I mean, it's a fine game. A good RPG, but it's almost always talked about as if it was some sort of supreme RPG on the SNES when IMO it's not even top 5 (barely top 10). 

We have games like Super Mario RPG, Secret of Evermore (best on the system), Secret of Mana, Final Fantasy 6, Chrono Trigger who are all way better. Then we have other games  Soulblazer, Terranigma, Gaea, BoF2, Shadowrun, Lufia 2 and if we count Super Famicom there's Tales of Phantasia, Secret of Mana 2, Star Ocean and Dragon Quest IV.

I am not sayin all these are better.. but many of these I definately hold in a higher regard than Earthbound. Is it because of nostaliga? Because of Smash? Or what is it.. I am curious.

Its more about the narrative and atmosphere of the game that was ahead of its time.i do agree with you that people hold it higher than it should be, and personally the game is not even on the top ten of the 4th generation, but it also deserves the praise for what it did.

Time passed. It wasn't kind.

Didnt the Shin Megami Tensei games already beat it by being set in a modern setting too, though?

Ugh, I read PRICE instead of Praise, I was ready to talk about how EarthBound is the only SNES first party game to cost more than the others on the 3DS...

I'd say because it's one of the most unique and creative RPGs ever made. Usually when you think RPG, it's fantasy, epic story, serious characters, world threatening enemy, awesome weapons, etc.

Well, Earthbound is NONE OF THAT, and gives you a silly down to earth game that's just plain funny and whimsical with baseball bats, yoyos and frying pans, but underneath that look lies some dark undertones, cleverly hidden behind funky beats and quirky characters. Not to mention the end game.... Also, the combat system is interesting. The only game I know where your life scrolls down slowly when you take damage, allowing for some great recoveries and even winning a fight before you were technically supposed to die. What's even crazier is that when you're far stronger than the enemies, you can just... skip the fight. Automatic win and exp. What other game let's you skip fights? EB is the only one I know, haha. Battles have some pretty trippy battle screens as well.

Overall, I played Earthbound a few years ago, and it was legit one of the best and most entertaining things I ever played, let alone of the best RPGs out there... x )

It's distinct setting, characters, and narrative stuck with people in a relatable sense that other great RPGs didn't. It went against so many story telling conventions of the time. I love Chrono Trigger and Final Faantasy more, but I can't deny Earthbound hit home more often with my real life experiences.

I would say it is up there with FF6, and I like it better most days, but not quite as good as Chrono Trigger. But solidly a top 3 RPG on SNES.

Terranigma, Illusion of Time, and Soul Blazer are not even really an RPGs, they're action games similar to Zelda, with a few RPG elements, particularly in Terranigma, but Illusion of Time and Soul Blazer are squarely action adventure.

To this day, Earthbound has one of the very best encounter systems, it has one of the most interesting and unique worlds, and it is a great parody of other RPGs from the 8 and 16-bit era. In addition, it has fantastic and timeless music and art, and a lot of people really connect with that. It is such an excellent package with the characters and everything they encounter through the game.

Somehow I think you're just trolling though. Secret of Evermore was a derivative, poorly balanced, poorly written, and poorly designed mess. It's kind of like Seventh Saga in quality. Shadow run had an interesting atmosphere due to the music and dark art style, but it's otherwise a putrid and slow as hell gameplay all around.

And you say I troll? Oh gosh hehe

I agree with Earthbound being a great parody of other RPG's and it's decent looking with a solid soundtrack, but far from a standout on the system though in that regard. Earthbound has always been about the paryody and humor in it for me, not the gameplay which really, is the most important aspect to any game. Which is why I dont think it is a top 5 RPG on the system.

I really fell in love with the setting and the characters when I first played it. One of the most unique RPGs I've ever played!