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EarthBound’s “This Game Stinks” Ad Campaign

The Backfire Effect As funny as the ads seemed in the moment, many players and parents found them off putting. Not everyone wanted to open a gaming magazine only to be blasted by the smell of spoiled food or worse. While the gag fit EarthBound’s tongue in cheek tone, it did not make the game’s actual strengths clear. Instead of explaining its charming writing, modern setting, and unique battle mechanics, the marketing painted the game as a gross out comedy that did not match its true personality. The campaign also struggled because it targeted the wrong pain point. RPG fans were ready to embrace new titles after Final Fantasy III and Chrono Trigger, but Nintendo’s push for EarthBound downplayed that community and instead tried to lure kids who preferred Mortal Kombat or NBA Jam. As a result the game’s advertising appealed to an audience unlikely to stick around while alienating the players who might have loved it most. Even in hindsight the scratch and sniff gimmick feels more like a prank than a promotion. It got attention, but not the kind that converted into purchases at the register. Legacy of a Smelly Campaign EarthBound’s sales were disappointing for Nintendo, and many analysts point to its marketing as one reason why. The game itself went on to become a cult classic, beloved for its heartfelt story, quirky dialogue, and unique suburban setting. But in 1995 its first impression was defined by scratch and sniff jokes rather than its creative brilliance. Today the “This Game Stinks” campaign is remembered as both a curiosity and a cautionary tale. It shows how risky advertising can overshadow the very product it tries to sell. Fans still bring up the ads in retrospectives, often with a mix of laughter and disbelief that Nintendo ever thought it was a good idea. In the end EarthBound outgrew its smelly reputation. Thanks to word of mouth, emulation, and re releases, it is now regarded as one of the finest RPGs of the 16 bit era. But the scent of its original marketing campaign will always linger as one of the strangest footnotes in video game history.

A Bold but Bizarre Idea In 1995 Nintendo of America faced a challenge. They were preparing to launch EarthBound on the Super Nintendo, a quirky role playing game full of humor, offbeat enemies, and suburban satire. But how could they sell such an unusual RPG to an American audience that was not yet fully invested in the genre? Their answer was one of the strangest campaigns in gaming history. Nintendo rolled out… Read more

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