Have you played through the GBA version of MOTHER 3? I’m interested in how much of the 64 version made it into the GBA version. If you did play it, what did you think? And how similar is the final product to the original 64 version?

I haven’t played the GBA version, so I’m not sure, but I heard that the story is almost identical. I think the music director in the GBA version is the same as that of the 64 version, too.

The graphics are completely different though, as you know. The GBA version is much closer to the style of MOTHER 2.

When you designed the monsters, were you told to make them specifically similar—or different—in style to those of MOTHER 1 and 2, or were you given completely free reign in their design? Also, were there any plans for monsters from previous games to appear in MOTHER 3?

I had complete freedom. There were no plans to use monsters from previous games.

There’s a limited amount of media released from the 64 version, so I’m especially curious about it, but what was that blue round monster with the big mouth? He didn’t show up in the GBA version.

That’s one of the monsters. He moves by rolling forward, so his tentative name was “Rolly”. (In Japanese: Korogari-kun)

Other than that one, were there any other monsters that did not appear in the GBA version? If there were, what kind of monsters were they? (I’m really interested in how many of the 64 version monsters made it into the final GBA version!)

I haven’t played the GBA version, so I’m not sure. I’m sorry.

Since the game had the subtitle “Fall of the Pig King,” I assume that Pokey was set to appear in the 64 version, too. Were you involved in any of Pokey’s design in the game? Was the spider mech he’s laying in also part of the 64 version?

Since Pokey was to appear in the 64 version, too, I designed Pokey, his team, and the place he lived in. The spider mech was in the 64 version, too, but since I haven’t played the GBA version, I’m not sure if the design was the same in the end.

When you design monsters, where do you generally get your inspiration from? Do you always aim for a certain kind of style?

Not really. I just come up with them off the top of my head.

What is your favorite monster out of the ones you designed for MOTHER 3?

Hmm, that’s a hard question (laughs). It was such a long time ago that I don’t really remember anything, but I liked the Kraken.

Did the Ultimate Chimera show up in the 64 version, too? If it did, were you the one that designed it?

I don’t remember if there was an Ultimate Chimera in the game, but I did design several chimeras.

Source to original interview