Some games never stay down for long. Over 25 years after its initial release, Earthbound, and the Mother series at large, is still gathering new fans and inspiring spiritual successors.
While it's not the long-awaited localization of Mother 3, the release of Earthbound and Earthbound Beginnings on the Nintendo Switch Online service is something to celebrate. A whole new generation of players will soon experience Ness' cross-country journey across time and space.
New players might want to know how long the journey will take before setting off. Like most JRPG's, it varies depending on how good they are and how much of the game they want to experience.
How Long to Beat Earthbound
Earthbound hits the sweet spot of being long, but not exhausting. An average playthrough is going to last 25-30 hours. An extremely rushed playthrough might even slide in below 20 hours. That being said, new players shouldn't expect their run to be in the lower time threshold.
Earthbound is partially known for its wonky difficulty curve. It's not the hardest JRPG, but it has some unexpected difficulty spikes throughout its campaign, such as the Peaceful Rest Valley's Territorial Oaks or Earthbound's infamous final fight against Giygas. Veteran players will know when to prepare, but new players might get stuck in a few areas.
Putting aside difficulty issues, Earthbound isn't exactly a game meant to be sped through. While the game is lacking in traditional side quests, Earthbound is filled with hidden details and secrets, mostly in the form of optional dialogue or rare items. The game's creator, Shigesato Itoi, has stated that he hopes players take their time while playing.
If the player aims for a completionist run, getting all equipment and experiencing everything the game has to offer, then the playthrough will last about 40 hours. For exceptionally unlucky or dedicated players, it might take longer. The Onett house side quest requires that players spend a hefty in-game $7500, and some of the best equipment is hidden behind certain enemies' 1/128 chance drop rate.
Should the player complete this and still want more, there's plenty to offer. As stated before, Earthbound's NES prequel, Earthbound Beginnings, is also available in English. If that isn't enough, then there's an entire cottage industry of indie games carrying Earthbound's torch. Even though they're still waiting for the legendary third title's official release, Earthbound fans are eating well.
EarthBound is available now on Switch via Nintendo Switch Online.
