Seiken Densetsu version differences

The following is a list of version differences between the various releases and remakes of Final Fantasy Adventure (also known as Seiken Densetsu: Final Fantasy Gaiden or simply Seiken Densetsu in Japan and Mystic Quest in Europe).

Japanese Release | Seiken Densetsu: Final Fantasy Gaiden (1991)

• Original release

North American Release | Final Fantasy Adventure (1991)

• Game renamed Final Fantasy Adventure for the North american market as a way to capitalize on the Final Fantasy franchise.
• Due to Nintendo of America's policies on religious imagery, a couple tiles were altered for release outside Japan. The Star of David was replaced with an eight-sided star (which, ironically, is also a religious symbol). The coffins in Kett's basement had their crosses removed and replaced with a "V".

European Release | Mystic Quest (1993)

• Game renamed Mystic Quest for the European market, probably since none of the Final Fantasy games being available on the continent at the time. Another Final Fantasy spinoff (Mystic Quest) was released in Europe later in 1993 and heavily influenced the name and font used for the localization.
• Game translated in british English, German and French.

Worldwide Release | Final Fantasy Adventure (1998)

• Original game rereleased with GameBoy Color support.

Worldwide Release | Sword of Mana (2003-2004)

Gameplay

Major Changes

• Players can now choose to play as the Hero or the Heroine instead of only the male protagonist in earlier versions.
• Choosing the Heroine as the player character will slightly alter the course of the game:
  • Main weapon usage (Hero gets the Sword and the Heroine gets the Staff)
  • Dungeon exploration (Hero gets 2 areas while the Heroine goes through only 1 other area).
  • Allies (Each person has 2 unique allies that the other does not get to fight alongside).
  • Boss fight (Hero fights Jackal and Medusa while the Heroine doesn't).
  • Small details of the storyline unfold only in one person's storyline. In such cases, if you're playing the other person's storyline, you are kept oblivious to such details in the storyline.
• Towns, dungeons and fields are completely reinvented and more detailed with some new areas to explore.
• Several game mechanics from Legend of Mana are reintroduced in Sword of Mana, mainly accessible through the Hot House:
  • Players can now grow produce with the help of Trent.
  • Players can now forge new weapons, armors and accessories by combining pieces of equipment with raw material.
  • Optional sidequests are now available at an early start of the game.
  • Completing certain story segments and sidequests can movitate Li'l Cactus to write about it in its diary.
  • The Seven Wisdoms appear in powerful item cameo by completing the quest of the same name.
• Elemental Mana Spirits are introduced and most of their magical proprieties replace the original spells and magic items.

Minor Changes

• Vinquette Hall is split into separate two mirrored dungeons specific to each main character, meaning that you cannot enter the door to the Heroine part of Vinquette's dungeon if you've chosen the Hero and vice versa. The mini-boss encountered mid-dungeon is also character specific.
• Almost all consumable items were scrapped:
  • Magic items are now obsolete since most Mana Spirit magic can do the same effect
  • Restorative items were swapped with items more commonly found in the Mana series since FFA had the same name as the conventional Final Fantasy ones, like Potions and Gold Needles.
  • Stat-boosting items (same reason as above).
  • Selling items
  • Tool items as there is no more obstacles that needs them in Sword of Mana.

Story

• Sword of Mana's story generally retains the main plot of Final Fanasy Adventure but is overall significantly more fleshed out.
• Shortly after beginning a new game in Final Fantasy Adventure, Sumo fights Jackal immediately after the short expository text roll. In Sword of Mana, should the player choose either of the protagonists as the playable character, a long cutscene plays out instead.
• Sumo's friend Willy doesn't die in the introduction segment, instead remaning in its cell until Sumo rescues him later in the story.
• Sumo is rescued by Niccolo after falling during the intro. In FFA, the hero comes to his senses be himself.
• The scene where Sumo rescues Fuji from enemies is vastly different from FFA. In the original, Fuji is assisting a dying Hasim and is surrounded by 3 Mushboom; in Sword of Mana, the Hero rescues the Heroine from a Chobin Hood in the screen area directly south from its starting point, making it impossible to go to Topple before the protagonists meeting.
• In Sword of Mana, the Hero escorts the Heroine to Topple while in FFA, he escorts her to Bogard's Cabin, making Topple a completely skippable town in the original game.
• The Mysterious Man Sumo tags along with in the Marsh Cellar is absent in Sword of Mana.

Cosmetic Changes

• This remake benefited from a complete graphical overhaul with direct inspiration from Trials of Mana and Legend of Mana.

Japanese Release | Final Fantasy Adventure (Mobile) (2006-2007)

Worldwide Release | Adventures of Mana (2016)

Japanese Release | Seiken Densetsu Collection (2017)

Worldwide Release | Collection of Mana (2019)

References

• https://tcrf.net/Final_Fantasy_Adventure
• https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/914616-sword-of-mana/43974927#:~:text=The%20Hero%20goes%20to%202,the%20other%20area%20at%20all.
• https://www.siliconera.com/adventures-manas-screenshots-seem-similar-final-fantasy-adventure-sword-mana/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDZowFV0Yb8&ab_channel=Sasa

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Seiken Densetsu - Secret of Mana - Trials of Mana - Legend of Mana - Dawn of Mana - Children of Mana - Heroes of Mana