EarthBoundRated
Save to Pinterest (opens Pinterest in a new tab)
Important: photosensitivity / seizure warning
Flashing or strobe effects (Story (single-player, via Nintendo Switch Online's SNES app)): Battles play over psychedelic animated backgrounds (IGN); the designer called them a 'video drug' (Wikipedia). Several psychic (PSI) attacks have bright flashes; Nintendo toned these down in the Virtual Console release to reduce seizure risk (WikiBound fan wiki). We found no official statement on how much flashing remains in the Switch Online version. Still checking: Bright flashing PSI attacks and constantly moving battle backgrounds. Seizure caution: preview the game and check with your child's doctor if they are photosensitive. Source
If your child has epilepsy or is sensitive to flashing lights, please talk to your doctor and preview this part of the game yourself. See also general photosensitivity information.
At a glance
| Platforms | Nintendo Switch via Nintendo Switch Online (SNES app) (src: Nintendo); originally Super NES |
|---|---|
| ESRB rating | T (Wii U re-release: Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Suggestive Themes, Crude Humor); original Super NES: E (src: ESRB) (ESRB record) |
| Ways to play | Single-player |
First 10 minutes
On Switch, EarthBound is part of the Nintendo Switch Online SNES app, so you need a membership (Nintendo). Show your child the rewind (hold ZL + ZR) (Nintendo) and save often by calling Dad from a phone (IGN). The start is the hardest part (IGN), so expect to help. Watch the first few battles together for flashing and the swirling backgrounds. Nobody on our team has played the opening yet.
Good to know: A 1995 Super NES RPG (Wikipedia). A parent reported it's turn-based, reading-heavy and very colorful; the turn-based battles are confirmed by Wikipedia and IGN, the reading by Wikipedia's description of the script. No random battles: enemies are visible on the map, and much weaker ones run away or are beaten automatically (IGN; Wikipedia). ESRB: the Wii U re-release is rated T (ESRB record); the original Super NES release shows E in the ESRB database, and the Switch Online SNES app lists Blood, Crude Humor, Language, Suggestive Themes and Violence for the whole collection (Nintendo). Platform differences: on Switch, Switch Online adds rewind and suspend saving (Nintendo). The Wii U and New 3DS Virtual Console versions can no longer be bought (WikiBound). According to the fan wiki, flashing effects were toned down in the Wii U Virtual Console version; we found no official source for the Switch version. FGD has no accessibility report.
Sensory scale
Each item is scored from 0 to 3: 0 = None; 1 = Mild, or can be turned off; 2 = Frequent; 3 = Intense and can’t be avoided. “Not enough info yet” means we couldn’t find good evidence, so we didn’t guess. For “Ease of stopping”, a higher score means it’s harder to stop.
Mode: Story (single-player, via Nintendo Switch Online's SNES app)
| What we check | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing or strobe effects | 2 of 3 | Battles play over psychedelic animated backgrounds (IGN); the designer called them a 'video drug' (Wikipedia). Several psychic (PSI) attacks have bright flashes; Nintendo toned these down in the Virtual Console release to reduce seizure risk (WikiBound fan wiki). We found no official statement on how much flashing remains in the Switch Online version. Source for Flashing or strobe effects, Story (single-player, via Nintendo Switch Online's SNES app) Still checking: Bright flashing PSI attacks and constantly moving battle backgrounds. Seizure caution: preview the game and check with your child's doctor if they are photosensitive. |
| Sudden loud sounds | Not enough info yet | No source on sudden loud sounds. Source for Sudden loud sounds, Story (single-player, via Nintendo Switch Online's SNES app) |
| Timers or time pressure | 1 of 3 | Battles are turn-based (Wikipedia). But the 'rolling' HP meter counts down in real time after a big hit, so you must act fast to heal before it hits zero; IGN calls this 'nerve wracking'. Source for Timers or time pressure, Story (single-player, via Nintendo Switch Online's SNES app) |
| Failure and losing | 2 of 3 | If all characters are knocked out, you return to your last save point with half your money (Wikipedia); IGN calls it 'a pretty steep monetary penalty'. Switch Online lets you rewind gameplay by holding ZL + ZR (Nintendo). Source for Failure and losing, Story (single-player, via Nintendo Switch Online's SNES app) |
| Difficulty spikes | 3 of 3 | IGN: 'almost punishingly difficult' battles, hardest at the start when Ness is alone; grinding XP is 'virtually a must', and enemies respawn quickly. No difficulty settings. Switch Online's rewind can soften mistakes (Nintendo). Source for Difficulty spikes, Story (single-player, via Nintendo Switch Online's SNES app) Still checking: Scored 3 because IGN describes the challenge as punishing with no settings. Switch Online rewind may make it more manageable; please confirm. |
| Scary content and jump scares | 2 of 3 | ESRB: T (Wii U release) for Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Suggestive Themes and Crude Humor. IGN: it mixes a 'dark Lovecraftian apocalypse' with silly humor. The final battle's dialogue was based on a traumatic film scene the creator saw as a child (Wikipedia). Source for Scary content and jump scares, Story (single-player, via Nintendo Switch Online's SNES app) Still checking: Check the final boss (Giygas) and other dark sections before younger kids reach them. |
| Screen motion and camera speed | 2 of 3 | No camera control: it's a 2D overhead RPG (Wikipedia). But every battle plays over swirling, psychedelic animated backgrounds (IGN; Wikipedia: nearly 200 of them). Battle transitions use a full-screen swirl (Wikipedia). Source for Screen motion and camera speed, Story (single-player, via Nintendo Switch Online's SNES app) Still checking: This is busy background animation rather than camera movement. Check whether it bothers your child. |
| Competition and online strangers | 0 of 3 | Single-player. Switch Online lets you share your screen online with a friend, who can take turns (Nintendo). ESRB (Wii U): No Interactive Elements. Source for Competition and online strangers, Story (single-player, via Nintendo Switch Online's SNES app) |
| Ease of stopping | 1 of 3 | In the game you save by calling Ness's dad from a phone (IGN; Wikipedia). On Switch Online you can 'play, save, and jump back into the action whenever you have a few minutes' (Nintendo). Source for Ease of stopping, Story (single-player, via Nintendo Switch Online's SNES app) |
| Reading load and text speed | 2 of 3 | A story-heavy RPG: dialogue, battle messages, prompts and item names are all text (Wikipedia, on the English script). Battles are menu-driven (Wikipedia). A parent reported it's reading-heavy. Source for Reading load and text speed, Story (single-player, via Nintendo Switch Online's SNES app) Still checking: No source measures the reading level. Please confirm. |
Concerns to check
Flashing PSI effects and swirling battle backgrounds; hard early game; heavy reading; dark final boss (check)
Combat or enemiesScary momentsBright or flashing effectsFailure or difficultyReading load
Where to buy
Sources
- r/Autism_Parenting priority queue; Nintendo Switch Online SNES listing
- ESRB rating record
- Family Gaming Database accessibility report
Share what worked for your kid
Has your child played EarthBound? Your experience helps other parents.
Tips are reviewed before anything is added. Please don’t include your child’s name.
Spotted something wrong? Tell us with the form above.
Get new calm game picks once a month.
A short monthly newsletter for parents, with new calm games and the settings to change. Free, and you can unsubscribe any time.
Sign up and get our free calm game settings checklist, a one-page printable.
Prefer Pinterest? Follow us on Pinterest for calm game ideas.