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The
Seiken Densetsu Series
Many people presume that the Super Nintendo's
"Secret of Mana" is a singular
game created by Squaresoft that was discontinued
until the more recent release of "Legend
of Mana" for the Playstation. But as
usual, it seems that America and Europe were only
given some of what can now be considered as a
very popular franchise in Japan, known there as
"Seiken Densetsu".
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Seiken
Densetsu
(1991
Gameboy)
Final
Fantasy Adventure
"Seiken Densetsu" translates
in English to "Legend of The Holy Sword"
which would explain why the Mana Sword is such a
large feature in the games. The series "Seiken
Densetsu" began life in Japan on the Nintendo
Gameboy in 1991. This game was a success in Japan
and so it was released in the US. However, when
brought to the US, developers decided the title
would be guaranteed success if it were released
under the name "Final Fantasy: Adventure".
Final Fantasy, in 1991 was gaining a reputation
for being a huge franchise of its own. |
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Seiken
Densetsu 2
(1993
SNES)
Secret of Mana
In
1994 Japan saw the release of "Seiken Densetsu
2" and suddenly, Squaresoft realised their
mistake in branding the original game under a false
identity. So they decided to release "Seiken
Densetsu 2" under a new title. This game
was to be "Secret of Mana" it was
a huge success in both the US and Europe, adding
to Squaresoft's reputation as a quality R.P.G gaming
manufacturer.
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Seiken
Densetsu 3
(1995
SNES)
Unreleased
In 1995, Squaresoft Japan released "Seiken
Densetsu 3" the next official title in
the series and the true sequel to what we know
as "Secret of Mana". As if Squaresoft
America/Europe couldn't screw up anymore, they
didn't bother translating the game or releasing
it but instead created their own game "Secret
of Evermore" which was uncomfortably
similar but was in fact a whole lot worse
than "Secret of Mana".
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Seiken
Densetsu: Legend of Mana
(2000
PSone)
Legend
of Mana
Five
years later, it's the year 2000, the Super Nintendo
is long dead and the franchise is pretty much history.
However, unexpectedly, "Seiken Densetsu
4" is unleashed upon Japan on the Playstation.
Squaresoft America do the decent thing and release
it over here as "Legend of Mana"
making for the first time a strong connection between
the US versions of two "Seiken Densetsu"
games. |
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Shinyaku
Seiken Densetsu
(2003
GBA)
Sword
of Mana
Another
three years pass and a remake of "Final
Fantasy Adventure" arrives on the Gameboy
Advance. Everyone is hoping that "Secret
of Mana" will also make an appearance,
but for now we'll have to hope, and wait. |
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Seiken
Densetsu: Children of Mana
(2006
NintendoDS)
Children
of Mana
Announced as an exclusive title for the NintendoDS,
this episode in the Seiken Densetsu saga
is set for a release in 2006. |
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Seiken
Densetsu 4
(2006
Playstation2)
World
of Mana?
This Playstation2 title has also been announced
by Square-Enix as having a 2006 release date. Only
titled as Seiken Densetsu 4, there are no other
details about what is rumoured to be called World
of Mana. |
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