About this game
Seiken Densetsu 3 (1995) is one of the finest action RPGs on the Super Famicom and among the most accomplished Japan-only games of the 16-bit era — a direct sequel to Secret of Mana with six selectable protagonists, a branching three-hero party system, and a class advancement mechanic that gives the game massive replay value. Composer Hiroki Kikuta built the score entirely by himself, spending nearly 24 hours a day in the office to create what many consider his finest work.
Key Features
Six starting characters — Duran, Angela, Kevin, Charlotte, Hawk, Riesz — each from a different kingdom with different abilities. Players choose three characters at the start, including the protagonist, which determines the story's primary conflict and ending. Each character can advance to one of four end-game classes at level 18, branching into Light and Dark variants. Two-player simultaneous co-op (the game supports up to two players at a time in the original). Hiroki Kikuta's score was composed entirely solo.
The Story Behind
Secret of Mana (1993) had been an enormous success for Square, and Seiken Densetsu 3 was its direct sequel — built from scratch with no code inherited from the original, as the team determined that a full rebuild was the correct approach. Design was led by Koichi Ishii, series creator. The game shipped in September 1995, well into the Super Famicom's declining years, and was one of Square's last major SFC titles before they committed entirely to PlayStation. It was not released outside Japan in its original form until a 2020 3D remake.
Tricks & Tales
Seiken Densetsu 3 has six selectable protagonists, each changing the game's primary villain, story focus, and ending — meaning a complete experience requires at least three playthroughs (using each of the three story-line pairings). The fan translation released in 1999 — 'Trials of Mana' by Neill Corlett and others — was one of the most celebrated SNES fan translations and introduced the game to Western audiences for over two decades before an official localization existed.
Collector's Guide
Region & Compatibility
Japan only in original form (September 1995). An unofficial English fan translation was available from 1999. A 2D pixel remaster was released digitally in 2017; a full 3D remake as 'Trials of Mana' was released in 2020.
Maintenance Tips
Standard Super Famicom cartridge care. The game uses battery-backed SRAM for save data — check the battery if saves are lost.
Available in our shop
Hand-cleaned and tested units shipped worldwide from Toyohashi, Japan. HP direct purchase exclusive: we include a printed shop owner's note card with every order.
Direct purchase supports this museum directly. eBay Top Rated Seller · 1,750+ reviews · 100% positive feedback.
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