Mother

About

Mother is a 2003 role-playing game from Ape and Nintendo that tasks a boy named Ninten with battling rogue household objects and figuring out a cosmic threat. Using psychic powers inherited from his grandfather, you travel across a quirky world filled with eccentric allies and enemies that defy normal logic. Combat leans on turn-based strategy with a focus on elemental weaknesses and item experimentation. The Western-released Earthbound Beginnings is technically the same game but with adjusted dialogue and enemy balance. The game stands out for its offbeat charm and surprising depth, balancing lighthearted humor with tense battles. A 2020 repackage added the Easy Ring to new playthroughs, softening early-game difficulty without removing challenge. Though initially overlooked, it now has a cult following that's only grown over time. Metacritic aggregates reviews at 84/100, with critics praising its creativity and replay value. The Game Boy Advance's limitations don't hold it back, its retro pixel art and catchy music feel intentional, not outdated.

Storyline

Mother follows the young Ninten as he uses his great-grandfather's studies on psychic powers to fight hostile, formerly inanimate objects and other enemies. His adventure leads him to new friends and eventually uncovering an alien plot that must be stopped.