History Trivia / SecretOfMana

* GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff: ''Secret of Mana'' is considered a cult classic in France, and is ranked high in a lot of lists of people's top [=RPGs=], SNES games, and even all-time video games. There are several reasons for this:
** This is one of the rare fully French-translated SNES games, which helped a lot of younger players to be invested in the story; the translation is still fondly regarded by fans for his [[ComicalTranslation wackiness]] (''"Liévro se fait rosser"'').
** The game received a large publicity campaign from Nintendo, and the game was bundled with a full strategy guide.
** SNES [=RPGs=] in general were almost never localized in France, even without a translation! Some of the most highly regarded SNES games of all times like ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG'', ''VideoGame/EarthBound'', ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'', or ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'' were '''''never''''' released in Europe at all (until some eventual ports, remakes, or UsefulNotes/VirtualConsole re-releases, but most of the time still not translated).
*** For the same, it was considered possibly the best JRPG on the SNES in Australia as well, another territory that never received any of the aforementioned classics during their original releases. Arguably its only real rival at the time would have been ''VideoGame/{{Terranigma}}.''
*** Dito for Germany, which also got a very wacky translation, courtesy of the (in)famous Claude M. Moyse.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: The SNES CD-ROM debacle. By all reports, having to strip this game down is what led to the schism between Square and Nintendo in the latter 90s and drove Square into Sony's arms. Reportedly, ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'' was based heavily on the leftover concepts that didn't make it through this phase of development (and was in fact the game's tentative title after it was decided it wouldn't be ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV''). To this ''day'' fans lament the game we never got, and wonder what could've been had the game come out in its original design (and with Square's loyalty to Nintendo intact)... The very level of the game that we did get indicates how good WhatCouldHaveBeen was.

* FanTranslation: The "Enhanced" version of ''Secret of Mana'' uses a much more efficient system of text placement, allowing for a lot of text that was LostInTranslation to be added back in. However, most of the "lost" text was also made up out of whole cloth by the translator. Among other things, the Cannon Travel Service menu now displays the names of the destinations rather than 1, 2, and 3. You can get it [[http://fantasyanime.com/mana/somdownloads.htm here]].

** The missing content is, incidentally, why there are many places on the world map where the game doesn't allow you to land, despite them looking as though you should be able to do so. It's almost as though the game is actually ''taunting'' us over the removed content.

** The missing content is, incidentally, why there are many places where it looks like you should be able to land on the world map and where the game doesn't actually allow you to do so. It's almost as though the game is actually ''taunting'' us over the removed content.

** Jema, however, is certainly named after the Gemma Knights and was a mistranslation.

** Similarly, people who are aware of [[SpellMyNameWithAnS R/L shenanigans]] in Japanese might look at the character of Geshtar and go "AHA! That's totally the same name as Emperor Gestahl of ''[[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI]]'', isn't it?!" Well, in Japanese, not at all: the [=SoM=] character is named ゲシュタール ("Geshutaaru", to be extremely phonetic about it), while the ''[=FF6=]'' character is named ガストラ ("Gasutora"). However, it's very likely this is another {{Woolseyism}}, and it's ''Woolsey'' who actually did use the same name while flipping a letter; since "Gastora" (or even worse, [[MemeticMutation if he became "Gas Store"]]) wasn't a very impressive name for an emperor, Woolsey seems to have been creative in interpreting the kana and pulled in the more impressive-sounding name from the older work, which then stuck.

** Similarly, people who are aware of [[SpellMyNameWithAnS R/L shenanigans]] in Japanese might look at the character of Geshtar and go "AHA! That's totally the same name as the Emperor of ''Final Fantasy VI'', isn't it?!" Well, in Japanese, not at all: the [=SoM=] character is named ゲシュタール ("Geshutaaru", to be extremely phonetic about it), while the ''[=FF6=]'' character is named ガストラ ("Gasutora"). However, it's very likely this is another {{Woolseyism}}, and it's ''Woolsey'' who actually did use the same name while flipping a letter; since "Gastora" (or even worse, [[MemeticMutation if he became "Gas Store"]]) wasn't a very impressive name for an emperor, Woolsey seems to have been creative in interpreting the kana and pulled in the more impressive-sounding name from the older work, which then stuck.

** Similarly, people who are aware of [[SpellMyNameWithAnS R/L shenanigans]] in Japanese might look at the character of Geshtar and go "AHA! That's totally the same name as the Emperor of ''Final Fantasy VI'', isn't it?!" Well, in Japanese, not at all: the [=SoM=] character is named ゲシュタール ("Geshutaaru", to be extremely phonetic about it), while the ''FF6'' character is named ガストラ ("Gasutora"). However, it's very likely this is another {{Woolseyism}}, and it's ''Woolsey'' who actually did use the same name while flipping a letter; since "Gastora" (or even worse, [[MemeticMutation if he became "Gas Store"]]) wasn't a very impressive name for an emperor, Woolsey seems to have been creative in interpreting the kana and pulled in the more impressive-sounding name from the older work, which then stuck.

** SNES [=RPGs=] in general were almost never localized in France, even without a translation! Some of the most highly regarded SNES games of all times like ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG'', ''VideoGame/EarthBound'', ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'', or ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'' were '''''never''''' released in Europe at all (until some eventual ports, remakes, or VirtualConsole re-releases, but most of the time still not translated).

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* FanTranslation: The "Enhanced" version of ''Secret of Mana'' uses a much more efficient system of text placement, allowing for a lot of text that was LostInTranslation to be added back in. However, most of the "lost" text was also made up out of whole cloth by the translator. Among other things, the Cannon Travel Service menu now displays the names of the destinations rather than 1, 2, and 3. You can get it [[http://fantasyanime.com/mana/somdownloads.htm here.]]
* GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff: ''Secret of Mana'' is considered a cult-classic in France, and is high-ranked in a lot of top lists of RPG[=s=], SNES games and even all-times video games. There is several factors for this:
** This is one of the rare fully French translated SNES games, which helped a lot of younger players to be invested in the story ; the translation is still fondly regarded by fans for his [[ComicalTranslation wackiness]] (''"Liévro se fait rosser"'').

** SNES RPG[=s=] in general were almost never localized in France, even without a translation! Some of the most highly regarded SNES games of all times like ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG'', ''VideoGame/EarthBound'', ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'' or ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'' were '''''never''''' released in Europe at all (until some eventual remakes or VirtualConsole re-releases, but most of the time still not translated).

** Vandole is named after Vandole, a character previously mentioned in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyAdventure''. This led some to believe that the game was actually a {{prequel}}, but the katakana in Japanese is different and (rarely) differentiated the letters ''B'' and ''V'', meaning it was an English translation coincidence. Averted in ''VideoGame/SwordOfMana'', in which he ''is'' referred to as ''V''andole rather than ''B''andole in the Japanese release, but un-averted in the subsequent mobile phone remake.

** The things mentioned, and later removed due to size constraints, were the Ruby Arment (can be found via cheat codes), Mana-Drops (a mystery item called ??? in English and '...' in Japanese) that could cure all status, heal all health, and recover all magic, a fourth character (one of 4 recruited [=NPCs=] that acted as Stand-Ins for a missing character during plot points, later removed but left in place with a cheat code they could be activated), 9th level magic (can be randomly accessed by stat growth of spells when cast in succession which only include extra animation and power), and the fabled 9th element called Life / Mana / Solar which have icons and a stand in slots in the spell ring when accessed by using a cheat code to restore slot-spaces (not available in the normal game despite rumors) but are broken bits that do nothing in the game even with a cheat code.
** Lots of people spent hours, if not more, looking for the non-existent Sword Orb that would supposedly give you the level 9 sword upgrade. The cruel irony is that [[spoiler: the level 9 sword is actually the reactivated Mana Sword, which you can't get until the final battle.]]

* FanTranslation: The "Enhanced" version of Secret of Mana uses a much more efficient system of text placement, allowing for a lot of text that was LostInTranslation to be added back in. However, most of the "lost" text was also made up out of whole cloth by the translator. Among other things, the Cannon Travel Service menu now displays the names of the destinations rather than 1, 2, and 3. You can get it [[http://fantasyanime.com/mana/somdownloads.htm here.]]

** Special mention should go to the English script, which suffered the most from the CD-cartridge transfer. Ted Woolsey himself later remarked that the localization "[[http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/localization/localization.htm nearly killed]]" him, mentioning that "about 40% of the text" had to be "nuked" due to space restrictions.

* AscendedFanon: The names Randi, Purim, and Popoie (the Boy, Girl, and Sprite respectively) for the main characters. Square considers these names canon; they're in the guidebooks and default on iOS. Canon Fan Nicknames!
** The iOS port romanizes their names as Randi, Primm and Popoi.

** SNES RPG[=s=] in general were almost never localized in France, even without a translation! Some of the most highly regarded SNES games of all times like ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG'', ''VideoGame/{{Earthbound}}'', ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'' or ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'' were '''''never''''' released in Europe at all (until some eventual remakes or VirtualConsole re-releases, but most of the time still not translated).

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: The SNES CD-ROM debacle. By all reports, having to strip this game down is what led to the schism between Square and Nintendo in the latter 90s and drove Square into Sony's arms. To this ''day'' fans lament the game we never got, and wonder what could've been had the game come out in its original design (and with Square's loyalty to Nintendo intact)... The very level of the game that we did get indicates how good WhatCouldHaveBeen was.

In order, these are the weapons that the party picks up:
* Sword: And the [[SwordOfPlotAdvancement Mana Sword]], no less.
* Spear: It hits things. [[BoringButPractical That's about it]], though on higher levels it does have excellent crowd-clearing capabilities.
* Fist (if the Girl is recruited first, as this is her default weapon): Sometimes does a throw instead of an attack; while this doesn't damage the enemy at all, it will bring back to consciousness enemies that have been knocked out by powerful attacks. Useful if you can't hurt the enemy while it's down.
* Boomerang (the Sprite's weapon): Or Shuriken (or even ''cobra shuttle''), after upgrading.
* Bow: Hits enemies higher and lower than you, and very noticeably averts NoArcInArchery.
* Axe: Clears away rubble, as well as being good for whacking things over the head.
* Whip: Can be used to swing across gaps; becomes an EpicFlail.
* Javelin: Works more or less like a bow, it is thrown in an arc.

** Special mention should go to the English script, which suffered the most from the CD-cartridge transfer. Ted Woolsey himself later remarked that the localization "[[http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/localization/localization.htm nearly killed]]" him.

** Special mention should go to the English script, which suffered the most from the CD-cartridge transfer. Woosely himself later remarked that the localization "[[http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/localization/localization.htm nearly killed]]" him.

** The things mentioned, and later removed due to size constraints, were the Ruby Arment (can be found via cheat codes), Mana-Drops (a mystery item called ??? in English and '...' in Japanese) that could cure all status, heal all health, and recover all magic, a fourth character (one of 4 recruited NPCs that acted as Stand-Ins for a missing character during plot points, later removed but left in place with a cheat code they could be activated), 9th level magic (can be randomly accessed by stat growth of spells when cast in succession which only include extra animation and power), and the fabled 9th element called Life / Mana / Solar which have icons and a stand in slots in the spell ring when accessed by using a cheat code to restore slot-spaces (not available in the normal game despite rumors) but are broken bits that do nothing in the game even with a cheat code.

* UrbanLegendOfZelda: Lots of people spent hours, if not more, looking for the non-existent Sword Orb that would supposedly give you the level 9 sword upgrade. The cruel irony is that [[spoiler: the level 9 sword is actually the reactivated Mana Sword, which you can't get until the final battle.]]

** Another legend speaks of a ninth elemental of the sun, 'Solar'; the empty spaces in Purim and Popoie's mana-spirit magic charts is stated as absolute proof of this, but the fans who perpetuate this seem to forget that, uh, the space in Purim's chart is where Shade would go and the one in Popoie's is where Lumina would go. There is no 'Solar'. Sorry.

* UrbanLegendOfZelda moments occurred thanks to reviews found to be written by test players who spoiled some things about the game before it was released beyond Beta.
** The things mentioned, and later removed due to size constraints, were the Ruby Arment (can be found via cheat codes), Mana-Drops (a mystery item called ??? in English and '...' in Japanese) that could cure all status, heal all health, and recover all magic, a fourth character (one of 4 recruited NPCs that acted as Stand-Ins for a missing character during plot points, later removed but left in place with a cheat code they could be activated), 9th level magic (can be randomly accessed by stat growth of spells when cast in succession which only include extra animation and power), and the fabled 9th element called Life / Mana / Solar which have icons and a stand in slots in the spell ring when accessed but are broken bits that do nothing in the game even with a cheat code.

** Special mention should go to the English script, which suffered the most from the CD-cartridge transfer. Woosely himself later remarked that the localization "[[http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/localization/localization.htm nearly killed]]" him.