The Mana action role-playing game series, developed by Square Enix, is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, marking over three decades since the release of the original Final Fantasy Adventure on the Game Boy in 1991. To commemorate the milestone, the company has released a commemorative trailer highlighting the evolution of the franchise’s iconic art style, music, and gameplay mechanics across its various iterations.
A History of the Mana Franchise
The Mana series, known in Japan as Seiken Densetsu, began as a spin-off of the Final Fantasy franchise before establishing its own identity as a distinct action-RPG series. According to Square Enix, the franchise has spanned multiple platforms, from its 8-bit origins to modern high-definition consoles.
The series gained widespread recognition with the 1993 release of Secret of Mana on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, which introduced cooperative multiplayer and a unique ring-menu system. Over the following decades, the series expanded through titles such as Trials of Mana, Legend of Mana, and the recent 2024 release, Visions of Mana.
What the 35th Anniversary Trailer Reveals
The anniversary trailer serves as a retrospective, showcasing the transition from 2D pixel art to the 3D environments seen in recent entries. While the video focuses on historical footage, it underscores the series’ commitment to its core themes: the Mana Tree, the Sword of Mana, and the recurring struggle between light and dark forces. As noted by Gematsu, the release of this trailer aligns with ongoing efforts by Square Enix to keep the franchise visible to both long-time fans and new players who discovered the series through modern remakes.
Why the Mana Series Remains Relevant
The longevity of the Mana series is often attributed to its distinct musical scores and accessible gameplay. Iconic tracks, such as those composed by Hiroki Kikuta for Secret of Mana, have remained staples of video game music culture.
| Title | Original Release Year | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Final Fantasy Adventure | 1991 | Game Boy |
| Secret of Mana | 1993 | SNES |
| Trials of Mana | 1995 | Super Famicom |
| Legend of Mana | 1999 | PlayStation |
| Visions of Mana | 2024 | PC, PS4/5, Xbox Series X/S |
Looking Toward the Future
Following the 2024 launch of Visions of Mana—the first mainline entry in the series in over 15 years—Square Enix has not yet announced specific plans for the next major installment. However, the 35th-anniversary celebration suggests the company intends to continue supporting the intellectual property. Fans of the series continue to follow official Square Enix social media channels for potential announcements regarding future remasters, ports, or new titles as the anniversary year progresses.