EarthBound Beginnings: all version differences
5 documented differences between the releases of EarthBound Beginnings, each with a source. Back to the main page for names, releases and where to play.
Category × version
| Category | English version (Earth Bound / EarthBound Beginnings) | Famicom (JP) | English version | MOTHER1+2 (GBA) | Wii U Virtual Console |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Censorship | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gameplay | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Difficulty | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Content | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Version differences
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CensorshipEnglish version (Earth Bound / EarthBound Beginnings)
Under Nintendo of America's content rules, the English version removed religious symbols, blood, nudity, cigarettes and references to violence and alcohol, changed characters resembling the Peanuts cast and renamed towns named after holidays.1
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GameplayEnglish version (Earth Bound / EarthBound Beginnings)
The English localization added a run button, in-game options and an expanded ending.1
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DifficultyFamicom (JP)English version
According to Rose Colored Gaming, the Japanese release is harder than the English version.1
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ContentMOTHER1+2 (GBA)
MOTHER1+2 on Game Boy Advance keeps many English-version changes and adds an epilogue about the heroes; the cross-shaped grave shown after a party wipe and the drugstore name "Number 1" were changed.2
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ContentWii U Virtual Console
The Japanese Virtual Console release kept many of the MOTHER1+2 changes, while the international release used the unmodified 1990 Earth Bound program.1
Sources
Checked: 2026-10-13