Mother 3 Character Icons Launch on Nintendo Switch Online in Japan: Availability and Details

Nintendo Switch Online subscribers in Japan continue to receive exclusive benefits, as Nintendo has rolled out a series of Mother 3 character icons, following the recent addition of Mother 3 to the Nintendo Switch Online’s Game Boy Advance library in the region.

These new digital rewards underscore Nintendo’s ongoing commitment to engaging its Japanese audience with unique, region-specific content. Mother 3, developed by Brownie Brown (now 1-UP Studio) and published by Nintendo, remains one of the most requested titles among Western fans.

The game was first released in Japan for the Game Boy Advance in 2006, and its story-driven RPG experience maintains a passionate cult following.

In February 2024, Nintendo expanded the Switch Online’s GBA library in Japan to include Mother 3, sparking renewed hope among global fans for a long-awaited Western release.

However, as of March 2024, neither the game nor its themed icons have been made available outside Japan. According to official Nintendo communications, the Mother 3 icons are priced at 10 Platinum Points each for character icons, while borders and backgrounds are available for 5 Platinum Points apiece.

Players can redeem these items directly from the Japanese region of the Nintendo Switch Online app.

Popular Nintendo news accounts, such as ‘NSO Icons Alerts’ on X (formerly Twitter), have provided previews of these exclusive rewards.

Notably, users are cautioned that switching the system region to obtain these icons may result in technical issues with the NSO app, potentially disrupting normal function. Previously, Nintendo has made EarthBound Beginnings (a localization of the original Mother game) icons available to global audiences, and continues to release new icon batches for other titles.

For example, on the same day as the latest Mother 3 release, new Splatoon 3 icons became available worldwide, ensuring that players across all regions receive fresh content for their Switch profiles. Nintendo’s rollout of regional exclusives remains a subject of debate among fans, especially as demand for official Western access to Mother 3 persists.

For those interested in exploring Mother 3 on Nintendo Switch, comprehensive guides and resources are available through dedicated channels, providing insights into the game’s history and its unique impact on the Nintendo catalog. While the Mother 3 character icons are currently limited to Japanese accounts, the company’s ongoing support for the Nintendo Switch Online service—including periodic additions to the eShop, themed iconography, and platform expansion—signals continued engagement and curated experiences for Switch users around the globe.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Japan Switch Online Switch Mother 3 GBA library GBA Nintendo Switch Online