Mother 3/Unused Text/Memos

This is a sub-page of Mother 3/Unused Text.

To do: Get the Japanese text for the Ram memo for comparison.

The game has an unused menu which contains different gameplay tips and background info from the Japanese manual, as well as some features which aren't actually in the final game. The menu was restored in the English fan-translation and made accessible by pressing L + R while selecting "Status". Still, many memos never get triggered, rendering them unused unless you force their flag on using the Debug Room's "Memo Flag" Pigmask.

You can use this mod to access the Japanese version of the menu.

Used Memos

Many memos have triggers that can unlock them through normal gameplay. A few of these memos mention old mechanics or scrapped features, so they're still worth mentioning. Many of these memos have typos riddled throughout.

Money

Apparently, you were supposed to find acorns to buy things in the earlier chapters instead of getting stuff for free. The nuts are probably leftovers from this concept since you can't find them after the time jump, when real money is introduced.

It should be noted that one released screenshot of the Nintendo 64 version shows a store screen with an acorn currency count, indicating that this memo is an old leftover (and likely not the only one).

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆ヨクバが　タツマイリにきてから 　どんぐりに　かわるものとして 　これが　つかわれている。 ◆まるくて　ピカピカしている。 ◆どんぐりと　ちがって 　もりをさがしても　みつからない。	•Since Fassad's arrival in Tazmily, this has been used instead of acorns. •It's round and shiny, but unlike acorns, it cannot be found in the forest.

Hot Springs

According to the memo, fainted party members were to be found at hot springs a la EarthBound hospitals. Instead they just stay in your party, walking around with a sullen look and 0 HP.

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆みんなが　きをうしなって 　たおれてしまったあと　きがついたら 　おんせんにいることも　しばしば。 ◆こころやさしいだれかが　おんせんに 　はこんできてくれるのだろうか? ◆きいてはいけないことも 　あるようです。	•Every now and then, your friends who have lost consciousness will suddenly awake to find themselves in a hot spring. •Perhaps some kind soul had carried them in? •It's better not to ask.

PSI

This is interesting in that PSI Teleport was planned, hence the part about assisting in transportation. Teleport was scrapped after it became clear how badly it broke the story sequence.

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆PSIは　たいりょくのかいふくや 　いどうのサポートをしてくれる 　ふしぎで べんりなちから。	•PSI is a mysterious and useful power that can replenish your energy or even assist in your transportation needs.

Kindness

The infamous Kindness status gets vaguely introduced.

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆わたしたち　にんげんにとって 　たいせつなものの　ひとつ ◆ひとに　やさしくしよう 　 ◆「やさしさ」が　アップすれば 　きっと　いいことがあるはずだ。	•This is one of the most important things for us humans, so let's be kind to others. •If your "Kindness" goes up, something good is bound to happen.

Equip

Strange, but checking the memo never tells you about new items.

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆あたらしいグッズを　てにいれたら 　そうびするべきものか　どうか 　かくにんすることを　こころがけよう。	•Be sure to check here to see if a new item needs to be equipped.

Item Guy

There are unused sprites for the Item Guy's tent pitched to the ground. According to the memo, you would have been able to enter the tent to take a rest, likely via the scrapped healer that inhabited it, owing to the removal of the tent's functionality as well. Thankfully, somebody marked the planned purpose of the tent for us.

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆よぶんなアイテムを 　あずかってくれますのだ。 　テントには　かいふくしてくれる 　おじさんも　すんでますのだ。 　みていですのだ。	•This is the guy who will take care of any excess items for you, y'know? •You know, the guy who lives in the tent you can take a rest in. (planned)

Unused Memos

All the following memos, as well as the ones above, can be obtained by talking to the White Pigmask in the Debug Room.

Coupon Exchange

This very long memo is helpful at describing a lost game mechanic. Note the misspelling of "actually" in the fan-translation.

Japanese

English (Fan Translation)

◆バトルで　てきをたおしたら 　てきが　クーポンをおとしたとしよう。 ◆きみなら　それをどうする? ◆ほんの　しおりにでもするかい? ◆それも　すてきな　つかいかただ。 ◆でも　クーポンは　かんきんじょに 　もっていくと・・・ ◆な　な　な　なんと　おかねに 　かんきんして　くれるんだ。 ◆おみせによって　かんきんの 　わりあいが　ちがうから 　よくかんがえて　こうかん 　してもらおう。 ◆いちどで　かんきんしてもらえる 　おかねは　100000ポークンまで。

•Let's say an enemy drops a coupon when it is defeated in battle. •In your case, what would you do with it? •Use it as a bookmark or something? That may be a wonderful way to make use of it. •But take it to a redemption center, and they will actualy cash it in for m-m-money! •Each shop has a different rate, so be sure to think about it before you trade. •You can redeem up to 100,000 Porkyupons at a time.

Magical Creatures

This memo, on the other hand, is painfully short. It could be referencing the Barrier Trio, but the Trio never trigger the unlocking of this memo. Also, note the typo in the spelling of the Magypsies in the fan-translation, inconsistent with the rest of the script.

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆マジプシーが　つくりだした 　まほうの　にんぎょう。	•Magical dolls crafted by the Magypies.

Chupichupyoi

Nothing wrong here, but this memo never gets triggered.

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆オリシモのやまの　はるか 　おくふかく・・・ 　この　いいにくいなまえをもつ 　しんでんが　あるということは 　タツマイリのひとでさえ　しらない	•Deep, deep inside Mt. Oriander sits this temple with the unpronouncable name that not even the residents of Tazmily know about.

Bird of Light

Interesting. No "Bird of Light" is ever mentioned in the game. The mural in the Forest Prayer Sanctuary seems to be the last remnant of this concept.

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆やみのドラゴンの 　それは　たいきょくにある。 　 ◆「やみ」と「ひかり」 　 　「ぜつぼう」と「きぼう」 　 　「はかい」と「さいせい」 　そういうことだ。	•That of the Dark Dragon is in 　the antithesis. •Darkness and light. •Despair and hope. •Destruction and creation. •That is what it is.

Dark Dragon

SPOILER ALERT... It isn't. It really, really isn't.

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆やみのドラゴンが　めざめたとき 　せかいは　ほろびるらしい・・・ ◆ほんとうに　このまま　はりを 　ぬきつづけて　いいのだろうか?	•It is said that once the 　Dark Dragon awakens, 　the world will perish... •Is it really wise to continue 　pulling the Needles like this?

Mr. Saturn

This memo never triggers through normal gameplay, with the "Saturn Valley" memo triggered instead.

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆どせいさん? 　 ◆どせいさん・・・ 　 ◆どせいさん!	•Mr. Saturn? •Mr. Saturn... •Mr. Saturn!

Seven Needles

Another memo that never triggers through normal gameplay. The "Needle Locations" memo is triggered instead.

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆はりを　すべてぬいてしまったら 　いったい　なにがおこるのだろうか? ◆すでに　サイは　なげられたのだ。 ◆すすむしかないべ。	•Once all of the Needles are 　pulled, what will happen? •The die is cast. There is no 　choice but to go on.

Pigmask Army

And another. The "Pigmasks" memo is triggered instead.

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆キングとよばれる　じんぶつが 　ひきいてる　ぐんたいらしい。 　 ◆もりに　ひをつけたり 　どうぶつを　かいぞうしたり 　わるさばっかりする 　とんでもない　やつら。 ◆みつけたら　110ばん!	•The one called the king is in 　command of these troops. •An outrageous gang who does 　stuff like set fire to forests, 　scientifically rebuild animals, 　and cause nothing but trouble. •If you see them, call the police!

Porky

And another... Oh yeah, play EarthBound.

Japanese

English (Fan Translation)

◆20せいきの　おしりのころ 　イーグルランドの　オネットのまちで 　うまれそだった　ふとっちょのワルガキ。 　 ◆やがて　ワルガキのイタズラとは 　とても　いえないような 　けたはずれの　わるだくみを 　つぎからつぎへと　かんがえては 　じっこうにうつしていった。 　 ◆かれのことを　もっとくわしく 　しってみたいひとは・・・ 　 ◆えー　これは　けっして 　せんでん　というわけではなく・・・ 　 ◆あくまでも 　ぼうけんのための　メモであって・・・ 　 ◆ごかいをおそれずに 　いわせていただくと・・・ 　 ◆いわゆる「マザー2」とかいうものを 　プレイしてみると　いいぞ。

•A chubby little brat born near 　the end of the 20th century in 　a town called Onett, in Eagleland. •Before long, he was plotting 　evil schemes and setting them 　into motion, one after another, 　wicked beyond imagination... •... and a far cry from the mere 　pranks of a childish bully. •For those who would like more 　details... •Well, this is by no means an 　advertisement, mind you, it 　just boils down to a simple 　note for your adventure... •...so if you don't mind my 　saying, you should try playing 　that one thing called 　EarthBound, dude!

Healer

There are unused sprites for someone peeking out of the Item Guy's cart. This would be no more useful than a hot spring or revitalizer, which is probably why it was cut.

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆あずかりやさんの　テントで 　いっしょに　せいかつしている 　おじさん。 ◆からだのちょうしがおかしいときは 　おじさんの　ミラクルいっぱつで 　きぶんそうかい。	•The man who lives in the Item 　Guy's tent with him. When your 　body feels strange, one miracle 　from him will leave you feeling 　refreshed.

Comment Box

This is actually a comment board in the final game, but whatever.

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆このせかいの　じゅうにんの 　ごいけん　ごきぼう　ごふまんなどが 　とうしょされている。 ◆どこが　うんえいしているのかは 　まったくの　なぞである。	•The residents of this world can 　leave their opinions, requests, 　and complaints in here. •Whether someone is actually 　checking the box is anyone's 　guess.

Wooden Box

Alongside Gift Boxes, Wooden Boxes also existed.

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆フィールドでみかける　きのはこに 　はいっているものは 　だれもがじゆうに　つかってよい。 ◆それが　このせかいの　ルールだ。	•Anyone is free to use the items 　found in these wooden boxes. •It's just the law of the land.

Charging Device

From here on, the memos are pretty boring and unremarkable.

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆ポークビーンは　どうやら 　「でんき」と　いうもので 　うごいてるらしい。 ◆ポークビーンを　はしらせると 　でんきを　しょうひするので 　このじゅうでんきで　たっぷりと 　でんきを　いれてあげよう。 　 ◆ぶっちゃけ　このゲームボーイと 　おなじってことだ。	•Evidently, Pork Beans run on 　something called "electricity". •Pork Beans consume this 　electricity when in use, so 　use this charger to completely 　fill it back up. •Actually, it's really no 　different from this Game Boy.

Stone Sheet Clippers

Chances are Duster is named whatever you named him in your playthrough.

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆ギー・チャキ・ペーで　しょうぶする。 ◆おあいこのばあいは　もういちど。 　 ◆DCMCのタメキチこと 　[ダスター]を 　チチブーからつれだす　じょうけんが 　ジャンケスの　5にんぬきだった。 ◆きびしい　しょうぶだったが 　5にんめ　DCMCのリーダーにも 　なんとか かつことができた。	•It's a Stone-Sheet-Clippers 　match. In the case of a tie, 　go one more round. •The condition for taking back 　[Duster], otherwise known as 　Lucky of the DCMC, was the 　defeat of 5 opponents in a row. •It was a tough game, but somehow 　it ended with the defeat of the 　fifth member, the leader of the DCMC.

Tickle Stick

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆このぼうで　てきの　ワキのしたを 　こちょこちょと　くすぐれば 　かたいガードも　しぜんと　さがる。	•Koochie koochie koo! Use this 　stick to tickle under the arms 　of your enemy and they'll 　naturally drop their rock-solid 　guard.

Scary Mask

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆このおめんを　かぶってふりむけば 　どんなヤツでも　びっくりして 　こうげきの　てが　ゆるむ。	•Put this mask on, and no matter 　who you look at, you're sure to 　shock the "Ack!" right out of 　their attack.

Smoke Bomb

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆じめんになげつけると　はれつして 　なかから　けむりが　でてくる。 ◆えんまくによって　てきのこうげきが 　あたりにくく　なるかもしれない。	•Throw it against the ground to 　break it open and release smoke 　from within. •The enemies may have a hard time 　attacking through the smokescreen.

Hypno-Pendulum

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆これを　ずーっとみていると 　なんだか　とっても　ねむくなる。 ◆まちがっても　じぶんで　つかって 　みてしまわないように　ちゅういしよう。	•Staring at this may induce a 　sleepy trance. •Be careful to divert your own 　eyes when using it.

Siren Beetle

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆ウエスが　かわやで　かっている。 ◆サイレント　ではなく　サイレンを 　けたたましく　はっする　クワガタだ。 ◆このおとが　にがてな　せいぶつが 　いるかもしれない。	•Raised by Wess. It isn't silent, 　it's a siren, and this stag 　beetle will give off a piercing 　sound. •Perhaps some animals are 　weak to this sound.

Dash

It's hard to notice, but each party member only crouches 2-3 frames after the one in front of them, so telling you to wait for everyone is pointless unless you're playing in slow motion. This memo indicates that earlier in development, it took longer for everyone to crouch.

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆フィールドがめんで 　Bボタンを　しばらくおしつづけ 　キャラクターが　しゃがんだら 　Bボタンから　ゆびをはなすと 　ふだんの　2ばいのはやさで 　いどうすることが　できる。 　 ◆パーティーがいるときは 　パーティーぜんいんが　しゃがむのを 　まってから　ボタンをはなすこと。 　 ◆ダッシュいどうちゅうは 　じゅうじボタンを 　おさなくても　ずっと　おなじほうこうに 　はしりつづける。 　 ◆はしる　ほうこうを　かえたいときは 　いきたいほうこうに 　じゅうじボタンを。	•Hold the B Button for a short 　time and the character will 　crouch. •Upon release, the character will 　move at twice the normal speed. •When several party members are 　present, wait until everyone 　has crouched. •Use the D-Pad to direct the 　path of the characters' dash.

Ram

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
	•During a dash, try charging into 　different objects to see what 　happens. •Ramming into an enemy that 　is weaker than you will stun 　it temporarily. •However, if the enemy is 　stronger, you will be thrust 　into a battle as usual. •If the enemy is simply no match 　for you, it will be defeated 　upon contact.

Push

A memo dedicated to a mechanic only used twice in the entire game? Strange.

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆ぐいぐいと　おしたくなるようなものが 　よのなかには　ときどきある。 ◆おしたくなったものに　たいして 　じゅうじボタンを　おしっぱなしにすれば 　もしかしたら　うごくかもしれない。	•Sometimes, there are things in 　this world that are just 　begging to be pushed. •If you keep the D-Pad pushed 　down in the direction of one of 　these objects, there's a chance 　that it will move.

Arrow Lizard

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆やじるしの　かたちをしている 　ちょっとかわった　トカゲ。 ◆みちに　まよったとき 　もくてきちを　おもいうかべると 　なぜか　そのほうこうを 　むいてくれる。 ◆タツマイリでは　むかしから 　ちょうほうされていた。 ◆てんねんきねんぶつなので 　いじめては　いけません!	•A slightly odd lizard in the 　shape of an arrow. •When you've lost your way, if 　you visualize your destination, 　it will somehow point you in 　the right direction. •They have come in handy in 　Tazmily for generations •They are a protected species, 　so don't tease them!

Battle Secrets

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆バトルのとき　おんがくにあわせて 　ボタンを　リズミカルにおすと? 　 ◆この　きもちよさは 　クセになってしまいそう。	•Press the button with the music 　rhythm, whaddya get? A feeling 　so enlivening you'll never forget!

About Leder

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆すべてを　しっているのは 　このろうじん　だけかもしれない ◆いま　はたして　どこにいるのか? 　 ◆それをしっているのも 　ひにくなことに　かれじしんだけ。	•This elder may be the only one 　who knows everything. •Where has he ended up now? 　Ironically, he is the only one 　who could know that, too...

Battle Tips

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆フィールドで　てきの　はいごに 　うまくまわりこむことが　できれば 　がめんが　みどりいろになる。 ◆そのばあい　バトルに　はいったとき 　てきが　せなかをむけているので 　こちらが　ゆうりとなる。 ◆もしも　てきに　はいごをとられると 　がめんが　まっかになり 　あいての　せんせいこうげきを 　ゆるしてしまうことになる。	•If you manage to approach an 　enemy from behind, the screen 　will turn green. •In that case, when you enter the 　battle, the enemy has its back 　to you and you gain 　an advantage. •On the other hand, if you have 　your back turned when the enemy 　approaches you, the screen will 　turn red and the enemy will 　make the first attack.

Coupons

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆てきが　たまにおとしたり 　はこに　はいってたりする 　もじが　いんさつされた　かみきれ。 ◆これを　おみせにもっていくと 　ポークンと　こうかんしてくれるという 　だじゃれのような　ほんとのはなし。	•This is a piece of paper that is 　occasionally dropped by enemies 　or found in boxes. •Bring this to a shop to have 　them exchanged into Porkyupons. •Seems an awful lot like 　some kind of pun.

Porkyupons

Japanese	English (Fan Translation)
◆このせかいに　りゅうつうしている 　おかねの　たんい。 ◆ポークンという　なまえは 　ブタマスクたちを　たばねる 　キングという　おとこの　なまえから 　とったという　うわさ。	•This is the universal currency 　in this world. •It is rumored that the name 　Porkyupon comes from the name 　of the King who commands 　the Pigmasks.