MOTHER 3 Memo Screen

During the development of the MOTHER 3 Fan Translation, there were some individuals in the team that had discovered text within the game but could never find any sort of pointer or location of where the text was being displayed. In an effort to find this, they stumbled upon unused text that was the “memo screen”. The memo screen contains some unused elements of the game, but was then reinstated because of how resourceful it was for new and old players. Below is a list of everything that was present in that menu. 

If you’d like to access this menu yourselves, you can apply the MOTHER 3 Fan Translation patch (any version of the patch) to your Japanese copy of MOTHER 3 and hold the L and R buttons while entering the status menu. On this page, you’ll find obtainable memos, unused memos, and unobtainable memos. These were separated in such a way because there are some memos you can obtain in the debug menu, and there are some that you cannot obtain at all. 

Obtainable Memos

Below are obtainable memos you can find throughout your playthrough if you’re playing with the MOTHER 3 Fan Translation Patch. Otherwise, these are inaccessible in the Japanese version of the game.

Battle

Coming in contact with an enemy will initiate a battle. “Attack” is for physical attacks. Use “Guard” to protect yourself. PSI and Goods are also effective against some enemies. Use “Escape” if you don’t think you’ll make it. Sometimes it’s just better to retreat. If your luck is good, there are times you can pull off an extremely powerful blow like a liberating tennis smash.

Claymen

These clods are mass-produced out of clay. To the Pigmasks, they are a valuable workforce that never complains.

Club Titiboo

On the outside, it appears to be an entertainment center for the people who work at the factory, but…it seems as though it could have quite another side to it.

Crying

This mark displayed on the battle screen is an indication of crying. Crying causes the vision to blur, so it will be hard to land an attack. Use Eye Drops to stop those tears right up.

Defense

A higher defense will decrease the amount of damage taken from an enemy attack. Defense may be displayed as DEF.

Drago Fang

This is the Dragon fang that was stuck in Hinawa’s chest.

Dragos

Herbivores that live in the forest. They have calm and friendly dispositions. Lucas and Claus have played in the forest with the Dragos since they were very young.

Equip

Weapons and armor only serve their purpose if worn properly. Be sure to check here to see if a new item needs to be equipped.

Fleas

This mark displayed onscreen is an indication of fleas. The blood-sucking fleas will cause a lot of trouble when the overwhelming itchiness results in the loss of a turn…or the inability to concentrate on using PSI. Use a shot of Flea Spray to exterminate the pests.

Forgetful

This mark displayed onscreen is an indication of forgetfulness. Everyone has a little brain fart once in a while, even when it comes to PSI. Use a Reminder when suffering forgetfulness, and it should come back to you.

Gift Boxes

It doesn’t matter if there’s no birthday or it’s not Christmas. Think of them as a reward for your adventure, and graciously accept them. Sometimes, though, the “present” is only a guise…

Goods

Here, you can check the items you are holding. You can hold up to 20 types of items.

Happy Boxes

It is said that just by putting one of these suspicious-looking boxes in the corner of a room, one can achieve happiness. By Fassad’s demand, Salsa was forced to distribute them.

Haunted Brooms

These haunted brooms are dedicated workers. Be it garbage or people, nothing escapes the sweeping wrath of the brooms’ power of expulsion.

Hot Springs

When you’re tired from battle, feeling numb, or stricken with poison, nothing beats a dip in a hot spring. Every now and then, your friends who have lost consciousness will suddenly awake to find themselves in a hot spring. Perhaps some kind soul had carried them in? It’s better not to ask.

Instant Revizilation Devices

It seems the guys in pig masks use these when they rest. Entering the device will result in a mysterious energy that completely revitalizes the body, as if by magic.

Intelligence

Intelligence is displayed as IQ. If a character is able to use PSI, a higher IQ will increase its effectiveness.

Item Guy

This is the guy who will take care of your excess items for you, y’know? You know, the guy who lives in the tent you can take a rest in. (planned.)

Key Items

Key items are located in here so they aren’t accidentally thrown away or sold. We take great pride in this thoughtful design.

Kindness

This is one of the most important things for us humans, so let’s be kind to others. If your “Kindness” goes up, something good is bound to happen.

Magic Butterfly

A butterfly harboring mysterious powers. Softly touching the wings will miraculously result in the sensation of comfort that revitalizes the spirit.

Magypsies

This is the name for the sorcerers who have shut themselves off from the world and hidden themselves away to live in the forest. In a way, these men are more ladylike than ladies are. There is no need to worry about a cover charge.

Map

Press the R Button to view a map of the area.

Masked Man

Just who is he? The masked man remains silent…

Mole Cricket

It’s alive. It’s your friend.

Mole Cricket Hole

Always turn at every turn in the road. These are the words of the mole crickets.

Money (DP)

Since Fassad’s arrival in Tazmily, this has been used instead of acorns. It’s round and shiny, but unlike acorns, it cannot be found in the forest.

Nausea

This mark displayed onscreen is an indication of nausea. Nausea results in a loss of appetite and makes the character unable to eat anything. Fresh herbs will restore any lost appetite.

Needle Locations

There are seven Needles in all. The Belly Button Needle is in Osohe Castle. The Heart Needle is in Murasaki Forest, near the factory.The Left Hand Needle is located on Snowcap Mountain, far to the northeast. The Right Hand Needle is located in the crater of a volcano to the far east of the highway. The Right Foot Needle is located on Tanetane Island south of Tazmily. The Left Foot Needle is in the temple of Chupichupyoi on Mt. Oriander. And the last Needle…no one knows where it is. Too bad.

Noble Spittoon

It definitely looks like it has some ancient and honorable origin, but when it all comes down to it, it’s still a spittoon. As for what a spittoon is in the first place…well, I’ll spare you the details.

Nowhere Islands

This won’t be easy to believe at first…but it is said that deep in the earth below these islands lies an enormous sleeping dragon. It isn’t the lovable Drago from the forest, and it isn’t the poor, modified Mecha-Dragon, either. It’s the dragon from the legend, or so they say.

Offense

A higher offense will increase the amount of damage dealt to the enemy. Offense may be displayed as OFF.

Osohe Castle

No one knows when this old, mysterious castle was built. Wess is said to have served here many years ago.

Osohe Ghosts

These guys come to life almost every night to gather for a “grave” party. Just let them be if you can help it.

Paralysis

This mark displayed onscreen is an indication of numbness. Numbness prevents the character from moving or acting while in combat. Anti-Paralysis is effective against numbness.

Pigmasks

A suspicious group that wears masks resembling pigs. They appear to be plotting something bad.

Poison

This mark displayed onscreen is an indication of poisoning. HP will drop dramatically while walking around. Use an Antidote to heal.

Pork Beans

These are the vehicles the Pigmasks use for land travel. They move at four times the speed of walking.

Pork Saucers

Goofy-looking flying machines the Pigmasks rode in on. Let’s just call them “Pork Saucers”.

PSI

PSI is a mysterious and useful power that can replenish your energy or even assist in your transportation needs. Using PSI will deplete your PP.

Rope Snake

He makes a cute pet, but he acts like a rope, so he’ll surely be useful on your adventure.

Save Frogs

These green frogs will keep track of your adventure for you. They’re very thoughtful creatures.

Sleep Mode

You want to take a break, but there’s no nearby save point…this is when the Sleep function proves useful. To enter Sleep Mode, press Start and choose the Sleep icon on the far right. To return from Sleep Mode, push Select and the L and R Buttons simultaneously.

Sleep

This mark displayed on the battle screen is an indication of sleep. Being asleep during battle prevents the character from taking any action.No matter how sleepy, one ring of the Alarm Cicada should pop one’s eyes awake.

Speed

As speed increases, the character will be able to act before the enemy does. Speed is displayed as SPD.

Status

In this status window, you can see your conditions, goods, and equipment, etc. When several party members are present, press the L/R Buttons to switch between them.

Strange

This mark displayed onscreen is an indication of feeling strange. Feeling strange will result in the inability to walk straight and cause complete confusion as to what one is doing in battle.

Talking Sparrow

A talkative little sparrow that will teach you street smarts and tell all about the things he has heard and seen on his travels around the world. His big ego is the only fly in his ointment.

Talking Wind

Don’t hesitate to listen closely to what rumors the wind has to say. Perhaps an important hint that will prove useful to your adventure is hiding within.

Vending Machines

Believe it or not, you can exchange money for goods by inserting money into these. They’ll even buy back your unneeded items! There doesn’t seem to be anyone inside them, either.

Wall Staples

Only Duster can nail these wall staples into certain walls. The staples become footholds that allow everyone to climb to places previously thought to be inaccessible. Once the wall staples are set, they last forever.

Unobtainable Memos

Below are unobtainable memo screens that you can only find if you set all their flags to “ON” in the debug room. Unfortunately, these memo screens do not have a flag in the actual game, leaving them unobtainable and containing beta related elements possibly leftover from MOTHER 64/EarthBound 64.

Arrow Lizard

A slightly odd lizard in the shape of an arrow. When you’ve lost your way, if you visualize your destination, it will somehow point you in the right direction. They have come in handy in Tazmily for generations. They are a protected species, so don’t tease them!

Battle Secrets

Press the button with the music rhythm, whaddya get? A feeling so enlivening you’ll never forget!

Bird of Light

That of the Dark Dragon is in the antithesis. Darkness and light. Despair and hope. Destruction and creation. That is what it is.

Charging Device

Evidently, Pork Beans run on something called “electricity”. Pork Beans consume this electricity when in use, so use this charger to completely fill it back up. Actually, it’s really no different from this Game Boy.

Chupichupyoi

Deep, deep inside Mt. Oriander sits this temple with the unpronounceable name that not even the residents of Tazmily know about.

Comment Box

The residents of this world can leave their opinions, requests, and complaints in here. Whether someone is actually checking the box is anyone’s guess.

Coupon Exchange

Let’s say an enemy drops a coupon when it is defeated in battle. In your case, what would you do with it? Use it as a bookmark or something? That may be a wonderful way to make use of it. But take it to a redemption center, and they will actually cash it in for m-m-money! Each shop has a different rate, so be sure to think about it before you trade. You can redeem up to 100,000 Porkyupons at a time.

Dark Dragon

It is said that once the Dark Dragon awakens, the world will perish…is it really wise to continue pulling the Needles like this?

Dash

Hold the B Button for a short time and the character will crouch. Upon release, the character will move at twice the normal speed. When several party members are present, wait until everyone has crouched. Use the D-Pad to direct the path of the characters’ dash.

Healer

The man who lives in the Item Guy’s tent with him. When your body feels strange, one miracle from him will leave you feeling refreshed.

Hypno-Pendulum

Staring at this may induce a sleepy trance. Be careful to divert your own eyes when using it.

Magical Creatures

Magical dolls crafted by the Magypies.

Mr. Saturn

Mr. Saturn? Mr.Saturn…Mr. Saturn!

Pigmask Army

The one called the king is in command of these troops. An outrageous gang who does stuff like set fire to forests, scientifically rebuild animals, and cause nothing but trouble. If you see them, call the police!

Porky

A chubby little brat born near the end of the 20th century in a town called Onett, in Eagleland. Before long, he was plotting evil schemes and setting them into motion, one after another, wicked beyond imagination…and a far cry from the mere pranks of a childish bully. For those who would like more details…well, this is by no means an advertisement, mind you, it just boils down to a simple note for your adventure…so if you don’t mind my saying, you should try playing that one thing called EarthBound, dude!

Push

Sometimes, there are things in this world that are just begging to be pushed. If you keep the D-Pad pushed down in the direction of one of these objects, there’s a chance it will move.

Ram

During a dash, try charging into different objects to see what happens. Ramming into an enemy that is weaker than you will stun it temporarily. However, if the enemy is stronger, you will be thrust into a battle as usual. If the enemy is simply no match for you, it will be defeated upon contact.

Saturn Valley

According to the person at the Chimera Lab, far to the east of the highway live creatures who go by the name of Mr. Saturn.

Scary Mask

Put this mask on, and no matter who you look at, you’re sure to shock the “Ack!” right out of their attack.

Seven Needles

Once all of the Needles are pulled, what will happen? The die is cast. There is no choice but to go on.

Siren Beetle

Raised by Wess. It isn’t silent, it’s a siren, and this stag beetle will give off a piercing sound. Perhaps some animals are weak to this sound.

Smoke Bomb

Throw it against the ground to break it open and release smoke from within. The enemies may have a hard time attacking through the smokescreen.

Stone Sheet Clippers

It’s a Stone-Sheet-Clippers match. In the case of a tie, go one more round. The condition for taking back Duster, otherwise known as Lucky of the DCMC, was the defeat of 5 opponents in a row. It was a tough game, but somehow it ended with the defeat of the fifth member, the leader of the DCMC.

Tickle Stick

Koochie koochie koo! Use this stick to tickle under the arms of your enemy and they’ll naturally drop their rock-solid guard.

Wooden Box

Anyone is free to use the items found in these wooden boxes. It’s just the law of the land.

Unused Memos

Below here are completely unused memo screens that are left in the game’s data, but do not appear in the debug room or in the memo screen at all. Once again, plausibly related elements leftover from MOTHER 64/EarthBound 64.

About Leder

This elder may be the only one who knows everything. Where has he ended up now? Ironically, he is the only one who could know that, too…

Battle Tips

If you manage to approach an enemy from behind, the screen will turn green. In that case, when you enter the battle, the enemy has its back to you and you gain an advantage. On the other hand, if you have your back turned when the enemy approaches you, the screen will turn red and the enemy will make the first attack.

Coupons

This is a piece of paper that is occasionally dropped by enemies or found in boxes. Bring this to a shop to have them exchanged into Porkyupons. Seems an awful lot like some kind of pun.

Porkyupons

This is the universal currency in this world. It is rumored that the name Porkyupon comes from the name of the King who commands the Pigmasks.

Page Contributors

Orange – Writer

Starmen.net – Research & Resources

The Cutting Room Floor – Research & Resources

Find any errors or want to contribute? Let us know in our Discord!