Probably the ‘deepest’ thing about Seiken Densetsu 3 is the magic combat system. Yes, you can hack away with swords and claw away with, erm, claws, but you can also bring up what they call the “Ring Menu” and cast magical spells. And – when you’re fighting against some enemies and bosses – it pays to know how to use magic well. Or you will get the stuffing knocked out of you… It’s all about using ‘buffs’ and ‘de-buffs’ – trying to counter the enemy by watching what he’s doing, and casting magic on your sword to create more damage. The combat system in Seiken Densetsu 3 is definitely more subtle than just ‘hacking away’. It is a fight to the death with devastating opponents in a game of wits, speed and magic knowledge!

Some of the boss battles are just incredible. There are around 20-23 major boss fights in Seiken Densetsu 3 (depending on which party you’re using), and they’re all classics. In terms of graphics, moves, strategies, and visual effects – the boss battles are spectacular. Some of the bosses gave me nightmares, they were so tough! And some made me apprehensive to take on again, because they gave me such a good beating the first time around that they seemed impossible to beat. They weren’t though. You just have to know what you’re doing.

One thing I haven’t done yet, that I still want to do (but am apprehensive about), is: take on the secret “Super Boss” – The Black Rabite. I read somewhere that it has “a million HP”, although that was on a forum and was just over-excited conjecture. I do know that The Black Rabite is very tough to beat because it can cast every magic spell in the game, including Level 99 Great Demons, “Ancient” and other devastating, high-level magic spells. So you have to take it on with a mature party (Level 50 and above). And with a good understanding of magic-use tactics and team settings in Seiken Densetsu 3.

There are a few different ways of taking The Black Rabite out, although it can take a long time (30 mins or more, depending on your luck and skill). But you first have to find it among the twisting cave tunnels of the final level (which is frankly a ballache). Because finding The Black Rabite’s lair does take some back-tracking, and can only be done at a certain point in the game (you have to complete one of the final boss battles to open the route to the monster), so it can easily be missed.

The Black Rabite is a cool hidden boss though. Just look on YouTube to see how much it has caught the imagination of games-players.

And Rabites have been a constant throughout the Mana series so The Black Rabite must be the crowning glory of the Rabite species. A fitting opponent for advanced players.

Seiken Densetsu 3 Week
Seiken Densetsu 3, Super Nintendo [Part 1]
Seiken Densetsu 3, Super Nintendo [Part 2]
Seiken Densetsu 3, Super Nintendo [Part 3]
Seiken Densetsu 3, Super Nintendo [Part 4]
Seiken Densetsu 3, Super Nintendo [Part 5]

More: Seiken Densetsu 3 on Wikipedia