It's Peanuts Time Again, Shigesato Itoi!

I’ve written about this before, as seen in a previous post. But on this, the final day of Starmen.net’s MOTHER fanfest, I think it’s appropriate to revisit the topic for just a few moments. After all, MOTHER deserves a little more love before we all put it away for another year!

With the original MOTHER title – known in some American circles as Earthbound Zero – series creator Shigesato Itoi crafted a video game for people who don’t necessarily enjoy traditional gaming experiences; a sort of “anti-video game.” Similarly, Peanuts by Charles Schultz caries the strange distinction of being both quintessential funny paper fodder and an anti-comic strip, rarely noted for its belly laughs but adored and venerated all the same by thousands and thousands of loyal readers. The strip’s got such staying power that as of 2011, it’s still being printed in hundreds of publications around the country, despite Schultz’s passing more than a decade earlier.

I don't know why he expected this time to be different.

So what could these two things possibly have in common that wasn’t already explored in “Its Itoi’s World, Charlie Brown?” Not much really; just a small tidbit I cut from the original essay. It’s something that I was reminded of when I finished MOTHER today.

It's a crumby game.

The more I ponder it, the more impossible I think it would be to make a “true” Peanuts game; a game that captures the essence of the comic strips and animated TV specials. There would be nothing to do in a Peanuts game but match philosophical wits with Linus, pay too much for psychological advice from Lucy, and have footballs pulled away just as you’re about to kick them. The only other choice is an action game starring that pudgy bald kid who’s falling down all the time. It would make as much sense as all those Garfield games that have everyone’s favorite lazy kitty doing triple flips over his neighbor’s fences and gallivanting through haunted houses. The few attempts at capturing Charlie Brown’s world on the gaming screen have been bizarre, Snoopy-based affairs like Snoopy’s Silly Sports Spectacular for the NES in 1990, but it’s worth noting that in Japan, this game stars Donald Duck and a bunch of other Disney characters. If that doesn’t speak volumes on the genericness of the title, I don’t know what does.

I realized this long ago: MOTHER is a better Charlie Brown game than what was officially attempted with the Peanuts license – and probably anything that will ever come along in the future. Though the RPG genre isn’t an exact fit for good ol’ Chuck and the gang, it’s probably the best suited for that classic Peanuts dry humor and somewhat melancholy atmosphere.

Ninten at home.

Ironically, the greatest tribute to Schultz’s work was created 11 years before his death by a man who lives thousands of miles away from the birthplace of everyone’s favorite blockhead. Perhaps Shigesato Itoi understands American culture better than many of those living within her borders.

Or perhaps he just knows how to craft enjoyable games rife with dry humor and a somewhat melancholy atmosphere.

Earthbound Scrapbook Entry #16: Smiles and Tears (GPP16)

It's been a long, hard journey, but I think we're almost done.

Sometimes I've felt like I've spent years trying to get things just right; trying to make things perfect. Maybe I have.

That's just my nature, I guess. With my father and mother separated by so many miles, I pour myself into everything I do. I work to exhaustion to prove myself... and to forget. After awhile, I didn't need to forget anymore and I had nothing left to prove. Now I work hard for myself.

At times I've cursed this adventure, the long hours, the setbacks and the heartbreaks. But now that it's almost done, I have a feeling that I'll be looking back fondly at all the time I spent on it.

This path is leading me to my destiny.

A Bionic Kraken crushes Jeff's metal body with its massive tail and sends thousands of volts of electricity though his crumpled chassis. It would have killed him in his human form. As a robot, he's able to pull himself back up and return fire.

The Kraken fades away.

Our metal feet clang against the stone floor. It's a bit like aluminum cans being crushed with every step. For some reason, I love this sound.

In the distance, I can see the entrance to Giygas's lair.

*   *   *

My attacks aren't causing any damage. There's nothing left to do but pray that I'll make it. I knew it was going to come down to this, yet I feel so desperate I feel right now.

This is amazing.

I can't grasp the true form of Giygas's attack. The valiant prince of Dalaam takes mortal damage.

Paula falls to her knees and appeals to anyone who will heed her call. Thousands of years in the future, the Runaway Five are rehearsing for a joint concert with superstar singer Venus.

The keyboardist stops first, then the drummer. Soon the stage is soundless. None of the musicians are very religious, but Lucky feels the need to pray for the safety of his friends.

In the past, Giygas's defenses become unstable.

Paula calls out again and again, praying for the aid of her family, of Dr. Andonuts, of anyone who will listen. She even calls out to the good people of Saturn Valley.

Though prayer is not a part of their culture, the Mr. Saturn begin to feel anxious about their friends and hope with all their might that everything will be all right in the end.

I feel anxious too as one of Paula's prayers goes unanswered, absorbed into the darkness.

Another fatal blow. The kind-hearted scientist boy can go no further. He slumps to the ground like a broken toy.

Paula prays once more. It reaches a person she's never met before, but feels like she knows very well.

_ _ i _ s _ t _ _ I_ _ i prays for the well being of the children.

Giygas took 167 HP damage!

Paula prays from the bottom of her heart.

S _ i _ sat _ I _ oi was moved to prayer once more!

Giygas took 557 HP damage!

"NESS! NESS! IT HURTS! I FEEL H  A  P  P  Y!" screams the beast.

Another desperate attack crushes Ness's chest. I watch as is hit points roll down to zero.

There's no one left to help and nothing left to do. Paula prays a final time!

...and S _ igesat _ I_oi keeps praying too!

Giygas took 1995 HP damage!

With a final, unfathomable attack from Giygas, Paula can stand no longer. As her HP drains, I tap the action button madly. I've made it this far; I won't stop here!

Shigesato Itoi prayed and prayed!

Giygas took 19,973 HP damage!

That when I know it's over. Pokey appears to taunt me one more time, then vanishes.

I feel drained as I watch the souls of Ness and his friends - of my children - returning through time to be with their families once more.

A sudden knock at my door startles me.

"Is the final stage of the game program satisfactory, Mr. Itoi?" asks a man in a white button-up shirt. His red tie dangles dangerously close to my fish tank.

"It could be better," I reply. I dash my spent cigarette in the nearby ashtray. A tobacco ember floats up and quickly disappears.

The man frowns, thinking that the game will be delayed for yet another few months. I smile and put my hand on his shoulder.

"But it's wonderful as it is. Please put it on a sample cartridge tomorrow and have it sent to headquarters."

He smiles and nods. He shuts the door behind him as he leaves.

I don't need to test the ending again; I know it's already as good as it can be without another total rewrite of the program. I shut off the Super Famicom on my desk just as Ness reawakens in Saturn Valley.



It's ready to be submitted for a final quality check, manufactured, then shipped out to all the Nintendo gamers, whose good will and encouragement has kept me going, even when it looked like this game wasn't ever going to be finished. It's about two years late, but the fans have waited patiently. I'm so happy I can finally give them what they wanted for so long.

I shut down my computer and grab my jacket. I take one final look at my office before turning off the light. After waving goodbye to a few other employees who are working even later than I did, I head out towards the still-bustling streets of Japan.

Goodbye, MOTHER 2. You were my curse. You were my sanctuary.

I'll miss you.

Earthbound Scrapbook Entry #15: The Way Things Were (GPP15)

There's something you're trying to remember

and a lot of things you're trying to forget.

You can hear your mother's sweet voice calling you. She and your sister are asking you to stay with them forever. The best tree swing in the county blows in the breeze

and the old barn beckons right up the street; not an adult in sight to keep you from sneaking right in

and just like always, Dad isn't around. He's never around.

He missed your birthday again. You wonder if he even remembered before Mom told him about it days later.

It would be so easy to stay with Mom and your sister. Even your dog is here.

He's just like you remember him

before he got old.

He's just like you remember him before Mom loaded him into the car the night he just couldn't breathe anymore and didn't make it home.

"Turn it off," says a familiar voice in the distance.

Don't tell me what to do.

Mom promises that if you stay she'll never let anything hurt you again. Not even that Peter Pan movie that made you cry so hard when Tinkerbell died. She came back a few minutes later, but the damage was already done.

It wasn't Tinkerbell you were crying for.

It would be so easy to sit down on the couch with Mom and watch Transformers and walk by the old rusty bike in the river and have a picnic in the backyard and make forts out of chairs and blankets and

That's not the way it is anymore. Maybe it was never like that to begin with. You can't go back

Ever

Your insides feel like they did the night Santa stepped into a squad car and your last shred of faith stayed with him. The first crushing lesson you learned is that there's nothing magical about your existence.

The second is that you can hurt others

and others can hurt you.

Your mother waves in the distance as you stride forward. By her grim expression, you know you've upset her by leaving.

For some reason you begin to focus on the one who hurt you most. At least you're used to Dad disappointing you.

How could she do that to you? After so long? After you bought her dinner at that expensive restaurant and wore your new pants? She wouldn't even

look

at you when she told you

You know it's wrong but you wish she would feel every ounce of what she made you feel.

she wouldn't even look at you when she said not to come back.

"You really need to turn that off now," says the voice.

Stop telling me what to do! I can make my own decisions!

Thinking about her makes your stomach twist and turn, not because you want her back anymore, but because you wish she would hurt and cry and lose weight from grief.

You've got to press forward. You know you need to keep going where ever it is that you have to go. But the more pain you feel, the harder it is to keep walking.

Something positive:

When you were little, Mom took you to the Easter egg hunt. The Easter Bunny was there; back when you believed in something other than money and the satisfaction of turning off your phone so the outside world couldn't intrude on your few moments of solace.

Mom worked her way to the front of the crowd and

at

the time they let everyone loose, you were at the front. You got all the best eggs out of all the other kids.

Courage.

That's what everyone says you need to succeed. That's what the Flying Men say they can give you.

They're tall and proud; they're sort of the opposite of you.

The Flying Men wouldn't let you down.

The Flying Men would never forget 

your

birthday or hurt you like that girl did.

With the help of the Flying Men, you're able to push through the pain and keep going. You can't feel a thing when the creatures hit you, but you notice that the Flying Men are bruised and bleeding. They refuse your aid and push you forward.

"Turn that thing off right now and get to work!" yells the familiar voice.

I'm not listening to you! I can't stop now!

As you trudge though the cold, salty water the only thing on your mind his how you thought you were going to be a construction worker. That's not working out.

You know that it would never have worked out.

life

is more complicated than a saw and a tree and a lunch packed for you by the woman who should have stopped caring by now.

"Did you ever find your lost trumpet?" asks an old friend you barley recognize. His face is nothing more than two dots and a smile.

He meant the world to you once

and

now you can't remember his name.

It's too hard to go on. You sit down in the water and let it go over your head. For some reason, the only thing you can think of is how hard you worked on your English in grade school

and failed anyway.

No one even noticed when you stopped trying. You

hated

the work and you hated the teachers for not understanding.

The last Flying Man took a fatal blow from the serpentine sea creature standing between you and what you didn't want you know; what you had to know. For the first time you felt the freezing water in your lungs.

You struggle to the island where you know you need to be. You can hardly see the object staring back at you.

What is

it?

It reminded you of your neighbor's yard

The thing that always worried you

the thing you couldn't fathom

You know you don't need the Flying Men anymore. You just need yourself.

What you're facing is a statue

A reflection of you and your hate and insecurities.

But by facing it, you've already overcome it.

"You need to turn off that old video game and get to work!" exclaims the familiar voice. You finally recognize it. It's your father. And he's right.

It's time to get to work.

Your eyes jet open. You fell asleep playing that game again. The familiar music fills the air as you pull your body up into a sitting position.

You're probably still a little drunk. But that's not important. You grab your baseball bat and stumble into the night.

The rain is thick. The street lights are barley cutting through it. You keep walking to where you know you need to go.

The trees are nothing but silhouettes. From your head into your eyes, the rain drips, but your baseball cap is enough to keep you from going blind.

You pass by your former neighbor's house, now vacant. He was the worst person in your neighborhood. He caused so much pain.

But you know that at one time, he was an okay little kid. You used to watch Thundercats together. He even shared his ice cream with you

once.

Finally, up the hill and past Mr. Agerate's old house, you're where it all began. Fifteen years ago you stood on this very spot and your life changed forever. A decade and a half later and things haven't gone as planned. It should have been easier for you thanks to what you did.

But the world doesn't owe you squat. You know you did the right thing because you had to. You'd do it again in a heartbeat.

A smile crosses your lips.

Somewhere, the Flying Men breathe once more.

Earthbound Scrapbook Entry #14: Land of the Lost (GPP14)

We, the Ancient Knowledge Rocks of the Lost Underworld and beyond, cannot stand behind the recent strange behavior of the once docile Tenda tribe.

The Tendas, a normally quiet and reserved people, have begun acting very strangely in the past hours. We believe the disturbance to be connected to the arrival of four human youths led by the red capped boy, Ness. Before they showed their faces, the Tendas remained almost silent throughout the day, tending to their needs in beautiful silence.

But since the humans came, the Tendas have gotten out of control. For example, one of their new pastimes, called "beer pong," involves the ingestion of large amounts of intoxicants as well as minor physical activity and loud, obnoxious cheering.

The Tendas have also begun utilizing their "Weird Junk" collection to make as much noise as possible, often late into the night. Most mornings have become very difficult for the tribe as they have complained of a lack of rest and headaches throughout what used to be their most productive morning hours.

Nearly the entire tribe has gone from respectable, self-minding individuals to intoxicant swigging, loudmouthed hooligans.

Observe, for example, Democyan, a once-respectable father who now sleeps all day and spends his nights ingesting microbe waste and making rude gestures to his fellow Tendas.

This ruination can be traced to the teachings of the young humans. Yet, through our collective consciousness, we sense that these children are indeed the saviors of the world. Their ruination of the Tenda tribe is a regrettable side affect of the rescue process, but it is still our duty to help them achieve their goal of destroying the evil Giygas, destroyer of lands.

After removing the inhibitions of the previously puritanical Tendas, the young humans entered Lumine Hall, a sacred place once inaccessible to all benign living things. It was up to us to begrudgingly aid them in their quest.

"I am a talking rock," we said.

"Holy crap," replied Ness.

Throughout Lumine Hall, we aided our new friends with invaluable information, including this indispensable tidbit: "I am a talking rock."

As Ness and his friends approached the limits of Lumine Hall and the entrance to the Lost Underworld - we gave him the indispensable hint "I don't have much to say" - the youths met up with the Electro Specter, the strongest villain taking up residence in Lumine Hall.

It looked as if all was lost until the one they call "Jeff" destroyed the beast with a single rocket attack. Then, the four Chosen Ones headed down into the heart of Lumine Hall.

This is when a peculiar thing occurred; something we've never seen before.



"Who's this Ryu guy?" asked Ness.

"I'm not sure," replied Jeff. "Perhaps he's the protagonist of another... uh... adventure."

They shrugged their shoulders and, without hesitation, hopped into the entrance to the dinosaur haven.

*   *   *

We watched their progress from our many perches in the underworld.

"I feel so tiny," said Paula, "almost like an ant."

"Hopefully not like the ant I squashed at Giant Step," said Ness.

Paula looked confused.

"There!" exclaimed the prince of Dalaam, "there in the grass!"

Two huge beasts grazed on the lush vegetation in the distance. The youths gasped with surprise and awe.

"Gasp!" said Ness. "I am surprised an awed!"

*   *   *

Paula stared up through the palm trees. She was the last of the four to accept her new, diminutive stature.

"If the trees are this big," she said, "how about the monsters?"

Ness shivered a bit.

"Hopefully we won't ever find out," he said.

The prince ceased moving and grabbed Jeff's shoulder, stopping him in his tracks. Paula and Ness noticed the discrepancy in their formation and stopped walking as well.

"I think we are about to do just that," said the prince.

Looking down at them was a giant, terrible lizard that time had forgotten.

*   *   *

"If one dinosaur took that much out of us, how will we ever defeat Giygas?" asked Paula. She was equipped with the peculiar new weapon the Chompasaur had dropped after his defeat at the hands of the children.

"I don't know, but we have to keep going," said Jeff. "We have to keep going for everyone you care about. We have to keep going for everyone who exists, even my father."

"I'm sorry he hurt you, Jeff," said Paula, "but I know he loves you in his own way."

At that moment, the four crossed paths with the most knowledgeable of all ancient rocks. It called out to their leader.

"Ness!"

The four focused on the rock.

"Listen Ness. I'm going to tell you something very important. You're the chosen one. Your destiny is not only yours... It's the destiny of the whole universe. There will be a time in which all of you in the universe will overlap each other. Do you remember Giant Step in Onett?"

"Yeah, with the big nasty ant," Ness replied.

"That is one of your sanctuaries. It is a spot which gives you power and allows you to realize all your skills. You must reach all of the eight power spots; when the Sound Stone records the melodies of all eight power spots you can finally see your world."

"My world?" Ness asked.

"Listen to the melodies of all eight power spots. If you do not fail, you may upset Giygas' plans... Understand, Ness?"

"No!" he exclaimed. "I don't! Who... who am I?! Why can't I just be a normal kid?!"

"That's fine," said the rock. "The time will come. The time when the destiny of you and the whole universe will overlap... It is fast approaching. You must obtain the final melody at the Fire Springs, to the east."

That's when the most ancient of all rocks ceased speaking. Ness was still confused. He pleaded with the rock to give him more information.

It remained quiet.

*   *   *

The four solemnly walked through the giant foliage of the Lost Underworld, in the general direction the most ancient rock had told them to go. In their hearts, they knew Ness would soon bear the brunt of the responsibility they all shared.

An enemy - the one known as "Ego Orb" - appeared during this time.

Ness was so lost in thought that he raised his weapon and slayed the beast in one hit, all without removing his hand from his chin.

Soon, the four had reached the fire rock where no ancients may go. We could sense much conflict from within. We knew that Ness and his friends were fighting valiantly for the fate of the world.

Then, a terrible blow.

Ness, the savior of our world, had collapsed.

Earthbound Scrapbook Entry #13: The Day the Starmen Stood Still (GPP13)

TENDA JOURNAL: 7-10-9X

I'm shy.

We're shy...

Want change. Want friends.


TENDA JOURNAL: 7-16-9X

Mom and dad take picture. They're shy.

TENDA JOURNAL: 7-27-9X

Four children came. Had weird junk.

Looking for book: Overcoming Shyness.

Children kind. Want to help.

Follow. Help.

TENDA JOURNAL: 7-28-9X

Children went to cold place. I came too.

Looking for Apple boy. Has book Overcoming Shyness.

Many battles. Scared. Red hat boy protect.

Friends...?

TENDA JOURNAL: 7-29-9X

Ness and Paula kind. Poo unfortunate name but strong. And prince! Jeff smart; veiny forehead.

Apple Kid not at old man's lab.

Something is wrong. I am scared. We rest now.

TENDA JOURNAL: 7-30-9X

Stonehenge is many rocks. Stonehenge is where many people are trapped. Ness and Poo are collecting supplies. Paula and Jeff are waiting at old man's lab for old man. Jeff is... sad? Why?

I am waiting too.

I am someone. I am me!

Friends are kind to me. Friends are good to have.

TENDA JOURNAL: 7-31-9X

We are going into Stonehenge. Bad people took old man and Apple boy. We are going to take them back. We are going to save them.

The stairs are funny colored.

So is the inside of the building.

There are many enemies around. This is very dangerous.


TENDA JOURNAL: ???

Poo is looking for the Sword of Kings. He says it will help us fight the monsters. He is looking and looking. The Starmen are evil, but I feel bad for them. Poo is trashing them relentlessly. The rest of friends are very, very tired of fighting. I am very bored and I wish there was no Sword of Kings.

TENDA JOURNAL: ??? So tired!

It has been many, many days and Poo has not found the Sword of Kings. My friends, however, are still good and kind.

Poo is very sad, but he understands that he will not find his sword.

We are going to continue through the base.

TENDA JOURNAL: Sometime in August

We are near the final enemy of the Stonehenge base. Poo never got his Sword of Kings, but I think it is going to be okay. I know a battle is coming; a big battle. I know my friends can win; they are the saviors of the world.

TENDA JOURNAL: 8-??-9X

We are about to fight the final starman. We've located all the people who have been taken hostage by Giygas's henchmen. All we need to do is destroy the head starman.

*   *  *

Ness and his friends destroyed him easily. Now, because Apple Kid doesn't have it, we're on our way to Ness's hometown to find the Overcoming Shyness book.


TENDA JOURNAL: 8-17-9X

Because the Apple Kid didn't have it, we've returned to Ness's hometown, Onett, to find the Overcoming Shyness book in the Onett library.

I know my people can benefit from it greatly.

Onett is very beautiful and bright.

The Onett library had the Overcoming Shyness book, but Ness isn't interested in showing it to my tribe just yet. He said he'd like his friends to meet his mother at his house. We walked up the path to where Ness lives. To the left was his neighbor Pokey's house.

Ness opened the door to his home and invited his friends in. He called out for his mother, and she walked down the stairs. She took one look and her eyes lit up.

"Hello, Mom," Ness said.