Rule number one for the Backlog Club: Complete your pile of unplayed video games one at a time, and discuss them with other people. Rule number two for the Backlog Club: Do not talk about the Backlog Club.
Just for fun! Tell it to everyone. Please.
Hello again, and welcome back to Backlog Club, our new and experimental feature, which forces us to start digging through our “Shame Pile” – the games we have not yet managed to play or finish. It works a bit like a book club, as we all play the same game every month (as voted for by you!), And then we gather again to talk about it – once at the two-week mark, and again at the end of the month. Fun!
Last month’s game was Slay The Spire, which you can read about to catch up:
But this month’s game, thanks to last month’s poll, is Earthbound, beating Undertale and Moon out with 50% of you voting for it.
Earthbound is a strange, unique and unsurpassed game that was originally released on the SNES in 1994 (Japan) and 1995 (North America). It has a devoted fanbase, but remains a cult favorite, with the well-known Japan-only sequel Mother 3 probably one of the most coveted Western releases in Nintendo’s gaming history.
Earthbound itself, however, is fairly widely available, describing the tales of Ness (a young boy you can name yourself) and his collection of friends as they attempt to defeat Giygas, through a strange and wonderful world filled with oddities, monsters and problems solve.
Your best bet for playing Earthbound (if you don’t already own it) is the Nintendo Switch Online service, which you can just grab this month if you want. It only costs $ 3.99 for a month and you can play Earthbound as much as you want.
Where to get Earthbound
| Storefront | Price |
|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch Online (Basic Membership) | $ 3.99 / £ 3.49 / € 3.99 per month $ 19.99 / £ 17.99 / € 19.99 per year |
| 3DS eShop | 14.09 USD |
| Wii U eShop | $ 9.99 |
(Remember: From May 23, 2022, you will not be able to use a credit card to purchase games on 3DS or Wii U eShops. However, you can link your account to your Switch account to add money. Read more about eShop closures here !)
Next month’s game
Good news: You can choose the game we are going to play in June – from a shortlist that I have decided, otherwise we will never all agree on anything. In general, I like to choose a game that is easily accessible and if possible free, including those on Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus, as well as the Nintendo Switch Online service, so everyone can participate without spending a lot of money. It’s also nice to get extra use out of your subscriptions!
Last month, the games I chose (Undertale, Moon and Earthbound) all had a lot in common – they are all RPGs with weird twists, and they all have to do with Toby Fox, the creator of Undertale, who was hugely influenced by Moon and Earthbound.
This month, the theme is “Stylish Adventure Stories with Murder Mysteries at Heart”, for I’m a sucker for a good detective frolic. But which one will it be?
Tell us your thoughts on the games above and on playing Earthbound – is this your first time or do you want to play it again just so you can have fun? Backlog Club welcomes you all!