Secret of Mana's companion AI is all but nonexistent, and the combat in general is buggy as hell. But the charm that comes through in its presentation still makes it enjoyable.

Seiken Densetsu 3 has even better presentation than Secret (among the best in any 2D game, really), and more refined, more enjoyable gameplay. It's the pinnacle of the series.

And everything that came after that isn't worth talking about. It's a shame.