Ness and Paula traversing a town in 'Earthbound,' the second game in the franchise which launched for the SNES and the Virtual Console. (Photo : YouTube/ Nintendo UK)
"Mother 3" was rumored to release for the Wii U Virtual Console last year but this never came true. New information reveals that it may instead release for the Nintendo Switch Virtual Console and that Nintendo will make the announcement next week during the Switch presentation event.
Nintendo insider Laura Kale Dale tweeted the rumor first and stated that the game will be available in the second quarter of the year. This would mean "Mother 3" will be on the Switch Virtual Console roughly the same time the Switch launches in March.
Mother 3 VC Switch Q2 2017. Will be announced Jan 12 event.
— Laura Kate Dale (@LaurakBuzz) January 2, 2017
"Mother 3" was first rumored back in February 2016 by insider Emily Rogers, Nintendo Insider reported. This information was then supported by tipster Doctor Cupcake and several gaming news sites, further suggesting that it was planned to release in celebration for the franchise's 10th anniversary.
During the time the previous rumor came out, the series was hitting resurgence in popularity with the launch of "Earthbound Beginnings" for the Wii U Virtual Console in 2015. "Earthbound" for the SNES then saw a re-release on the New 3DS Virtual Console in March 2016.
It is possible that the game was intended to release for the Wii U Virtual Console but the system's poor sales may have led Nintendo to delay the release for the Nintendo Switch. There is also the possibility that it may have been planned for the Switch since the very beginning, Nintendo Everything reported.
While the previous two games were released for home consoles like the NES and SNES, the third game in the franchise was released solely in Japan for the Gameboy Advance. Releasing on the Virtual Console for the Switch would be an optimal choice given the Switch can be used as a console and as a portable device.
Nintendo has yet to confirm or deny if "Mother 3" is indeed releasing for the Virtual Console and when it may launch. The Nintendo Switch is releasing in March and the presentation is scheduled to air on Jan. 12, Wednesday. A trailer for "Earthbound" on the New 3DS Virtual Console can be viewed below:
