For the many fans of Earthbound (Mother 2), this is probably some of the best news they've heard since the announcement of the fan translation of Mother 3.

While checking online today, I was hovering over the ESRB's website (www.esrb.com) and I found that EarthBound, the quirky Nintendo RPG for the SNES has officially been rated for the Virtual Console.  It received an E for Everyone rating.

This is big news for any Earthbound fan, but especially fans of the game outside of Japan.  Not just because it's a chance to play the classic again, but because rumors have it that if Earthbound does well on the Virtual Console, then areas outside Japan will finally see a release of Mother 3, the third game in the series released only for the Game Boy Advance in Japan, so far.

Fans have been aching for a release of Mother 3 for quite some time, forming a huge cult following around the game.  Some of the most devoted fans have even started a fan translation of the game at http://mother3.fobby.net/.  The translation is not completed yet, however, and the fans working on it have said,

"Our team has agreed that this translation project will come to a full stop if/when we hear that Nintendo has chosen to pursue an official translation of the game. Our only goal is to get MOTHER 3 in the hands of the fans." -(http://mother3.fobby.net/about/)

It's only a rumor for now, but keep your eyes peeled.  Ever since Lucas (a Mother 3 character) was announced for Super Smash Bros Brawl, I've been wondering if they weren't going for a Fire Emblem effect.  Fire Emblem wasn't popular in the U.S. until people started liking Marth and Roy in  Super Smash Bros Melee.  Are we going to see something similar with Lucas?  Let's hope so, Mother fans.

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