Why is Earthbound so Greeeat?

[Dylan]

Honestly, Earthbound is the type of game that has a significant amount of its enjoyment in it's unique character and quirkiness (like Psychonauts). It's a fairly average game beneath the surface, so if you aren't drawn in by its style and decoration then I doubt you'll find much to enjoy about it. I personally have found the game to be very stimulating, especially with the occasionally freakish things that happen throughout the story (especially the end).

If I was going to spend over a 100 bucks on an rpg, I'd go ahead and shoot for Panzer Dragoon Saga.

$100 would be a steal, you're looking at more like $200.

[Hatta]

The best Sci-Fi RPGs out there are Starflight (Genesis) and Star Control 2 (3DO/cross platform).

[Opa Opa]

If I was going to spend over a 100 bucks on an rpg, I'd go ahead and shoot for Panzer Dragoon Saga.

$100 would be a steal, you're looking at more like $200.

Actually, I think it's around $250. That's why I said "over a 100 bucks".

[Dylan]

If I was going to spend over a 100 bucks on an rpg, I'd go ahead and shoot for Panzer Dragoon Saga.

$100 would be a steal, you're looking at more like $200.

Actually, I think it's around $250. That's why I said "over a 100 bucks".

Ah, sorry. It just seemed out of comparable range.

[t0yrobo]

The gameplay is pretty generic rpg fare. What I liked about it was that the story did the typical coming of age/power of friendship thing, but it was actually tolerable. And the settings and characters were interesting.
That's my opinion as someone who generally hates jrpgs for what ever that's worth.

[Opa Opa]

Ah, sorry. It just seemed out of comparable range.

For me, if a game is $100+ it might as well be $1000. I'd really have to want that game to consider buying it. I (and I'm sure a lot of other people) really can't afford to spend that much on games right now. Especially in this economy.

Back to the topic though... Does anyone know how many carts were produced? Or does anyone know the price of importing the game? Like many other expensive games, you could probably get the game cheaper and read a translation and save a lot of money.

[Breetai]

Back to the topic though... Does anyone know how many carts were produced? Or does anyone know the price of importing the game? Like many other expensive games, you could probably get the game cheaper and read a translation and save a lot of money.

The Japanese version is pretty cheap; between $1-20 IN JAPAN depending on condition. Imported, probably $10-40 I would think depending on condition plus shipping ($5-10).

I don't think this was really that rare when it was released in North America. I clearly remember seeing it in stores for a while, and it was very heavily advertised (usually good evidence that it was easy to come by, unless it's a Working Designs game...).

[MrPopo]

Earthbound is just full of charm. You fight enemies such as the New Age Retro Hippie and get help from an obvious Blues Brothers parody (even more obvious in the JP release). You use bats and frying pans instead of swords and bows, and it has the Mr. Saturns. When you strip it all away it's mostly the same old JRPG, but it's the charm that really takes it up to legendary status. It did add a few new things to the genre, though. When you engage in combat it'll auto resolve battles if you would instant-win them, and after defeating a boss the enemies run away from you.

[Opa Opa]

I don't think this was really that rare when it was released in North America. I clearly remember seeing it in stores for a while, and it was very heavily advertised (usually good evidence that it was easy to come by, unless it's a Working Designs game...).

So it might be safe to assume that all of those ebay listings that say something like "Earthbound-RARE GAME" is total b.s.?
---
I was just browsing ebay and there is a complete copy of Earthbound being bid on. Right now it's at $255 with around 13 bids........ Completely ridiculous.

Edit: For that price you could get a Super Nintendo, Chrono Trigger, and FF VI and still have money left over.

[irixith]

Earthbound was released with the official strategy guide in a special big box to accommodate the guide. The guide itself had special scratch 'n sniff cards in the back as well. A complete mint copy of the game is actually a collector's item, and has typically been a high-value game for many years. Especially since it's typically Earthbound nuts that tend to be questing after the complete copies, keeping the value high.