Why Mother 3 Actually Never Released In The U.S.
RPG fans have been long waiting for a North American version of Mother 3, as it was only released in Japan for reasons that might be unclear to many. However, just as with many secrets in the world of gaming, there are reasons behind this unwillingness to localize the game for Western audiences. Understanding these reasons could perhaps even help fans better predict the future of the Mother series.
Although talented fans have made anniversary mock-ups of a Mother 3 remake and unofficial localized versions of the title do exist, Nintendo has never brought the game to western markets. While it's true that the first two games in the Mother series, known as Earthbound in North America, has always sold much better in Japan than anywhere else, there is still a clear demand for the game from its dedicated fanbase. This demand only increases as more gamers are introduced to the franchise, oftentimes through the Super Smash Bros. games, which feature Mother characters Ness and Lucas as playable fighters.
Related: What EarthBound On Switch Could Mean For A Mother 3 Release Date
For anyone scratching their heads as to why, with such a persistent and vocal fanbase, Mother 3 hasn't left Japan, former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé may be able to provide some illuminating details. Fils-Aimé recently published a memoir entitled Disrupting the Game: From the Bronx to the Top of Nintendo, which holds insider info on a number of topics, including Nintendo and Reggie's history with Wii Sports. According to Nintendo Everything, the audio version of this book contains an interview with Geoff Keighley, wherein the pair discuss Mother 3's localization.
In his talk with Keighley, Fils-Aimé touches on the history
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