Do I need the original game files to run EarthBound PC Port?

Yes. The project does not include the original game's assets, so you need your own copy.

EarthBound PC Port

PortActive

An existing game or its source code brought to another platform.

Based on EarthBound

compare all 3 clones

Links, repository & details

About

Phase Distorter is an EarthBound (US, English) and Mother 2 (Japanese) PC port written in C++20 as a native desktop application for Linux and Windows. It has keyboard and controller input, audio, persistent saves, a Settings window and widescreen presentation with offscreen actor preloading. Version 0.2.1 is described as a development release.

How it differs from the original

Widescreen views at 16:9, 21:9 and 32:9 show expanded scenery, and an optional CRT filter is available.

Getting started

Extract the whole release ZIP, open the application and import your own supported EarthBound or Mother 2 ROM when ROM setup appears; no ROM or asset pack is included. Settings (F1) then Assets switches between the two games, and F11 toggles fullscreen.

Known issues & limitations

The project is still in development; whole-game equivalence and cycle-accurate hardware behavior have not been established, and some timing and animation differences remain.
Modified ROMs, translation patches, prototypes, and other revisions are unsupported.
Native Windows testing remains outstanding; the supplied Windows executable has been tested under Wine.

What you need to run it

Original game files required. The project ships code only; you provide your own copy of the game (Linux, Windows version).

Features

Supports keyboard and controller input.
Includes an optional CRT filter with scanlines and aperture-grille detail.
Offers higher frame-rate options and optional direct scene rendering; gameplay and audio retain their original speed.

How to install

Extract the entire application folder and keep its files together; do not run the app from inside the ZIP.
At first launch, browse for your own ROM, drag it into the setup window, or enter its path, then select Import.

Controls

Move with the arrow keys or the controller D-pad/left stick.
SNES L/R use Q/W; Start/Select use Enter/Right Shift.
You can remap SNES buttons and adjust the left-stick deadzone in Settings → Controller.

Summarised from the project's README.

Media

Additional notes

Linux requirement: The supplied Linux build needs glibc 2.43 or newer and desktop OpenGL; the README points to a source build for older distributions.
Saves: Saves live outside the extracted folder, and the README advises backing up the .srm files before updating.

FAQ

What is EarthBound PC Port?: EarthBound PC Port is an open-source port of EarthBound. An existing game or its source code brought to another platform. The original game ran on Linux and Windows.
Do I need the original game files to run EarthBound PC Port?: Yes. The project does not include the original game's assets, so you need your own copy.