On the Download: Earthbound

Since the inception of the Virtual Console in 2006, there has been one game that Nintendo fans clamoured to see on Nintendo's online catalogue- Earthbound.  Earthbound is a cult classic RPG from HAL Laboratory and Ape that released on the SNES back in 1994.  When Earthbound initially released, it did not do well commercially despite how loved the game was by RPG fans and critics.  Due to the poor sales, Nintendo kept future re-releases of Earthbound and its predecessor and successor in Japan.  For a long time, the only way to get Earthbound was by buying an original copy for the SNES, which easily cost upwards of 100 dollars.  After 19 years, Earthbound is finally being re-released for an affordable price in order for those who missed it to enjoy this classic.  The launch date for the Virtual Console re-release had been shrouded in mystery until the masters at Nintendo of America surprised everybody with a Nintendo Direct Mini, which revealed Earthbound would be released today on the Nintendo eShop!

Earthbound follows four unlikely heroes, known as the Chosen Ones, as they fight off an extraterrestrial threat.  These four heroes are small-town Onett native Ness, famous young physic Paula, child genius Jeff and mystic prince Poo.  These four heroes must use their Psi powers to dispatch numerous strange monsters from dinosaurs to piles of vomit and even some human foes such as hippies.  On their adventures, they will experience the quirky humour that Earthbound is known for firsthand as the game parodies American culture and many RPG tropes.  The original Earthbound came with a strategy guide to help gamers if they ever got stuck.  Considering this Virtual Console re-release is digital only, there is no way to get the guide when purchasing the Virtual Console version.  Before you get depressed, Nintendo has made a digital version of the strategy guide available for free on Earthbound's official website.  The guide is also optimized for use on the Wii U Internet Browser.

Earthbound is available now on the Nintendo eShop for 10 dollars, which is peanuts compared to the insane price the original SNES cartridge fetches nowadays.  Personally, I never got the chance to play Earthbound for myself as I did not owned a SNES.  Seeing Nintendo re-release this beloved RPG for fans old and new to experience is just wonderful.  Hopefully if enough people purchase Earthbound on Virtual Console, maybe Nintendo will finally bring Mother 1 and 3 across the pond to North America.  If you own a Wii U, it is time to make Nintendo notice that we want more games like Earthbound by talking with our money.  Simply Earthbound is a must-buy for any Wii U owner.