Earthbound

Ness is awakened by a meteorite crash near his home in Eagleland, pulling him into a strange quest. The event hints at a looming alien threat named Giygas and sets Ness on a journey beyond his hometown. He teams up with his neighbor Pokey Minch as they follow the mysterious crash site.

A small insect-like traveler from the future, Buzz-Buzz, explains that Giygas has consumed the world with hatred and that Ness must collect melodies from eight Sanctuaries to stop him. He entrusts Ness with the Sound Stone and the grand quest that spans the land. Moments after delivering the mission, Buzz-Buzz dies when Pokey and Picky's mother mistakes him for a dung beetle.

Ness and Pokey reach Happy Happy Village, where blue-robed cultists worship the color blue and imprison Paula to exploit her psychic abilities. Ness confronts Carpainter, the cult leader, who has fallen under the Mani Mani statue's influence. After a decisive confrontation, they free Paula and escape the village.

In Threed, Ness and Paula fall prey to a dangerous trap, forcing the group into a perilous situation. Paula uses telepathy to instruct Jeff to rescue Ness and Paula from danger. Jeff is drawn into the quest, joining the party to help rescue them.

Jeff escapes Winters boarding school with the help of his friend Tony and reunites with his father, Doctor Andonuts. Andonuts uses a flying craft called the Sky Runner to reach Ness and Paula, freeing them from danger. This rescue accelerates the group's journey toward the sanctuaries.

The party reaches Saturn Valley, home to the Mr. Saturns who are being forced to produce Fly Honey by a swarm of malevolent creatures led by Master Belch. Ness and friends disrupt Belch's operation and defeat him, freeing the Mr. Saturns. The grateful inhabitants grant aid and passage toward the next destination.

Paula is abducted by Spooks in Fourside, forcing the group to press onward toward the city. They navigate Moonside, a surreal alternate version of the city, to locate and rescue her. Ness and Jeff eventually free Paula and continue toward the next leg of their journey.

At the seaside town of Summers, Ness eats a magic cake and experiences a vision of Poo, the prince of Dalaam, undergoing Mu training. The vision hints that Poo will join the party and bring new abilities. This moment foreshadows the arrival of a new ally.

The group journeys to Dalaam (Poo's homeland), where Poo undertakes Mu training and confronts spiritual and physical trials. The training prepares him to join the party as a strong, disciplined fighter. Upon completion, Poo joins Ness and the team.

The party continues their journey through the Scaraba desert, the Deep Darkness swamp, and encounters the Tenda tribe, eventually venturing into a forgotten underworld populated by dinosaurs. These trials test their teamwork and teach essential lessons ahead of the final sanctuary. Each region helps gather the melodies needed to stop Giygas.

With the Sound Stone completed, Ness visits Magicant, a surreal mental plane where he confronts his inner darkness. The confrontation forces him to face fears and insecurities, strengthening his resolve. Emerging victorious, he returns ready for the final confrontation.

Back in Eagleland, the party uses the Phase Distorter to travel back in time and confront Giygas, transferring their souls into robots to protect their bodies. They discover a device containing Giygas, guarded by Pokey, who has aided the alien. The climactic battle hinges on Paula's appeals and humanity's love to exploit Giygas's weaknesses.

In the climactic moment, Pokey disrupts the device and releases Giygas, forcing a final, desperate confrontation. Paula reaches out to people across Earth, and their prayers empower Ness and the group to prevail. Giygas is defeated, his malevolence erased, and peace returns to the world.

In a post-credits scene, Ness returns to normal life, but receives a note from Pokey challenging him to come and find him. The taunting message hints at further adventures and unresolved conflict with the alien foe. Ness is left with a sense of unfinished business and a destination to pursue.