While "Mother" battles were triggered through random encounters, "EarthBound" and early "Mother 3" shared battle scene triggers, where physical contact with an enemy in the overworld began a turn-based battle scene shown in the first-person. Apart from "Mother 3" rhythm and combo battle mechanic, the two game's battle systems are similar. "Mother 3" also retains the "rolling HP meter" of "EarthBound" (where health ticks down like an odometer such that players can outrun the meter to heal before dying/fainting) but removes the feature where experience is automatically awarded before battles against much weaker foes. Recurring through the series is its signature "SMAAAASH" text and sound, which show when the player registers a critical hit.