It took a while, but it's finally happened: EarthBound has finally arrived to Nintendo Switch's SNES online service! Not only that, but it's prequel, EarthBound Beginnings, tags along as well on the NES version of the online service!
These games will be available to play for as long as your subscribed to Nintendo Switch Online service.
If you would like some in-depth info on the character of Ness, click here! Be warned: there are spoilers.
Ever heard of a fan game titled Mother 4? It entered development back in 2008 and was planning to be released back in Winter 2014. As most EarthBound/Mother fans know, the game ended up getting delayed, and is still being worked on. In 2017, it was announced that they would be removing all of the EarthBound content, as well as change its name to "Oddity" in an attempt to avoid a potential C&D from Nintendo. Much later in October of this month, a few disgruntled fans who were helping to make the game would anonymously leak a couple of the game's assets, as well as a few playable demos, while also revealing that there was a lot of production trouble behind the scenes.
Well, a new game is now stepping up to the fray, and if you couldn't guess, it's also has the title of "Mother 4." Being in development for at least 2 years, this new Mother 4 fan project follows a group of teenagers as they journey across a "rose-tinted America."
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| Our heroes! From left-to-right, Maggie, Aaron, Troy, and Trisme. |
The developers of the game also have an official website set up, along with a FAQ which should answer any question you may have. (For starters, they aren't worried about a possible Cease-&-Desist from Nintendo) They also have a YouTube account, as well as a Twitter account. (Check out this cool concept art for our fearless heroes! ... and Jared.)
In the EarthBound/Mother series: Mother 3 (2006)
In the Super Smash Bros. series: Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008)
Boxing Ring Title: Boy from Nowhere
Theme Song: Mother 3 Love Theme
Lucas is the main protagonist of Mother 3. He lives on the Nowhere Islands at Tazmily Village with his older twin brother Claus, his dog Boney, his mother Hinawa, and his father Flint. In addition to his PSI abilities, he also wields various kinds of sticks in his adventure. He also has access to two kinds of Yo-yos and - towards the end of the game - baseball bats.
At the beginning of the game's Prologue, Lucas, Claus, and Hinawa were visiting Hinawa's father, Alec, for a small vacation. (Lucas's father, Flint, stayed home to watch their sheep) It was the last day they were spending there, and soon they would head back home to Tazmily Village. When night fell, Lucas, Claus, and Hinawa left and began traveling down the familiar road through the Sunshine Forest. However, elsewhere in the forest, some mysterious men called the Pigmasks would arrive and set the forest ablaze to scare and capture some wild animals.
Not that it would matter, as a few seconds later, a villager named Bronson would soon arrive, who had found Hinawa. Informing Flint and the others of her grim fate, Flint completely shuts down. A kind woman named Tessie tries to console him, only for Flint to push her aside. He then grabs a log from the campfire and begins to swing it wildly in his anger and grief. Lucas and Claus then witness Flint attack another villager named Abbot before Tessie shielded their eyes from what was happening. Flint would attack two other villagers before his childhood friend, Lighter, snuck up behind him and knocked him out with his lumber, after which Flint is thrown into Tazmily's Jail.
The next day, Claus plans to get revenge on the Mecha-Drago that killed Hinawa. Lucas wanted to tag along, but Claus told him he wanted to do this himself. Thus, Lucas lets him and heads to Hinawa's funeral, where he spends most of his time crying there. When Flint eventually arrives, he and Alec wonder where Claus was. Upon questioning Lucas, he rather quickly - and accidentally - reveals where Claus went. Flint and Alec quickly try to chase Claus down, and end up confronting the Mecha-Drago themselves. While they managed to defeat it, they were unable to find Claus. Overcome with grief, Flint would spend the rest of his days searching the mountains for Claus.
One day, while taking his dog Boney for a small walk, Lucas hears a rumor that a bassist named Lucky from the band "Desperado Crash Mambo Combo" bears a close resemblance to Duster, who went missing during Chapter 2. After informing this news to Duster's father Wess, Lucas and Boney head off to Club Titiboo to investigate. Along the way, Lucas would learn how to perform the powerful PSI technique, PK Love, from a mysterious Magypsy named Ionia.
At Club Titiboo, Lucas would meet up with Kumatora, and together they would sneak through Club Titiboo's attic to get to the backstage room where Lucky is resting. While Lucky has no recollection of Lucas or Kumatora, he decides to tag along with them anyway, with blessings from his bandmates.
Finding out that it's headed to the garbage dump, Lucas and friends chase it down. After a couple of shenanigans, they manage to find the Clayman, but before they can grab the Hummingbird Egg, it attacks them! Once they defeat it, Lucky touches the Egg and recovers his memories, remembering that he is in fact Duster! Before the group can celebrate, a Pigmask arrives and - once again mistaking Lucas as their commander - takes them to the Thunder Tower.
Inside, they end up fighting fierce foes, such as the Fierce Pork Trooper, and a robot maid named Lil Miss Marshmallow, who is guarding the Pig King's "Friend's Yo-yo." At the very top, they fight against Mr. Genetor, who was responsible for throwing lightning bolts at Tazmily Village. Defeating it, they find out from Fassad that the Pigmask Army was intending to blow the building up anyway as it was of no use for them anymore. A Pork Ship arrives to pick Fassad up, only for Fassad to trip on his own banana peel and fall off the tower.
Duster takes advantage of the situation by using a Rope Snake, who clings onto the Pork Ship's ladder, allowing the others to safely escape the exploding tower. However, the weight of Lucas, Boney, Kumatora, and Duster proves to be too much for Rope Snake to handle, thus he eventually lets go, causing the group to fall to the ground below.
... And they end up falling into a haystack, which was bundled up by Lucas's grandpa Alec. Once Lucas comes too, Alec reveals he had dreamt that his daughter, Hinawa, told him to gather a bunch of hay and place it at a specific place, concluding that she told him so that her son would be safe from the fall.
Making their way to Osohe Castle, Ionia realizes she can't sense whether the heart of the person is good or evil. Realizing that Lucas and Boney have no idea what she's talking about, she explains to them that on the Nowhere Islands, there are Seven Needles. Those Needles keep a giant being known as the Dark Dragon sealed underneath the island. The needles can only be pulled by someone who knows PK Love. If someone with a kind heart pulls a majority of the needles, the Dark Dragon will be a friendly individual. If someone with an evil heart pulls a majority of the needles, the Dark Dragon will be wicked and cruel.
If someone who lacks a heart pulls a majority of the needles... who knows what'll happen!
A massive race against the Pigmask Army begins as Lucas tries to locate the other six needles before they do! During this, Lucas and Boney would reunite with Kumatora at Doria's home, and Duster at Mr. Saturn Valley. Lucas would also receive the somewhat dirty Courage Badge from his father, Flint. (Or rather, Lucas gets it from him indirectly, as Flint asks Nippolyte to give it to Lucas.) A Mr. Saturn that Lucas and the gang meet would take the Courage Badge and polish it, revealing that it's actually a Franklin Badge, capable of reflecting lightning! Additionally, Lucas and his friends would find out that a mysterious character known only as the Masked Man is the one pulling the needles for the Pigmask Army.
Lucas and friends were urged to go to the Movie Theater to see a film that King Porky wanted them to see. Said film stars a boy with a red hat, a blonde-haired girl, a blonde boy with glasses, and a tough-looking boy. While watching it, Lucas happened to stumble upon a stinkbug! Lucas's dog Boney chases it into a broken speaker that leads into the sewers. The speaker is too small for Lucas and friends to chase it, so they have to find another way in. Luckily, they find one at the Arcade. In the sewers, they manage to find Boney! Boney is happy to reunite with Lucas, then informs him that he found someone in the next room up ahead.
This dragon used to live peacefully with the humans in the distant past, but there came a day when it was no longer possible. Thus, the seven Magypsies sealed the dragon away using Seven Needles, and have guarded them ever since.
The people who came from the White Ship feared about creating another apocalypse. They felt that the world's destruction occurred due to the way they lived. After a long debate, they decided the best way to prevent it was to use the Hummingbird Egg to erase their memories, and start a new life with new rules and new roles to lead. However, they felt that someone needed to be aware of the old world to make sure that nothing would disrupt their new lives. Hence, Leder was picked because he stood out amongst everyone. And thus, Tazmily Village came to be.
Additionally, there used to be a kingdom on the Nowhere Islands long ago, but it seems that the people there left at some point. When boarding the ship, young infant Kumatora had just lost her parents. When everyone had arrived on the island, it was decided that Kumatora would be the "Princess" of the abandoned Osohe Castle, with the Magypsies serving as her caretakers while Wess and his son Duster served as her retainers.
The people also wanted to create myths and legends that would date back 100 or even 1000 years, but they were in such a rush to create their new fabricated lives that they never found the time. Regardless, things were going peacefully at the time. Lucas, his brother Claus, and the rest of the children would be born during this.
However, a time traveler named Porky Minch would soon discover the islands. As he was prevented from traveling to any other era, he decided to have the place become his personal toy box where he could do whatever he wanted. He had also kidnapped and brainwashed a large amount of people from many different eras to serve in his army.
Eventually, Porky would learn of the Seven Needles thanks to Locria, a Magypsy who decided to betray the other six Magypsies. Once they managed to find someone who could use the PSI ability, PK Love, to pull the needles - said person being the Masked Man - Porky began enacting his plan to awaken the dragon and bring the world - no, the universe - to an end.
After that long-winded speech, Leder urges Lucas and his friends to find and pull the last needle to foil Porky's plan. He suggests that they should start by storming the Empire Porky Building. But before that, Lucas and friends have to deal with Fassad, who has been rebuilt into a cyborg. They also have the option to fight the super-tough King Porky Statue as well.
Only for Porky to crash the party by announcing to everyone through the speakers to come to the top of the 100th floor of the building. With that, Lucas, Boney, Kumatora, and Duster decide to take Porky's challenge on.
Lucas and friends end going through many room in their quest to make it to the 100th floor. These rooms include the Hippo Pool room, Master Porky's fan room, a toilet dungeon (no I'm serious), Magyspie Locria's room, the Great Porky Swimming Bath area (which is under construction), and a techno area that hosts the "Nice Person Hot Springs". They then reach a room where they have to prove they're worthy enough to see King Porky by participating in three mini-games against the Mini-Porky Bot. Once they do, they have to face the fierce-some Natural Killer Cyborg.
Nope, turns out that he was a robot. And he wasn't the only one. The Mecha-Porky Bots begin to overwhelm Lucas and friends, but thanks to Duster's friends, the DCMC, the Mecha-Porky Bots are scrap metal! That's when Lucas's father Flint, Duster's dad Wess, and a few others show up.
Upon arriving, Flint insists on going ahead. Lucas and the others wait a little while before they decide to get moving as well. Fighting their way through the enemies, they find Flint, who gives Lucas some concerning news: the Masked Man who's been working for Porky is none other than Lucas's long-lost older twin brother, Claus! Flint tried to talk some sense into him, but Claus left him injured and continued onward. Despite this learning of this, Lucas and his friends trudged onward.
Once his machine has run out of power, Porky tells the group they haven't won. He then summons the Absolutely Safe Capsule, a machine that'll protect Porky from everything that the world can throw at him. Try as they might, Lucas and his friends can't lay a dent on it. On the flip-side, Porky can't harm them from inside it either. Thus, the battle is over.
And then the Masked Man fires an intense bolt of lightning at the group. Boney, Kumatora, and Duster are instantly knocked out. Lucas, however, is protected from it thanks to his Franklin Badge, which reflects the lightning back at the Masked Man. Lucas is now the only one left to fight his mind-controlled twin brother.
The battle begins, but Lucas can't bring himself to fight the Masked Man. The Masked Man, however, holds no qualms, blasting Lucas with his arm canon and slicing at him with his laser sword. The Masked Man even begins to blast Lucas with PK Love Ω (Omega), the strongest form of the PSI attack. All Lucas can do is try and guard against the Masked Man's barrage of attacks and use Lifeup to restore his stamina as it drops.
Eventually during the fight, a familiar voice speaks Lucas's name. The same voice later speaks Claus's name, causing Lucas to realize it's his mother, Hinawa, who is speaking to them from beyond. The Masked Man, on the other hand, seems disinterested, if he even heard Hinawa's voice. Hinawa tries to reach out to him again, telling him that he isn't Porky's slave, he's the son of her and Flint. This time, the Masked Man pauses for a second to look around, before going back to focusing on Lucas. The Masked Man begins to prepare another PK Love Ω...
After which he proceeds to fire another powerful blast of PK Love Ω directly at Flint, severely damaging him until he too falls to the ground.
As the fight continues, Hinawa's words slowly begin to reach Claus. Eventually, Claus manages to reach deep into his mind, where he finally begins to remember who he is! Although his memory has now returned, he still continues to battle Lucas... but now his attacks have gotten noticeably even weaker. He sometimes covers his ears, or even closes his eyes whenever he throws out an attack. He even simply gazes at Lucas. Meanwhile, Lucas has no idea what to do himself. He felt heartbroken and wanted to cry. Sometimes he'd even close his eyes whenever he tries to take a swing at Claus. Both brothers felt tired and exhausted.
"Claus... Claus... Claus... Come to your mother. You must be so exhausted. Come here, Claus."
Hearing his mother's voice more clearly than ever, Claus looked around. He then decides to remove his helmet.
With his friends standing by side, and knowing that his mother - and now his brother - are watching him from Heaven, Lucas gathers his courage and pulls the final needle, awakening the Dark Dragon.
Personality-wise, Lucas starts off as a kind and gentle individual who's a bit cautious, in contrast to his older brother Claus. While somewhat shy, that doesn't stop him from having fun with the other kids. However, after witnessing the death of his mother and his brother going missing, Lucas became a shut-in, rarely interacting with anyone in town. He also struggles with both sleep and survivor's guilt, wishing he tagged along with Claus to help him avenge their mom.
However, during the three year timeskip, Lucas slowly starts to grow more courageous, as well as pretty resourceful due to his father spending most of his time looking for Claus in the mountains. Upon meeting with Kumatora during Chapter 4, he expresses his desire to grow stronger to protect those he loves. As he journeys with Boney, Kumatora, and Duster, he bravely faces whatever challenge comes their way, no matter how daunting it may be.
While some of his shy moments still pop up now and then, Lucas still remains kind-hearted and empathetic.
In Super Smash Bros., Lucas utilizes his powerful PSI powers, Duster’s pal Rope Snake, and a stick as well for battle! Don’t underestimate him, Lucas has been through a lot.
Special Moves
Lucas fires off a white snowflake of psychic energy. It quickly flies upwards before falling towards the ground. As you hold the Special Button, its power and size increases. You can also change the direction its moving with the Control Stick.
Releasing the Special Button will have Lucas make the white snowflake of psychic energy explode, damaging anyone nearby and freezing them solid! The size of the attack varies depending on how long you charage it.
Inspired by the move, PSI Freeze, introduced in “EarthBound Beginnings”. It has four levels of strength: α (Alpha), β (Beta), γ (Gamma), and Ω (Omega).
In “Mother 3”, PSI Freeze can only deal damage to one enemy, and how much damage it does depends on which version you use. It also has a small chance to freeze an enemy solid, which will prevent them from doing anything for a while.
In “Mother 3”, Lucas can’t learn this move, but his friend Kumatora can!
Lucas fires a lightning bolt forwards. If it hits the enemy, an eruption of flames will spawn and push the enemy away from him!
Inspired by the move PSI Fire, introduced in “EarthBound Beginnings”. It has four levels of strength: α (Alpha), β (Beta), γ (Gamma), and Ω (Omega).
In all three installments of the series, PSI Fire involves the user using pyrokinesis to shoot fire at all of the enemies. In “Mother 3”, in addition to decreasing an enemy’s PSI Shield strength by 1, it can also set them on fire, which will deal additional damage.Lucas firing PK Fire as a Lightning Bolt may be inspired from Master Green's method of attack from the unrelated “Kirby’s Dream Land 2” game.
In “Mother 3”, Lucas can’t learn this move, but his friend Kumatora can!
Lucas fires a small ball of lightning from his head. The player can control where the Lightning ball goes. It deals pretty decent damage and knockback, and can constantly hit the foe several times.
Depending on where PK Thunder hits him will determine where he goes flying. For example, if it hits him from underneath, he’ll go flying upwards, while if it hits him from above, he’ll go flying downward.
Inspired by the move, PSI Thunder, introduced in “EarthBound Beginnings”. In that game, it only had three levels of strength: α (Alpha), β (Beta), and γ (Gamma). Starting in “EarthBound”, a fourth level of power, Ω (Omega), was added.
In “Mother 3”. PSI Thunder α hits only one foe and has a 15% chance of paralyzing the foe, β can hit two foes and has a 15% chance of paralyzing the foe, γ can hit three foes, and Ω can hit four foes. However, all of them have a small chance of missing the target.
In “Mother 3”, Lucas can’t learn this move, but his friend Kumatora can!
Down Special: PSI Magnet
As you hold the Special Button, Lucas extends his hand and surrounds himself in a PSI Barrier. Any Energy Projectile that hits it – like Mario’s Fire Balls – will get absorbed and heal Lucas.
Inspired by the move, PSI Magnet, introduced in “EarthBound Beginnings”. In “EarthBound”, it has two levels of strength: α (Alpha) and Ω (Omega).
Both versions of PSI Magnet will have the user absorb some of the enemy’s PP (Psychic Points) to restore their own, but only if the foe has any. While the α version only targets one foe, the Ω version will target all available enemies. In addition, PSI Magnet can absorb anywhere between 2 to 8 PP.
As Super Smash Bros. doesn’t use PP for Lucas, its healing properties may be inspired by the move Lifeup, which can restore the user's or an allies HP. (Hit Points)
In “Mother 3”, Lucas can’t learn this move, but his friend Kumatora can! Lucas can learn Lifeup, though.
Lucas crouches as Kumatora and Boney appear behind him.
Inspired by the move, PSI Starstorm, introduced In “EarthBound”. PSI Starstorm will target all enemies and deal massive damage. It never misses, though it can be reflected if one has enough PSI Shields stacked.
In “Mother 3”, Lucas can’t learn this move, but his friend, Kumatora, can!
Additional Notes
Lucas’s Forward Smash can reflect projectiles back at the foe! It’s a bit easier to time this compared to Ness.
Lucas’s trophy in “Super Smash Bros. Brawl” states that Kumatora was the one that taught him how to use PK Fire, Pk Thunder, PSI Magnet, and PK Starstorm. I’m certain Lucas is grateful for this!
Even though Lucas’s game was only ever released in Japan, he is voiced by Lani Minella, an American Voice Actress. This is in contrast to Ness who’s game was released in America – and in Europe years later – and yet is voiced by the Japanese Voice Actress, Makiko Ōmoto. Kind of amusing and ironic, huh?
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| Left: Lucas's initial design for EarthBound 64. Right: Lucas's finalized design for EarthBound 64. | |
Back when Mother 3 was being made for the Nintendo 64 before it cancellation - where the game was under the name "EarthBound 64" - some early screenshots and promotional artwork reveal that Lucas looked quite different compared to how he looks today.
Had EarthBound 64 been released instead of being cancelled, Lucas would've replaced Ness as the EarthBound representative in "Super Smash Bros. Melee".
In the EarthBound/Mother series: EarthBound (1994)
In the Super Smash Bros. series: Super Smash Bros. 64 (1999)
Boxing Ring Title: The PSI Powerhouse
Theme Song: Smiles and Tears
Ness is a kind and courageous 12-year old boy who is the main protagonist of EarthBound. (or as it’s called in Japan: “Mother 2: Giygas Strikes Back”) Along with his psychic powers, Ness also wields Baseball Bats and Yo-yos as his main weapons during his adventure.
In the year 199X at the town of Onett, Ness was awoken from his sleep by a meteor that crashed somewhere nearby his house. Ness headed off to investigate, only to see that the police blocked off the road to the meteor. Heading back home and telling his mom and his sister, Tracy, of his discovery, Ness went back to sleep.
Suddenly, a small alien named Buzz Buzz would emerge from the Meteor. Buzz Buzz informs the three that an alien invader named Giygas has returned to Earth and will bring disaster to the future. However, Ness is one of the four chosen ones who can prevent it; thus he is given the task to seek out the Eight Sanctuaries to obtain Eight Melodies that will tie together the Earth's powers to stop Giygas.
Ness would also occasionally cross paths with Porky Minch, who was slowly turning on humanity and supporting Giygas's plans to destroy the Earth.
During their second test run, it proves successful, though they end up simply arriving at Gigyas's hideout in the present rather than the distant past. After a bit of wandering, Dr. Andonuts, Apple Kid, and a Mr. Saturn arrive with the Phase Distorter III, which is able to travel through time! However, since traveling through time will slowly destroy their bodies, they agree to have Andonuts transfer their minds into robots to ensure they will survive the trip.
Realizing he's being outmatched, Porky decides to deactivate the Devil's Machine before stepping aside to watch from the sidelines. Giygas is released, and with nothing to keep his psychic powers in check, he ends up trapping everyone within a nightmarish and unfathomable dimension of his crumbling mind. Despite being scared out of their wits, Ness and friends gathered their courage and bravely fought on. However, it soon became apparent that they stood no chance of winning, with Porky even mocking Ness about about running home and crying to his mom. As their hope began to fade, Paula began to pray for someone, anyone to help them.
Her prayers would get answered by the various people they've met and/or helped on their journey. This even includes the player, who personally delivers the final blow to Gigyas, ensuring his defeat.As Giygas begins to fade away into nothingness, Porky decides to cowardly flee by using the Phase Distorter, but not before telling Ness that they will cross paths again. After that, the robot bodies that Ness and his friends are in break down, but their souls manage to escape and return to their bodies in the present.
Regardless of the choice, during the trip back to Ness's house, Ness receives a phone call from his dad saying he'll be back home in time to celebrate Ness's upcoming 13th Birthday! Once Ness makes it back to his place, he, Tracy, their mother – and Paula too if she was brought along – look at the photos that were taken during Ness’s journey as the credits roll.
“Come and get me loser. Spankety, spankety, spankety!”
Personality-wise, Ness is described as a brave and courageous young boy. He's also very kind-hearted, willing to help others no matter what, which has helped make him pretty popular amongst his peers. Ness is also pretty close to his family. In fact, he tends to get homesick on occasion, and the only way to cure it is to either call his mother on the phone, head back home, or visit Dr. Saturn. Ness's favorite food is steak, though the player does have the option to make it anything they want at the beginning of the game.
In Super Smash Bros., Ness wields his baseball bat, his yo-yo, and his powerful PSI moves to gain the upper-hand on foes! Watch out for this telepathic kid!
Special Moves
Ness fires off a small green ball of psychic energy. It slowly flies upwards before falling towards the ground. As you hold the Special Button, its power and size increases. You can also change the direction its moving with the Control Stick.
Releasing the Special Button will have Ness cause the green ball of psychic energy to explode, damaging anyone nearby! The longer you've charged the move, the bigger the explosion will be, as well as the knockback and damage.
Due to how long it takes to charge it to its full power, this move will certainly be difficult to land.
Inspired by one of Ness’s moves, PSI Flash, introduced in "EarthBound". It has four levels of strength: α (Alpha), β (Beta), γ (Gamma), and Ω (Omega).
PSI Flash α will only cause enemies to cry or feel strange. PSI Flash β can also cause enemies to feel numb or be instantly defeated. PSI Flash γ and Ω each increase the chance of more powerful effects and decrease the chance of weaker ones.
The high damage a fully charged PK Flash does may be a reference to PSI Flash β's, γ's, and Ω's ability to KO a foe in one hit.
Ness fires a lightning bolt at a slight downward angle. If it hits an enemy or an destroy-able item, an eruption of flames will spawn, which can damage a foe multiple times.
If used in the air, Ness fires the lightning bolt in a more downwards direction.
Inspired by the move PSI Fire, introduced in “EarthBound Beginnings”. It has four levels of strength: α (Alpha), β (Beta), γ (Gamma), and Ω (Omega).
In all three installments of the series, PSI Fire involves the user using pyrokinesis to shoot fire at all of the enemies. In “EarthBound”, it gained the additional effect of decreasing an enemy’s PSI Shield strength by 1.
Ness firing PK Fire as a Lightning Bolt may be inspired from Master Green's method of attack from the unrelated “Kirby’s Dream Land 2” game.
Notably, Ness isn't able to learn PSI Fire in "EarthBound, but his girlfriend Paula can.
Ness fires a small ball of lightning directly upwards from his head. The player can control where the lightning ball goes. It deals pretty decent damage and knockback, but instantly disappears upon hitting it’s target. Unless the foe happens to hit the lightning trail behind it, in which case it’ll continue onward.
Depending on where PK Thunder hits him will determine where he goes flying. For example, if it hits him from underneath, he’ll go flying upwards, while if it hits him from above, he’ll go flying downward.
Inspired by the move, PSI Thunder, introduced in “EarthBound Beginnings”. In that game, it only had three levels of strength: α (Alpha), β (Beta), and γ (Gamma). Starting in “EarthBound”, a fourth level of power, Ω (Omega), was added.
In “EarthBound”. PSI Thunder α hits only one foe, β can hit two foes, γ can hit three foes, and Ω can hit four foes. However, all of them have a small chance of missing the target.
Notably, Ness isn't able to learn PSI Thunder in "EarthBound", but his girlfriend Paula can, as well as his friend Prince Poo.
As you hold the Special Button, Ness surrounds himself in a PSI Barrier. Any Energy Projectile – like Mario’s Fire Balls – will get absorbed and heal Ness.
Inspired by the move, PSI Magnet, introduced in “EarthBound Beginnings”. In “EarthBound”, it has two levels of strength: α (Alpha) and Ω (Omega).
Both versions of PSI Magnet will have the user absorb some of the enemy’s PP (Psychic Points) to restore their own, but only if the foe has any. While the α version only targets one foe, the Ω version will target all available enemies. In addition, PSI Magnet can absorb anywhere between 2 to 8 PP.
As Super Smash Bros. doesn’t use PP for Ness, its healing properties may be inspired by the move Lifeup, which can restore the user's or an allies HP. (Hit Points)
Notably, Ness isn't able to learn PSI Magnet in "EarthBound", but his girlfriend Paula can, as well as his friend Prince Poo. Ness can learn Lifeup, though.
Ness strikes a pose as Paula and Poo appear behind him.
Inspired by the move, PSI Starstorm, introduced in “EarthBound”. In “EarthBound”, it has two levels of strength: α (Alpha) and Ω (Omega). PSI Starstorm will target all enemies and deal massive damage. It never misses, though it can be reflected if one has enough PSI Shields stacked.
Notably, Ness isn't able to learn PSI PK Starstorm in "EarthBound", but his friend Prince Poo can.
Additional Notes
Ness’s trophy in “Super Smash Bros. Melee” states that Paula was the one that taught him how to use PK Fire, PK Thunder, and PSI Magnet. Meanwhile, one of Ness’s trophies in “Super Smash Bros. Brawl” states that Poo taught him how to use PK Starstorm.
Despite being American, Ness has always been voiced by the Japanese voice actress, Makiko Ōmoto, who gives him a fake American accent.
In “EarthBound”, once Ness hits level 16, he'll occasionally start to feel homesick, which can cause his attacks to be weaker, and even potentially miss. This can be cured by calling home or by visiting and talking to his mother. By level 76, Ness will stop feeling homesick.
