Uploaded November 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
After spending some time in the Devil's Machine, Dark Aspects of EarthBound's finale is here! I've already analyzed the game's themes of violence, villainy, death, and demons--so now it's time to explore the suggestive & sensual themes before tackling Giygas (the amalgamation of all these topics). A lot of misinformation about Itoi's inspiration for Giygas has been spread across the internet, so it is my goal with this video (using Clyde Mandelin's Legend of Localization book, and various interviews that can be found below as sources) to clear up misconceptions and hopefully teach others something new about Nintendo's most disturbing final boss battle of all time!
⍟ Subscribe: youtube.com/channel/UCEZxL9rNR5rspAtxtCFUL7w?sub_confirmation=1
⍟ If you like my content, please consider supporting me on Patreon. You'll receive a special shout-out in the credits, and access to exclusive behind-the-scenes stuff! patreon.com/ThaneGaming
Dark Aspects of EarthBound/MOTHER Playlist:
►youtube.com/playlist?list=PLK37aGUr9BMXiQfu0qKOO_V-sb-Rs3Hkz
⍟ If you like my content, please consider supporting me on Patreon. You'll receive a special shout-out in the credits, and access to exclusive behind-the-scenes stuff! patreon.com/ThaneGaming
Sources & further reading:
⍟ Most of the information and facts from this video can be found in Clyde Mandelin's Legends of Localization Book 2: EarthBound. You can purchase the hardcover version here: fangamer.com/products/legends-of-localization-book-2-earthbound
⍟ The Stoic Club hint and some of the Japanese screenshots are pulled from "Mato"/Clyde's massive EarthBound info dump, which can be downloaded on his site:
legendsoflocalization.com/research-mother2-earthbound
⍟ Giygas trauma/inspiration interview translated by "Mato"/Clyde:
earthboundcentral.com/2008/02/shigesato-itoi-giygas-and-boobies
⍟ Giygas/Giegue sprite comparison from "Buck Fever":
earthboundcentral.com/2014/09/a-different-look-at-giygas
⍟ All Hint Man text compiled by "guybrush359" via The Hint Shop Project:
ssl-forum-files.fobby.net/forum_attachments/0036/6945/Earthbound_hint_guide.txt
⍟ Watch & listen to the Smiles and Tears vocal cover by "Maresuke" here:
youtu.be/WaD4E4d2KSI
⍟ Image of Shigesato Itoi and Satoru Iwata pointing at laptop (showing off MOTHER 3/EarthBound 64) was posted by "Echoes" on Twitter:
twitter.com/shmechoes/status/1294131016013983745
⍟ Image of the vintage 1950's Japanese theater was posted by "Paper Rescue" on Twitter: twitter.com/PaperRescue/status/958414080045395968
⍟ Ness sprites ripped by "M. Bison" and re-ripped by "Depressed Mario" of The Spriter's Resource
⍟ All EarthBound footage by me, recorded from a SNES Classic.
⍟ MOTHER 2 footage by YouTube channel "GAME yuna :)"
Follow me for channel updates on social media:
► Twitter - twitter.com/ThaneGaming
► Instagram - instagram.com/thanegaming
Music used:
0:00 - ♫ Mother Earth - EarthBound Beginnings
0:09 - A Bad Dream - EarthBound
0:20 - Sea of Eden
0:40 - Fassad and Interpreter
0:55 - Bicycle's Theme Kurukuru Pedal - MOTHER 1 + 2 OST
2:16 - Topolla Theatre, Home to the One & Only Venus - EarthBound
3:22 - Sailing to Scaraba
4:30 - The Deep Darkness
5:56 - The Cliff That Time Forgot
6:20 - The Place
7:25 - Giygas Intimidation
7:50 - Giygas is Wounded!
8:35 - Caverns of Winters
9:15 - Onett Night 3
9:50 - Save the Miners!
10:43 - Pokey Means Business!
12:11 - The Heroes Return (Part 2)
13:20 - Smiles and Tears
#EarthBound #MOTHER2 #Nintendo
After spending some time in the Devil's Machine, Dark Aspects of EarthBound's finale is here! I've already analyzed the game's themes of violence, villainy, death, and demons--so now it's time to explore the suggestive & sensual themes before tackling Giygas (the amalgamation of all these topics). A lot of misinformation about Itoi's inspiration for Giygas has been spread across the internet, so it is my goal with this video (using Clyde Mandelin's Legend of Localization book, and various interviews that can be found below as sources) to clear up misconceptions and hopefully teach others something new about Nintendo's most disturbing final boss battle of all time!
⍟ Subscribe: youtube.com/channel/UCEZxL9rNR5rspAtxtCFUL7w?sub_confirmation=1
⍟ If you like my content, please consider supporting me on Patreon. You'll receive a special shout-out in the credits, and access to exclusive behind-the-scenes stuff! patreon.com/ThaneGaming
Dark Aspects of EarthBound/MOTHER Playlist:
►youtube.com/playlist?list=PLK37aGUr9BMXiQfu0qKOO_V-sb-Rs3Hkz
⍟ If you like my content, please consider supporting me on Patreon. You'll receive a special shout-out in the credits, and access to exclusive behind-the-scenes stuff! patreon.com/ThaneGaming
Sources & further reading:
⍟ Most of the information and facts from this video can be found in Clyde Mandelin's Legends of Localization Book 2: EarthBound. You can purchase the hardcover version here: fangamer.com/products/legends-of-localization-book-2-earthbound
⍟ The Stoic Club hint and some of the Japanese screenshots are pulled from "Mato"/Clyde's massive EarthBound info dump, which can be downloaded on his site:
legendsoflocalization.com/research-mother2-earthbound
⍟ Giygas trauma/inspiration interview translated by "Mato"/Clyde:
earthboundcentral.com/2008/02/shigesato-itoi-giygas-and-boobies
⍟ Giygas/Giegue sprite comparison from "Buck Fever":
earthboundcentral.com/2014/09/a-different-look-at-giygas
⍟ All Hint Man text compiled by "guybrush359" via The Hint Shop Project:
ssl-forum-files.fobby.net/forum_attachments/0036/6945/Earthbound_hint_guide.txt
⍟ Watch & listen to the Smiles and Tears vocal cover by "Maresuke" here:
youtu.be/WaD4E4d2KSI
⍟ Image of Shigesato Itoi and Satoru Iwata pointing at laptop (showing off MOTHER 3/EarthBound 64) was posted by "Echoes" on Twitter:
twitter.com/shmechoes/status/1294131016013983745
⍟ Image of the vintage 1950's Japanese theater was posted by "Paper Rescue" on Twitter: twitter.com/PaperRescue/status/958414080045395968
⍟ Ness sprites ripped by "M. Bison" and re-ripped by "Depressed Mario" of The Spriter's Resource
⍟ All EarthBound footage by me, recorded from a SNES Classic.
⍟ MOTHER 2 footage by YouTube channel "GAME yuna :)"
Follow me for channel updates on social media:
► Twitter - twitter.com/ThaneGaming
► Instagram - instagram.com/thanegaming
Music used:
0:00 - ♫ Mother Earth - EarthBound Beginnings
0:09 - A Bad Dream - EarthBound
0:20 - Sea of Eden
0:40 - Fassad and Interpreter
0:55 - Bicycle's Theme Kurukuru Pedal - MOTHER 1 + 2 OST
2:16 - Topolla Theatre, Home to the One & Only Venus - EarthBound
3:22 - Sailing to Scaraba
4:30 - The Deep Darkness
5:56 - The Cliff That Time Forgot
6:20 - The Place
7:25 - Giygas Intimidation
7:50 - Giygas is Wounded!
8:35 - Caverns of Winters
9:15 - Onett Night 3
9:50 - Save the Miners!
10:43 - Pokey Means Business!
12:11 - The Heroes Return (Part 2)
13:20 - Smiles and Tears
#EarthBound #MOTHER2 #Nintendo
