How to Unbend Key Earthbound

In Earthbound, one of the quirkiest and most beloved RPGs of its era, players often come across puzzling situations that seem simple on the surface but are packed with strange humor and unexpected solutions. One of these peculiar moments is when you need to deal with the bent key specifically the ‘Key to the Shack’ which becomes unusable because it is bent. If you’re stuck trying to figure out how to unbend the key in Earthbound, you’re not alone. This situation is part of the game’s intentionally odd narrative design, and the answer lies not in brute force or item usage, but rather in understanding the world and how to navigate its odd logic. This guide will walk you through exactly what you need to do and explain the context behind the bent key situation in Earthbound.

Understanding the Bent Key in Earthbound

Where It Happens

The key event occurs early in the game, in the town of Twoson. After gaining some progress and speaking to the right NPCs, you’ll be given a key to a shack that holds significance in the story. However, when you try to use it, the game tells you the key is bent and cannot be used. This is not a bug or mistake it’s part of a quest that teaches you how Earthbound handles progression through unique and often humorous problem-solving.

The Significance of the Shack

The shack is located just north of Twoson, in the area known as Peaceful Rest Valley. Inside the shack, you need to progress to eventually reach Paula, one of the main characters who joins your party. Unlocking the shack is required to advance the main storyline, so finding a way to ‘unbend’ the key becomes your priority.

What Not to Do

Common Mistakes

Many players first assume that the key can be fixed using an item or by finding an NPC who can repair it. They might try to use:

• Item repair services (not available at this point in the game)
• Escargo Express to send the key for storage or delivery
• Random NPCs in town, hoping one might help

However, none of these will work. The game does not allow you to repair the key yourself or find a smith to do it. Instead, the solution is narrative-driven and requires interacting with specific characters in a particular order.

How to Resolve the Bent Key Problem

Step 1: Receive the Key to the Shack

First, make sure you’ve reached the part of the story where the Mayor gives you the ‘Key to the Shack.’ This happens after you assist with the Runaway Five or speak to the right townsfolk to trigger the event. You’ll know you’re ready when the Mayor gives you the key directly.

Step 2: Attempt to Use the Key

Once you have the key, head north from Twoson to the entrance of the shack. Try to use the key from your inventory or interact with the door. You’ll be met with a message that the key is bent and won’t fit the lock. At this point, the game is intentionally leading you into a side quest to discover how to get into the shack another way.

Step 3: Go to the Polestar Preschool

After the failed key attempt, return to Twoson and visit the Polestar Preschool, which is where Paula lives. Speak to her family, especially her father. This step helps move the story forward and sets up the need for additional assistance to get past the locked door.

Step 4: Visit Apple Kid

This is the critical step in solving the bent key puzzle. In Twoson, there are two inventors: Apple Kid and Orange Kid. Apple Kid is the one you want to speak with. Although Orange Kid might seem more put-together, he’s not the one who helps with this situation. Here’s what to do:

• Find Apple Kid near his messy house in the southern part of Twoson.
• Speak to him and agree to fund his inventions (you’ll need a small amount of money).
• Give him food if he asks for it, such as a Hamburger.
• Wait for him to work on his invention this takes in-game time and progression.

Step 5: Receive the Pencil Eraser

After funding Apple Kid, continue exploring or progressing in nearby areas. Eventually, you’ll receive a call from Apple Kid, telling you that he’s completed a new invention the Pencil Eraser. This item allows you to remove a strange pencil-shaped statue that’s blocking the path near Peaceful Rest Valley.

While the Pencil Eraser doesn’t unbend the key literally, it gives you an alternate route to bypass the shack entirely. Instead of forcing your way into the locked door, Earthbound’s solution is to give you a completely different tool to sidestep the problem entirely.

Bypassing the Shack

Using the Pencil Eraser

Once you have the Pencil Eraser, head north again through Peaceful Rest Valley. You’ll find a giant pencil statue blocking the path. Use the Pencil Eraser on it, and it will disappear, allowing you to proceed toward Paula’s location. This is the intended solution, and the bent key becomes irrelevant from this point on.

Why the Key Is Bent

Earthbound uses the bent key as a clever diversion. Instead of presenting a traditional ‘repair item’ quest, the game nudges you toward a character-driven solution. The bent key symbolizes the quirky nature of Earthbound’s world sometimes the answer isn’t fixing the obvious but exploring and trusting strange characters like Apple Kid.

Additional Tips and Strategies

Don’t Ignore Apple Kid

Though he seems like a joke character at first, Apple Kid ends up being one of the most useful NPCs in the game. His inventions are critical to progressing through various parts of the story. Always check in with him whenever you feel stuck or come across an unusual obstacle.

Manage Your Inventory

Earthbound’s limited inventory space can be frustrating, especially when you’re carrying quest items like the bent key or the Pencil Eraser. Make use of Escargo Express to store unneeded items and free up room for tools you’ll actually use.

Talk to Everyone

Many of Earthbound’s quests, including this one, rely on speaking to the right people. NPC dialogue can change as the story progresses, so if you’re unsure of what to do next, revisiting locations and talking to characters again can reveal new options or hint at the path forward.

In Earthbound, the solution to the bent key puzzle isn’t to fix the key at all. Instead, it’s about exploring, trusting strange allies like Apple Kid, and using creativity to bypass obstacles. The bent key is a perfect example of the game’s unconventional storytelling and design. By following the steps to reach Apple Kid and obtaining the Pencil Eraser, you’ll be able to move forward on your quest to rescue Paula and continue the larger adventure across Eagleland. Don’t overthink the logic just embrace the weird, and Earthbound will reward your curiosity with clever solutions and memorable moments.