Overview
Before Pokémon, there was Mother. Ape Inc. brought Shigesato Itoi’s unconventional RPG vision to life—suburban settings, modern items, and emotional storytelling that subverted genre expectations. After Mother 2 (EarthBound), the company reorganised into Creatures Inc. and became a Pokémon stakeholder, their RPG legacy continuing through that franchise.
Fast facts
- Active: 1989-1999.
- Key work: Mother series.
- Successor: Creatures Inc.
- Notable figure: Shigesato Itoi (writer).
Mother series
| Title | Year | Platform |
|---|
| Mother | 1989 | Famicom |
| Mother 2 (EarthBound) | 1994 | Super Famicom |
| Mother 3 | 2006 | GBA (by Brownie Brown) |
Design philosophy
| Element | Approach |
|---|
| Setting | Contemporary, suburban |
| Tone | Humour and melancholy |
| Items | Modern objects |
| Combat | Traditional with twists |
Transition to Creatures
| Factor | Detail |
|---|
| Timing | Mid-1990s |
| Pokémon opportunity | New focus |
| Staff continuity | Same personnel |
| Legacy | Mother influence on Pokémon |
EarthBound cult status
| Aspect | Note |
|---|
| Western sales | Initially poor |
| Critical reappraisal | Cult classic |
| Influence | Undertale, others |
| Mother 3 | Never officially localised |
See also