Ness (EarthBound)
Thirteen-year-old psychic boy from Onett, Eagleland.
Ness is a fictional character from Nintendo's Mother role-playing game series, created by Japanese designer Shigesato Itoi. He debuted in the 1994 Super NES game *EarthBound* (released in Japan as *Mother 2*), where he is the main protagonist and a playable character. He also appears as a playable fighter in every installment of the *Super Smash Bros.* series, with voice acting by Makiko Ohmoto.
In *EarthBound*, Ness is a thirteen-year-old boy from the fictional town of Onett in Eagleland, who possesses psychic abilities called PSI. He teams up with Paula, Jeff, and Poo to battle the main antagonist, Giygas. His journey begins when a meteorite lands near his home, leading him and his neighbor Pokey to meet a time-traveling alien named Buzz-Buzz, who declares Ness the "chosen one" destined to defeat Giygas. Buzz-Buzz instructs Ness to visit eight sanctuaries across Eagleland to absorb their psychic energy and unite his power with the Earth's. Along the way, Pokey allies with Giygas and opposes Ness. After visiting all eight sanctuaries, Ness falls unconscious and enters Magicant, a realm within his mind, where he defeats a personification of his evil thoughts and gains unlimited power. The group then time-travels to battle Giygas and Pokey, ultimately defeating Giygas, though Pokey escapes and later sends Ness a challenge letter.
Ness was created by Itoi, who wanted the game's characters to feel real and recognizable. A character resembling Ness appeared in promotional material for the Nintendo 64 version of *Mother 3*, but Itoi clarified in a 1997 interview that it was neither Ness nor Claus, but a character made solely to help explain the *Mother* world. Itoi also left open the interpretation that Ness and Flint (a character from *Mother 3*) could be the same person. Ness was originally set to be replaced by Lucas in *Super Smash Bros. Melee*, but was kept after the Nintendo 64 *Mother 3* was canceled. Both Ness and Lucas later appeared in *Super Smash Bros. Brawl*, *Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and Wii U* (with Lucas added as DLC), and *Super Smash Bros. Ultimate*.
In the *Super Smash Bros.* series, Ness fights using a baseball bat, a yo-yo, and his PSI abilities. One of his signature moves lets him hit himself to propel forward or upward for recovery or offense. In *Brawl*, he gained a Final Smash move based on Poo's "PK Starstorm."
Quick Facts
- Series
- Mother
- First Game
- EarthBound (1994)
- Creator
- Shigesato Itoi
- Voice
- Makiko Ohmoto
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Ness is depicted as a thirteen-year-old boy residing in the fictional town of Onett in Eagleland who has psychic abilities referred to as PSI. In EarthBound, Ness teams up with Paula, Jeff, and Poo to battle Giygas, the main antagonist. He primarily uses baseball bats as weapons and possesses PSI abilities latent from birth that develop as the game progresses. At the start of the game, a meteorite crash-lands near his house, leading him to meet the time-traveling alien Buzz-Buzz, who declares Ness the 'chosen one' destined to defeat Giygas. Ness travels to eight sanctuaries to absorb psychic energies, eventually entering Magicant, a realm within his mind, where he vanquishes a personification of his evil thoughts. After Giygas is defeated, Pokey escapes and later sends Ness a challenge letter.
Reader's Guide
Ness has received generally positive reception and is considered one of the best Nintendo characters. His appearance in the Super Smash Bros. series contributed to a rise in popularity for both him and EarthBound. Authors of the book '100 Greatest Video Game Characters' stated that Ness represented an 'everyboy' hero who defied typical role-playing game stereotypes, calling him a trailblazer in terms of protagonists in the genre. They also suggested his outfit evoked Charlie Brown from Peanuts, while his character design evoked anime or manga art. Ness has been a popular character in Super Smash Bros., partly responsible for players becoming interested in EarthBound. Commentary has focused on his relationship with his parents, with his mother providing emotional support and his father representing an absentee provider. Some writers have interpreted Ness as a Jesus Christ-like figure due to his unifying position and prophesied role. His relationship with Pokey has been analyzed, particularly how Ness views Pokey in his own mind as someone jealous and wanting friendship, suggesting Ness may look down on him.
Did You Know?
- Ness was originally going to be replaced by Lucas in Super Smash Bros. Melee, but was used after Mother 3's Nintendo 64 release was cancelled.
- A character resembling Ness appeared in early Space World video for the Nintendo 64 version of Mother 3, but was confirmed to be a character made exclusively for promotional material.
- Ness's 'Final Smash' move in Super Smash Bros. Brawl is based on Poo's 'PK Starstorm'.
- Ness has received merchandise including a yo-yo and an Amiibo figure.
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