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

    EarthBound Beginnings (Mother) is Ninten's 1980s RPG—PSI kids vs alien weirdness that started Itoi's trilogy. Release tab year here is 1989.

    Overview
    Modern-day JRPG setting with humor and turn-based PSI combat roots.
    In-game setting
    Story and Release start. Western Wii U VC finally localized it—FAQ.
    Should you play it?
    Optional but enriching before EarthBound. Cousins: Pokémon, Persona, Final Fantasy. Pair EarthBound Beginnings with startHere guidance before optional side rows.
    Release date
    Japan Famicom 1989; US Wii U VC June 14, 2015. Platforms called out for this beat: NES, Wii U, Switch.
  2. EarthBound

    EarthBound

    SNESRPGMainline

    EarthBound (Mother 2) follows Ness's Choose Your Own Adventure charm—SNES cult classic with satire and psychic teens. Release tab year here is 1995.

    Overview
    SMAAAASH hits, rolling HP, and soundtrack-driven emotional comedy-RPG tone. Sequel debates still measure new games against what EarthBound established.
    In-game setting
    Central chapter after Beginnings. Required before Mother 3.
    Should you play it?
    The essential Mother game for most players worldwide. Pair EarthBound with startHere guidance before optional side rows.
    Release date
    US SNES June 5, 1995; later VC/Switch Online—FAQ. Platforms called out for this beat: SNES.
  3. Mother 3

    Mother 3

    GBARPGMainline

    Mother 3 closes the trilogy on GBA—Lucas, the Nowhere Islands, and a harsher Pigmask satire still unlocalized officially in the West. Release tab year here is 2006.

    Overview
    Combo timing battles and chapter structure with heavier themes than EarthBound.
    In-game setting
    Story endpoint after EarthBound. Fan translation is how many play—FAQ legality notes stay off-page.
    Should you play it?
    Play after EarthBound for full trilogy; Beginnings optional prologue. Pair Mother 3 with startHere guidance before optional side rows.
    Release date
    Japan GBA April 20, 2006; no official English cart. Platforms called out for this beat: GBA.

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.