EarthBound cover art

EarthBound SNES

Average Sale Price £96.83 ▼ 24.6% this month
Price Range £11.34 – £469.31
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Price History

Date Avg Price Low High Sales
2026-04-05 £96.83 £11.34 £469.31 7
2026-04-04 £128.47 £13.03 £469.31 8
2026-04-03 £128.95 £11.73 £469.26 8
2026-04-02 £98.73 £11.69 £467.99 7
2026-04-01 £99.18 £13.03 £469.39 7
2026-03-31 £100.67 £15.88 £470.58 7
2026-03-30 £81.27 £15.82 £469.04 9
2026-03-29 £81.24 £15.82 £469.04 9
2026-03-28 £80.75 £15.82 £469.04 9
2026-03-27 £81.36 £15.78 £467.62 9
2026-03-26 £81.16 £15.79 £465.99 9
2026-03-25 £80.67 £15.79 £465.99 9

Game Info

Developer
APE / HAL Laboratory
Publisher
Nintendo
Platform
SNES
Release Year
1994

Screenshots

EarthBound screenshotEarthBound screenshotEarthBound screenshot

Game History

EarthBound was developed by Ape Inc. and HAL Laboratory, with director Shigesato Itoi leading the creative vision. The game was published by Nintendo and released in Japan on August 27, 1994, followed by a North American release on June 5, 1995. Europe did not receive an official release until much later, making the game region-exclusive for many years.

The game received mixed critical reviews upon its North American launch. While reviewers praised its humor, originality, and charm, many criticized its graphics as underwhelming compared to other SNES titles and found its random encounter rate frustrating. Sales in North America were disappointing, moving only around 140,000 copies, making it a commercial underperformance during its initial release window.

EarthBound's historical significance grew substantially after its initial launch. The game has become a cult classic and is now considered one of the most important RPGs ever made, influencing countless developers. Its satirical take on American culture, eccentric characters, and emotional storytelling set it apart from contemporary RPGs, which typically featured high fantasy settings.

The game's rarity and commercial failure during its original run have made original SNES cartridges highly sought after by collectors. Complete in-box copies command premium prices on the secondary market, sometimes reaching several hundred dollars. This scarcity, combined with its growing critical reputation, has cemented EarthBound as one of the most valuable SNES games.

An interesting development fact is that the game was originally intended to be released on the Nintendo 64 before being adapted for the SNES. Additionally, Nintendo's marketing strategy in North America focused heavily on a scratch-and-sniff cartridge insert, an unusual promotional approach for the era. The game features numerous pop culture references and incorporates elements from the 1984 film Weird Science, reflecting Itoi's eclectic creative influences.

EarthBound's legacy expanded significantly through the Super Smash Bros. series, which introduced the character Ness to wider audiences, driving renewed interest in the original game and contributing to its modern collector value and cultural impact.