If you have played Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap on the Master System you will know exactly what to expect here. The Wonder Boy series is famed for its confusing naming conventions; to clear it up this is the last Wonder Boy game on the Megadrive to get a release outside of Japan. It features a mixture of platforming action and RPG elements which make this a game you can really get your teeth stuck into and enjoy for some time.
Vicious beasts have invaded Monster World and settled in quite comfortably, so it’s up to you to save the day. As this is not just a basic platform game there are a variety of options at your disposal. Players can improve their armour, boots, and weapons throughout the quest, with eight available upgrades for each. There are six types of magic, including Fire Storm, Thunder, and Quake. Health-replenishing items are available for purchase, and the life meter can be extended by finding heart containers. By visiting the local Inn, the player can save the game and restore health.
You will need to talk to the villagers in order to obtain crucial items and information. While some items and weaponry are awarded to the player upon completing various tasks, most upgrades are purchased at weapon and item shops. Currency is abundant, as gold coins fly from fallen foes. Enemies respawn several times in most areas, making it more difficult to traverse, but the player is awarded by a bounty of money. At times it can be slightly irritating as there can be some frivolous backtracking, and facing the same enemies again and again may grow tiresome.
The graphics are beautiful, with lush, scrolling backgrounds, a bright color palette, and a good amount of detail. The sprite animations are quite good, and the end result gives the game a unique feel, submerging players in this fantastical land. Complementing the delightful visuals is an even more impressive soundtrack. It has an orchestral feel to it, and each area in the game has its own music. The music really sets the mood for the adventure, which is most enjoyable.
Wonder Boy in Monster World is a worthy addition to the Virtual Console library. Action and RPG elements are rarely combined with as much success as in this game. For the princely price of 800 Wii points you could do a lot worse than taking a chance on this.
1. ehawk
15 Mar 2007, 21:40 GMT
One of my favorite games ever! Even though the final boss on the moving floor is near impossible!
2. Jonno
15 Mar 2007, 22:22 GMT
Hmm... though it has better graphics and the such... Maybe I'll risk the 200 points less and go for Dragon's Curse. I'm not sure, obviously.
3. ben
09 Apr 2007, 14:41 GMT
this was my favourite game by far on the megadrive I loved it. Can't wait to play it again.
4. PresidentLeever
22 Apr 2007, 03:06 GMT
@Jonno - I'd say go for it. While Dragon's Curse lacks multiple towns and npcs, the gameplay is much smoother and more fun overall. It's also more challenging.
While the audio quality in this one isn't the best (I wouldn't call it crude though), the songs are still very good, especially later on.
5. Jonno
22 Apr 2007, 18:34 GMT
@Alex - Well, thanks for the input! I'll jump on to Dragon's Curse right away!
6. FunkMasterRitter
23 Apr 2007, 23:53 GMT
so is this a sequal to dragons curse or a prequal
7. Steve
24 Apr 2007, 19:02 GMT
To FunkMasterRitter:
It is the first sequel to Dragon's Trap (the Sega equivalent of Dragon's Curse).
For a complete history of Wonder Boy, its sequels and spin offs, go to http://hg101.classicgaming.gamespy.com/wonderboy/wonderboy.htm
As far as the game is concerned, I have now played it for a few hours and it is quite fun. My main gripe would be that the sword's range is way too limited, which makes the game much harder than it ought to be (still not too hard so far, though).
Not quite as good as The Dragon's Trap/Curse, but a nice follow-up and definitely worth it for fans of the former.
8. Uncle Chuck
28 Apr 2007, 00:32 GMT
This is what makes the VC great... I had never ever heard of this series before (despite gaming for most of my life), and picked it up because of a YouTube video. It looked great, and man, I was not disappointed. Awesome game, and if you're on the fence about it, take the plunge - it was a great deal of fun.
Now I've got to decide if I want to plunge into Dragon's Curse or not...
9. leories
04 May 2007, 09:46 GMT
Simplistic visuals? me thinks not, the graphics to an extent are a reflection of the system, but the art direction for this game was great, loads of excellent character designs etc, i dont think good 2d every really ages, its testament i think that early psone games that adopted 3d visuals now look more dated than a lot of 2d classics from the snes era.
10. Simbabbad
11 Jun 2007, 11:48 GMT
This is a masterpiece, worth a Zelda game IMO.
11. Guilherme
12 Jul 2007, 05:02 GMT
I played this game in its Brazilian incarnation, with the sprites changed to the characters of a Brazilian comic book.
Graphically, this game feels like many early Mega Drive games - the system could do a lot better than this. But beyond its 8-bit-ish feel (and there is nothing wrong with 8-bit, mind you), the adventure elements actually work pretty well. I think those that didn't play this game back then should give it a pass, though. They will probably find it slow and there are better games elsewhere.
And it's not like you could finish this game anyway. It's straightforward until the last boss - and then it becomes impossible.
12. INpixl
21 Jul 2007, 01:15 GMT
I like the light RPG-elements in this sidescrolling action game. Constantly upgrading your equipment through out the game just never gets dull if you ask me.
13. peda
16 Aug 2007, 12:48 GMT
if you like dragon's curse, you also like wonderboy in monsterworld and vice versa. it's a great game until the last boss. i didn't manage to beat him until now...frustrating! That's not necessary though it's the last enemy. what a pity!!
14. BrandonG
17 Aug 2007, 19:34 GMT
As much as I love my Nintendo Wii and everything Nintendo, I have to say that as much fun as Wonderboy in Monster World was fun, Wonder Boy in Monster Land for the Sega Master System was much better!
15. Villain
24 Oct 2007, 14:52 GMT
@Brandon G: Then download the Turbo-grfx 16 version that is Dragon's Curse! It's the same game with minor tweaks.
And I must say to Alex Landgren, I don't completely agree. I prefer MW, cause it feels more complete. That's just me though. If you prefer speedy gameplay, you might wanna try DG.
16. AJ frieson
09 Nov 2007, 18:15 GMT
monster world 3? you bet! i don't think most people know wonderboy in monster world is game 3 of the monster world series. or that there was a fourth one unreleased over here. i've been playing this game since i was 8 and it'd be worth 2,000 wii points. dragon's curse is also a monster world game, although i hear it was modified a tiny bit. it's still wonderboy 3 on steroids.
17. BrandonG
10 Nov 2007, 19:06 GMT
@Villain: I have downloaded Dragon's Curse and I quite enjoy it. But my comment was just about this game in particular being better on the Sega Master System.
Abd I agree AJ Frieson, Dragon's Curse is just Wonderboy 3 on steroids!
18. Mad Bomber
22 Jan 2008, 19:39 GMT
I cannot believe that I never played this game on my Genesis!
This is absolutely my favorite kind of game. I would have liked a bit more RPG elements included, but still... This series was obviously the inspiration at least in part for the sublime Popful Mail. (I'm a fan-boy. See my avatar)
Controls are a bit floaty and the weapons/equipment are quite basic and limited. Graphics are nice but technically unimpressive with mostly basic static sprites. Holds up well visually though considering its age.
Now, speaking of Popful Mail, can we start getting some Sega CD games on this puppy? And please don't insult us with the Super Famicom or PC Engine versions of Popful which are suck!
19. Villain
23 Jan 2008, 14:49 GMT
@Mad Bomber: What's Popful Mail? Never heard of it. Please enlighten us?
Yep, this game is sweeter than honey. Classic platforming RPG action with sweet music and, actually, a huge influence on other classic titles such as Legend of Zelda and even the MMORPG that is Maple Story. As for Popful Mail, I've yet to be informed about that. I LOVE THIS GAME. Highly recommended.
20. gamerwizz
01 Jul 2008, 17:19 GMT
dont like this one as much as wonder boy 3/dragons curse
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