Thursday’s impromptu and brief Nintendo Direct came with happy news for Earthbound fans, as the classic Super Nintendo RPG finally hits the eShop.
The surprising announcement and subsequent release of Earthbound on the Wii U’s eShop might very well be a subtle apology from Nintendo, a “hey Dawg, we still cool and all right?” after almost shutting down the Super Smash Bros. Melee tournament at this past week’s Evo Championship Series – thankfully, they saw the error of their ways.
Whatever the reasoning though, the major thing to take away is that one of the most worshiped role-playing games on the Super Nintendo, with a passionate fanbase that effortlessly campaigned to ensure that this day would happen, is now digitally available. And at a $9.99 USD price that might lower those $200 physical copies going for sale on eBay! (Not a chance, I know.)
Understandably, ten bucks is certainly a couple dollars more than the asking price of your typical SNES Virtual Console release, but with how “amazingly praised till the cows come home” this unique little RPG is, it’s a total steal. Nintendo even threw in the the original Earthbound strategy guide – sadly, no scratch-and-sniff stickers – with the game’s purchase.
As an Earthbound noob, I can’t wait personally to try out the game myself. I’ve always felt quite ashamed at never getting a chance to; it wears on my soul and keeps me up at night… (not really. Well, maybe a tiny bit.) If an idyllic, kind of weird, Japanese role-playing game starring a bunch of kids sounds like something you might enjoy, then head to the Wii U eShop today.
Oh, and the music is awesome too!
Be sure to also take a gander at the latest slate of geek news right here on Walyou.com, like info about next-gen consoles such as the Xbox One and the 10 weirdest mythological creatures. Why the ladder story? Well, it’s awesome! That’s why! Sheesh.
