Mother 3 Classic
Game Boy Advance · RPG
Mother 1 + 2
Certified classic
| System | Game Boy Advance |
|---|---|
| Released | 2003 |
| Genre | RPG |
| Developer | HAL Laboratory |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Players | 1–4 players |
| Commitment | Epic journey (20+ hours of adventure) |
| Series | Mother |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 7 |
Released for the Game Boy Advance in 2003, Mother 1 + 2 is a role-playing game developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo.
It landed about 2 years into the GBA's life. Other notable GBA releases from 2003 include Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and Sonic Battle. Among the 97 GBA RPGs in our database, it ranks #17 by legacy score.
It is part of the Mother series; on the GBA you can also try Mother 3. The series also appears on other systems with EarthBound (SNES) and Mother (NES). HAL Laboratory also made Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land for the GBA.
Mother 1 + 2 supports up to 4 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
Pick it if…
- you want to get lost in a long quest
- you have time for an epic journey (20+ hours of adventure)
- you have a friend to play against
- you want to experience one of the GBA's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you want instant action rather than menus, story and grinding
- you only have a few minutes at a time
What playing Mother 1 + 2 is like
Role-playing games trade reflexes for strategy and story. You build a party, level up, manage equipment and travel across a large world, usually through menu-based battles.
Tip for newcomers: Retro RPGs can require some level grinding and rarely tell you exactly where to go next. Talk to every townsperson, save often and use a guide if you get stuck: there is no shame in it.
Mother 1 + 2 walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Mother 1 + 2.
If you like Mother 1 + 2, the Matrix also picks…
Pokémon Emerald Classic
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga Classic
EarthBound Classic
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance Classic
Golden Sun Classic
Golden Sun: The Lost Age Classic
Playing GBA games today
The GBA is one of the best-value retro libraries around, with deep RPGs and tactics games that suit portable play. A growing selection is on Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, and Rec0m88 supports GBA if you own the games.
Mother 1 + 2 FAQ
When did Mother 1 + 2 come out on the GBA?
Mother 1 + 2 was released for the Game Boy Advance in 2003.
Who made Mother 1 + 2?
It was developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo.
Is Mother 1 + 2 multiplayer?
Yes. Mother 1 + 2 supports up to 4 players.
How long does Mother 1 + 2 take to play?
As a role-playing game, Mother 1 + 2 typically falls into the "Epic journey" category: 20+ hours of adventure. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Mother 1 + 2 on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.