The MOTHER 3 Times
by: Echoes on 2/24/2020
In Japan’s Nintendo Dengeki 64 Magazine (which was more-or-less the Japanese equivalent to Nintendo Power), MOTHER 64 had a feature which ran between 1997 and 1999, covering the development and world of the game. The scans below were provided kindly by site admin Kody NOKOLO, who obtained them from the National Diet Library of Japan after inspiration from those in the community such as DaEgg123, Katie, and mutual site admin Echoes! Keep in mind, the date on each volume is from when the article was written, which typically was a few months ahead of when it was published in the magazine.
1997
The first year of the “MOTHER 3 Times” only contained three articles, all leading up to the game’s Spaceworld presence that year!
Page 1 of Volume 1 covers information regarding the band D.C.M.C., including each band member’s name and position. Shimmy Zmizz is the keyboardist, OJ Hagii plays guitar, Baccio Trumpman plays the sax, Magic Zildjian is the drummer, and Tamekichi plays bass!
Page 2 of Volume 1 features a discussion with the game’s conceptual artist Benimaru Itoh! To be translated in the future.
Page 3 of Volume 1 shows off the game’s logo for the first time, including multiple gameplay screenshots!
Page 4 of Volume 1 has a few more gameplay screenshots and an image of Lucas.
Page 1 of Volume 2 finds Shimmy Zmizz and Baccio at relaxing at the Summers Resort after the release of the D.C.M.C.’s new single, “Bon, Voyage Amigo”.
Page 2 of Volume 2 features an overview and discussion between many staff members of the development team at the time.
Page 1 of Volume 3 reveals MOTHER 64 would be playable at the upcoming Spaceworld convention in November 1997. Shigesato Itoi disclosed a statement as staff members were selected to attend. They even made a D.C.M.C. shirt for the occasion!
Page 2 of Volume 3 has a discussion between all the staff that would attend the Spaceworld 1997 showing, including Benimaru Itoh, Toshinao Aoki, and Shigesato Itoi himself.
Page 3 of Volume continues the discussion between MOTHER 64 staff. At the bottom, a section details the three contestants who would be eligible to have their face featured in the game!
1998
Ten more volumes of the “MOTHER 3 Times” were published in 1998, diving deeper into the world and characters that would be featured in the game!
Page 1 of Volume 4 reveals Hiroki as the winner of the MOTHER 64 Fan Insert contest! The bottom right articles features another statement from Itoi regarding the progression of the game’s development.
Page 2 of Volume 4 chronicles an in-depth interview with the game’s enemy designer, Toshinao Aoki. At the bottom right, we see a translation between his concept art and the 3D models! This page will be translated in the future.
Page 1 of Volume 5 covers the Spaceworld 1997 showing of MOTHER 64, reviewing the characters, battle system and scenes revolving around Flint exploring Tazmily!
Page 2 of Volume 5 reveals Lucas’ twin brother, Claus, and features more coverage on Spaceworld scenes, including Lucas riding a Drago in the mountains, Flint investigating the Yado Inn, and more!
Page 3 of Volume 5 features an overview of the cast, taken by “that photographer”! This was published after Spaceworld 1997, and covers much of the information revealed there, including some regarding the battle system.
Page 4 of Volume 5 details an interview between composer Shogo Sakai, and music programmer Takuto Kitsuta. Sakai was given free reign in the direction of the game’s sound, and had over forty tracks composed at the time. Kitsuta mostly translated Sakai’s music to the game, while also creating some electronic-inspired tracks for mechs that would appear in the game.
Page 1 of Volume 6 has a spread detailing the rescue of Lighter and Fuel, who went missing 5 kilometers offshore Great Scale Village in their fishing boat. During the voyage, they were attacked by some large, mysterious creature. While the two of them were taken to Osohe for recovery, Lighter’s wife Tobacco still remains missing…
Page 2 of Volume 6 features an in-depth interview with the game’s designer, Akihiko Miura. To be translated in the future!
Page 3 of Volume 6 investigates the relation between Lucas and Claus, finally revealing them as the seven year-old twin sons of Flint and Hinawa!
Page 4 of Volume 6 has an interview with Akihiko Miura’s younger brother, whose position on the team was transcribing Itoi’s words to text!
Page 1 of Volume 7 follows Mayor P.K. Pirkle and his family following his successful reelection as mayor of Tazmily, where the elections are like presidential ones. On his victory, Pirkle says, “As long as this town’s villagers are happy, I’m happy. I could be mayor forever as long as that’s the case”.
Page 2 of Volume 7 features a fan art gallery from artists who submitted their work to Dengeki! Also below is a fan submitted question to the MOTHER 64 team, where Benimaru Itoh answers whether the game will feature a flower shop or not. He says the game will have shops more akin to “bazaars”, which will sell many different varieties of items.
Page 1 of Volume 8 investigates the sudden sights of a strange man who is described by Mayor Pirkle as wearing a bandanna, shirt, and jeans like that of the “New Age Retro Hippie.” The article speculates that since they appeared with monsters in MOTHER 1 and 2, the security of Tazmily might be at risk.
Page 2 of Volume 8 features more fan illustrations from readers of the MOTHER 3 Times. It also goes over the Hippie’s previous appearances in the last two games, as well as requesting more fan art of Lucas, Flint, and Mr. Saturn.
Pageg 1 of Volume 9 catches up with Tazmily siblings Richie and Nichol, who went missing in the forest, but thankfully enough were rescued by a strange creature resembling the friendly Dragos!
Page 2 of volume 9 features an interview with Japanese actress Yoshie Okuyama about MOTHER 2. It was the first game to make her cry, putting it at one of her top 3 games of all time!
Page 1 of Volume 10 finds an article detailing an investigation of some mysterious, smelly waste that was discovered by a local in Great Scale Village. Apparently, it is the dropping of some enigmatic creature.
Page 2 of volume 10 features a questionnaire about MOTHER 2 with pop artist Yumi Yoshimura of the band PUFFY (known overseas as “Puffy AmiYumi”). She first got introduced to MOTHER 2 while working at a game store and thought the game was fun and easy to play!
Volume 11 alerts of sightings of mischievous flying rats which have been attacking the villagers. These rats are forty centimeters in size and chirp like a bird. The lower article finds Hiroki spotted around the Tazmily General Store after he was missing. He disappeared in October of the previous year, but since going missing, he really wanted to eat a deep-fried shrimp with chili, which brought him back to Tazmily at the General Store!
Volume 12 delves into the phenomenon of magic which has entranced the villagers. Ionia, a fortune teller, reveals that this magic is indeed the mystical power of PSI! The lower article talks about the migration of the Sunshine Forest’s Yadogarins.
Volume 13 covers the Tazmily Village Cup for Top Domestic Animal Breeders. Butch, a 15 year-old farmer was selected as the champion for his prized pigs!
Volume 14 reports on the unusually large acorns found in the forest, which are up to five times larger than the average acorn! Thomas boasts about their smooth texture, and encourages anyone who finds them to exchange at his shop. The lower article talks about villager trends, which details pig-nose fashion in autumn.
1999
The last nine volumes of the “Times” were written until the month of the game’s Spaceworld demo premiere in August.
Volume 15 reports on an unusual, feisty creature which has been flying towards people’s faces! The lower article reveals the dissolution of the D.C.M.C., with the former bassist, Rodrigo Rodriguez (stage name “Magic”) considering leaving.
Volume 16 reports on the emergence of a crop circle in the Sunshine Forest, which was discovered by twenty-one year-old Isaac. Apparently, he also witnessed strangely-dressed people at the site. The lower article dives deeper into Rodrigo Rodriguez’s departure, hoping to be reinstated once the band reforms with a new additional member.
Volume 17 details the creation of the first functioning wheel in Tazmily Village. While many different shapes such as triangles were tested, square ones produced the best results. The lower article features a recipe for Kraken soup!
Volume 18 welcomes us inside the home of the Syd Family, where parents Nan and Ed welcome their newborn son, Alle. Scamp, his grandparent hopes he will live old enough to see him grow. Additionally, the voice of some “Save Frog” is heard inside the house. Weird! The lower article reports on the upcoming weather forecast in Tazmily, which will consist of raining sardines!
Volume 19 continues exploring Tazmily trends, with cozy sweaters knitted by Butch’s mother for the winter season! Below, the disappearance of Nana’s father, Papa, is reported. He disappeared one morning with only his family photo left behind.
Volume 20 announces Mayor Pirkle’s plans to renovate the Sunset Cemetery, in response to the villager’s fear of zombies rising. Below, an article speculates on rumors what Flint is hiding underneath his trademark hat!
Volume 21 spotlights Flint’s family dog, Boney, who is around one year old. He was named by Claus, but the villagers tend to call him names such as “John” or “Benjamin!” In the lower article, a romantic scenic spot several kilometers on the outskirts of Tazmily named “Toliette Falls” is detailed. It has a ten-foot high waterfall which directly flows into the ocean.
Volume 22 reports on a village survey investigating the differences between Lucas and Claus. Claus has a mole underneath his eye, and Lucas puts his pants on through his left foot first. Below, Osohe Castle is stated to be a once-proud kingdom ruled by King Osohe and Queen Senaka, but is now abandoned and only used as a vegetation field.
Volume 23 sees all the villagers gather at the bell tower, which is rung by both one of the oldest and tallest villagers, Leder. He rings the bell at 2 P.M. everyday, playing a peaceful melody throughout the village. Below, both the Spaceworld demo and 10th anniversary of MOTHER are reported on!
Writers and Contributors
btmup, DaEgg123, and Katie – Assisted during the long journey to obtain many of these previously lost articles. Thank you for preserving history!
Echoes – Manages and published the page.
Kody NOKOLO – Provided scans, translations, and summaries of articles.
If you find any errors or things you wish to contribute for this page, please make a post on our Forums! We’d love to take a look at whatever you feel is important to this page!
