Yes, while each game connects between it's predecessor(s) they are all fairly stand alone stories that don't require playing every game in order (or at all). It's good TO play them all in order so you get some of the references and some jokes, it won't leave you confused at all if you don't. It's more of a "HEY I remember this character" more so than "what the hell is going on?" type scenario.
LMAO I love Mr. Saturns they are absolutely awesome. Also how Itoi based their manner of text on his daughter's hand writing was a stroke of awesomeness and kind of touching really.

I see, thanks a lot for clearing that up :)

No problemo. :)

i played both earthbound (snes) and Mother (nes).

Mother was waaaay better than earthbound.
i fought loads of hippies in the beginning i remember that bit ^_^

The music in this one town (Magicant) was some of the best music in a video game ever.
i got red weed then dunked it into a fountain and got magic herbs. some cats were swimming in the ground. and Groucho got a beat down.

i stumbled into a translated version online somewhere (since it was never released here or in english >_<) and played it on the wii with emulator assistance.

Awesome, yeah I actually play an English patched version of Mother 1 rather than use my cart. I am considering sending in a junk cart to get a repro of Mother 1 so I can play that and keep my original in tip top shape. Actually some other interesting news is someone is making a loader software program to play all 3 Mother games on a modded Wii. It looks rather awesome and the selection menu is each cartridge and a battle menu with some options. I am tempted to try it out using Dolphin later. Speaking of my original carts, I managed to get Mother 1 and Mother 2 in near mint condition (sadly cartridge only) for about 15 bucks a piece plus shipping. :D

It doesn't look that familiar. The only think that comes close is the space shooter segment.

The English NES version was never released, but the official translation was actually finished and the prototype cartridge made its way into the public many years ago.

The ROM normally floating around is a slighlty modified version of that cart, to change the title to "Earthbound Zero" (it was supposed to just be called Earthbound, but the SNES game was out when the prototype got dumped) and also bypass a protection measure that was supposed to prevent the game from running on a normal NES system.

There is Mother 3 for GBA fantranslated....always wanted to play but kinda never got to touch it, Earthbound is freaking great anyway too. Maybe one of the best SNES games...

Earthbound is by far the best JRPG I've ever played, but I feel that even many of its fans don't really appreciate it. Many people just focus on the odd sense of humor, but it's actually a mature, thoughtful piece of work targeted at adults. I first played it as a kid, but I did not really appreciate its subtle themes until many years later.

I can't say I much cared for Mother 3, though. It felt hollow.

Yep, I am tempted to get a repro cart of it later since I do own an original Famicom cart. I usually get repros when I own the original so I can enjoy the games in situations where I need to understand the dialogue to enjoy the game. There is also a retooled Mother/Earthbound Zero patch that fixes some of the issues like boosting EXP and reducing random encounters a bit to make it less of a grind fest. I think they may have also fixed the balancing too but don't quote me on that.
The English patch is actually quiet easy enough to find, I am thinking of getting an Mother 3 repro cart since I own Mother 3 now (as soon as it arrives in the mail), so I can play it on my DS (though I'm considering getting a GBA SP since I found an awesome Famicom-styled Japanese one). While I say support the developers, I think there is nothing wrong with ALSO getting the English version as to fully enjoy the game as well. :)

I agree that it is an amazing JRPG (a model which more JRPGs should take notes from), though I don't really think fans don't so much "really appreciate" it as they grow (much with as the game grows) they learn to appreciate it's more subtle themes and messages. Much like how the Mother series is about growing up, as the player grows up and replays the game they learn to appreciate those things they never noticed before. I think that is part of it's enduring nature is THAT it changes, and how you view it changes with age. It's tale of love and loss, hope and despair, and coming of age is something anyone can appreciate, but as you experience some of it's themes in your life you grow to realize how much you can relate.

For example:

[spoiler]
Giygas' moral conflict between his duty to his people and his loyalty to George and (especially) Maria.
Lucas' tragic loss of his mother Hinawa and his brother Claus.
Ninten's absent father.
Porky (or Pokey to those who know him as that) having feelings of loneliness and truly missing Ness.
Also, Porky's obvious regrets with the past even if he tries to deny them himself.
[/spoiler]

There are a lot of things on one level or another people can relate to, and it's one of the many reasons this is also a valid argument as to why and how video games are indeed capable of being real art (though that's a debate for another thread :P).

edit: Weird, I'm not sure why it double posted, sorry all. :)

And I was hoping for an alien reference. :(

Sorry you've has a naff day :(

Sorry to disappoint. :)

No worries, I managed to afford at least the expansion. Tightens finances for the next few weeks, but sometimes you just have to treat yourself I suppose. :)