Earthbound

Ness is awakened by a meteorite crash and, with his neighbor Pokey Minch, investigates the site. They discover a crashed meteor that opens to reveal Buzz-Buzz, a time-traveling visitor from the future. Buzz-Buzz explains that an alien force named Giygas has enveloped the world in hatred and tasks Ness with gathering melodies from the eight Sanctuaries; he is killed soon after when Pokey and Picky's mother mistakes him for a dung beetle.

Buzz-Buzz explains that Giygas has enveloped the world in hatred and instructs Ness to collect melodies from eight Sanctuaries using the Sound Stone. He warns that failure could doom the future, setting Ness on a perilous journey across Eagleland. His revelation establishes the central quest that drives the entire adventure.

Ness and Pokey arrive at Happy Happy Village, a town that worships the color blue. They confront the cult's leader Carpainter, who has fallen under the Mani Mani statue's influence, and rescue Paula from captivity. The rescue propels the party toward their next destination.

Ness and Paula reach Threed, where they are drawn into a trap and in peril. Paula telepathically guides a rescue plan to Jeff, who is at a boarding school in Winters, prompting Jeff to escape with the help of his father. The rescue sets the stage for the group's reunion and continued journey.

Jeff reunites with his father, Dr. Andonuts, who uses a flying device called the Sky Runner to reach Ness and Paula. They coordinate a daring rescue to free them from Threed's danger. The Sky Runner carries the party forward toward Saturn Valley.

The group travels to Saturn Valley, home of the Mr. Saturn, who are enslaved by Master Belch to produce the Fly Honey. Ness, Paula, and Jeff distract Belch with a jar of Fly Honey and defeat him, freeing the Mr. Saturn. In gratitude, the Mr. Saturn offer aid and passage toward the next leg of the journey.

The group reaches Fourside, but Paula is abducted by alien-like Spooks. They pursue her through Moonside, a psychedelic alternate version of the city, and manage to rescue her. The detour deepens the quest and leads toward Summers.

After a seaside rest in Summers, Ness consumes a magic cake and has a vision of Poo, prince of Dalaam, undergoing Mu Training. The vision hints at Poo's potential and foreshadows his joining the party. The upcoming changes broaden the group's dynamics.

Poo travels from Dalaam to join Ness's group following his Mu Training, expanding the party's abilities and perspectives. His arrival signals a new phase as they trek through diverse locales like Scaraba desert and beyond. The journey continues toward the looming confrontation with Giygas.

The party traverses the Scaraba desert, the Deep Darkness swamp, and encounters the Tenda before exploring a forgotten underworld where dinosaurs live. Each area contributes new melodies and allies to the quest, expanding the world and the dangers they face. The melodies collected here push them closer to completing the Sound Stone.

With the Sound Stone filled, Ness enters Magicant, a surreal place that reflects his inner fears and dark side. He confronts his own shadow and defeats it, gaining resolve for the final battles ahead. This magical confrontation marks a turning point in his personal arc.

The group returns to Eagleland and uses the Phase Distorter to travel back in time to confront Giygas. To survive the journey, they transfer their souls into robots, preserving their bodies for the battle ahead. The stage is set for the climactic fight with the alien.

Pokey betrays the group by guarding the device that contains Giygas and aiding the alien's power. He is defeated when the device is activated, releasing Giygas and plunging Ness and his friends into a fight against an incomprehensible evil. Paula reaches out to the inhabitants of Earth, and their prayers become a crucial weakness that begins to turn the tide.

Paula's prayers and the power of human emotion become Giygas's fatal weakness, and the alien is defeated, erased from existence. Ness returns to a normal life, and the world is saved for now. In a post-credits moment, Pokey leaves Ness a taunting note challenging him to come and find him.