Shigesato Itoi’s No. 1 Bass Fishing Petition

Shigesato Itoi holds a special place in my heart. He created EarthBound (one of my favourite games), has appeared as a judge on Iron Chef (one of my favourite TV shows), and has been involved in various other side projects that have both impressed and amazed me. In my mind, anything that this man touches turns to gold.

This is why – without the slightest bit of hesitation – I am shamelessly promoting Starmen.net’s new translation project for Shigesato Itoi’s No. 1 Bass Fishing. Many of the same people who were involved in the much beloved Mother 3 Fan Translation are on board for this project, leading me to believe that this classic title will finally get the high quality localization it deserves.

Instead of summarizing the entire project in my own words, I invite you to check out this excerpt straight from the Starmen.net newsroom announcement:

Our goal for this petition is to gather a grand total of 1,000 signatures (but we’re sure we can net more). We know the drive that Mother fans have, and we’ve seen what you can do in the past with other petitions. Be sure to sign the petition and ask your friends and family to sign it, too! Post it on your blog, twitter, myspace, or facebook! There will be rewards in store for those people who garner the most signatures, so don’t be afraid to get competitive! (We remind you that you ought to remain civil at all times when fishing for signatures. We want to come across as positive and professional.)

We’re also ollecting fan works! We’d like to read your biggest fish story, listen to your sea chantey, and see your artistic rendering, of bass, fishing, Shigesato Itoi, and anything related to the game. All crayon carp, pencil pike, marker mackerel, and digital dogfish will be bound together and sent to Nintendo along with the petition itself. Making a big splash with an art portfolio is sure to reel in Nintendo! Submit your art to the special Shigesato Itoi’s No. 1 Bass Fishing Petition forum.

So all of you: get off your keisters and sign this petition! Let’s not let another great Japanese game slide through our fingers; especially this bass fishing simulator of unmatched quality. If we all gather enough signatures and make enough fan-media, then just maybe Nintendo will bring over this vintage gem.