By C’Loni Bailey Electronics Manager at Bookmans Mesa

I was about ten years old when my mom bought me a Super Nintendo for Christmas. (It was supposed to be a surprise, but I spotted it hidden in our patio storage closet.) One of the first games we got for it was Secret of Mana by Squaresoft.

Secret of Mana Super Nintendo

Unlike many RPGs of its time, Secret of Mana is action-based with multiplayer co-op. You can journey through the world of Mana with another player and fight enemies together. That’s just what my older brother and I did. We spent many a sleepless night curled up on the couch with the lights off playing Secret of Mana. If I didn’t feel like picking up a controller, I would just lie next to my brother while he played and act as his guide, telling him where to go and helping him solve puzzles. We played all the way to the last boss. After being defeated several times, my brother gave up and quit the game. I took it upon myself to figure out how to defeat the final boss and succeeded in completing the game before my brother did. This became a source of pride for me for many years after.

In Secret of Mana, the player is a young boy who is banished from his village after finding the mystical Sword of Mana and breaking the seal that kept evil at bay. The player must then travel the world, visiting each of the eight Mana Temples to re-energize the sword and use it to defeat the Mana Beast. The action-oriented game play is engaging and enjoyable and the fact that you can share it with another player makes it even better.

Secret of Mana Super Nintendo

The best aspect of the game is by far the music. Composed by Hiroki Kikuta, Secret of Mana’s soundtrack is amongst the best video game soundtracks of the ’90s. Its enchanting mix of otherworldly melodies, rousing battle music, and ominous dirges draws the player in and keeps them enthralled throughout several hours of game play. Upper Land and the Lost Continent are still some of my favorite areas to play because of the music.

If you’re looking for an old school, SNES action-RPG with multiplayer co-op, Secret of Mana is a classic that is well worth your attention!

* Bookmans can not guarantee stock. If you are interested in a specific game or system mentioned in this article, give your nearest Bookmans a ring. Bookmans is the place to browse, but it’s a good idea to make sure the item is still on our shelves before you come in.