Item Names
Below is a list of all the items and their names in MOTHER 2 and in EarthBound. Anything that seems interesting or was significantly changed has been highlighted in red. Note that I don’t think the changes are necessarily bad – in many cases I think they’re better than the original.
Weapons
| Japanese Version (basic translation) | English Translation |
| Worn-Out Bat | Cracked Bat |
| Ordinary Bat | Tee Ball Bat |
| Good Bat | Sand Lot Bat |
| Very Good Bat | Minor League Bat |
| Mister Bat (It’s implied that Mister = Mister Baseball) | Mr. Baseball Bat |
| Godzilla Bat | T-Rex’s Bat |
| Gorgeous Bat | Big League Bat |
| Greatest Bat | Hall of Fame Bat |
| Ultimate Bat | Ultimate Bat |
| Magicant Bat | Magicant Bat |
| Guts Bat | Gutsy Bat |
| Legendary Bat | Legendary Bat |
| All Your Might Bat | Casey Bat |
| Fry Pan | Fry Pan |
| Thick Fry Pan | Thick Fry Pan |
| Good Fry Pan | Deluxe Fry Pan |
| Chef’s Fry Pan | Chef’s Fry Pan |
| Magical Fry Pan | Magic Fry Pan |
| Fun Fry Pan | Non-Stick Frypan |
| Wonderful Fry Pan | French Fry Pan |
| Angel Fry Pan | Holy Fry Pan |
| Pop Pop Gun | Pop Gun |
| Shock Gun | Stun Gun |
| Air Gun | Toy Air Gun |
| Super Air Gun | Magnum Air Gun |
| Astro Machine Gun | Zip Gun |
| Hyper Beam | Hyper Beam |
| Double Beam | Double Beam |
| Crash/Crush Beam | Crusher Beam |
| Laser Beam | Laser Gun |
| Prism Beam | Spectrum Beam |
| Death Beam | Death Ray |
| Most Horrible Beam | Baddest Beam |
| Moon Beam | Moon Beam Gun |
| Gaia Beam | Gaia Beam |
| Sword of Kings | Sword of Kings |
| Yo-Yo | Yo-Yo |
| Awesome Yo-Yo | Trick Yo-Yo |
| Combat Yo-Yo | Combat Yo-Yo |
| Slingshot | Slingshot |
| Super Sling | Bionic Slingshot |
Armor
| Japanese Version (basic translation) | English Translation |
| Travel Charm | Travel Charm |
| Big Charm | Great Charm |
| Glittering Charm | Crystal Charm |
| Rabbit Charm | Rabbit’s Foot |
| Flame Pendant | Flame Pendant |
| Raindrop Pendant | Rain Pendant |
| Darkness Pendant | Night Pendant |
| Earth Pendant | Earth Pendant |
| Sea Pendant | Sea Pendant |
| Star Pendant | Star Pendant |
| Cheap Bracelet | Cheap Bracelet |
| Copper Bracelet | Copper Bracelet |
| Silver Bracelet | Silver Bracelet |
| Gold Bracelet | Gold Bracelet |
| Platinum Bracelet | Platinum Band |
| Diamond Bracelet | Diamond Band |
| Fairy Pendant | Pixie’s Bracelet |
| Angel Bracelet | Cherub’s Band |
| Goddess Bracelet | Goddess Band (religious reference left intact) |
| Baseball Cap | Baseball Cap |
| Mister Hat (it’s implied that Mister = Mister Baseball) | Mr. Baseball Cap |
| Holmes Cap | Holmes Hat |
| Hat Helmet | Hard Hat |
| Ribbon | Ribbon |
| Scarlet Ribbon | Red Ribbon |
| Protect Ribbon | Defense Ribbon |
| Anti-Evil Ribbon | Talisman Ribbon |
| Mr. Saturn Ribbon | Saturn Ribbon |
| Goddess Ribbon | Goddess Ribbon (religious reference left intact) |
| Coin of Peace | Coin of Slumber |
| Protect Coin | Coin of Defense |
| Coin of Silence | Coin of Silence |
| Mr. Saturn Coin | Mr. Saturn Coin |
| Anti-Evil Coin | Talisman Coin |
| Glittery Coin | Shiny Coin |
| Anti-Evil Coin | Charm Coin |
| Souvenir Coin | Souvenir Coin |
| Evil-Banishing Coin | Lucky Coin |
| Cape of Kings | Cloak of Kings |
| Bracelet of Kings | Bracer of Kings |
| Bandana of Kings | Diadem of Kings |
Battle Items
| Japanese Version (basic translation) | English Translation |
| Bomb | Bomb |
| Super Bomb | Super Bomb |
| Dragon Powder | Bag of Dragonite |
| Pencil Rocket | Bottle Rocket |
| Pencil Rocket 5 | Big Bottle Rocket |
| Pencil Rocket 20 | Multi Bottle Rocket |
| Bazooka | Bazooka |
| Super Bazooka | Heavy Bazooka |
| Sucker Machine | HP-Sucker |
| Super Sucker | Hungry HP-Sucker |
| Sticky Machine | Slime Generator |
| Neutralizing Machine | Neutralizer |
| Shield Killer | Shield Killer |
| Anti-PSI Machine | Counter-PSI Unit |
| Defense Spray | Defense Spray |
| Defense Shower | Defense Shower |
| Snake | Snake |
| Snake Bag | Snake Bag |
| Poisonous Snake | Viper |
| Handbag Belt | Handbag Strap |
| Mummy Bandage | Mummy Wrap |
| Petenella’s Socks | Pair of Dirty Socks |
| Monkey’s Feelings | Monkey’s Love |
| Pharaoh’s Curse | Pharaoh’s Curse |
| Toothbrush | Toothbrush |
| Insecticide Spray | Insecticide Spray |
| Super Spray | Xterminator Spray |
| Rust Spray/Powder | Rust Promoter |
| Super Rust Spray/Powder | Rust Promoter DX |
| Stag Beetle | Stag Beetle |
| Plush | Teddy Bear |
| Tough Plush | Super Plush Bear |
| Protractor | Protractor |
| Ruler | Ruler |
| Instant Guts | Sudden Guts Pill |
Key Items
| Japanese Version (basic translation) | English Translation |
| Cash Card | ATM Card |
| Backstage Pass | Backstage Pass |
| Simple Key Machine | Bad Key Machine |
| Stone of Enlightenment | Brain Stone |
| Rabbits’ Favorite Carrot | Carrot Key |
| Contact Lens | Contact Lens |
| Diamond | Diamond |
| Kokeshi Doll Erasing Machine | Eraser Eraser |
| Franklin Badge | Franklin Badge |
| Hawk Eye | Hawk Eye |
| Hieroglyph Copy | Hieroglyph Copy |
| Fly Honey | Jar of Fly Honey |
| Cabin Key | Key to the Cabin |
| Locker Key | Key to the Locker |
| Shack Key | Key to the Shack |
| Tower Key | Key to the Tower |
| King Banana | King Banana |
| Bubble Gum | Pak of Bubble Gum |
| Octopus Erasing Machine | Pencil Eraser |
| Receiver Phone | Receiver Phone |
| Ticket | Show Ticket |
| Shyness-Curing Book | Shyness Book |
| Signed Banana | Signed Banana |
| Sound Stone | Sound Stone |
| Gumi Durian | Tendakraut |
| Little Ruby | Tiny Ruby |
| Town Map | Town Map |
| Wad of Bills | Wad of Bills |
| Gourmet Tofu Machine | Yogurt Dispenser |
Misc. Items
| Japanese Version (basic translation) | English Translation |
| Bicycle | Bicycle |
| Chick | Chick |
| Chicken | Chicken |
| Exit Mouse | Exit Mouse |
| For Sale Sign | For Sale Sign |
| Insignificant Item | Insignificant Item |
| Letter from Preschoolers | Letter from Kids |
| Letter from Mom | Letter from Mom |
| Letter from Tony | Letter from Tony |
| Meteorite Piece | Meteorite Piece |
| Meteonium | Meteornium |
| Meteotite | Meteotite |
| Picture Postcard | Picture Postcard |
| Pig Nose | Piggy Nose |
| Gre-Or Machine (short for Great Orange Machine) | Suporma |
| Video Drug | Video Relaxant |
Broken Items
| Japanese Version (basic translation) | English Translation |
| Broken Machine | Broken Machine |
| Broken Spray | Broken Spray Can |
| Broken Iron | Broken Iron |
| Broken Air Gun | Broken Air Gun |
| Broken Laser | Broken Laser |
| Broken Water Pipe | Broken Pipe |
| Broken Beam Cannon | Broken Cannon |
| Broken Gadget | Broken Gadget |
| Broken Tube | Broken Tube |
| Broken Trumpet | Broken Trumpet |
| Broken Bazooka | Broken Bazooka |
| Broken Harmonica | Broken Harmonica |
| Broken Parabolic Antenna | Broken Antenna |
Food & Drinks
| Japanese Version (basic translation) | English Translation |
| French Fries | Bag of Fries |
| Banana | Banana |
| Bean Croquette | Bean Croquette |
| Beef Jerky | Beef Jerky |
| Boiled Egg | Boiled Egg |
| Water | Bottle of Water |
| Expensive Water | Bottle of DXwater |
| Goat Butter Porridge | Bowl of Rice Gruel |
| Box Lunch of Enlightenment | Brain Food Lunch |
| Butter Roll | Bread Roll |
| Calorie Block | Calorie Stick |
| Orange Juice | Can of Fruit Juice |
| Chef’s Special | Chef’s Special |
| Cookie | Cookie |
| Croissant | Croissant |
| Coffee | Cup of Coffee |
| Cup Noodles | Cup of Noodles |
| Double Burger | Double Burger |
| Fresh Egg | Fresh Egg |
| Resort Gelato | Gelato de Resort |
| Hamburger | Hamburger |
| Well-Done/Browned Kabob | Kabob |
| Kraken Soup | Kraken Soup |
| Large Pizza | Large Pizza |
| Lucky Sandwich | Lucky Sandwich |
| Luxury Jerky | Luxury Jerky |
| Magic Pudding | Magic Pudding |
| Magic Tart | Magic Tart |
| Magic Truffle | Magic Truffle |
| Mammoth Burger | Mammoth Burger |
| Molokheiya Soup | Molokheiya Soup |
| Summers-Style Pasta | Pasta di Summers |
| Almond Monaka | Peanut Cheese Bar |
| Picnic Lunch | Picnic Lunch |
| Pig Youkan | Piggy Jelly |
| Pizza | Pizza |
| Plain Roll | Plain Roll |
| Plain Yogurt | Plain Yogurt |
| Popsicle (more literally, “ice candy”) | Popsicle |
| Grownup Drink | Protein Drink |
| PSI Caramel | PSI Caramel |
| Royal Iced Tea | Royal Iced Tea |
| Skip Sandwich | Skip Sandwich |
| Double Skip Sandwich | Skip Sandwich DX |
| Spicy Jerky | Spicy Jerky |
| Strawberry Tofu | Trout Yogurt |
Condiments
| Japanese Version (basic translation) | English Translation |
| Condensed Milk | Carton of Cream |
| Mandala Furikake | Jar of Delisauce |
| Tabasco (in Japanese, this word is often used for any “hot sauce” in general) | Jar of Hot Sauce |
| Ketchup | Ketchup Packet |
| Salt | Salt Packet |
| Aonori | Sprig of Parsley |
| Powdered Sugar | Sugar Packet |
| Chocolate Chips | Tin of Cocoa |
Medicine & Stat Boosters
| Japanese Version (basic translation) | English Translation |
| Cold Remedy | Cold Remedy |
| Udon of Life | Cup of Lifenoodles |
| Hand-Aid | Hand-Aid |
| Horn of Life | Horn of Life |
| Refreshing Herb | Refreshing Herb |
| Secret Kampo | Secret Herb |
| Serum | Vial of Serum |
| Wet Towel | Wet Towel |
| Guts Capsule | Guts Capsule |
| IQ Capsule | IQ Capsule |
| Luck Capsule | Luck Capsule |
| Speed Capsule | Speed Capsule |
| Vital Capsule | Vital Capsule |
| Mystical Candy | Rock Candy |
Item Descriptions
Some item descriptions were altered between the two games as well. Here are some of them:
| Japanese Version (basic translation) | English Translation |
| Strawberry Tofu: A fashionable dessert popular in big cities. When eaten, you recover about 30 HP. | Trout Yogurt: A fashionable treat for snobby, haute cuisine people in some big cities. When eaten, you recover about 30 HP. |
| Bean Croquette: A croquette made with mashed chick peas native to Scarabi, then breaded and deep-fried. It’s nice and salty and the old oil makes it even tastier. When eaten, you recover about 40 HP. | Bean Croquette: A croquette made with mashed chick peas, then breaded and deep fried. Gen-san in Scaraba loves to cook this. Salt improves it and the olive oil gives it a wonderful flavor. When eaten, you recover about 40 HP. Note: EarthBound’s text mistakenly translates “gensan” as a name here. |
| Royal Iced Tea The highest quality tea, produced by tea expert Mr. Todaar, who carefully selects only hand-picked tea leaves. Long ago, only court nobles could drink it. If you drink this, you recover about 60 HP, even if you’re an average citizen. | Royal Iced Tea The highest quality tea, produced by tea expert Mr. Y. Todaar, who carefully selects only hand-picked tea leaves. Long ago, only aristocrats at a king’s court were allowed to drink this tea. If you drink this, you recover about 60 HP. |
| Picnic Lunch When eaten, you recover about 80 HP. There are even octopus wieners inside. | Picnic Lunch When eaten, you recover about 80 HP. There’s even a slice of your favorite cake! |
| Grownup Drink Provides nutrional support for reinvigoration and the relief of physical exhaustion. If you drink this, you recover about 80 HP. | Protein Drink For building a stronger, healthier body. It gives you a blast of nourishment when you are fatigued. |
| Well-Cooked Kabob Broiled lamb’s liver and such, all served on a skewer. Sometimes meat other than lamb is included… Or so rumors say. When eaten, you recover about 120 HP. | Kabob Broiled lamb’s liver, etc. all served on a skewer. Sometimes meat other than lamb is included… that’s what someone told me… When eaten, you recover about 120 HP. |
| Chef’s Special A dish recommended by the Summers Restaurant chef, who trained at a five-star restaurant in Paris. The dish recommended changes each day. When eaten, you recover about 200 HP. | Chef’s Special This is today’s special. It is highly recommended by our chef, who trained at a five-star restaurant in Paris. When eaten, you recover about 200 HP. |
| Plush A cute teddy bear. | Teddy Bear A cute teddy bear! |
| Tough Plush A very cute teddy bear. In MOTHER 2, apparently the fact this is cuter than the normal one makes it tougher. | Super Teddy Bear A cute teddy bear! |
| Pencil Rocket 5 An item for Jeff. Fires five Pencil Rockets simultaneously. Gone after one use. | Big Bottle Rocket Items for Jeff. Fires a fast, powerful bottle rocket. Gone after one use. |
| Pencil Rocket 20 An item for Jeff. Fires twenty Pencil Rockets simultaneously. Gone after one use. | Multi Bottle Rocket Items for Jeff. Possibly the strongest weapon around, it does a lot of damage due to its massive warhead. Gone after one use. |
| Meteotite It can be probably be sold for a very high price. Using it won’t cause anything to happen. A good explanation is kind of tough. Basically, in MOTHER 2, this item shares the same description as the Meteonium item. | Meteotite Sell it for a lot of cash. |
| Gorgeous Bat Ness can equip this weapon. A shiny decoration is attached, too. | Big League Bat Ness can equip this weapon. This item looks like it could have had cork put into the core! |
| Mr. Saturn Ribbon Miscellaneous equipment that can only be used by Paula. When equipped, Luck is increased. | Saturn Ribbon Miscellaneous equipment that can only be used by Paula. When equipped, Luck is increased. Same as the one that Mr. Saturn wears on his head. |
| Gre-Ora Machine Orange Kid’s invention. The full name is the “Great Orange Machine.” | Suporma Orange Kid’s invention. The full name is the “Super Orange Machine.” |
| Octopus Eraser Machine Apple Kid’s invention. This machine makes things blocking your way that look like an octopus disappear in just a second. | Pencil Eraser Apple Kid’s invention. It makes something blocking your way that looks like a pencil disappear in just a second. |
| Backstage Pass A pass that gets you backstage at the Chaos Theater. Of course, you can watch as many shows as you want with it too. | Backstage Pass It allows you to go backstage at the Chaos Theater. Of course, you can also watch the show using the pass. |
| Simple Key Machine A “Machine that Can Open Simple Locks Surprisingly Easily”. | Bad Key Machine The “Machine that Opens Doors, Especially When You Have a Slightly Bad Key.” |
| Fly Honey Belch’s favorite food. It…. k-kind of stinks…. | Jar of Fly Honey Belch’s most favorite food in the whole world. However… it smells REALLY, really nasty! We’re talkin’ major stinkage here! |
| Ticket ”S Seats, #3? is written on it. | Show Ticket It says, “Section B, seat 3D.” |
| Gourmet Tofu Machine An item for Jeff. Invented by Apple Kid. It’s not really clear why… but it deals damage to the enemy when used during battle. Can be used many times. | Yogurt Dispenser Items for Jeff. Invented by Apple Kid. If used during combat, some damage will be dealt to the enemy, Though it’s not understood why this happens… it’s just yogurt after all… Can be used many times. |
| Kokeshi Doll Erasing Machine Apple Kid’s invention. This machine makes things blocking your way that look like a kokeshi disappear in just a second. | Eraser Eraser Apple Kid’s invention. It erases something that looks like an eraser that also might be blocking your way. |
| Meteorite Piece It looks like an ordinary rock at first glance, but to someone who knows about it, it’s a very special material. | Meteorite Piece It looks like a plain old rock, but for someone who knows about it, it is actually a very precious, unusual element. |
Item Descriptions Get Personal
One thing of note is that in EarthBound many of the item descriptions use “me”, “I”, or “my”, almost as if someone is speaking to the player. These are completely made-up and are mostly artifacts of trying to word things in a natural way in English. This might be something you might see if translators are in a real rush.
In any case, the original descriptions in Japanese are completely neutral and have no such first-person references.
This section of the EarthBound Legends of Localization book also includes:
- EarthBound’s item name programming enhancements
- A small change in how item descriptions are displayed in EarthBound
- How religious items were treated during the localization process
- A factoid about EarthBound’s item and enemy naming process
- Detailed info about many of the food and condiment items in EarthBound, including photos, beta screenshots, and reasons for the item changes
- The mystery behind the obscure “Mr. Y. Todaar” character is finally solved
- A look at the bat weapons in both games
- A defensive item that was mistranslated in a confusing way
- A case in which the localizers localized item names too much, which also detracted from a unique game mechanic
- An item description that highlights a common issue in game text localization
- Details on the Japanese version of the “Secret Herb” item
- Bottle Rocket items, their Japanese counterparts, and a look at the item as it appears in the other MOTHER games
- An item description with a real-life product reference that WASN’T removed – in fact, the reference was improved in localization!
![Passport to MOTHER 2 [Learn Japanese!]](https://legendsoflocalization.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/pp-m2.jpg "Passport to MOTHER 2 [Learn Japanese!]")