Not bringing this stateside, in this slew of mediocre Mana games, is nothing short of criminal.
Graphically, this is one of the prettier titles on the SNES (or ROM, but just bear with me on this). The character models are cute without being cutesy, and in general the best description I could give for the monsters and landscapes is that they exude the same G-rated charm of all the other Mana games. The visuals aren't revolutionary, but they work for the kind of game this is.
Lest you get too worried about the game's content, rest assured: the gameplay is not overtly cutesy, watered-down, or bland. Nor is it like those mediocre Mana games that have been incessantly churned out for the GBA and DS. Those games are a hollow shadow of the addicting, surprisingly deep gameplay which Seiken Densetsu 3 boasts. This game just got the formula RIGHT; it improved upon Secret of Mana in a way which I wish had served as a cue for future games in the series. For those who are unfamiliar with that games' mechanics, they are as follows: you control a party of 3 characters. You may switch control at any time, or you may have a friend pick up a controller and play alongside you without so much as a pause in the action. You attack by pressing a button, and must then let it recharge before attacking again. By holding the button, you may charge your attack. Another button brings up your magic menu, and another your item menu. Seiken Densetsu 3 keeps all of these elements (since i was using my PC, i couldn't verify the multiplayer, but I assume it was still there), but it adds an additional layer of complexity through the class system. You now get to choose your party form 6 starting characters, each with their own dialogue and story, and each representing a different class. There is a brawler, a fighter, a mage, a healer, a thief, and a valkyrie (which resembles the fighter but with different class progression later on). Each class gets upgrades later which flesh out their abilities and make the initially superficial class differences quite important indeed. What's surprising is that, while many of these elements seem common today, they all mesh so well without overcomplicating the experience. This game won't ever blow you away, but it does what it does well, and keeps the fun going for as long as you keep playing.
The game is a good length: not quite long enough to drag, but still long enough to keep you busy. Though it is fairly linear, the game gives some leeway to the order in which you attempt certain areas. The sound is unremarkable but pleasant, and has a few great-sounding pieces which add to the sense of adventure. The only problem with this game is that it never came to America. Those who use a ROM long for the experience of a real controller. Most importantly, this is a game that BEGS for multiplayer. Multiplayer was the best part of Secret of Mana, and many people have fond memories of afternoons spent blowing through the game with a friend. (I know I do!) However, no Mana game since has attempted to replicate the experience. The developers have a golden opportunity here: the wireless connectivity of the DS, while wasted on a port such as Final Fantasy III, could be used to bring your friends into your game and romp around killing rabites. I conclusion, this is not just a review. It is a plea to Square-Enix to bring this game back out of the dustbin. It is a plea to stop the half-hearted, uninspired hack-n-slash Mana clones when they already have, pre-written, one of the greatest gems to never make it across the Pacific. Bring us Seiken Densetsu 3, and I, nay, WE ALL, will be forever grateful.