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{{DISPLAYTITLE:''EarthBound Beginnings''}}
{{Head
| type = Game
| quote = 
| speaker = 
| stub = 
| class = C
}} 
{{Infobox CVG (Nintendo)
| name = [[File:Earthbound Beginnings 02.svg|200px]]
| image = File:MOTHER.jpg
| developer = [[Nintendo]]<br>[[Ape]]<br>[[Pax Softnica]]
| publisher = [[Nintendo]]
| system1 = Famicom
| system1NA = Canceled
| system1JP = July 27, [[1989]]
| system2 = Virtual Console (Wii U)
| system2NA = June 14, [[2015]]
| system2JP = June 15, [[2015]]
| system2EU = June 14, [[2015]]
| system2AU = June 15, [[2015]]
| system3 = Nintendo Switch Online
| system3WW = February 9, [[2022]]
| genre = Role-playing
| ESRB = T
| PEGI = 3
| CERO = A
| USK = 0
| ACB = PG
| SMECCV = B15
| CID = 12
| GRAC = All
| GSRR = 0
}}
'''''EarthBound Beginnings''''' {{Japanese|マザー|Mazā|fan = MOTHER}} is the first installment in the [[EarthBound (series)|''EarthBound'' series]]. A sequel to the game, ''[[EarthBound]]'', was released in the Americas on the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]].

The game was originally released on the [[Famicom]] in 1989. The game was going to be released for the NES in North America in the Fall of [[1991]], but the release was cancelled.<ref>http://www.lostlevels.org/200407/200407-earthbound.shtml</ref> The game also appears on the compilation ''[[Mother 1 + 2]]''.

In the pre-show to the [[Nintendo World Championships 2015]], Nintendo revealed the game to being released on the [[Wii U]] Virtual Console as EarthBound Beginnings.

==Gameplay==
The game takes many RPG elements made popular in various similar titles and throws them out the window - it features a humorous plot, strange enemies that have never before been present in any video game, let alone an RPG, and various other things that were incorporated into the two sequels. Nevertheless, it is still one of the most traditional video games in the genre, and while the plot was wacky, the gameplay didn't stray too far from other games.

While on the overworld, not only your main character but everyone else in the party will be visible, contrary to other games where only the most prominent character is seen. The other members of the party will still be seen even if they've been killed in battle - but their sprite will simply be replaced by that of a ghostly figure.

When in battle, the action will be seen through a first-person perspective, similar to that of the [[Dragon Quest (series)|''Dragon Quest'' series]]. You'll take turns fighting, and once you've defeated an enemy you'll get experience points and items.

Unlike the two games following it, enemy encounters are random (thus meaning you won't enter a battle by touching an enemy on the overworld, but rather a battle will randomly start just by walking around). The rate at which battles will start is high for an RPG.

==Plot==
===Characters===
Mother's seemingly average characters are what greatly set it apart from other RPGs and games in general. The main characters include [[Ninten]], a young boy who has psychic powers, [[Lloyd (EarthBound)|Lloyd]], a young boy who is often picked on because he is a weakling and a nerd, [[Ana]], a young girl who is gifted with great PSI abilities, and [[Teddy (EarthBound)|Teddy]], a former gang leader who wants to avenge the death of his parents.

===Story===
{{spoiler}} In the early 1900s, long before the events of the game, a young couple vanishes suddenly. The husband, George, comes back, and never tells of what happened, while the wife, Maria, never does come back. 80 years later a young boy, [[Ninten]], wakes up one morning to find his household being possessed by some mysterious force. His lamp attacks him, as do other normal items. He is then attacked by a doll. After defeating it, it breaks open to reveal a small music box, which plays a short, mysterious melody.

{{Endspoiler}}

===Locations===
*[[Laindeer]]

==Regional differences==
===Enemy Changes===
In the English version, a couple of enemy changes were made to avoid references of blood, smoking and such. This was done in order for the game to be made more appropriate. Some female enemies were also redone to have their breasts redone, in order for there to not be an unintentional nipple.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:80%;"
|-
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Japanese Version
! scope="col" | English Version
|-
![[Crow (Mother)|Crow]]
|[[File:Crow Sprite (Mother).png]]
|[[File:Crow Sprite (EarthBound Zero).png]]
|-
![[B.B. Gang]]
|[[File:B.B. Gang Sprite (Mother).png]]
|[[File:B.B. Gang Sprite (EarthBound Zero).png]]
|-
![[Teddy (EarthBound)|Teddy]]
|[[File:B.B. Boss Sprite (Mother).png]]
|[[File:B.B. Boss Sprite (EarthBound Zero).png]]
|-
![[Kelly]]
|[[File:Kelly Sprite (Mother).png]]
|[[File:Kelly Sprite (EarthBound Zero).png]]
|-
![[Nancy]]
|[[File:Nancy Sprite (Mother).png]]
|[[File:Nancy Sprite (EarthBound Zero).png]]
|-
![[Juana]]
|[[File:Juana Sprite (Mother).png]]
|[[File:Juana Sprite (EarthBound Zero).png]]
|-
![[Gang Zombie]]
|[[File:Gang Zombie Sprite (Mother).png]]
|[[File:Gang Zombie Sprite (EarthBound Zero).png]]
|-
![[Shroudley]]
|[[File:Shroudley Sprite (Mother).png]]
|[[File:Shroudley Sprite (EarthBound Zero).png]]
|-
![[Dr. Distorto]]
|[[File:Dr. Distorto Sprite (Mother).png]]
|[[File:Dr. Distorto Sprite (EarthBound Zero).png]]
|}

===NPCs===
====General====
One of the NPCs the Twinkle Elementary school, one kid asks if you've beaten ''[[Dragon Quest 4]]'', and states that he's still stuck on ''[[Dragon Quest 3]]''. Though, in the unreleased English prototype, the same kid asks if you've ever beaten ''Super Mario Bros. 7'', and states that he's still stuck with ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' instead.

====Peanuts changes====
There are two NPCs in the game which were changed for legal reasons. The reason being that they look too much as if they were from ''[[w:c:peanuts:Peanuts|Peanuts]]''. Nintendo of America feared a lawsuit on this so they changed the graphics of the two NPCs. One looking like [[w:c:peanuts:Marcie|Marcie]] and the other one being [[w:c:peanuts:Pig-Pen|Pigpen]]. Also, [[Ninten]]'s mom's hairstyle has been changed, possibly to avoid her looking too much like [[w:c:peanuts:Sally Brown|Sally]]. Ironically, Ninten had a stripe added to his shirt, making him resemble [[w:c:peanuts:Charlie Brown|Charlie]] more.

<gallery>
Marcie look-alike-NPC - Front.png|Marcie look alike NPC.
Marcie look-alike-NPC - Side.png
</gallery>

==References==
<references />

==External links==
*{{WP link|Mother (video game)|''EarthBound Beginnings''}}
*[https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/nes/562673-earthbound-beginnings''EarthBound Beginnings''] at [[GameFAQs]]

{{Earthbound games}}

[[DE:Mother (Spiel)]]
[[ES:EarthBound Beginnings]]
[[JA:MOTHER (ゲーム)]]

[[Category:EarthBound series]]
[[Category:EarthBound games]]
[[Category:1989 video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games (Wii U, NES)]]
[[Category:Nintendo Switch Online games]]
[[Category:Major Nintendo games]]
[[Category:Nintendo games]]
[[Category:Ape games]]
[[Category:Pax Softnica games]]
[[Category:Games developed by Nintendo]]
[[Category:Games published by Nintendo]]
[[Category:Role-playing games]]
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