EarthBound was only officially released in Japanese and English by Nintendo. While this has, over the years, allowed the game to gain some pretty substantial exposure, there are a lot of people who have heard about the game but cannot play it the way it was meant to be played because the simply aren't fluent in English or Japanese.
Several years ago I bought a copy of Mother 2 (EarthBound's name in Japan) to play through some of the original Japanese. I was studying Japanese at the time and was really excited to have a first-hand chance to see how the game differed from its English localized version. While much of the charm of the game was still very apparent, I quickly learned that my inability to read most of the Japanese I was seeing really dampened the experience. This sort of experience is the only option most gamers worldwide have when it comes to playing EarthBound, and that's really too bad considering how essential a part of the EarthBound experience Shigesato Itoi's writing is.
EarthBound has been a major influence in my gaming career, and I have felt a desire to try and make it as accessible to as many people as possible over the years. I've lent out my original cart to friends, had people play the game at my house, and spread the word when I've found someone who might be interested. After living in Brazil in the early 2000s and learning to speak Portuguese, my ability to share the game expanded, though I didn't realize it at the time. So, when in 2008 I stumbled upon Tomato's EarthBound translation tools, it didn't take long before I knew I had to do all I could to get the game into Portuguese.
There have been several works of literature that, over time, have been translated into hundreds of languages worldwide. Video games are slowly gaining popularity over the world, and some gems have established themselves as classics, worthy of localized versions the world over. To me, EarthBound is one of these games. Just like classic literature, not everyone likes EarthBound, but those who do will never forget it.
The themes in EarthBound are wonderful, uplifting, quirky, and at times dark and sinister. Every time I play the game I find myself going through a certain level of light-hearted introspection. The game really makes you want to see the best in others, and hits you with some great dialog that makes just about every other game I've played over the years since a bit bland (with a few great exceptions, of course!). And EarthBound very casually breaks the fourth wall at such wonderful moments, like when you've been playing for, perhaps, a bit too long or just when a new aspect of the game is being introduced to you. Or perhaps when you've just passed through a particularly difficult or dark portion of the game.
Far too often I realize that, when I was playing, much of these elements were Itoi carefully wanting to make sure it was clear the game was meant to be enjoyed, even though it had some important things to say. Shock value and crass abandon are certainly not present in EarthBound. Itoi was meticulous and excited about his work, and it really shows.
SO! I honestly believe that as many people as are willing should be able to play EarthBound. In their native language. That is really what great localization is about. EarthBound was an incredible example of a localized product in a time where most translators were simply relying on literal translations and recurring tropes and trends present in anime and other traditionally translated media to try and fuel their efforts, and that is part of why I think it was adored by those who played it since its North American release, and should be critical in any release of the game that comes out from here one, whether official or not.
So, there you have it. Just some thoughts on why I think EarthBound deserves great translations in as many languages as possible.
