GameTimeline

Release & story order

EarthBound timeline

The MOTHER trilogy from Earth Bound Beginnings (1989) through Mother 3 (2006)—original release dates, one connected story across three RPG chapters, and FAQ for US ports of Mother 1, EarthBound on SNES Classic and Nintendo Switch Online, and Mother 3 regional availability.

Updated July 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When HAL and Ape Inc. shipped each chapter—Mother (1989, Japan), EarthBound (1995 US / 1994 Japan as Mother 2), then Mother 3 (2006, Japan). Release order follows original launches; US port years are FAQ-only.

  • Full trilogy → all three rows in order
  • US players → Beginnings (2015+ ports) then EarthBound then Mother 3—FAQ
  • EarthBound works as a standalone 1990s RPG—trilogy callbacks increase in Mother 3
  • Mother 1+2 GBA Japan compilation—FAQ only
Story order tips

One trilogy: Ninten's journey → Ness and the Chosen Four → Lucas and the Masked Man. Play Mother / Beginnings → EarthBound → Mother 3—Release and Story match.

  • Core canon: Beginnings → EarthBound → Mother 3
  • EarthBound is Mother 2—same story worldwide
  • Mother 3 assumes trilogy context—do not start there
  • On Story order, Mother 3 may be hidden—reveal when ready

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. EarthBound Beginnings

    EarthBound Beginnings

    NESWii USwitchRPGMainline

    Ninten vs Giygas—MOTHER trilogy chapter one.

    Overview
    Shigesato Itoi's Famicom RPG—modern setting and quirky tone before EarthBound.
    In-game setting
    Released as Mother in Japan; US title EarthBound Beginnings on later ports.
    Should you play it?
    Play first on Story order—available on Switch as of June 2026—FAQ.
    Release date
    Japan Famicom July 27, 1989. US Wii U VC June 14, 2015.
  2. EarthBound

    EarthBound

    SNESRPGMainline

    Ness and the Chosen Four vs Giygas—Mother 2.

    Overview
    Cult SNES RPG—rolling HP, psychedelic final battle, and American suburb satire.
    In-game setting
    Mother 2 in Japan—direct sequel to Beginnings.
    Should you play it?
    SNES Classic and NSO include EarthBound—FAQ.
    Release date
    US SNES launch June 5, 1995.
  3. Mother 3

    Mother 3

    GBARPGMainline

    Lucas, the Pigmasks, and the Masked Man—trilogy finale.

    Overview
    GBA finale—rhythm combos, time-skip structure, and emotional climax.
    In-game setting
    Latest mainline as of June 2026—no official US cartridge release.
    Should you play it?
    Play last—regional availability FAQ essential.
    Release date
    Japan GBA launch April 20, 2006.

FAQ

Release vs story order, Beginnings vs Mother, Mother 3 access, and compilations.

Release order

They match: EarthBound Beginnings (Mother, 1989) → EarthBound (Mother 2, 1995 US) → Mother 3 (2006). One continuous story—Ninten, then Ness, then Lucas. Release rows use original launch dates (Japan for Mother 1 and 3).

Full story: EarthBound Beginnings (Switch eShop / NSO) → EarthBound (NSO SNES or SNES Classic) → Mother 3 (see Mother 3 US FAQ—no official US release as of June 2026). One-game start: EarthBound alone is valid—add Beginnings and Mother 3 for full trilogy.

Story & canon

Same game—Mother (1989, Japan Famicom) was localized as EarthBound Beginnings for US Virtual Console (2015) and later Nintendo platforms. One Release/Story row—not two games.

Ports & collections

Mother 3 had no official US release as of June 2026—Japan GBA original only. Nintendo has not shipped an English version on Virtual Console or Switch. Fans often use the fan translation on original hardware—GameTimeline does not link ROM or patch sites; obtain hardware/software legally yourself.

Mother 1+2 (2003, GBA, Japan) compiles Mother and Mother 2—not a separate Release or Story row. SNES Classic and NSO bundle EarthBound only. Cubic Ninja and Smash Bros. cameos are FAQ-only.

Optional & related

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.