It’s 2026, and I still fire up my original Earthbound cartridge every few months. There’s just something about that quirky, heartfelt weirdness that modern JRPGs rarely match. Sure, Nintendo has given us Earthbound: Beginnings and the SNES classic on Switch Online, but dear Mr. Itoi seems allergic to a true follow-up. So for years I’ve been hunting down games that capture that same lightning in a bottle – that mix of modern-day weirdness, childlike wonder, and turn-based brawling that makes me feel like I’m twelve again, exploring Onett with a cracked baseball bat. Spoiler: a lot of indies (and a few AAA oddballs) have been carrying the torch.

Here are the games that I’ve personally devoured – or am still desperately waiting for – that scratch the Earthbound itch in ways I never saw coming.

Mother 3 – The Obvious (but Essential) Successor

I know, I know. It’s borderline cheating to list Mother 3. But hear me out: back in 2026, the game still hasn’t seen an official English release. I played it through a translation patch on a GBA emulator years ago, and every time I revisit it, the shared DNA with Earthbound shines brighter. The battle system with its rhythm-based hits, the melancholic story that still makes me tear up over a certain monkey, and Porky Minch returning as a full-blown nightmare – it all feels like a direct love letter to Earthbound. Even the pixel art looks like a lost SNES game, which is exactly the vibe I crave.

If you somehow haven’t played it yet, do yourself a favour. It’s the sequel that never was (officially) but absolutely nails what made the series special.

GLITCHED – The Fresh-Faced Homage

I remember downloading the Steam demo of GLITCHED back in 2024 and grinning like an idiot within the first five minutes. An NPC becomes self-aware through a glitch? That’s the kind of meta-madness Earthbound perfected. The turn-based combat borrows heavily from the rolling HP and psychedelic backgrounds of its inspiration, but it also throws in romance options and costume changes – things the Mother series never dared to touch. As of 2026, the full game is still in development (the devs keep teasing updates on social media), but that demo alone earned it a permanent spot on my wishlist.

It’s the closest thing to a modern Earthbound that isn’t afraid to inject its own personality. When it finally drops, I may just call in sick for a week.

Kyoto Wild – The Samurai Brawler That Might Never Be (But Please, Teddy!)

This one hurts. Teddy Dief, the mind behind Hyper Light Drifter, had a side project called Kyoto Wild: a four-player samurai fighting game inspired by his life in Japan and, surprisingly, the small-town vibes of Earthbound. The pitch alone made me swoon – imagine battling through a feudal village that feels lived in, with NPCs that have that same quirky charm. But as of 2026, the project remains shelved due to concerns about cultural appropriation. I respect the artistic integrity, but a man can dream. Maybe one day it’ll resurface as something even more thoughtful. Until then, I’ll replay Earthbound and pretend the sword-wielding kids are ronin.

YIIK: A Postmodern RPG – The ’90s Fever Dream

YIIK was controversial when it launched, but in 2026 I’ve come to appreciate its ambition. It’s a 3D turn-based RPG with mini-game-heavy battles and a story dripping with surrealism. The real Earthbound connection isn’t the combat – it’s the setting. Small-town America in the late ’90s, complete with dial-up internet snark and existential dread. The protagonist, a self-absorbed college grad, could’ve walked straight out of a Mother game if Ness grew up to be a hipster. I adore how unapologetically weird it is, even if the pacing sometimes makes me want to throw my controller. It’s like Earthbound filtered through a postmodern art exhibit, and I’m here for the chaos.

Melon Journey: Bittersweet Memories – The Cozy Mystery Sidekick

Not every Earthbound-inspired game needs a battle system. Melon Journey: Bittersweet Memories (released way back in ’23) is pure exploration and dialogue, starring a bunny searching for her missing friend in a town full of secrets. The pixel art oozes Game Boy charm, and the jazzy soundtrack takes me right back to the sleepy afternoons I spent wandering around Twoson. It’s short, sweet, and proof that the heart of Earthbound isn’t the combat – it’s the oddly comforting strangeness of everyday people.

Honorable Mentions (Because 600 Words Is Too Short)

• Why Am I Dead At Sea – You’re a ghost solving your own murder on a ship. It’s Earthbound meets Clue with an eerie, introspective tone. No big city, but the character-driven soul is undeniably Mother.

• Eastward – Post-apocalyptic cooking and an art style that makes me weep. It wears its Earthbound influence proudly while mixing in Zelda-like action.

• Night in the Woods – Not an RPG, but the small-town American tragedy and sharp social satire feel like a direct descendant of the series’ more grounded moments.

• South Park: The Stick of Truth – Trey Parker straight-up admitted Earthbound inspired the game. Turning a sleepy Colorado mountain town into an RPG playground? That’s peak Earthbound logic, just with more fart jokes.

• Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass – A one-man love letter to the Mother series with dream worlds and an eight-year-old hero. Rough around the edges, but heartwarming as heck.

So here I am in 2026, still waiting for Nintendo to do something beyond porting the classics. But honestly? The indie scene has kept the spirit burning so brightly that I barely miss an official continuation. These games taught me that Earthbound wasn’t just a game – it was a feeling. And that feeling is everywhere, tucked inside all these odd little adventures just waiting to be played.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to replay the GLITCHED demo for the twentieth time.