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RetroforceGO! records episode 64 tonight: Secret of Mana photo

Because it's awesome, that's why, and to celebrate the release of this retro jewel on the Virtual Console, tonight we'll be discussing the Secret of Mana games. Some of you may know it as Seiken Densetsu, or maybe even as Final Fantasy Adventure for the Game Boy.

Regardless of what you call it, it pretty much ruled, and an action RPG by any other name would smell as, um ... I dunno, ass-kicky. What started as a spinoff eventually grew to become one of Square's finest franchises without having to carry the Final Fantasy nameplate. Too bad they aren't so willing to try that again nowadays, huh? Hit the comments with your questions for us this week


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Stella Wong's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 17:22
Stella Wong
Yay one of my personal faves! :D
Puppy Licks's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 17:25
Puppy Licks
Sorry I never played secret of mana, I know I'm a bad person :(

Anyways I has a request, maybe for a future episode (maybe a retro-limbo episode) perhaps you guys could do a fighting game show? That is of course if you haven't done on already... I better go check :P
pendelton21's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 17:27
pendelton21
Before you get started with all of your questions, please, PLEASE take time out to pimp craineum and his AMAAAAAAAAZING halloween costumes. They are...well, damn, they're the bee's knees.

Also, sorry this isn't a SoM question (I unfortunately never touched the series), but, what do you think this new Mega Man boss DLC everyone is talking about going to be? Everyone seems to be going for Star Force Mega Man, since Capcom released an 8-bit version of him. Would you pay for the chance to kick this reject-Mega-Man's ass?
ryu89's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 17:28
ryu89
I love that pic you used as a header. I've got it saved as a wallpaper somewhere. I don't really have a question this week, but I just wanted to mention how excited I am for this episode. You guys rock.
Harukai's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 17:28
Harukai
Ok heres my question for this RFGO!

With RPGs coming in all flavors now (turn based, action, rts, first person etc) which is your all time fave and which do you think we need to see more of nowadays?

Also I hope the cast is as handsome as always, you guys rock.
Woogity's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 17:31
Woogity
What do you think are the chances of Secret of Mana 2 being released on VC are?
grafkhun's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 17:32
grafkhun
I absolutely love Secret of Mana and I'm bursting with pure delight at the prospect of downloading and replaying it. I got a question though, did you guys get your ass handed to you by the first wall boss a lot? I couldn't beat that thing for a long time, took me at least a couple of tries. Everyone seems to have had no problems with it, maybe I just sucked at the game back then.
Colette Bennett's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 17:34
Colette Bennett
RABITES! Yay!
WhiteSpyderZero's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 17:34
WhiteSpyderZero
MATANGO!

Secret of Mana is my favorite RPG ever. I bought it randomly at a car boot sale for £5....So awesome.

Quite surprising how great it is despite it's many programming flaws (Not sure if you knew that SoM was originally designed for the SNES CD addon, but was then shifted to regular SNES when that fell through - That's why there are so many bugs and things missing in the game)

On top of that, one of my favorite soundtracks ever! What are your favorite tracks? I'm rather partial to the song that is played in the credits.

I can't think why Square has never made a Mana game that has come close to this installments greatness.

MATANGO!
SetoChaos's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 17:38
SetoChaos
I never played Secret of Mana, I always wanted to. One of my local game shops is selling it for £39.99 ($80 or so). Ebay sellers are selling it for around £30 ($60 or so), should I buy it? The European virtual console didn't get it this week which sucks.
Drel's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 17:42
Drel
Hey guys I'm a long time listener first time poster I got a 2 questions.

1.Do you ever think we will ever see a mana game that will be just as good as Secret of Mana?

2.I remember hearing from someone in a past episode that they would like to do an Earthbound episode when the Mother 3 translation comes out. So I just gotta ask are we gonna see one in the future?

3. This is kind of a random question but have any of you guys seen the old video game tv shows from the early 90s? Gamepro TV and Video Power were so awesomely bad I'm surprized that anyone on the show hasn't commented about those shows at least once.

You can do a youtube search for some old gamepro tv episodes if you care to see them.
wonk's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 17:42
wonk
Looking forward to hearing about SoM but as I have never played it my question will have to be about something else:

Has a boss ever made you give up on a game, either cos there were frustratingly unbeatable, or just cos they were lame/jumped the shark? If so, which one? why?

Also, I don't believe you can mispronounce my name.
boxmyth's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 17:42
boxmyth
Kind of off WhiteSpyder's comment, what the hell happened to the Mana series? I remember some Mana games on PS1 that were total garbage (but at least looked pretty). The Secret of Mana formula seems kind of hard to f-up...
Funky Goodness's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 17:43
Funky Goodness
Damn Squeenix for not releasing SoM on the European VC!
I'm not old and/or crusty enough to reminisce...
Faith's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 17:44
Faith
I love this game so much that I bought it for $25 on eBay before I bought a Super NES, and then it hit the virtual console, so I forked out another $8 to buy it on there just to play it right away.

I'm in the underground palace fighting the fire goblin and he just handing me my ass. I need to level up more
Alael's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 17:44
Alael
Having played this game last millennium, in an age "faqs" and "internet" were words I wasn´t aware of, two questions still haunt me about this awesome game. First, where can I find the last upgrade orb for the sword? Second, did that last Light spell that was suposed to make a "Mana Sword" or something like that work at all?
Wedge's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 17:46
Wedge
Square hates the original series for some reason and rather enjoys making shitty spinoffs instead.

How many of you have played the translated SD3? Who was your favourite character in that one? How fucking epic are Hiroki Kikuta's soundtracks for SD2 and 3?
Tactix's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 17:48
Tactix
OK...you all just made me so freaking happy!

After much thought, and starting to play Secret of Mana on the VC again, I have come to the realization that Secret of Mana is my FAVORITE VIDEOGAME OF ALL TIME. (There. I said it.) Everything from the characters, to the music (especially the music), to the magic and battle system is epic. I LOVE this game. <3 <3 <3 <3

Anyway, question time: Who did you play this game with? I remember playing with my little brother and letting him play as the "boy" while I controlled all the magic casting (i.e. spamming).

I also remember it being necessary to grind my character's magic spells, so I would go to the snow area and fight the wolves until I leveled my magic as high as it would go. Tell me you guys did the same thing :P

Anyway, cant wait to hear this episode! BEST GAME EVER!

Anyway
Wedge's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 17:48
Wedge
@Alael

That spell only works in the final battle and temporarily transforms the sword so you can damage the Mana Beast. It's a real pain in the ass. However with the SNES cart, there is a glitch you can do to get an extra Sword's Orb and upgrade the sword to the Mana Sword permanently. It has waaaay higher attack than any other weapon, but you still need to cast the spell on it when fighting the Mana Beast to hurt it.
EarthbounderNess's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 17:51
EarthbounderNess
I've missed you guys :(~<3

How do you all think a game like Secret of Mana would do, were it to be initially released in this day and age alongside the current big hitters coming like Little Big Planet, Gears of War 2, Left 4 Dead and Fallout 3? Would it be overshadowed by such games and just be a sleeper hit or do you think it could actually outshine the others and make itself known to core and casual gamers alike?

I ask that question with the intent of not having SoM compared graphic-wise, but gameplay/story-wise.

Also, Watts. Greatest blacksmith ever or GREATEST BLACKSMITH EVER!?
Wexx's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 17:52
Wexx
I never really palyed secret of mana. Another one of those not-roms that I downloaded and always meant to paly but never got around to, guess I'm sitting this one out... :(
Amethystine's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 17:53
Amethystine
Oh! Is that the game with Flamie, the dragon you get to ride around everywhere? Yay Mode 7 world-spanning flight sequences!
jasonschlueter's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 18:00
jasonschlueter
I'm a huge fan of this game.

I have a couple of questions. What was up with the special magic spell animations on the highest levels? It took a lot of work to get there. Did they have any special meaning that I missed somewhere else in the game? I don't think that they were extra-powerful or anything.

There was a bug in one of the towns where, if you left the town in a specific direction between certain tasks, the whole game would freeze and your saved game would become corrupted. I'm curious if this has been fixed in the VC release.

The music is great in this game. Who did it and where do I get it?

Last question: Of these, which is the best SNES RPG? Mario RPG, Chrono Trigger, Secret of Mana, or Earthbound?
Palidi's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 18:02
Palidi
SWEET, SEIKEN DENSETSU 2!!!

I will try to avoid using the Japanese names in this post(though, admit it, Seiken Densetsu sound cooler).


Shown: Final Fantasy Adventure, Secret of Mana & Legend of Mana


This episode better extend beyond JUST Secret of Mana though. Don't forget to mention Final Fantasy Adventure and the rest of the series.

I really like this game , but I liked Legend of Mana more. I know though that a lot of other people who played Secret of Mana before Legend of Mana hated it. What were your feelings of the Legend of Mana?

Did you feel it blended beat'em up style combat system into a (relatively)traditional RPG formula well?

On another Legend of Mana related note, if you have played it, did any of you get the Chocobo pet?

Did you guys ever get to play Seiken Densetsu 3 which was only released in Japan(or the fan translation)? If not, do you want SquareEnix to bring it over? If so, opinions?

Opinions about Final Fantasy Adventure(the first game in the series)? How about the crappy GBA remake of it?

In Secret of Mana, did you always walk around with a fully charged attack, or did you just slash around with the basic attack?

Did you guys buy the multi-tap so you could have that third person play with you?

How much superior to main series Final Fantasys was the Mana series at that time?

I know Koichi Ishii said somewhere that he wants each Mana game to be different from each other and unique in their game type. The recent 3 Mana games (Children, Heroes, and Dawn) suxxed majorly(with Heroes being the best at just decent). Where would you like to see the series go in the next iteration WITHOUT rehashing an old game engine?

----

Record a good episode. I totally wish I could be there for a live debate(on why Legend of Mana is the best in the series) and discussion(about the rest). This series is definitely one of my favorites, if not my all time favorite.
AlienGuy18's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 18:02
AlienGuy18


I forgot exactly how it went, but I think I got my point across.
digtastik's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 18:02
digtastik
This will be a great episode. This release is awesome too.

If Nintendo were to release VC games as multiplayer online offerings, I'd be buying more. Especially games like this.
Palidi's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 18:03
Palidi
oops, large pickie:



^Final Fantasy Adventure, Secret of Mana, and Legend of Mana
Dead Movie Star's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 18:03
Dead Movie Star
Releasing Secret of Mana on the Virtual Console was an unexpected move of Nintendo (to me, at least). I can't wait to see what that will release in the future.

Now I just need money so I can play it.
Wedge's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 18:05
Wedge
@jasonschlueter

The level 8 special versions of the spells were not something that happened 100% of the time, and they did actually do more damage when the special animations played. I just liked them because they looked cool though.
Wedge's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 18:08
Wedge
Oh actually, something interesting. Do any of you remember Nintendo Power's coverage of Secret of Mana? It spanned over three issues and was written as a travel diary of the characters playing through the game. It had a lot of cool art and a really unique layout. It's the best coverage of a game I've ever seen, but I no longer have most of those issues =<.
Chicken008's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 18:09
Chicken008
NINTENDO SIXTY FOUR!
Stella Wong's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 18:18
Stella Wong
@Wedge- I totally remember that!!
http://secretofmana.planets.gamespy.com/nintendopower.html

That was pretty awesome of them do do a big coverage on Secret of mana.
FriskyApple's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 18:21
FriskyApple
I love this game! This is the first game I with no knowledge beyond “Squaresoft makes it!”

Did anyone else play it with a friend(s)? When I was growing up I didn’t have any gamer friends, so I never got to experience the magic. Earlier this year my boyfriend decided we should play through it together and it was awesome!

Secret of Mana’s multiplayer is much cooler than Final Fantasy 3’s which just lets the second player enter commands for half the party.

Are there any other RPGs y’all like which have multiplayer elements?

Its too bad Secret of Evermore didn’t include multiplayer :(
Kinji's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 18:23
Kinji
As a kid none of my rental stores had Secret of Mana for some reason, but they had Secret of Evermore. How do you guys think Secret of Evermore (SoM's American made brother) stacks up to Secret of Mana?

Also, not-related, but still retro current events (kind of an oxymoron). The Mother 3 fan translation... This weekend man... This weekend... How excited about it are you, how are you going to be playing it, and how stupid is Nintendo of America for not releasing their work on WiiWare or something?
Palidi's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 18:27
Palidi
The Darkness Nova(from Legend of Mana) - Great boss music, or best boss music?
NihonTiger90's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 18:29
NihonTiger90
@Wedge and Aiya: I not only remember that, I have those Nintendo Power magazines somewhere in my collection. They detailed not only the game, but all the weapons and armors you picked up, too. It was tight.

@RFGO! Crew: Do you think there's any chance we could see Secret of Mana DS? If so, how many seconds after its announcement would it take for you be drooling uncontrollably?
zeph's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 18:30
zeph
This game brings back so many great memories! Get two friends, some pizza, beer or coffee and you got one long night of fun!

Question: If you could update Secret of Mana, what things would you change without totally revamping the game (i.e. 3D upgrade...)? The main thing I would change would be the circle wheel selector. If I could change items/weapons/spells on the fly without pausing the game would be great. It would make the game much more dynamic and fluid. I remember fighting bosses was nothing but a pause fest. Constantly pausing, select spell, unpause...repeat.

Never the less great pick for this week!
ParaParaKing's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 18:39
ParaParaKing
Secret of Mana is the goodness. Strangely it's also the best in the Seiken Densetsu series.
Palidi's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 18:41
Palidi
Alas, I see I didn't explicitly state in my posts, but yes, that is me in those photos, and yes, I do own all three games still.
wardrox's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 18:43
wardrox
Do you have any requests for SingSterling?
mr spooky's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 18:45
mr spooky
1.Don't forget the "sword of mana" from GBA game.

2.Hidden secrets in the game or the history.

3. Prefer to play old school games on gaming console or portable device (tiny little screens)? Compare and contrast.
glandseck's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 18:57
glandseck
I still have the poster of that pic in the header.

Let it be known, the most annoying boss in the game remains the spikey tiger thing in the witches castle. It is the last boss that you face before getting any kind of magic, hence they made sure that you're REALLY happy when you can finally heal yourself.

One particular part of the game is very much flawed, however. You may end up stuck in the game until you talk to a specific, incognito npc in the golden city. Me and my brother hit that snap for about 5 hours, trying to figure out why we couldn't continue. (it's the robed guy at the end of the city wall passage that you need to talk to, btw)
Affable Robot's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 18:58
Affable Robot
Got a few questions:

If you guys could all be in your own RPG your the party of four, you would be what type of character like would you be the mage or warrior type kind of thing? also what would the story be?

If you could have any game modern or retro turn in to an RPG, similar story and characters what game would it be and why?

Also what is your favorite cheesy RPG cliche? Mine is defiantly that you can go in anyone's house and take whatever is in their treasure chest.
Scary Womanizing Pig Mask's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 18:59
Scary Womanizing Pig Mask
What's you're opinion on Neko the Cat's the fiscal policy? (He'd wait in dungeons and would sell items the player desperately needs at incredibly jacked up prices.) Genius plan or cruel exploitation?
MatCD's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 19:05
MatCD
RetroforceGO!episode 64 not about the Nintendo 64. =(

Oh well, Secret of Mana is awesome so that makes up for it. =D

Although with the N64 in mind, do you think that Secret of Mana (I hope you don't mind I call the series Secret of Mana instead of Seiken Densetsu.) is something that can work in 3D? Or is Secret of Mana something that you consider to strictly be a 2D game? I haven't played Dawn of Mana (the first 3D game in the series) but the general buzz about that was that it was not so good...

And if Square-Enix would make a new Mana 2D game (that doesn't suck) for consoles, would you want it to be a retail release or downloadable game? Also would you want the graphics to be HD hand drawn sprites, Isometric 2.5D with some cinematic camera angles during big events, or Super Nintendo style pixel art (Mode 7 included) ala a Mega Man 9 like "Retro Make"?
(you can add that to your New Gamer Dictionary Anthony.)
keener's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 19:09
keener
yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

this will be up there with the disney episode as the best episode ever!!! that is until there is the earthbound/mother3 episode... but i think itll all just keep tying for first.

best game in the SD series is still SD2 by the way. 3 was too formulaic, 1 was a bit unrefined. legend was weak though i cant say i played it enough to pass judgement (ugh that map system ;_;)

i never played the ps2 game and dont plan to, the DS game was obnoxious.

in short; mana orbs, flammie, watts, sprite, jabberwoky, rabites, santa, and that robot thing (frick i forget its name) are where its at. SD2 wins.
Fogo's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 19:09
Fogo
Secret of Mana, one of the best SNES games to come out for that system that would even rival some of Square's finest titles such as Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy 3.

My question for this week is:
In your opinion, Which game had the best soundtrack, Secret of Mana, Chrono Trigger, or FF3?
TrailerParkJesus's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 19:09
TrailerParkJesus
Aw man, I never played this game.

The only thing I remember about it is the magazine ad, which is pretty much the same as the header image: Three people standing at the bottom of a huge ass tree. And as a kid, I looked at that, and thought "a game about a huge ass tree? Why?" But now I'm regretting it.

So I guess my question is (and excuse me for not being strictly Secret of Mana related), did any of yous guys, when you were kids, back when quick internet research was impossible, ever see a magazine ad for a game and instantly thought "well eff that ess, do not want!" so you pass on it, and later on in life, it turns out to be an epic classic and you kick yourself for missing out?
tornotlukin's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 19:10
tornotlukin
Flammie!

I got to play Seiken Densetsu 3. The gameplay is a bit different but I think it was more enjoyable. You can't go wrong when the characters make a joke about the swordsman's porno collection.

I also love the series' use of the radial menus. It's a simple, graphic and intuitive, spin and click.
elem08's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 19:11
elem08
QUITE psyched about this episode. This game pretty much exemplifies my childhood (I was the "boy" in Tactix's post).

cant wait to hear it =D
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