MOTHER, the first game in the beloved RPG series by Nintendo, was directed, designed, and written by the talented Shigesato Itoi, marking a significant achievement in his career. Over 30 years after its release, it remains highly regarded by devoted fans, reinforcing its status as a gaming masterpiece. Iconic phrases from its television commercials, such as “Don’t cry until the ending” and “Guaranteed masterpiece,” have further contributed to its cultural impact.

In the late 1980s, MOTHER stood out from most RPGs because it had a modern American setting instead of the usual fantasy world. Its realistic buildings and unique isometric view were innovative for that time, impressing many players with the smooth change between towns and open fields. The young heroes deal with supernatural entities such as aliens, psychic powers, and ghosts, which are still talked about today.

With Itoi handling the script, the game is filled with impressively crafted dialogue and text. While scenarios from the Dragon Quest series, penned by Yuji Horii, are often referred to as “Horii’s style,” MOTHER is equally distinguished by its “Itoi flair,” which has left numerous memorable phrases etched in the minds of fans. For those interested in exploring these iconic lines, it may be worthwhile to check out “MOTHER: The Words,” published by Hobo Nikkan Itoi Shinbun in December 2020, which compiles all the dialogue from the MOTHER series.