Released on February 9, 1996 (Friday) in Japan at a retail price of 11,400 JPY.

Dragon AI and Agency: The dragons are not just units to be ordered; they act with a degree of independence that is both impressive and occasionally frustrating. Their behavior is determined by how you nurture them throughout the game, forcing players to think carefully about their long-term development rather than just their immediate stats in battle.

A Late-Lifecycle Showcase: Released near the end of the Super Famicom’s life, the game demonstrates the full maturity of Square’s development pipeline. The graphical fidelity—particularly the use of color, transparency effects, and character sprite animation—is frequently cited as some of the best the system ever achieved.

The Square Narrative Style: The game is characterized by the high-quality, emotionally charged storytelling typical of Square during their "Golden Age." It features complex political intrigue, personal tragedies, and a memorable cast of characters that elevate the standard "rebellion against an empire" plot.

Tactical-RPG Hybrid: The combat takes place on a two-layered system: a large-scale map for unit movement and a detailed combat screen when engaging enemies. Balancing the movement of your human squads with the often unpredictable maneuvers of your dragons provides a unique layer of tactical depth.

Environmental Destruction: The elemental magic system allows for environmental interaction that affects the battlefield. For instance, using ice magic on a water source can change the terrain, while fire magic can burn away forests, forcing players to adapt their strategy based on the field they are fighting on.

A Cult Legend: Despite never receiving an official Western release, Bahamut Lagoon became a massive cult classic through fan translations. Its reputation as an "unreachable" masterpiece for English speakers for many years only added to its mystique among collectors and RPG enthusiasts.