In a time before the first histories were recorded, the great hero Anri founded the land Akanea. The three gods of Discord, Madness and War sent Medius, tyrant of the country of Durhua, to join forces with Garnev, the ruler and supreme priest of Khadin. The armies and strongholds of Akanea were no match against their combined might and, despite a valiant resistance, the land was soon consumed by the black tides of darkness. However, Medius would soon learn to rue the day he conquered Akanea. For the spirit of Akanea could not be extinguished while the fires of freedom continued to burn in the hearts of the Akanean people. Not while a hero still breathed in whose veins the blood of Anri yet flowed. With the enchanted sword Falcion in his hands, Prince Mars would rally the people and begin a crusade to liberate Akanea.

Based on the first (and third) of a series of turn-based strategy games released by Intelligent Systems for the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, GameBoy Advance/SP/DS, and GameCube. The first game was released for the NES in 1990.

The third title in the series is basically a remake and extension of the first game, in which Mars (usually dubbed Marth Stateside) is the main character. It was released for the SNES in 1994.

Marth also appears in Super Smash Brothers Melee.