History YMMV / MOTHER3

** Chapter 3. While all of the first three chapters are difficult, Chapter 3 is this by far. For starters, you spend the entirety of it as a JokeCharacter who is easily KO'd, you have to do a lot of menial and repetitive tasks that get old quickly, and the entire time you're forced around by a {{Jerkass}} who makes the character's life a living hell even when he performs the tasks he asks flawlessly. To top it off, at the end of the chapter, you fight what many consider to be one of the hardest bosses in the game, not helped by the fact that you only have said JokeCharacter and a [[spoiler:SquishyWizard]] in the party, with a GuestStarPartyMember who more often than not does nothing for his turn. While this chapter does have a point story-wise [[note]]showing how evil the bad guys are and the slow corruption of Tazmily[[/note]], the hell it puts the player through and the general hopeless air it has [[DarknessInducedAudienceApathy makes some wonder why the chapter's even in the game, and a few to hate the protagonist of said chapter because of how useless he is when it comes to said chapter's harder parts]].

** That being said, this is [[VindicatedByHistory slowly being changed]] compared to the few years around the game's release. Much of the criticism at the time boiled down to how [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks different]] it was from the previous two games[[note]]And, well, [[GainaxEnding the ending]][[/note]], as well as some pent up frustration from the game's infamous DevelopmentHell and the Nintendo 64DD game being scrapped, which wasn't really a factor for western players since the series only really began to rise to popularity more or less around the time all the games were released and translated; in Japan, the series was universally beloved since the 80s and so every minor betrayal of people's expectations drew a disproportionately immense amount of criticism. As time goes on the Japanese fandom is becoming more and more accepting of ''Mother 3'' as being a great game despite being different from its predecessors, although ''Mother 2'' is still generally the most well-regarded entry.

* EvenBetterSequel: Many consider this game superior to ''[=EarthBound=]''. This sentiment is less common [[ContestedSequel in Japan]]. Also, while there are many who like this game as well in America, there are also a few who feel that ''VideoGame/EarthBound'' is better from a pure gameplay standpoint. [[TakeAThirdOption And there are those who love both games just the same.]]

* MexicansLoveSpeedyGonzales: Despite embodying certain stereotypes associated with trans[=/=]non-binary people, the Magypsys are fairly well-liked characters among the LGBT community.

* TrueArtIsAngsty: This is considered the closest video games come to tragic literature (though ''VideoGame/PlanescapeTorment'' and ''VideoGame/LegacyOfKain'' are mentioned pretty often when the question comes up).

* TooBleakStoppedCaring: When compared to its [[VideoGame/EarthBoundBeginnings two]] [[VideoGame/EarthBound predecessors]], this game is a lot more overtly [[TrueArtIsAngsty tragic]]. From the very start, Hinawa is KilledOffForReal, Claus disappears in his attempt to avenge her [[spoiler:— becoming the Masked Man in the process]], and Flint becomes obsessed with searching for him, [[ParentalNeglect resulting in his neglect of Lucas]]. Not even the revelation that Fassad [[spoiler:who is actually Locria, the last Magypsy]] took care of a mouse in his home holds any weight, as he not only tried to [[WouldHurtAChild kill the heroes on multiple occasions]], but he gleefully (and repeatedly) [[KickTheDog zapped Salsa with a shock collar]]. Combine that with the townspeople being {{Brainwashed}} by the [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything Pigmasks]], the Masked Man being DrivenToSuicide [[spoiler:while being forced to fight his twin brother]], the {{Big Bad}}'s ultimate motive [[spoiler:([[ItAmusedMe Porky was bored]])]], and an openly AmbiguousEnding, and it can be hard to feel like it's worth playing this game.

** Captain Underpants + Mother 3 [[labelnote:Explanation]]One shot in ''WesternAnimation/CaptainUnderpantsTheFirstEpicMovie'' shows Harold, a blonde kid in a striped shirt, running through a field of sunflowers. The uncanny resemblance to Chapter 6 of ''Mother 3'' was immediately picked up, leading to fans of both works jokingly comparing the two.[[/labelnote]]

** Captain Underpants + Mother 3 [[labelnote:Explanation]]One shot in ''WesternAnimation/CaptainUnderpantsTheFirstEpicMovie'' shows Harold, a blonde kid in a striped shirt, running through a field of sunflowers. The uncanny resemblance to Chapter 6 of ''Mother 3'' was immediately picked up, leading to fans of both works comparing the two.[[/labelnote]]

* TheyChangedItNowItSucks:
** The main argument with the Japanese audience. May also apply to the overseas audiences, but [[GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff it has a more positive reception there than its home country.]]
** Mostly {{Downplayed}} in the West. While there are many who love this game and its story, there ''are'' also a few who still prefer ''VideoGame/EarthBound'''s general "urban" environments to the more rural/fantasy vibe of ''Mother 3'', as it was what gave the ''Mother'' series its charm and what made it stand out from other [=RPG=]s in the first place. Note that most of these people still love this game regardless, and the story easily makes up for the setting change for most Westerners.

** Captain Underpants + Mother 3 [[labelnote:Explanation]]One shot in ''WesternAnimation/CaptainUnderpantsTheFirstEpicMovie shows Harold, a blonde kid in a striped shirt, running through a field of sunflowers. The uncanny resemblance to Chapter 6 of ''Mother 3'' was immediately picked up, leading to fans of both works comparing the two.[[/labelnote]]

* FairForItsDay: The Magypsies today have been criticized for embodying various [[CampGay negative stereotypes]] associated with gender-nonconforming people, on top of looking like mocking caricatures of Drag Queens that are often used to mock {{Transgender}} people. However, not only were they added in according to Itoi to give representation of his gender non-conforming friends at the time, but it's worth noting that the game still portrays the Magypsies as nice and likable characters who are allies to the heroes, have slightly distinct personalities, and are largely crucial to the plot. Also, while the game itself ''does'' describe the Magypsies as "strange, but well intentioned", which some feel holds UnfortunateImplications, none of the other characters ever really outright talk bad about the Magypsies.

** [[spoiler:Porky Minch.]] Is he [[WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds sympathetic]] or utterly irredeemable? Is he [[TragicVillain a victim of circumstance]] or [[ForTheEvulz acting completely out of his own desires]]? Did he really care about [[spoiler:Ness]] at all, and would he have turned out better if they had been friends? Should we LoveToHate him or [[HateSink just hate him]]? No one knows for sure, and all are equally legitimate views.

** FLINT/LUCAS/DUSTER LOVES CHEESE![=/=]KUMATORA/BONEY/SALSA HATES CHEESE! [[labelnote:Explanation]]The Peculiar Cheese food item restores 60 HP if the user loves cheese, but only 20 HP if the user hates cheese. Depending on what you named Lucas, he will either love cheese (if his name length is odd) or hate it (if his name lenght is even)

** Boney is mostly superfluous, since his only actions are a mediocre basic attack and [[EnemyScan sniffing]], a situational technique that doesn't even work on every enemy; if he didn't have better stats, Salsa would probably be stronger than him. Most players will end up using him simply for bashing the enemy and ItemCaddy duty with Shield Killer, healing items, and bombs (since the only stat that matters for using items is speed, Boney's amazing speed stat lets him use items sooner in the round than any other character.

* DarknessInducedAudienceApathy: When compared to its [[VideoGame/EarthBoundBeginnings two]] [[VideoGame/EarthBound predecessors]], this game is a lot more overtly [[TrueArtIsAngsty tragic]]. From the very start, Hinawa is KilledOffForReal, Claus disappears in his attempt to avenge her [[spoiler:— becoming the Masked Man in the process]], and Flint becomes obsessed with searching for him, [[ParentalNeglect resulting in his neglect of Lucas]]. Not even the revelation that Fassad [[spoiler:who is actually Locria, the last Magypsy]] took care of a mouse in his home holds any weight, as he not only tried to [[WouldHurtAChild kill the heroes on multiple occasions]], but he gleefully (and repeatedly) [[KickTheDog zapped Salsa with a shock collar]]. Combine that with the townspeople being {{Brainwashed}} by the [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything Pigmasks]], the Masked Man being DrivenToSuicide [[spoiler:while being forced to fight his twin brother]], the {{Big Bad}}'s ultimate motive [[spoiler:([[ItAmusedMe Porky was bored]])]], and an openly AmbiguousEnding, and it can be hard to feel like it's worth playing this game.

* FairForItsDay: The Magypsies today have been criticized for embodying various [[CampGay negative stereotypes]] associated with gender-nonconforming people, on top of looking like mocking caricatures of Drag Queens that are often used to mock {{Transgender}} people. However, not only were they added in according to Itoi to give representation of his gender non-conforming friends at the time, but it's worth noting that the game still portrays the Magypsies as nice and likable characters who are helpful to the heroes, have slightly distinct personalities, and are crucial the plot. Also, while the game itself ''does'' describe the Magypsies as "strange, but well intentioned", which some feel holds UnfortunateImplications, none of the other characters ever really outright talk bad about the Magypsies.

* ValuesDissonance: The Magypsies were added in according to Itoi as a positive portrayal of his gender non-conforming friends. As well-intentioned as Itoi might have been, it is clear that quite a few stereotypes were toyed with at the time of creating these characters and LGBTQ+ people in the west can't help but find their portrayals offensive, as they exhibit a lot of the [[CampGay negative stereotypes]] associated with gender-nonconforming people, on top of looking like mocking caricatures of Drag Queens that are often used to mock {{Transgender}} people. It doesn't help much that in-game they are referd to as being "strange, but well intentioned", which can bring up some rather UnfortunateImplications.

* TearJerker: [[{{Tearjerker/MOTHER}} This game is considered one of the saddest, if not]] ''[[{{Tearjerker/MOTHER}} the]]'' [[{{Tearjerker/MOTHER}} saddest game ever created]]. That isn't an exaggeration; just ''try'' and find a credible list compiling the saddest games and/or game moments that doesn't include this game on it somewhere.

** There are some people who are disappointed we never got a real follow up to Giygas' ultimate fate after ''VideoGame/EarthBound''. Especially since some can't help but feel bad for him [[WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds knowing his entire story]]. There are those who wished he could have been redeemed, or at least [[spoiler: brought back to sanity after ''[=EarthBound=]'']], and the fact that this game also stars a kid going through their own trauma over their Mother, many feel like Lucas would have been the perfect character for him to bond with. The fact that [[WhatCouldHaveBeen one of the beta elements seems to hint he may have been in the game originally]] only makes people wish for it more. That said, others acknowledge that adding him would have likely bloated the already tightly packed narrative and taken away from the larger plot.

** The currency of the Nowhere Islands after the time skip, "Dragon Power", is shortened as "DP" in the Fan-Translation.

* CreepyCute: The Ultimate Chimera, to some people.

* ValuesDissonance: The Magypsies were added in according to Itoi as a positive portrayal of his gender non-conforming friends. At the time (2006), it was considered quite a progressive move, as they were portrayed as being friendly and helpful to the protagonist, as well as being the BigGood of the setting. Nowadays, however, LGBTQ+ people can't help but find their portrayals offensive, as they exhibit a lot of the [[CampGay negative stereotypes]] associated with gender-nonconforming people, on top of looking like mocking caricatures of Drag Queens that are often used to mock {{Transgender}} people.

** Quite a bit of fanart exists for Fuel as well. Some people were rather disappointed he never has much relevance after the prologue.

** The end of Chapter 4 also takes a nasty DifficultySpike. Lucas and Boney are still on their own when Violet/[[spoiler:Kumatora]] sends them to the attic of Club Titiboo to avoid detection. Not only is it an absolute labyrinth with many dead ends, but it's full of [[GoddamnBats enemies that are more than willing to get the jump on you]]. The end boss of the area (and of the chapter) is Jealous Bass, who is infamous for many a game over, as stated under ThatOneBoss.

** There are often questions regarding what Ionia did to Lucas in that hot spring, since the scene fades to black and she has dialogue like "Don't struggle!"

** FLINT/LUCAS/DUSTER LOVES CHEESE!
** Welcome to the world of Mother 3!

* DarknessInducedAudienceApathy:
** While the game manages to do a good job of averting this as a whole, there are quite a few people who hate [[ThatOneLevel Chapter 3]], claiming it was pointless and could have been omitted from the game without really changing anything. [[note]]However, this isn't particularly true. While showing off just how evil the bad guys are is a major factor in the apathy, it does show the slow corruption of the village taking place, and Salsa and Samba are important later on. Though many argue Kumatora could have easily taken their role, and would have preferred watching Lucas or her perform the Ancient Dance to get to where the Magypsy lives.[[/note]]
** Note: This trope is played straight in Japan, where this, [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks among other reasons]], is why it's a ContestedSequel over there, primarily because of some mild ValuesDissonance between America and Japan when it comes to the game's theme.
** ''Mother 3'', when compared to its [[VideoGame/EarthBoundBeginnings two]] [[VideoGame/EarthBound predecessors]], is a lot more overtly [[TrueArtIsAngsty tragic]]. From the very start, Hinawa is KilledOffForReal, Claus disappears in his attempt to avenge her [[spoiler:— becoming the Masked Man in the process]], and Flint becomes obsessed with searching for him, [[ParentalNeglect resulting in his neglect of Lucas]]. Not even the revelation that Fassad [[spoiler:who is actually Locria, the last Magypsy]] took care of a mouse in his home holds any weight, as he not only tried to [[WouldHurtAChild kill the heroes on multiple occasions]], but he gleefully (and repeatedly) [[KickTheDog zapped Salsa with a shock collar]]. Combine that with the townspeople being {{Brainwashed}} by the [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything Pigmasks]], the Masked Man being DrivenToSuicide [[spoiler:while being forced to fight his twin brother]], the {{Big Bad}}'s ultimate motive [[spoiler:([[ItAmusedMe Porky was bored]])]], and an openly AmbiguousEnding, and it can be hard to feel like it's worth playing this game.

-->[[spoiler:Claus staggered toward Lucas.]]
-->[[spoiler:Claus embraced Lucas.]]
-->[[spoiler:Lucas remembered Claus's smell.]]

** That being said, this is [[VindicatedByHistory slowly being changed]] compared to the few years around the game's release. Much of the criticism at the time boiled down to how [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks different]] it was from the previous two games[[note]]And, well, [[GainaxEnding the ending]][[/note]], as well as some pent up frustration from the game's infamous DevelopmentHell and the Nintendo 64DD game being scrapped, which wasn't really a factor for western players since the series only really began to rise to popularity more or less around the time all the games were released and translated; in Japan, the series was universally beloved since the 80s and so every betrayal of people's expectations drew a disproportionately immense amount of criticism. As time goes on the Japanese fandom is becoming more and more accepting of ''Mother 3'' as being a great game despite being different from its predecessors, although ''Mother 2'' is still generally the most well-regarded entry.

** That being said, this is [[VindicatedByHistory slowly being changed]] compared to the few years around the game's release. Much of the criticism at the time boiled down to how [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks different]] it was from the previous two games[[note]]And, well, [[GainaxEnding the ending]][[/note]], as well as some pent up frustration from the game's infamous DevelopmentHell and the Nintendo 64DD game being scrapped, which wasn't really a factor for western players since the series only really began to rise to popularity more or less around the time all the games were released and translated; in Japan, the series was universally beloved since the 80s and so every small thing that's "different" can draw an immense amount of criticism. As time goes on the Japanese fandom is becoming more and more accepting of ''Mother 3'' being different and acknowledging it as a great game on its own right, although ''Mother 2'' is still generally the most well-regarded entry in the series.

** This may have affected the game's stance in future material. Lucas ended up being DemotedToExtra as a trophy in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosForNintendo3DSAndWiiU'', alongside the other ''Mother 3'' trophies that managed to return from ''Brawl''. Most of the rest of the series' representation in that game is only focused on the first two games. Lucas eventually did get to return to ''Smash 4'' as DLC with the primary focus of it being advertised to the western fanbase, but whether this means ''Mother 3'' might get some more recognition by Nintendo in the US, though, is currently unknown.

** Due to many fans seeing her as Lucas's ImpliedLoveInterest, Nana is much more prominent in fan works than the other Tazmilly villagers.
%%** Quite a bit of fanart exists for Fuel as well. Some people were rather disappointed he never has much relevance after the prologue.
%%** On the antagonist side, a lot of people like the Ultimate Chimera.

** In the FanTranslation, Yokuba's name was changed to Fassad, possibly [[PunnyName in reference to] the ''façade'' he puts up around the public. It also happens to be [[BilingualBonus Arabic for "corruption"]].