News – Mother 4 “Impossible”
Excited by the possibility returning to the world of Mother, or Earthbound as it’s known here in the west? Well, unfortunately you may be out of luck. This week Mother creator Shigesato Itoi finally put to rest the constant rumours, or should that be pleading, about a follow up to Lucas’ tale in Mother 3.
These comments from Itoi came during an interview with Japanese website Game Watch Impress, whereby Itoi declared that and brand new entry in the Mother series would be “Impossible”, and not for the first time. Itoi also revealed that he kept making Mother titles simply because “he could”, but yet he also wanted the series to go out on a high and not succumb to endless entries. Worried this would see each entry getting progressively worse, seeing everyone simply desiring the earlier entries in the series.
“Among big-time popstars, if they, you know, put out ten albums, around the fourth album, they can’t make very good songs. The albums sell, but everyone at the concerts wants to hear songs from those first three albums. Everyone.”
Interestingly, according to Itoi, one aspect that has made this decision easier for him, is the fact that his primary profession has never actually been as video game developer.
“If it was my job, I would’ve already made 4 and 5.”
In fact, Itoi is best known for his writing, something clearly seen within the fantastic plots of all three Mother titles. This has ultimately allowed him to leave the gaming masterpieces he worked on with Nintendo alone and unspoiled. Although I’m guessing many wish that game creation had remained his career, for more than one reason.
So there you have it. We’ve still not received Mother 3 here in the west, and Shigesato Itoi is telling us we’ll never get a fourth title. Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean that Nintendo won’t ever take up the mantle in the future. Although given how the series has remained dormant for so long, the best we can probably hope for is a western release of Mother 3. After all we did get a western release of the original series, re-released as Mother Beginnings.
Maybe, just maybe Itoi is right, some things are possibly best left as they are…. perfect.