The Earthbound ad campaign was definitely terrible and if I remember correctly, the giant box with the guide just made stores put it in weird places that a lot of people would overlook. That being said, I was obsessed with the idea of a modern setting in a jrpg to the point that when I was a kid I would dream of playing a top-game where I was just like, going to school, or the store, riding my bike, incredibly pedestrian stuff. Going to an office (how romantic!). Real world role play. So it was always going to be up my alley.
I got mono right after Earthbound came out and stayed home from school playing it, sitting in the floor with my back against the bed being brought pb&js and sprite. It was a great week.
