We'll be honest — Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass was not a game that was on our radar prior to this week. We overlooked it for our February 2026 Xbox indie roundup, but it could end up becoming one of the most beloved indie releases of the month (at least for EarthBound fans!).
The game is described as blending "classic 16-bit RPG design with surreal dream logic and psychologically charged environments", taking place inside the dream of an eight-year-old boy who attempts to save his family and eradicate the Pulsating Mass.
It's a title that first released on PC back in 2018, but is only now getting a console release — and looking at the OpenCritic ratings, it has a very impressive "Top Critic Average" of 90/100, although that's only based on nine reviews.
Most notably, our sister site Nintendo Life called it "the best EarthBound-like you've never heard of":
Made for RPG lovers by an RPG lover, Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass uses every tool in the RPG Maker toolbox to put together a purposeful, devastating, and beautiful game that never puts the kid gloves on. Yes, it’s a little simple-looking, and the difficulty can be a little frustrating early on, but this is just the surface of a rich adventure with tons of secrets and challenges to uncover. The reward may be tears, it may be laughter, or it may be a new weapon, but it’s always worth it.