I will claim until the day that I die that EarthBound/Mother 2 was the best video game ever made. However, I've given up hope that I'll ever see a sequel of any kind here in America. A damn shame, too. I'd give just about anything to play this game, and I just wish NOA would realize that I'm not the only one who thinks that way.

EarthBound was released stateside in 1995, a full two years before Final Fantasy VII revolutionized the American RPG market. I can understand Nintendo's hesitance in bringing Mother 3 over, but 2006 is way different than 1995. I can't guarantee the game will top the charts, but I can say it will sell well. Why do I think so? Since the last Mother game released stateside, RPG's have become one of the dominant genres in American gaming. Anyone else remember a time when Kingdom Hearts would either flop or be a huge success? I get the same feeling with Mother 3. I can respect Nintendo's business strategy of not releasing the game here, but I still hope to see this game. What I'd do is go the Phoenix Wright route and give the game a limited release. If it doesn't sell, the damage is minimal. If it does, there can always be more made. I understand translation issues and everything, but I still feel this game could be a huge success, as the EarthBound brand seems to have finally found some momentum over here thanks to the original's growing following and the success of Super Smash Bros., of which both games feature Ness.

This may just be the rantings of a bitter EarthBound fan here, but I really think an American release of Mother 3 can be a success. I'm not expecting it to sell Final Fantasy numbers (Anyone who claims it would is an idiot), but there is a market and a demand for this game, and Nintendo would be stupid not to realize it.