Beginner’s Guide to EarthBound (Mother 2)

Welcome to the world of EarthBound (in Japan as Mother 2: Gīgu no Gyakushū, MOTHER2 ギーグの逆襲), new hero. You’re about to embark on one of the most unique, charming, and unforgettable journeys in video game history. It’s a role-playing game where you’ll use psychic powers (PSI) to battle strange enemies, befriend a cast of unforgettable characters, and save the world from a cosmic horror—all while exploring a world that feels like a quirky, modern-day America.

Whether you’re playing on a classic SNES, a Wii U, or via Nintendo Switch Online, this guide will give you the essential tips to start your adventure on the right foot, without spoiling any of the story’s magic.

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Starting Your Adventure: First Steps in EarthBound

Your journey begins in the peaceful town of Onett. Before you rush out to save the world, take some time to get your bearings.

• Talk to Everyone: EarthBound is full of quirky, memorable characters. Talking to every NPC (non-player character) you meet is not just fun—it often provides valuable clues, items, and context for your next goal.
• Save Your Game… Religiously: This is the golden rule of EarthBound. You can save your progress by finding a phone and calling your dad. Save often, and save in multiple slots. If your party gets wiped out, you’ll restart from your last save, and you don’t want to lose hours of progress.
• Call Home: Your dad is your biggest supporter. Not only does he let you save the game, but he’ll also deposit money into your account based on how many enemies you’ve defeated. This is your primary source of income, so make sure to check in with him regularly at a phone.
• Use the Hint System: If you’re ever completely lost on where to go next, try using the “Hint” option on the phone. For a small fee, your dad can point you in the right direction, keeping the adventure moving.

Mastering the Battle System

EarthBound‘s turn-based combat has a few unique twists that are essential to understand.

• The HP Rolling Mechanic: This is the game’s most crucial feature. When your character takes a hit, their Hit Points (HP) don’t drop instantly—they “roll” down. If you can heal the character before their HP reaches zero, they will survive. This gives you a precious moment to react and save a party member from the brink of death.
• PSI is Your Best Friend: PSI is your magic. It’s used for powerful attacks, healing, and defense. Ness learns new PSI abilities as he levels up, and each one consumes PP (Psychic Points). Don’t be afraid to use your PP in regular battles—that’s what it’s for! But always keep a little in reserve for healing after a tough fight.
• Use the Right Tools: Don’t just rely on attacks. Use items, especially food, to heal outside of battle and conserve your PP.
• Surprise Attacks: Enemies are visible on the overworld. If you run into them from behind, you’ll get a pre-emptive strike, giving your party a free turn to attack. If they hit you from behind, you’ll be the one caught off-guard!
• Auto-Battle: Once you’re comfortable, you can use the auto-battle feature to speed through easier random encounters, saving you time and letting you focus on exploration.

General Tips for a Smoother Journey

• Manage Your Inventory: Your inventory space is limited. Keep a good balance of healing items, equipment upgrades, and key items. When you find a new piece of gear at a store, compare it to what you’re wearing—it’s almost always worth buying.
• Explore Everything: The world is packed with secrets. Hidden paths, optional dungeons, and quirky side-quests are everywhere. Don’t just follow the main road—poke around in every corner of every town.
• Seek Out Sanctuary Locations: Certain locations, like your own home, offer free healing. Finding these spots is a huge relief, as you can always return to them to fully restore your HP and PP. Your mom will even patch you up if you go back to bed!

Pro-Tips from the Pros

For those looking to get a little extra edge, here are a couple of classic tips:

Tip Category	What to Do	Why It’s Helpful
Early-Game Grinding	In Twoson, talk to the man sitting at a table outside the hotel repeatedly. After about 20 times, he’ll pay you $50 just to leave him alone.	An easy way to earn some quick cash for early-game equipment.
A Unique “Shield”	Early in the game, you’ll receive a Franklin Badge. You don’t need to equip it; just keep it in your inventory. It has the special property of reflecting a specific type of powerful beam attack (PK Beam γ) that would otherwise instantly kill you.	It’s a literal lifesaver against certain tough enemies later on. Keep it safe!

Your adventure is just beginning. Remember to save often, talk to everyone, and soak in the wonderfully weird world around you. Good luck, and may your journey be full of friendship and adventure