Secret of Mana in Club Nintendo #1

October 20, 2024

Club Nintendo was Germany’s place for the latest Nintendo news back in the ’90s. It was published bimonthly from 1989 through 2002. It seems to have a lot of unique stuff that wasn’t found elsewhere.

For its part, Secret of Mana was extremely popular in Germany, and there’s somehow more content here than in America’s Nintendo Power. We’re going to need three parts for this one! Moreover, Germany stands out as the second most popular country for Redux visitors, far ahead of any other country that isn’t the US.

June 1994

Wario. He doesn’t like Mario. But it matters not because this month is the debut of Die Rollenspiel-Sensation for the Super Nintendo! With a game like Secret of Mana, what’s Wario doing on the cover anyhow?

[Top right]

MAGICAL FAIRYTALE WORLD

When it comes to action adventures, there's no getting around a game from the successful Zelda series. But times are changing, and new adventure heroes are trying to dethrone Link...

After the huge success of the Game Boy offering known as Mystic Quest [ManaRedux's note: Final Fantasy Adventure in the US], the Japanese RPG creator Square has made a successful second attempt at an action adventure game, this time for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Secret of Mana has been delighting American and Japanese video gamers for weeks and will soon be released in a fully Germanized version here too.

[Bottom]

THE SECRET OF MANA ENERGY

The story of SECRET OF MANA takes place in a world that is very similar to ours, but also quite different. In addition to people, animals, and plants, there are many things in this world that we only know from fairy tale books. Fantastic creatures, talking animals, flying dragons, evil monsters, witches, wizards, fairies and many more.  The center of this magical wonderland is the Mana Tree, which supplies all living beings with magical energy. Peace and Harmony rule in the world of SECRET OF MANA...-

But one day, ominous clouds moved over this paradise, and an ancient prophecy seemed to be coming true. Dark forces threaten the Mana Tree and drain its energy. At the same time, a young man discovers a sword stuck in a stone. He pulls it out and suddenly feels a strange power flowing through his body. He holds the Mana Sword in his hands, he's [now] the Mana hero.

Unique art abounded.

YOUR COMRADES

SECRET OF MANA would be not be a roleplaying game if you didn't have the ability to take on different roles. Your comrades join you in the course of the adventure, and you can control any character yourself. Together, this makes a team of three people.

The Girl

The princess [sic] of Pandora can cast powerful magical spells.

The Goblin

The little girl from the dwarf village is a good fighter and an even better magician.

The Flying Dragon

King Pfifferling from the Truffle Village has a very specific gift for you---Flammie [ManaRedux's note: This is interesting since Flammie's name in Germany was Lufti], the flying mana dragon who can see the whole world of Secret of Mana, the mysterious creatures and the flying Mana Fortress. You can call Flammie at almost any point in the game with a special item.

SOME ENEMIES

You will encounter over a hundred different enemies on your search for the eight mana seeds. Some of them are tiny but very dangerous, others are terrifyingly large but relatively harmless. You will not only fight against knights of the Empire, rabid animals, and demonic shadow creatures, but also against enchanted plants, remote-controlled destruction machines and living pieces of furniture.

POGOPUSCHEL

The hero has barely pulled the sword out of the stone when the first Pogopuschel, a kind of rabbit, appears.

FLODDERMAUS

The little brother of the bat mouse has mastered the art of ballooning, which is not exactly without danger.

PILZKOPF [Mushroom Head]

At some point long ago, the mushrooms began to wander around and spray strangers with magic powder.

MURMELGOBLIN [Marble Goblin]

At first, the Murmelgoblin sits in the corner and sleeps. But if you get too close, he wakes up and attacks you.

DORNENWESPE [Thorn Wasp]

A wasp that fires poisonous thorns at you. Because it's constantly moving, it's difficult to hit.

August 1994

This issue had a second feature on Secret of Mana.

WHAT HAPPENED SO FAR...

More by chance, the unwilling hero of this adventure that's full of magic and mysticism pulled a sword out of a stone. But that's how the story took its course, and only the hero can avert a pending disaster. Banished from his home village, he sets out to find the secret of mana. He had already received a little help at the Water Palace. But is that enough to complete the mission?

MAP 1

A)To the Water Palace B)To the home village C)To the usurious cat D)To the Cannon Travel E)To Pandaria

Top-left caption: With the mysterious sword, evil takes its course!
Top-right caption: The Sichelanbeter is the first to challenge the hero to a fight!
Bottom-left caption: The hero should talk to at least two of Hagen's troops...there are good reasons for this!
Bottom-right caption: The Cannon Travel center shortens routes---albeit in a somewhat inconvenient way.

THE GIRL OF HIS DREAMS

On the way to the Elfenteich, the secret of why the hero should speak to the soldiers is revealed: a spirited young girl suddenly comes to the hero's aid when the goblins make life difficult for him. The strange creatures have got it into their heads to eat a hero, but the blond beauty acts quickly and decisively!

Left caption: The goblins lie in wait for the hero on the way to the Elfenteich.
Right caption: A young woman is able to save the hero at the last minute.

TROPICAL FRUIT

A strange, aggressive plant called Tropicallo is guarding the dwarf cave. But not for long, before the hero appears. While the plant buries itself in the ground, he charges his sword to maximum and then strikes when the mutated pineapple sticks out its head. The princess also proves to be a brave fighter in this situation.

A GOBLINESS REVEALS HERSELF

The little goblin from the dwarf village watched the duel with Tropicallo well hidden. Convinced that she's dealing with real heroes, she wants to join the two. With her bow, she will be a real help.

Top-right caption: The goblin joins the heroes to put a stop to the evil.
Bottom-left caption: Together, they head off to the witch Tura's forest.

NOW OFF TO THE NORTH TO TURA!

THE INTERIOR OF THE ELF POND CAVE

Left-caption: ENTRANCE

Bottom-caption: The path to the dwarf village leads through the dwarf cafe. The hero must not forget to look for the Magic Rope.

October 1994

It’s happening! Finally a Secret of Mana cover! And the Club Nintendo staff decides to celebrate by giving the lead article line to…the Smurfs.

Similar to its American counterpart, Club Nintendo published envelope artwork from excited little German gamers. Sadly, they’d only continue this practice for a bit longer. This one was from Pascal Liening of Dülmen.

Some serious art:

EXILE AND DESTINY

The carefree boy from the village would never have dreamed what future fate had in store for him. Without thinking anything of it, he pulled a sword out of a rock...and thereby brought disaster upon the land of mana. In the village, where he spent his whole life among friends, no one wants to see him anymore. Complete strangers suddenly turn out to be his allies - because he is the only one who can stop  evil forces from destroying mana. After the first steps in this mission, the boy is no longer alone. The girl from Pandora and a little goblin stand by his side with all their strength. Will they make it together?

2 IN 1 - THE FISH LIZARD

Frosta is being held captive in a cave by a lizard creature. At first the guard seems quite harmless, but he soon shows his true face to the liberators. The three fighters attack the lizard without stopping, take caver from its dangerous lizard tongue, and hope that it will soon be enough

A TIGGER TO SNUGGLE WITH?

To avoid wasting any time, Tura sends the three friends to the shelter of her cuddly cat. The name seems extremely inappropriate for this monster cat. The three defend themselves against his constant attacks - with long-range weapons.

VICTORY OVER THE FIRE MUTANT

A truly gruesome apparition awaits the three friends in the lava temple: the fire mutant! He can only be attacked when he has assumed his real form. And it's obvious that this attack is carried out with Frosta's frosty magic.

One, two three - no magic!

The new role-playing sensation "Secret of Mana" is available on the German market these days. If you don't want to play the game alone, but would rather play it with friends, you can now order the special Super Multitap adapter from Nintendo Consumer Advice, which allows up to three players to play "Secret of Mana" at the same time.

GROSSOSTHEIM - With the Hudson Super Multitap, up to five players (or fewer depending on the game) can take part in a game at the same time. Up until now, it was mainly sports games such as Jimmy Connor's Pro Tennis Tour or World Cup Striker that used this feature. "Secret of Mana" is now the first role-playing game for several players at the same time.

You can reach Nintendo Consumer Advice on weekdays between 11 AM and 7PM on the tollfree number 01 30/58 06, where you can find out about delivery options and costs. If you are under 18, you should ask your parents to order the adapter for you. Of course, you can also order the Super Multitap in writing. Simply write a postcard to the following address:

Club Nintendo
ATTN: "Super Multitap"
P.O. Box 1501
63760 Großostheim

The order will be processed immediately so that you receive the Hudson Super Multitap COD within two weeks of receiving the order.

Did you know..

...that "Secret of Mana" is the first RPG that can be played be three people at the same time? But only if you have a multiplayer adapter (e.g. Hudson Super Multitap).

...that "Mystic Quest" on the Game Boy is the first part of the story that continues as "Secret of Mana" on the Super Nintendo.

...that the new 64-bit console from Nintendo, which as so far been known under the working title "Project Reality", has been given a real name? It will be called Ultra 64.

December 1994