Lost Classics: Seiken Densetsu 3 (Super Famicom)

If this game had been released over here, it would have been known as Secret of Mana 2. However translation problems, as well as the decreasing support for the Super Nintendo, kept this game from being released over here. However, I have it on good authority that an English translation may be floating around on the net. Because I don’t want the game companies coming down on us, that’s all I’ll say.

Secret of Mana was one of Squaresoft’s best SNES games that wasn’t named Chrono Trigger or Final Fantasy. In Japan, it was actually the second entry in the Seiken Densetsu series (the first of which was first released over here as “Final Fantasy Adventure” on the Game Boy and was remade on the Game Boy advance as “Sword of Mana” a few years back). Seiken Densetsu was pretty much a Japanese equivalent to our dungeon crawlers, expect a bit heavier on storyline. It featured real-time combat, upgradeable weapons and magic, multiplayer for up to three, and a menu system that relied on command rings. Later entries on the series have been released on the PS1 and DS, while a new entry is planned for the PS2. It should be noted that although it has similar game play, Secret of Evermore, which was the first and only game fully developed and published by Square’s newly opened American branch (and may see a lost classics entry at some point), is not an entry in this series.

Seiken Densetsu 3 expanded the formula by adding in a Final Fantasy-like job system and a branching plot line (complete with different cinematic, introductions, and main villains) that changes depending on which 3 characters you choose at the start of the game. There are 6 playable characters in the game, each of which have their own story line and abilities. The stages are huge, the music is excellent, and some of the boss fights are some of the coolest in RPG gaming. It’s a shame Square couldn’t take the time and effort to put out a real English version of the game, as it would have been an excellent follow up to one of the Super Nintendo’s best games. There is always hope for a DS remake, or better yet, a virtual console release. For now though, should a so-called English translation exists (not saying it does) one might wish to hunt it down, for uh.. educational purposes, yeah!