Yes, yes, yes... I know about alllllllll the facts, especially that it wasn't in the Seiken Densetsu series. I played Seiken Densetsu 1 (Final Fantasy Adventure & Sword of Mana), Secret of Mana and Seiken Densetsu 3. SD3 was indeed my MOST favorite in the series. Don't scold me like I don't know the facts. I'm a diehard Square fan. Also the Dog Maze is hard to figure out when you're 10, fyi. Especially when there was no internet and had no strategy guide. www.gamefaqs.com obviously helps nowadays.
I played it again last year though and I enjoyed it much more then the last time. My favorite part was indeed when you ran into Cecil. I screenshoted everything he said and I have it in a folder somewhere in my hard drive. Ask Jordan... he knows I did. I showed him when he got back from the hospital. haha So I wasn't trying to talk bad about SoE in any way.
I just have traumatizing memories. Can't beat that with your... "bazooka!" Another game I didn't love so much as a kid was Donkey Kong Country 2. I bet millions will sit down and argue this one with me too like you did with SoE... but all I can say is - Soundtrack is superb. So many great favorites, but not my favorite DKC game.