I noticed another new thing they added. In the NES version of FF2 equipping a second weapon would not increase the character's attack. In Origins equipping a second weapon DOES increase his/her attack. Thank goodness they made that change.
I don't think the attack matters, actually. I think in the original, it didn't increase the numbers, but you still attacked twice, and brought on more damage. It's the same in Origins, but they put the numbers on there to make it more obvious.