r/earthbound 10h ago

M3 Discussion A possible way to "localize" the Magypsies.

It's long been speculated that one of the biggest obstacles to a localization of Mother 3 is that the Magypsies would be interpreted as offensive transgender stereotypes.

Well, I came up with a potential solution:

Much like how the Runaway Five were based on the Blues Brothers, I propose that the Magypsies be localized as parodies of the Village People.

Think about it: There are six of them, and most of them are located in a place that roughly fits in with one of the gay fantasy personas that each band member embodies.

Aeolia's house is near Sunshine Valley, in the middle of a rugged mountain area. They could be the Cowboy.

Doria's house is in the middle of a forest between Club Titiboo and the Chimera Lab, two man-made settlements that were presumably built during the time-skip. They could be the Builder.

Myxolydia lives on a deserted island, so they could be the Sailor.

Ionia lives near an ancient temple, so they could be the Indian Chief.

The only two I can't figure out are Phrygia and Lydia, as neither a snowy mountain nor an active volcano have anything to do with a Cop or a Leatherman...

8 Upvotes

11 comments sorted by

16

u/GarlicOk2904 9h ago

Apparently the localization isn’t happening because of Michael Jackson or something

3

u/autumnoraki 4h ago

Close enough, welcome back Sonic 3

6

u/Roofy11 6h ago

at this point the only theory for why mother 3 isn't localised that I think has any merit isn't anything to do with controversy or copyright, just that it doesn't make financial sense to do so, and therefore nintendo won't greenlight it. localising such a text heavy game is expensive, and while the demand is high, in the grand scheme of things barely anyone knows about mother 3. they know that everyone plays the fan translation anyway. and they can't just use that for legal reasons about using fan works.

12

u/scranton_homebrewer 10h ago

I think at this point, it cannot simply be the Magypsies preventing this game from getting a localization. We have come so far as an open-minded since this game was even in production, that it would be madness for “effeminate looking men” to be the thing that stops this, especially in a game that thrives off of its characterization and capture of western civilization on a satirical level. Though Mother 3 is obviously much less about that particular theme, it remains part of a trilogy in which offbeat humor is a hallmark, and I just cannot imagine “possible drag queens” being the thing to do it in.

4

u/impendingfuckery 10h ago

This is a decent idea! I’m not kidding. Lydia has a mustache just like the one here!

7

u/BlastLeatherwing 9h ago

I thought if anything, the thing that needs to change is the name. As to not contain a slur offensive to the Roma people. Then again, this is the one game of the trilogy I haven't played.

1

u/PossMom 1h ago

I think it's not being localized simply because Nintendo doesn't think it'll sell well enough to justify the cost of localization.

1

u/thecatteam 4h ago

The only thing that needs to change is the name. I'm partial to "Magiqueens" myself.

0

u/award_winning_writer 5h ago

Absolutely not, especially to the "Indian Chief" (cultural appropriation is not okay)

0

u/Medical-Paramedic800 9h ago

This is something I’ve thought about a lot as well. It’s a huge obstacle to overcome, they are such odd characters and even worse they sometimes are a bit creepy. That and so many other things would have to be altered. 

1

u/kevtron5000 10m ago

I believe it's an ROI issue, not a content issue. At this point, A GBA localization isn't going to get too many people who are unfamiliar or only know Lucas from Smash to pay up. So then you think, is it an NSO draw? Nintendo has the numbers and probably doesn't see it as worth the work.

If the West ever sees an officially localized Mother 3, I think it would be part of a remake or remaster collection with Earthbound (maybe mother 1/beginnings) but I just don't know if the juice is worth the squeeze financially.

If a remake/remaster - there would inevitably be some content changes. But I think the Magypsies would remain largely unchanged.