EarthBound Beginnings Prototypes
by: Kody NOKOLO on 4/25/2020
A comprehensive list of known English copies of MOTHER!
During the process of localizing MOTHER as “Earth Bound” in 1990, multiple early copies were made to test for bugs and scrub for typos. According to Phil Sandhop, about six to twelve of these prototypes were made.
Most prototypes were reused multiple times during development via socketed, rewritable EPROM chips (rather than chips soldered directly onto the board). As such, the majority of these prototypes share identical builds; likely, this is the final release candidate build that would have made it to customers if it had been released as intended in 1991.
Some exceptions to these rules are noted in descriptions of the prototypes below. Most notably, the version that leaked online and became Earthbound Zero is slightly older than the final release seen on other carts—however, notable differences have not been found in-game.
Prototype #1: “The TK-69 Cart”
Description: This prototype contains the build that was released by Neo Demiforce as “Earthbound Zero” in 1998. Although it was the first prototype to trade hands online, it was actually the last cartridge to be made.
This prototype contains the build that was released by Neo Demiforce as “Earthbound Zero” in 1998. Although it was the first prototype to trade hands online, it was actually the last cartridge to be made.
While blank on the front, the cartridge is known for the series of labels on the back side that reads:
“NES Packet 23
To: Hiro Yamada / International
RE: Send to Mr. Yamauchii c/o NOCL for Evaluation
Title: Earth Bound
Date: Feb 24, 1994 Due: March 15, 1994
Property of Nintendo of America Inc.
TK-69”
Additionally, handwritten labels mark the EPROM chips that are dated for 2/18/94, loaded with “Version 0.1” of the game.
Lineage: Nintendo > ??? > FamCom Games > Greg Mariotti > Kenny Brooks > Andrew DeRouin
Last Known Sale Price: $1000 USD
Prototype #2: “Jollerancher #1”
Description: This prototype (along with Prototype #3), was found in 2006 at a garage sale in the Hamptons. They were found by collector “jollerancher” along with an assortment of notable items, including a Star Fox Super Weekend Jacket and the first copy ever found of Powerfest ‘94.
The cartridge has labels printed via a dot-matrix label printer, and a handwritten “EARTHBound” sticker on the front.
Lineage: Nintendo > Garage Sale > jollerancher > sample_seller > dieyoung7 > Roo
Last Known Sale Price: ~$1100 USD
Prototype #3: “Jollerancher #2”
Description: This prototype was found at the same Hamptons garage sale as Prototype #2. This one was bought on eBay by the wife of collector and former NintendoAge user “dr_curtis” as a gift. It was resold later to another collector.
This cartridge has identical labels to its twin, but is simply marked with “EARTHBOUND” in red on its front. They have notably different handwriting, but these markings have been present since discovery.
Lineage: Nintendo > Garage Sale > jollerancher > dr_curtis > Andrew B.
Last Known Sale Price: $1469 USD
Prototype #4: “Alderman’s Cart”
Description: Originally owned by Matt Alderman, who tested on the title during his time as a Nintendo Gameplay Counselor. Sold to a private owner in 2009 (identity and location confirmed as of writing, but keeping anonymity by request).
While photos of this prototype are hard to come by, it is known to be housed within a cutout Zelda case similar to that of the Portland Prototype. The EPROM chips were very quickly covered by labels for safety against UV rays after this photo was taken.
Lineage: Nintendo > Matt Alderman > Private Buyer
Last Known Sale Price: $2000 USD
Prototype #5: “The Cave Prototype”
Description: This prototype appeared at Camp Fangamer 2015 and 2016, and was streamed by Clyde Mandelin (Tomato) during this time. A label on the back reads:
“Property of Licensee
Product Support:
The Cave”
This refers to a room in Nintendo of America’s old office building, which according to Phil Sandhop was called “The Cave” due to lack of windows. The previous owner before Tomato has requested anonymity.
Lineage: Nintendo > ??? > Tomato
Last Known Sale Price: N/A
Prototype #6: “The Portland Prototype”
Description: The Portland Prototype was discovered at a yard sale in Portland, OR on May 21st, 2017. It was verified in person a few days later by Bones after the buyer, Jacob Christopher, posted an image of the cartridge to Twitter. The cartridge was later sold to Koala, a major Mother collector in Japan.
The process was documented extensively by the crew of Mother to Earth during the course of their filming in both Portland and Tokyo. Prior to initial sale, the cartridge had been checked out by a senior buyer at Nintendo and never formally returned.
The prototype, like Prototype #3, is housed within a shell that uses a Zelda front and a standard grey back. The words “To Earth” are written in blue marker on the back, and the EPROMs are covered with electrical tape.
Lineage: Nintendo > Barbara H.M. > Jacob C. > Koala
Last Known Sale Price: ~$8250 USD (after import)
Sources / Additional Reading
EarthBound Central: EarthBound Zero Prototype Info – Primary jumping-off point for prototypes accounted for as of 2009.
PriceCharting: Greatest Video Game Garage Sale Ever – A blog post with information regarding Jollerancher’s haul at the Hamptons garage sale.
Hands On: EarthBound (NES) Prototype (Part 1 – Part 2) – A two-part video from Roo of Clan of the Grey Wolf detailing Prototype #2.
Additional information stemmed directly from BONES’ research from 2013-2020 for the documentary Mother To Earth.
