Unnecessary changes and censorship in the localization of MOTHER into EarthBound Beginnings

When MOTHER, the popular Japanese video game, was localized into EarthBound Beginnings for its release in the United States, it underwent a series of unnecessary changes and censorship. These alterations not only affected the gameplay experience but also resulted in a script that contained errors and omitted important references. However, in 2011, a dedicated fan named Tomato created a fan translation for the Game Boy Advance (GBA) port of the game, which provided a more accurate and natural-sounding script.

The fan translation by Tomato was highly praised for its attention to detail and faithfulness to the original Japanese version of MOTHER. It resolved many of the issues present in the official localization, offering fans a more authentic experience. However, the fan translation was only available for the GBA port of the game, leaving fans of the original NES version longing for a similar restoration.

This is where MOTHER Restored comes in. MOTHER Restored is a patch for EarthBound Beginnings that aims to bring the fan translation by Tomato to the NES version of the game. It not only reverts the graphical changes made during localization but also includes the more accurate script provided by Tomato. This allows fans to play a version of the game that is closer to the original Japanese release.

One of the standout features of MOTHER Restored is its commitment to preserving the entirety of the fan translation. Unlike previous attempts to replace EarthBound Beginnings’ dialogue, this hack repoints virtually all of the text in the game. This means that there are no cuts to dialogue, battle text, or descriptions, allowing players to experience the game as it was intended.

In addition to the script, MOTHER Restored also focuses on restoring the graphics that were altered during localization. Whether due to censorship or other reasons, certain graphical elements were changed in the original release. MOTHER Restored brings back these graphics, allowing players to experience the game exactly as it was intended.

Furthermore, MOTHER Restored offers two versions of the patch. The first version, MOTHER Restored, aims to make the names of characters, items, and locations closely match the Japanese version of the game. The second version, MOTHER Restored (1+2 Edition), aligns with the character, item, and location names used in the MOTHER1+2 fan translation. This version is ideal for players who want to maintain continuity with the official release of EarthBound.

To apply the patch, players need an unmodified copy of the prototype ROM of Earth Bound (USA) (Proto). Detailed instructions can be found in the readme file included with the patch.

In conclusion, MOTHER Restored is a patch for EarthBound Beginnings that aims to provide a more faithful and authentic experience of the original Japanese version of MOTHER. By including the fan translation by Tomato and restoring the altered graphics, this hack offers fans the opportunity to play the game as it was intended on its original console. Whether players choose the version that closely matches the Japanese game or the one that aligns with the MOTHER1+2 fan translation, MOTHER Restored is a must-have for fans of the series who want to experience the game in its truest form.

Errors and omitted references in the script of EarthBound Beginnings

When MOTHER was localized into EarthBound (later re-titled EarthBound Beginnings), it underwent unnecessary changes and censorship, as well as a script that contained errors and omitted references. These issues were resolved in 2011 by Tomato’s fan translation for the GBA port of the game, which provided a more accurate and natural-sounding script.

MOTHER Restored brings the fan translation to the NES and reverts the graphical changes made during localization for fans who want to play a more faithful version of the original game, which boasts higher audio quality than its GBA counterpart. Unlike previous attempts to replace EarthBound Beginnings’ dialogue, this hack repoints virtually all of the text in the game. This allowed the fan translation to be included in its entirety without any cuts to dialogue, battle text, or descriptions.

To make the game even more faithful, names of characters, locations, items, and more have been made as close to the Japanese version as possible. Graphics that were altered during localization, whether due to censorship or any other reason, have also been restored so that they can be experienced exactly as they were intended. Overall, the goal of this hack is to offer a more authentic way to play MOTHER in English on its original console.

MOTHER Restored is a patch for EarthBound Beginnings that aims to make it as faithful as possible to the Japanese version of MOTHER while keeping its gameplay improvements. In this patch, the game’s script has been completely replaced with the more accurate translation done by Tomato for MOTHER1+2, including dialogue, battle text, item and enemy descriptions, and other miscellaneous text.

Unlike previous attempts to replace EarthBound Beginnings’ dialogue, this patch repoints virtually all of the text in the game. This allowed the fan translation to be included in its entirety. The main version also makes names of characters, locations, and items more accurate to what they were originally.

Graphics that were altered in localization have also been restored, including the title screen, character sprites, enemy sprites, various crosses throughout the game, and the text on the world map. Even the “YOU WIN!” font has been brought back to its original form.

MOTHER Restored offers two versions: MOTHER Restored and MOTHER Restored (1+2 Edition). The former version makes the names of characters, items, and locations closely match the Japanese game, while the latter version aligns with the MOTHER1+2 fan translation for continuity with the official release of EarthBound.

To apply the patch, it is recommended to use an unmodified copy of the prototype ROM, which should be called “Earth Bound (USA) (Proto)”. Detailed instructions can be found in the readme file.

In conclusion, MOTHER Restored is a fan-made patch that aims to provide a more authentic and faithful experience of MOTHER in English on the original NES console. By addressing the errors and omissions in the script, as well as restoring the altered graphics, this hack offers fans the opportunity to play the game as it was originally intended. With its accurate translation and attention to detail, MOTHER Restored is a must-have for fans of the MOTHER series.

Tomato’s fan translation for the GBA port of MOTHER and its more accurate script

When MOTHER was localized into EarthBound (later re-titled EarthBound Beginnings), it underwent unnecessary changes and censorship, as well as a script that contained errors and omitted references. These issues were resolved in 2011 by Tomato’s fan translation for the GBA port of the game, which provided a more accurate and natural-sounding script.

MOTHER Restored brings the fan translation to the NES and reverts the graphical changes made during localization for fans who want to play a more faithful version of the original game, which boasts higher audio quality than its GBA counterpart. Unlike previous attempts to replace EarthBound Beginnings’ dialogue, this hack repoints virtually all of the text in the game. This allowed the fan translation to be included in its entirety without any cuts to dialogue, battle text, or descriptions.

To make the game even more faithful, names of characters, locations, items, and more have been made as close to the Japanese version as possible. Graphics that were altered during localization, whether due to censorship or any other reason, have also been restored so that they can be experienced exactly as they were intended. Overall, the goal of this hack is to offer a more authentic way to play MOTHER in English on its original console.

MOTHER Restored is a patch for EarthBound Beginnings that aims to make it as faithful as possible to the Japanese version of MOTHER while keeping its gameplay improvements. In this patch, the game’s script has been completely replaced with the more accurate translation done by Tomato for MOTHER1+2, including dialogue, battle text, item and enemy descriptions, and other miscellaneous text.

Unlike previous attempts to replace EarthBound Beginnings’ dialogue, this patch repoints virtually all of the text in the game. This allowed the fan translation to be included in its entirety. The main version also makes names of characters, locations, and items more accurate to what they were originally.

Graphics that were altered in localization have also been restored, including the title screen, character sprites, enemy sprites, various crosses throughout the game, and the text on the world map. Even the “YOU WIN!” font has been brought back to its original form.

MOTHER Restored offers two versions: MOTHER Restored and MOTHER Restored (1+2 Edition). The former version makes the names of characters, items, and locations closely match the Japanese game, while the latter version aligns with the MOTHER1+2 fan translation for continuity with the official release of EarthBound.

To apply the patch, it is recommended to use an unmodified copy of the prototype ROM called “Earth Bound (USA) (Proto)”. Detailed instructions can be found in the readme file.

In conclusion, MOTHER Restored is a fan-made patch that aims to provide a more authentic and faithful experience of MOTHER in English on the NES. With a more accurate script, restored graphics, and improved audio quality, this hack allows fans to enjoy the game as it was originally intended. Whether players choose the version with names closely matching the Japanese game or the one aligned with the MOTHER1+2 fan translation, MOTHER Restored offers a nostalgic and immersive journey for fans of the series.