And now for the long awaited MOTHER 3. Since it’s on the Nintendo 64, it’ll be in 3D, right?

Itoi: I’ve thought about making it 2D, but I’d hate for people to think it’s not for the Nintendo 64 just because it’s not in 3D. I considered going through with it anyway, though.

How much is done?

Itoi: The supporting scripts haven’t been written yet, but all the scenarios are done. The map is done; all that’s left is bringing the characters to life in it. So here on out are the details. But-in games, details are everything. As long as those steps aren’t cleared, there’s no difference between a completion rate of 60% or 20%.

I take it the heroes are the same?

Itoi: No, they’re new. They even got a different outlook on the world. It’s already a given that I’m going to defy expectations, anyway. Plus the concept came from MOTHER 2 and I wanted to hurry and start on 3. First, I wanted to turn a hard-boiled detective novel into a video game. That lead me to another idea, and I ended putting the two together to make MOTHER 3. I’d call up my game designer in the middle of the night while we were still swamped with MOTHER 2 work and asked what he thought of all my ideas for MOTHER 3. You know what he said? “This is not the time for that (laughs).”

A different outlook on the world, huh? Intriguing…

Itoi: I can’t say anything about it, though. Even releasing a single graphic would spoil everything…

Does the cliffhanger at the end of MOTHER 2 mean Porky is back?

Itoi: Yep, I’ve become entirely dependent on Porky in order to go on. I’m nothing without him (laughs). And well, I love the Mr. Saturns. They’re in 3, too. It’d be too lonely without them, don’t you think? The development team calls them “Mr. Stupid”, but I wanted to make a Mr. Saturn actiton puzzle game.

Are you considering it for one of the next consoles?

Itoi: We’re still experimenting with battle scenes. I had this wacky idea-a battle idea that, alone would be enough to make an entirely new game. If that works out, then it’s probably a go. The character designers and artists would probably end up changing to something entierly different.

There are so, so many people looking forward to MOTHER 3.

Itoi: I think the players are composed entirely of really good people. Even the four year olds (laughs) and the 78 year olds. I get the feeling if I met someone who likes MOTHER, we’d hit it off with all kinds of things. So from that stand point, I find the fans quite wonderful.

Is the release date set for next spring?

Itoi: If I confirm that, it’s going to turn into me lying all over again (laughs).

Then could we please have a word for all the fans waiting for MOTHER 3?

Itoi: I’m sorry. Please wait a little longer. Read a book or something. Books are good. Reading is important. I mean, someone poured their heart and soul writing that thing. You can hold in your very hands a thought that took an entire lifetime to form. Yessirre, books are something.

Source to original interview