, or is he just as much a victim of circumstance as most people are in this story? It's clear being betrayed by one of his surrogate parents really messed him up later on in life even before he became Giygas proper and even when he tries to invade the Earth, being reminded of his surrogate Mother and the love he still has for her makes him call off the invasion. It's ultimately not that hard to feel bad for Giygas despite him being hellbent on getting revenge; especially when you know [[VideoGame/EarthBound what his ultimate fate is]].

** Which translation is better, the official localization or FanTranslation? The [[{{Bowdlerise}} Bowdlerization]] of the official localization isn't as criticized as you may think; the main complaints are the town {{Dub Name Change}}s, that the script is "dry" and doesn't have that witty ''VideoGame/EarthBound'' or ''VideoGame/MOTHER3'' humor, and that due to only one member of the localization team returning for ''VideoGame/EarthBound'', [[DubInducedPlotHole there are more than a few inconsistencies]], including the BigBad being called [[spoiler:Giegue]] instead of [[spoiler:Giygas]][[note]]Some fans of the official localization like the change, though, because it separates him from his form in ''VideoGame/EarthBound'' and [[WordOfDante fans can play up the differences between the two appearances]][[/note]]. The fan translation imitates ''VideoGame/EarthBound'''s writing style and mends these inconsistencies, so it's all a matter of whether a fan prefers "official" or "polished". The Virtual Console version uses the official localization, so while it was unrealistic to expect a fan translation being used, it has brought up the debate again. There are also those who prefer the 'quirks' of the official translation because they find it [[GoodBadTranslation hilarious]].

** The game was once widely known as "''[=EarthBound=] Zero''" prior to its official international release, and is still used in a few circles afterwards. Its North American release was canceled at the last minute, and the DubNameChange title, ''Earth Bound'', was later reused, albeit without the space, for [[Videogame/EarthBound the SNES sequel]] ''MOTHER 2''. When a prototype of the game was discovered and dumped, after a few modifications to get it to work properly on the emulators of the day, the releasers tacked "Zero" onto the title screen to differentiate the release from the nonfunctional ROM releases, also acting as a nod to it sharing the name of its sequel, and the name stuck for a while. The name used for the English UsefulNotes/VirtualConsole release is ''[=EarthBound=] Beginnings'', although the in-game title screen is unaltered.

* FanonDiscontinuity: Even though WordOfGod states that ''VideoGame/EarthBound'' takes place ten years after this game, a significant number of fans consider ''Beginnings'' to take place in a completely separate universe from its two sequels. Reasons behind this include how the setting of ''Beginnings'' is explicitly "America" but ''[=EarthBound=]''[='=]s initial setting is named "Eagleland" and how no one in ''[=EarthBound=]'' seems to remember the aliens' invasion from ten years ago. The InconsistentDub of Giegue/Giygas's name plays a role in this, as there are several international fans who believe, either mistakenly or intentionally, that Giegue and Giygas are completely separate characters. A few other fans instead compromise between this and the idea of ''[=EarthBound=]'' being a sequel, believing that Giygas somehow traveled from the universe of this game to that of ''[=EarthBound=]''.

* SeinfeldIsUnfunny: ''Beginnings'' suffers from a major problem that everything unique it did, ''VideoGame/EarthBound'' and ''VideoGame/Mother3'' would go on to do better.

* SlowPacedBeginning: Like its [[VideoGame/EarthBound two]] [[VideoGame/{{Mother 3}} successors]], the start of the game is subjected to EarlyGameHell and a lot of LevelGrinding is pretty much mandatory if you want to even make it past the first few dungeons. However, once you make it to Magicant, the amount of EXP enemies start giving out is far better balanced and scaled to the levels you'll likely be at. Similarly, once you get Lloyd and Ana, battles become a lot less "spam attack / auto until someone needs heal, then spam attack / auto again" and take on a more strategic element to them. The game's difficulty, while [[NintendoHard by no means easy]], is also fairly better balanced than the beginning, and there's a lot more to the overworld once you open up the Paradise Line. While it's still a matter of taste due to being rather different from its successors, once you get to this point, it becomes a rather good NES Era RPG.

** Many of the (Itoi-approved) changes Nintendo of America made in the unreleased American version, including the run button and an epilogue, were added to the game in ''MOTHER 1+2'', a UsefulNotes/{{GBA}} port of this game and ''VideoGame/EarthBound''. The change of Halloween to Spookane deserves special mention - since it not only keeps the "Halloween"-theme intact, but also [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spokane,_Washington sounds like an actual city in the US]].