Monday, November 14, 2011

Remember that interview in which Shigesato Itoi mentioned a Mr. Saturn spin-off game?

Unless you're Japanese and you're old enough to have read the November 1996 issue of The 64DREAM magazine, you're probably shaking your head in the negative right now.

No worries. Lindsey over at the Yomuka! blog has you covered. She recently translated into English the above-mentioned interview--in which Shigesato Itoi not only chatted (briefly) about a Mr. Saturn spin-off (an action-puzzle game, to be more specific), but also discussed his original intent to make Mother 3 two-dimensional (back when it was still a Nintendo 64 game), his role in naming the Nintendo 64 and more.

Is it strange that I drooled over this screenshot as a teen?

Despite its age, the translated interview--which can be found here--is well worth a read if you're any kind of Mother/EarthBound fan (and, really, what self-respecting gamer isn't?).

See also: Other Mother-related posts

8 comments:

Adam said...

I actually never played Earthbound. Didn't know who Ness was until Super Smash Bros.

RetroKingSimon said...

Mr Saturn should be Emperor of Japan (>_<)

Bryan Ochalla said...

Adam: Go nab a ROM for this game, download a SNES emulator and PLAY IT! Really, it has to be experienced.

BTW, I'd suggest you pay for and download the version available on the Wii Virtual Console, but ... NINTENDO OF AMERICA REFUSES TO PUT THE GAME ON THE SERVICE.

Argh! As such, I say pirate the hell out of it... :)

Bryan Ochalla said...

Simon: Ha! I like the way you think :)

I'd really love to see any concept art that was created for this supposed spin-off, BTW. Also, I wonder why it remained an idea??

Viewtiful_Justin said...

Seriously, Adam. Go get it. Now.

Bryan, I drooled for years, before my drooling turned to tears. I'd love to play a Mr. Saturn spin-off game!

Bryan Ochalla said...

Justin: Ah, good to know I wasn't alone. I know the N64 version looks kind of janky to modern eyes, but back then I was amazed by it. Also, I'd still play that version in a heartbeat if it were released today...

Paul Darbyshire said...

I just saw the N64 Mother 3 shot and had to add my 2 pennies worth.

I can still remember wanting that game to be made so badly, it's great that Mother 3 eventually got produced and allmbut I'll always long for that 64DD version. It looks so cool and when I think about the lack of proper RPGs on the N64, it only depresses me more that they canned this.

Also, I back any call for people to play Earthbound...it's up there with FFVI, SOM and Bahamut Lagoon as one of the best RPGs on the SNES. Listening to Smiles and Tears for the first time nearly had me in tears!!

Bryan Ochalla said...

Hello again, pablo0151! Sorry, I can't remember your real name at the moment :(

Anyway, I completely understand longing for the 64DD version of this game. How sad that it was never finished -- and leaked to those of us who would love to play it. At least we have some videos and screenshots of it in action...