Though not as powerful a sales juggernaut as the nigh-unstoppable Final Fantasy series, Square Enix' Mana Series is still fondly remembered by a generation of RPG fans. Now, courtesy of a recent iPhone port, gamers can experience the franchise's most popular game, Secret of Mana, all over again.

Secret of Mana is actually the second game in the series, and the sequel to the Game Boy title Final Fantasy Adventure. Like its predecessor, Secret of Mana looks very much like a Final Fantasy game, right down to its spiky-haired kid protagonist and his motley group of fellow adventurers. But the Mana Series boasts a very different battle system.

Though the series has moved away from them in recent years, Final Fantasy was traditionally known for its turn-based battle systems that emphasized strategy and planning over quick reflexes. Secret of Mana, however, features gameplay more reminiscent of the original Legend of Zelda, with real-time battles viewed from a top-down perspective.

By providing an exciting, more active battle system, while retaining much of Final Fantasy's look and feel, Secret of Mana became an alternative for gamers who could never get behind turn-based battles. But as different as Secret of Mana seemed in 1993, now it just feels like yet another early Japanese RPG, right down to the wacky dance that all of the shopkeepers seem to do when you walk into their establishments.

In a world with such varied roleplaying games as Fallout and Mass Effect, Secret of Mana's traditional fantasy setting and aesthetic seems quaint by comparison. But while many older games don't hold up once the rosy-colored glasses are removed, the iPhone port of Secret of Mana still has a lot going for it.

First, and most notably, are the game's controls, which have made a shockingly good transition to the iPhone's touch-sensitive screen. The virtual joystick in the lower left is responsive and easy to use, and fortunately, the game does not require a huge amount of buttons, which leaves the screen free enough to actually see what's going on. Even the menu screens (which can often be the most confusing parts of JRPGs) are simple and easy to navigate, due in large part because of Secret of Mana's beloved "Ring Command" menu system, which translates remarkably well to the iPhone.

It's true that Secret of Mana probably wouldn't be able to hold your attention on a giant high-definition television screen due to it dated graphics and a simplistic clichéd story. However, a successful mobile game has different requirements than one made for consoles, and Secret of Mana's graphics and story work perfectly for gaming on the go. The title's simplistic visuals lead to negligible load times, and the uninvolved, straight-forward plot is perfect for gaming on-the-go, between classes, or even during commercials.

Most everything fans loved about Secret of Mana back in the early 1990s is present in this port. Unfortunately, the game is missing one of its most exciting features from the first time around: Multiplayer. Secret of Mana was revolutionary because up to three players were allowed to jump in and out of the game at will. The iPhone port, however, does not allow for any multiplayer action, which is disappointing given that the device comes with internet access built in. Allowing users to play Secret of Mana with friends through the Game Center would have been a great way to make a fun game even better.

Another discouraging thing about Secret of Mana is its price point. At $8.99 it is right in line with other older Square iPhone ports like Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy II, but that's a lot to ask for a mobile version of a game that is almost two decades old. Granted, porting a game to a completely new system does require a lot of work, but while those other Square games include bonus dungeons from later editions, Secret of Mana has no additional content at all.

Secret of Mana might be a little on the pricey side, but the game makes up for it with game length. This is not a short, beat-it-in-a-day gaming experience, but a port of one of most beloved Japanese RPGs from the genre's golden age. If you've never played an older Square roleplaying game, this probably isn't the best place for you to start, but for people familiar with the genre's conventions and idiosyncrasies, Secret of Mana is a great look back at the past.

Final Score: B-