SECRET OF MANA 30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY - Happy Console Gamer

Johnny looks back on why Secret of Mana was and is so great 30 years later!
Secret of Mana, originally released in Japan as Seiken Densetsu 2, is a 1993 action role-playing game developed and published by Square (now Square Enix) for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.
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Join Johnny Millenium The Happy Console Gamer as he discusses new video games and reviews forgotten games that not many people know about but should!
#secretofmana

[@pierre-alexandredemers4423]

I love how John is still that excited to talk about videogames after years of having his channel.

[@hippolewis2513]

And after 30 years since SoM!! You just can't fake passion like that.

[@Torrybobs]

I used to play Secret of Mana religiously with my best friend since we were really young. He passed away some years ago and I was given the game (it belonged to him) but not a day goes by where I don’t think about him, and itMe the one thing that I felt gave us the best memories together. The music truly is haunting for so many reasons, but I’m so glad Secret of Mana brought us together! Such a special game.

[@White_Mage_13]

Hey. I’m late to this post, but I felt compelled to leave a note. Some of the best memories, not just of video games, but of my entire life, have come from playing Secret of Mana with my best friend. I’ve always said, as a single player, SoM is a great game. But with a friend, it’s perhaps the best game ever made. I’m so sorry you lost your friend. But it’s so special you have their copy of the game. Just wanted you to know that I get it. And I’m there with you.

[@ClassicGamer81]

I was in Middle School when this came out and I had to save up for months to buy it. Once I did, I played it for months and months afterwards. I played it with all of my friends and actually beat it the first time with a good friend of mine playing. Even today at 42 years old hearing the soundtrack and playing the game takes me right back to the summer 1994. Love this game!

[@unclebrian8156]

This is bringing back memories for me playing this game with my friends and my grandmother. We all helped each other if we got stuck & if we were having trouble with a boss, my grandmother loved playing RPGs in general and would have loved playing the remake, sadly she passed away in 2014 so i’ll be playing it in her memory on her birthday

[@krum1985]

Aww, that's so sweet! You must have loads of good memories playing games with your grandma =)

[@wadedewell]

I never managed to unlock multiplayer. I could never find the second character. I played for 15 hours and gave up

[@GameEscape]

Love these personal nostalgia episodes. Secret of Mana was a true classic.

[@Matthew.Wade27]

The box art for this game is just stunning really. I remember seeing this game in Nintendo Power magazine back in the day. I didn’t get to play it until years later unfortunately.

[@eatthewoke5170]

I remember the box on the shelf in blockbuster when I was trying to rent it, but it seemed to never fucking get returned and I was on the waiting list for fucking ever!

[@heishjans6965]

So many good memories of this game. I remember getting soaked up in that world together with the beautiful music.

[@TranscendingPolygons]

This game was amazing at the time. Never forgot the feeling and music when you're approaching the ending.

[@Symphony85p]

Still is just as good

[@figureitoutpunk]

Thanks for pointing out the CLAYMATION, it really brought the characters to life in my imagination. The map too, I remember having the manual and map out as I played the game. Absolute classic, I was lucky enough to be 10 when it came out!

[@jotakux7489]

Samurai Pizza, cats and secret of mana. You totally have my heart.

[@paulnewhouse5126]

Oh so THIS was the game you were talking about on twitter lol, Secret of mana is my favorite game so this is much appreciated Johnny!

[@laceiba1976]

!!! MUCHAS GRACIAS JHONY LLEVO SIGUENDO TU KZbin DESDE HACE MÁS DE 10 AÑOS MUCHAS GRACIAS 🫂

[@Agostoic]

Shut out to Andrew for being in this episode so full of good ol memories, thanks Johnny!

[@hippolewis2513]

Thanks! It was awesome to "get the call" to add my 2 cents for such a seminal game in our shared history.

[@ari4463]

This game brings back such great memories. I also put in tons of hours with my “Andrew”, named Pam and it was so much fun! LOVE that you brought Andrew on to share his memories…How is this game 30 years old?! 😳 Ahhh the nostalgia!!! 💕

[@Mindgamehagi]

30 years later Fear of the Heavens still give me chill. what an opening track

[@martymcfly9231]

This brings back so many fantastic memories, I remember this game was the first RPG that I used the multi-tap on to play 3 player with friends. Doesn't sound amazing now but it was a game changer and added a dynamic that was revolutionary at the time. I also cannot emphasize enough how good the soundtrack is on this game, completely agree with Andrew...it remains in my top 5 of all time and anytime I hear the open credit theme, it instantly transports me back to 1993. Thanks for sharing Johnny!

[@crystalsega7388]

Nothing can compare to those perfect summer mornings where the sun was coming through the trees just right and the music for Gaia's Navel playing just audibly enough to be fully immersed. Its my personal favorite JRPG of all time. And yes, I enjoyed the 2018 mobile port looking game.

[@Frionelz]

Isnt that Chrono cross ?

[@kaynewoolley9104]

I played this back on the super Nintendo around 94/95. Became my favorite video game of all time and still is to this day. Such an incredible gem of a game from music to atmosphere, graphics and story. Was also a time where action based combat was unique instead of the norm. I'll never forget getting flammie for the first time and getting the freedom to explore the world to my hearts content. Spent hours in the dessert with my brother just grinding to level up all the magic and watching it slowly get more impressive with each level

[@bla2772]

Man I love this channel so much. I don’t even okay half these games but it’s such a comforting place to be. Shout out to the goat Johnny

[@AkeruzHacks]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKLYfYGjrt50ftEsi=chLGkHY1VDqGTXk9

[@gimickz5951]

Same here 😊

[@bluecore7]

I played through this with my best friend Robert when we were kids. 30 years later, we're still best friends and we still play games together. This game holds a special place in my heart, and I love Hiroki Kikuta's soundtrack so much! ❤

[@wii58739]

I played through Secret of Mana on my WII and i remember playing through it in winter time finishing the game on the new years after the clock struck midnight, this game always gives me chills with its somber and beautiful vibes its such a classic!

[@bigdrudogg33]

Hey John, I love that you paid homage and gave flowers to such a classic. I’d be interested in you doing the same with other classics as well, that don’t get talked about or shown enough love in todays gaming society. Thanks man. ✌️

[@UltraMuffin]

Always fun to see Andrew back on the show! I could listen to these gaming memory videos all day.

[@nicksg2781]

i dont know if you gonna read this comment...it was summer of 1995 in Greece and my friend bought this masterpiece from a local store. The weather was extremely hot,not even a cloud in the sky, all windows and doors opened to breath some air. We put the game inside the console and all the kids in the neighborhood heard the music(cause of the opened windows and doors)and they came into the house driven by the music, the rest is just history...i missed those years...

[@HappyConsoleGamer]

Simpler times for sure! :)

[@AlohaGamester]

I Love how you brought Andrew in this episode the way you did! We need more of this!

[@hippolewis2513]

Player 2 literally entered the game in 1993 and again in 2023!

[@AlohaGamester]

@hippolewis2513 clearly meant to be. Btw great screen name Andrew. Crazy how it's stuck with you over so many years!

[@hippolewis2513]

@@AlohaGamester Yes, courtesy of Johnny from way back in 1987. So it seemed perfect to use for this show!

[@butterschunkmcdonalds5333]

IMO Secret Of Mana has the greatest OST of any Super Nintendo game, Even over incredible OSTs like Chrono Trigger, FFVI & Super Metroid. I think Secret Of Mana's soundtrack is one of the greatest of all time tbh. Absolutely mesmerizing, Love this game.

[@tiesros1454]

And the timing/sequence you got introduced to all the tracks is so perfectly done. It is one magical orchestrated trip till the end.

[@JGRICH61]

Check track ‘leave time for love’

[@AkeruzHacks]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKLYfYGjrt50ftEsi=chLGkHY1VDqGTXk9

[@jamesleblanc7437]

It’s a toss up for any Squaresoft game on SNES. I’d add Evermore as well.

[@TheInternetIsDeadToMe]

Couldn’t agree more. Even after the 100th loop of “it happened late one evening”.

[@NouveauRetronicGamer]

Johnny, this was one of your best reviews to date! Andrew reporting from off location was a great addition. And idk what it was but when you opened that game box and showed the game I could actually smell the cart and the box as if I was home 30 years ago with my first copy of it. That game is truly an anchor in time to some great memories. Thanks.

[@PenDreamt]

This was a Christmas gift for us forever ago. I loved playing it, it was also funny when Santa and Rudolph appear in it haha. Amazing memories, such fun!

[@dane4652]

i dont believe i've ever left a comment on you channel, though it is among my favorite gaming related channels. however, i must say something for what is my favorite game of all time. The fact that 30 years have passed, in itself invokes so much in so many ways, but to remember the experience, the emotions, and the joy this game provided, is to literally be transported to a different world, a different time, both in reality and in the immersion that the game was able to achieve. thanks for your channel, and your fun energy

[@RetroDeath]

My older brother imported both FFVI and Secret of Mana back in the day, I feel blessed this was a part of my childhood. Such a nostalgic masterpiece, every enemy, every location, every song and every plot twist. Absolute art!

[@jean-francoisbergeron3595]

Secret of Mana is one of my favorite RPG! It was groundbraking at the time and it's still amazing today. Thanks to Collection of Mana, I discovered Seiken Densetsu 3 which I love even more!

[@TwoEyesOpen]

Man, the music in this game is so good. The songs get stuck in my head all the time and what's funny is, I haven't even played the game yet!

[@kevinlopez555]

Man sometimes i cant see your vids... you give so much nostalgia about my childhood and the joy and simpleness of how life used to be... 😢

[@jayt2917]

Thank you for making this video John . Secret of Mana is a special game to me .

[@AkaAka-wc6or]

Finaly found your channel old subscriber hope u do well u and your wife from morocco

[@ricsw9303]

It's honestly because of youtube channels like yours,Radical Reggie and Metaljesusrocks that reignited my love for rpg games. I played them a lot on my pc but they fell out of favor with me at the time. Seeing these reviews and commentaries and stories made me take a chance and am grateful for doing so. It shows there's more to gaming then FPS games or horror survival games for gamers to play and enjoy.

[@jong2359]

Oddly enough, my high-school friend was Andrew as well, and we played Secret of Mana all the way through several times. Such a great game made even better when playing co-op. He owned the game, so he played as the main character, and I always played as the Sprite. I always think back and remember all those good times when I pick up this game every so often.

[@JynxBlack13]

Ohh man, tell you what, friend of mine rented this thing, we loaded it up and saw a save on there...... loaded that up and .... hey what does this drum do... here come Flammie! THAT MUSIC!! Couldn't get enough of it! It was the second Flammie music after the Sunken Continent was raised up. I had that Nintendo Power too, read that article so many times 😊😊😊 Absolutely one of my favorite games, hands down!!😊❤ great times playing this with friends, so many play throughs!

[@carn1979]

I remember bringing my SNES to my parents cottage on summer vacation and bringing this new game called Secret of Mana and playing through it sp fast cuz it was so good and addicting! Probably summer 94, good memories!

[@AJfromLA818]

It was such a flashback watching you reopen the box! I have such tender memories of reading over the instructional manual so seeing it again brought me back 😊

[@tont760]

The thumbnail says it all. I'm getting old, man.

[@SplatterTrigger]

I remember when it was released here in the states. My brother and I rented it at first and fell in love with it. We ended up getting a copy for Xmas that year. Between the co op and ost it has a special place in our hearts lol Hell I remember running out to get the strategy guide at software etc.

[@PamonhasDePiracicaba]

Played it with my cousin back in the SNES days. Good times.

[@projectmessiah]

Honestly Secret Of Mana never did it that much for me but im glad to see people still appreciate it.

[@Konuvis]

Same for me. I enjoyed it but I wasn't in awe like most people seem to be.

[@projectmessiah]

@@Konuvis Yeah that's pretty much my take too

[@genesisfan029]

Just here to say that you guys aren't alone lol

[@timothykirby4406]

Wow, 30 years. That's incredible. I remember playing it with a friend back when it came out.

[@scranman5330]

Thanks for sharing these stories! This brought me back to the 90s and gaming with a long-lost friend. He introduced me to this one and others - FFVII, Diablo, Chrono Trigger...I remember riding the bus home and running across the street to his apartment as soon as possible to play games before his dad got home to play Command and Conquer 😂

[@Laros82]

Love this Game so much, Intro theme still gives me shivers well alot of the tracks do. So many good memories playing it with alot of my good friends back then...

[@maxron6514]

Played this 30 years ago and now again with my youngest kids, we spend many hours together listening to orchestral and piano remixes of the soundtrack on youtube, while they draw characters and scenes from the game, it is a blessing.

[@RiverCityFlips]

Such a great video! I’ve always had Secret of Mana on my backlog and you just made me bump this all the way up lol. I was a bit young when this was released but I have always wanted to fully complete this game.

[@celesgriner2411]

When I rode the dragon for the first time...I knew it was a game I was never going to forget

[@ScottyMo]

I'm not used to these double dips each week, but I am here for it! I'll always sit down with more Johnny.

[@zuzhi64]

One of my favourite childhood games and JRPG ever. I totally forgot about the mini map/poster included with the game. Thanks for covering Johnny and bringing back the good times I had with this amazing game.

[@Castian77]

Same as you señor happy console gamer, multiplaying it with my best friend, I always was the warrior and he was the sprite wizard, we had perfected the game after so many hours and a multitude of playthroughs. The soundtrack is close to my heart, always in my permanent list of tracks to hear. I did appreciated the remaster on PS4, the nostalgia run was hard.

[@ThingNumberTwo2]

I got the game for Christmas that year, and it was my obsession for the next two months. I co-op'd a bit of it with my sister when I could get her to play with me. Since then I've played through the game several times, and even though I think the game has a fair amount of jank to it, I always have a fun time playing it.

[@wordleturtle]

Thank you so much for doing this video John. This game changed my life. It is to me what Avatar the Last Airbender is to my son. It came out when I was in 3rd grade but I didn't get to play it until 5th grade. I didn't own it till I was in my 20s but I rented it all the time and returned it late to the rental store. I tore some pages out of the manual because I loved the pictures so much. I would sneak out of bed on school nights to play it. I saw a commercial for the game when it was development. Saw it twice and never again. You can find a German version of it on KZbin. I didn't know it was the same game until years later. Very fond memories. Still my favorite soundtrack. One of my favorite games.

[@studiodsr]

There is something about the music of this game that takes me right back to my childhood in the early 90s in a way that no other game can - even more so than Final Fantasy. It just perfectly captures that era and it makes me a little sad that those days are gone

[@Rine.4656]

Secret of Mana was such a great game. I was really excited when Square came out with Secret of Evermore, which wasn't exactly the same, but was also a great game to play after I beat Mana.

[@RPG_Bliss]

This game was everything back then! I got the collection and beat it again for the 3rd time. I always go back to it every several of years to bask in its glory.

[@ReaverPrime]

The memories... My brothers and I spent countless days on Secret of Mana. We each played a separate character and leveled them how we wanted them. To this very day, I'm almost always the "White Mage" type of player in co-op games because I was original saddled with playing as Primm (the girl with the healing and support magic). In FFXI and FFXIV, I was/am the White Mage. In The Division, I was the Reclaimer medic with Caduceus. In Div 2, I am the Future Initiative medic with Doctor Home. In Destiny 2, I am the Well Warlock with Lumina and healing grenades. And it all started here. I'm a lifelong fan of the Mana series, even before I knew it. A few years before this, Final Fantasy Adventure was my favorite game on Game Boy. To this day, its still one of my favorite things about the old brick. Seeing this video makes me sad that Adventures of Mana, the remake of FF Adventure, was never released outside of the PS Vita and mobile. Re-releasing that on Steam or physically is one way Square can get me to throw money at them. I love this series, but I LOVE Adventure of Mana.

[@dannylenz3006]

Brings back memories for sure Johnny!!

[@ToniSerinn]

I love this game so much! it came out when I was 13 and I remember playing it so much! The story, the sprites the environments, t,he music, everything was just amazing. To this day Leave time for Love - Mana Fortress Theme is still my favorite song in the game

[@sideffect777]

I'm 39 years old and i remember YET playing this game at a friends home during winter school vacation when i was around 10 years old- We played together in his room with blizzard outside. I never forgot this memory. We were so amazed by the game back then. This game was what introduce me to Squaresoft and FF7 later on.

[@kura2ninja944]

This game was my gateway drug to my love for RPG back in 1995. I remember beating this game together with my older brother. What a time!

[@skepticalbutopen4620]

One of my favorite games of all time. This game introduced me to RPGs and I thought it was amazing. I remember playing this game for hours and days trying to find every last item and secret.

[@SirWedgie]

I LOVE the soundtrack and that neat instruction manual too.

[@Ninzissou]

Still remember getting this game when I was ten back in 1993 because a good friend of mine had it. One of those days where my mom allowed me to pick one game while we were out and about. So many memories of a great game with music that will carry on its legacy to the end of time!

[@Boss_Fight_Index_muki]

One of my favorite games. That whale wail in the title screen is such a genius design.

[@wylelias]

I remember playing this three players. We finally had a use for my friends younger brother to play with us lol. Great SNES times!

[@jaypayne4744]

Damn, I usually don’t feel old but seeing this definitely did it. Fantastic game! Definitely one I replay every couple of years. The music, story and overall ambiance still give me the warm fuzzies.

[@kadosho02]

Some games stand the test of time. Or age like a fine wine. There are very few titles like this one that delivers that energy. A moment in time, that is engaging every time you play

[@blizmo2]

30 years! Man! we're all getting old 😆

[@Gharon]

One of my all time favorite games, filled with so much childhood nostalgia. Also... thanks. I feel old now (because i am).

[@PyyrusGaming]

Absolutely loved the Secret of Mana. I remember my uncle ordering it from a Radio Shack! Hooking up the adapter to play a 3-player action RPG was crazy at the time!

[@dr_unne]

That music though. Some of those songs immediately take me back to that era. Those SNES rpgs all had some special vibes.

[@superfriend]

Of course the music is some of the best of all time, but I love the sound design in this game too. The sound when you shoot the bow is maybe one of my favorite video game sounds ever

[@resellingwithjon]

I’ve got that Nintendo Power as well and yeah it really covers a lot and hypes up that game. What a classic. 30 years on and we are still praising this epic game.

[@randomzombie5579]

this was the game that started the passion for me. i leveled all the characters to lvl 99, daydreamed i was the hero flying on flammie. the opening theme still gives me goosebumps

[@heshamvoiceovers3397]

Keep being awesome man!

[@vain_x]

This is my all time favorite SNES game, I had the multitap and 2 friends to play it with so kind of impossible to beat that experience. Love it!

[@AnANas00-x3p]

One of my most loved games. Everything in this game was perfect, art, music, gameplay. In EU it came in this big box with a book.

[@TheInternetIsDeadToMe]

I still have my copy from 1993. I remember saving for weeks to get it. Reading all the magazines I could get that had a few pages of information on it. Me and my friend did a similar thing to you and played multiplayer together as kids. I also loved the physical character models they made for the promotional art. The soundtrack brings back so many nostalgic feelings. It’s sad in a good sort of way. I miss those days. Great memories with this game.

[@ushbag]

I love that game! The remake was a little sad, but I still enjoyed it.

[@setsers1]

HAPPY 30TH ANNIVERSARY

[@GameplayandTalk]

Christmas '93, I remember my friend bringing this over to my house. He had already gotten to the final boss. He showed me that part of the game and the overworld with Flamie, and I was simply blown away. It quickly became one of my most-played SNES games, and I still revisit it at least once a year in some form or another. I can't say the story is amazing these days with how simple it's executed, but everything else is still top-notch in my book. And that soundtrack.. man, it's one of the best to me.

[@dennisluchesi]

The Secret of Mana is one of my favorite video games! Great video keep up the great work. 😃

[@Ike11Jay]

Into The Thick Of It is still my daily alarm sound to wake up. Anything more to add? Legendary.

[@Polygonman77]

Thanks for covering my favourite game of all time. Bought the game from my local video rental store back in 93 and still have the receipt! I would love to see your take on Soul Blazer as well! Similar style game that came out a year before Secret of Mana.

[@phillicus]

I remember my childhood friend and I would always borrow each others games and when I first borrowed this I was blown away. Such great memories with this game and my siblings growing up.

[@baldpipesmoker1]

I feel old watching this lol. I was 16 the year it came out. Time goes so fast. Funny though, I never got very far in the game. I definitely need to play it to the end! Another great video Johnny! We share your passion sir!

[@Hayseed1976]

Holy cow 30 years, it's hard to believe.

[@michaelryley]

Just playing this for the first time on my SNES Mini, enjoying so far!

[@jz1612]

Just started playing Final Fantasy Adventure and in the beginning they mention mana alot and so based off the game play and story I knew it was part of the series cool stuff.

[@BlankSpacePub]

SoM was one of my first SNES RPGs, and what a great experience it was! Still have my original copy with box and book.

[@nostalgicnicknacks]

Such a great game Johnny! Love your stories filled with nostalgia.

[@markbotfield3694]

It’s still my favourite Square game, simply incredible at the time and another game I had to import from the states.

[@hippolewis2513]

In one of my cutting-room-floor takes, I said the same thing - but that only lasted a year until FF3/6 came out!

[@joeivo911]

My fav show for years!

[@samghost13]

Oh my oh my 30 years! I loved it

[@RoDieFF4]

Saw the tv commercial in 93, bought an snes and the game. Never stopped playing Nintendo to this day. Life changing 👍🏻

[@theflo1980]

So glad we got that beautiful bigbox editions here in germany. Still a looker on the retro shelf! ✌🏼😁

[@WinspearUltima]

I have yet to play this game secret of mana is one of the square soft games I need to play.

[@JohnSanborn-y2n]

Secret of mana was the first RPG that ever drew me in and compelled me to play it more because of the real time combat and it's amazing soundtrack and the ring command system. I even have it on switch from the collection of mana bundle. This game brings back so many good memories.