Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap

From Sega Retro

For the 2017 remake, see Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap (2017).

n/a

  • Master System
  • Sega Game Gear
    JP
  • Sega Game Gear
    EU

Wonderboyiii title.png

WB3TDT GG JP Title.png

WB3TDT GG EU Title.png

Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap
System(s): Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear, Virtual Console
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Peripherals supported:
Sega Master System
FM Sound Unit
Genre: Action[2][3][4][5]

















Number of players: 1
Official in-game languages:
  • English
  • 日本語
  • Release Date RRP Code
    Sega Master System
    US
    7026
    Sega Master System
    EU
    7026
    Sega Master System
    NL
    Sega Master System
    UK
    £27.9527.95[8][9] 7026
    Sega Master System
    SE
    (Rental)
    Sega Master System
    AU
    7026
    Sega Master System
    KR
    Sega Game Gear
    JP
    ¥3,8003,800 G-3308
    Sega Game Gear
    EU
    2422
    Sega Game Gear
    UK
    £24.9924.99[12] 2422
    Wii Virtual Console
    US
    500pts500[13]
    ESRB: Everyone
    Wii Virtual Console
    EU
    500pts500[14]
    PEGI: 7+
    Wii Virtual Console
    AU
    500pts500[16]
    OFLC: General (G)
    Non-Sega versions

    Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap, called Monster World II: Dragon no Wana (モンスターワールドII ドラゴンの罠) in Japan, is a direct sequel to Wonder Boy in Monster Land, and was developed by Westone and published by Sega for the Sega Master System in 1989.

    The game should not be confused with Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair, which despite being made by the same people and carrying a similar title, focuses more on being a side-scrolling shoot-'em-up with platform segments.

    Gameplay

    The Dragon's Trap is a direct sequel to Wonder Boy in Monster Land, to the point where the introductory stage is a remixed version of the final round of Monster Land, complete with music and a fight with the main villain of the last game, the (robot) Dragon, Meka. The game begins with Wonder Boy being able to slay enemies and take damage with relative ease, but after beating Meka, he will be "cursed" and be forced to escape the castle as "Lizard-Man". Once this is done, Wonder Boy III proper will begin.

    Gameplay is similar to Monster Land, however the "arcade" elements of the previous game, such as time limits and a linear progression through levels are dropped for a more open-ended world, with Wonder Boy visiting areas more than once. The objective is obtain all the parts of the "Salamander Cross" by beating "boss dragons", allowing Wonder Boy to return to his human form. As more pieces are collected, Wonder Boy will receive powers allowing him to travel to previously inaccessible parts of the map.

    Like Monster Land, equipment and health can be upgraded along the way. Enemies drop coins, which can be used to purchase items from shops. The game is much larger than its predecessor, and now includes a password system to allow players to pick up where they left off.

    Transformations

    Wonder Boy III The Dragon's Trap, Transformations.png
    Hu-Man
    Your human form.
    Wonder Boy III The Dragon's Trap, Transformations.png
    Lizard-Man
    Your first transformation. Besides long range attack and ability to crouch, it is the weakest form.
    Wonder Boy III The Dragon's Trap, Transformations.png
    Mouse-Man
    Diminutive size allows him to squeeze through small areas and climb on checkered blocks.
    Wonder Boy III The Dragon's Trap, Transformations.png
    Piranha-Man
    Can swim underwater.
    Wonder Boy III The Dragon's Trap, Transformations.png
    Lion-Man
    Swipes the sword in a 180 degrees arc towards the front and can break blocks around him. Strongest attack power.
    Wonder Boy III The Dragon's Trap, Transformations.png
    Hawk-Man
    Can fly around and reach places otherwise impossible to reach. Takes damage if touches water.

    History

    Legacy

    An arguably better version (minus the Wonder Boy branding) exists in the form of Dragon's Curse, released for the TurboGrafx-16 in the years that followed. Confusingly this version of the game is known as Adventure Island in Japan, though bears little resemblance to the Adventure Island franchise, itself branding off from the original Wonder Boy game.

    The Dragon's Trap was also brought to the Sega Game Gear in 1992. International releases of this port dropped the "III," calling it merely Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap (a prototype ROM with the original name circulates around the Internet).

    Both the TurboGrafx-16's Dragon's Curse and Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap have been released on the Wii's Virtual Console service, despite being roughly the same game. Similar situations have occurred with Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair and Wonder Boy in Monster World.

    The game was eventually remade by Lizardcube and published by DotEmu in collaboration with the original game designer Ryuichi Nishizawa. The game was released on April 18, 2017 on PlayStation 4. Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch and PC in June of that same year.

    Versions

    Localised names

    Also known as
    Language Localised Name English Translation
    English Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap
    English (US) Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap
    Japanese モンスターワールドII ドラゴンの罠 Monster World II: Dragon no Wana

    Production credits

    Game Gear version

    Original Game
    Reprogrammed
    Source:
    In-game credits

    Source:
    Sega TV Game Genga Gallery[17]


    Magazine articles

    Main article: Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap/Magazine articles.

    Promotional material

    Master System Mega Drive advert SE.jpg
    SE advert
    Master System Mega Drive advert SE.jpg
    SMS ES promo 3.jpg
    ES advert (1990)
    SMS ES promo 3.jpg
    Logo-pdf.svg
    Print advert in Games Preview (DK) #8: "8/9 1989" (1989-xx-xx)
    Logo-pdf.svg
    Logo-pdf.svg
    Print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #96: "November 1989" (1989-10-16)
    also published in:
    • ACE (UK) #26: "November 1989" (1989-10-xx)[18]
    Logo-pdf.svg
    Logo-pdf.svg
    Print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #97: "December 1989" (1989-11-16)
    also published in:
    Logo-pdf.svg
    Logo-pdf.svg
    Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1992-03: "March 1992" (1992-02-08)
    Logo-pdf.svg
    Logo-pdf.svg
    Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1992-04: "April 1992" (1992-03-07)
    Logo-pdf.svg
    Enisof a.s offer.png
    Print advert in Excalibur (CZ) #12 (1992-09-01)
    Enisof a.s offer.png

    Artwork

    Physical scans

    Master System version

    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Score Source
    {{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
    Based on
    0 review
    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Version Score
    ACE (UK) PAL
    92
    [20]
    ACE (UK)
    68
    [8]
    Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
    72
    [21]
    Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
    92
    [22]
    Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
    96
    [23]
    The Complete Guide to Sega (UK) PAL
    96
    [24]
    Console XS (UK) PAL
    93
    [25]
    Computer & Video Games (UK)
    86
    [26]
    Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
    92
    [27]
    Game Mania (UK)
    96
    [28]
    The Games Machine (UK)
    71
    [29]
    Joystick (FR) PAL
    88
    [30]
    K (IT)
    81
    [31]
    Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
    80
    [32]
    Mean Machines (UK)
    95
    [33]
    Mean Machines Sega (UK)
    96
    [34]
    Megazone (AU)
    93
    [35]
    Power Play (DE)
    76
    [36]
    S: The Sega Magazine (UK)
    92
    [37]
    Sega Power (UK) PAL
    100
    [38]
    Sega Pro (UK)
    97
    [39]
    Sega Pro (UK) PAL
    93
    [40]
    Video Games (DE)
    83
    [41]
    Zero (UK)
    73
    [42]
    Sega Master System
    87
    Based on
    24 reviews

    Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap

    Master System, US
    WonderBoyIII SMS US cover.jpg
    Cover
    Wonder Boy III The Dragon's Trap SMS, US Cartridge.jpg
    Cart
    Wonderboyiii sms us manual.pdf
    Manual
    Master System, EU
    WonderBoyIII SMS EU cover.jpg
    Cover
    WonderBoyIII SMS EU cart.jpg
    Cart
    Wonder Boy III The Dragon's Trap SMS EU Manual.pdf
    Manual
    Master System, EU (Sega®)
    WonderBoyIII SMS EU R cover.jpg
    Cover
    Wonder Boy III Dragons Trap SMS (R) Cart Top.jpg
    Wonder Boy III Dragons Trap SMS (R) Cart Back.jpgWonder Boy III Dragons Trap SMS (R) Cart Front.jpg
    Cart
    Master System, EU (8 languages)
    WonderBoyIII SMS EU 8lang cover.jpg
    Cover
    Master System, NL

    Master System, SE (Rental)
    WonderBoyIII SMS SE rental cover.jpg
    Cover
    Master System, AU (Hotline sticker)
    WonderBoyIII SMS AU reg cover.jpg
    Cover
    WonderBoyIII SMS AU reg cart.jpg
    Cart
    Wonderboy III Dragons Trap AUS Manual.pdf
    Manual
    Master System, AU (Hotline/NIAL stickers)
    WonderBoyIII SMS AU nial cover.jpg
    Cover
    WonderBoyIII SMS AU reg cart.jpg
    Cart
    Wonderboy III Dragons Trap AUS Manual.pdf
    Manual
    Master System, AU (Not for rental/hotline stickers)
    WonderBoyIII SMS AU norental cover.jpg
    Cover
    Master System, AU (OziSoft sticker)
    WonderBoyIII SMS AU os cover.jpg
    Cover
    Master System, AU (Blue Classics sticker)
    WonderBoyIII SMS AU bc cover.jpg
    Cover
    Master System, AU (Classics; Silver)
    WonderBoyIII SMS AU cover.jpg
    Cover
    WonderBoyIII SMS AU cart.jpg
    Cart
    Master System, KR
    WonderBoyIII SMS KR cover.jpg
    Cover
    WonderBoyIII SMS KR cart top.jpg
    WonderBoyIII SMS KR cart back.jpgWonderBoyIII SMS KR cart.jpg
    Cart

    Game Gear version

    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Score Source
    {{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
    Based on
    0 review
    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Version Score
    Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
    75
    [43]
    Consoles + (FR)
    85
    [44]
    Computer & Video Games (UK)
    92
    [12]
    Hobby Consolas (ES)
    88
    [45]
    Joypad (FR)
    92
    [46]
    Joystick (FR)
    92
    [47]
    Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
    78
    [48]
    Player One (FR)
    82
    [49]
    Play Time (DE)
    72
    [50]
    Power Up! (UK)
    85
    [51]
    Sega Power (UK) PAL
    52
    [52]
    Sega Pro (UK) NTSC-J
    84
    [53]
    Sega Pro (UK) NTSC-J
    84
    [54]
    Sega Pro (UK) PAL
    75
    [55]
    Sega Force (UK) PAL
    82
    [56]
    Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
    82
    [57]
    Video Games (DE)
    82
    [58]
    Video Games (DE)
    83
    [59]
    Zero (UK)
    93
    [60]
    Sega Game Gear
    82
    Based on
    19 reviews

    Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap

    Game Gear, JP
    WB3tDT GG JP Box Back.pngWB3tDT GG JP Box Front.jpg
    Cover
    WB3tDT GG JP Cart.jpg
    Cart
    Wonderboy III Dragon Trap Game Gear JP Manual.pdf
    Manual
    Game Gear, EU
    WB3tDT GG EU Box Back.jpgWonderBoy DragonTrap GG EU BoxSpine.jpgWB3tDT GG EU Box Front.jpg
    Cover
    WB3tDT GG EU Cart.jpg
    Cart
    Wonder Boy III The Dragon's Trap GG EU Manual.pdf
    Manual

    Virtual Console version

    Technical information

    ROM dump status

    System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
    Sega Master System
     ?
    CRC32 679e1676
    MD5 e7f86c049e4bd8b26844ff62bd067d57
    SHA-1 99e73de2ffe5ea5d40998faec16504c226f4c1ba
    256kB Cartridge (EU/US)
    Sega Game Gear
     ?
    CRC32 a74c97a7
    MD5 0e8146c23d7947b4677b9b2ca12850e0
    SHA-1 d98344a2c644ce9a0184e8f836271c038aa16a23
    256kB Cartridge (EU)
    Sega Game Gear
     ?
    CRC32 ea89e0e7
    MD5 8e6934c31498569302ff3119c2496043
    SHA-1 5c4d25432512852f48f22280544bd7d034aab744
    256kB Cartridge (JP)

    External links

    • Nintendo catalogue pages: US, AU

    References

    1. https://www.mtwo.co.jp/development/retrogame-2/#tab-2 (Wayback Machine: 2020-10-29 22:32)
    2. File:WB3tDT GG EU Box Back.jpg
    3. File:WB3tDT GG JP Box Front.jpg
    4. 4.0 4.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/gamegear/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2018-12-07 04:57)
    5. File:WonderBoyIII SMS EU cover.jpg
    6. Computer Entertainer, "September 1989" (US; 1989-09-18), page 13
    7. File:BristolEveningPost UK 1989-11-02 Page 79.jpg
    8. 8.0 8.1 ACE, "January 1990" (UK; 1989-12-xx), page 50
    9. Computer & Video Games, "December 1989" (UK; 1989-11-16), page 36
    10. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-07-20), page 23
    11. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-07-20), page 23
    12. 12.0 12.1 Computer & Video Games, "June 1992 (Go! Issue 8)" (UK; 1992-05-15), page 22
    13. 13.0 13.1 http://www.nintendo.com:80/games/detail/8pVT43FgIVdr81lfBwwDPx10ijCkuv6z (Wayback Machine: 2010-11-21 03:04)
    14. 14.0 14.1 http://www.nintendolife.com:80/games/mastersystem/wonder_boy_iii_the_dragons_trap (Wayback Machine: 2017-09-07 09:15)
    15. https://www.nintendo.fr/Jeux/Console-virtuelle-Wii-/Wonder-Boy-III-The-Dragon-s-Trap-280174.html (archive.today)
    16. http://www.nintendo.com.au/index.php?action=catalogue&prodcat_id=42&prod_id=19907&pageID=4 (Wayback Machine: 2012-03-28 01:32)
    17. Sega TV Game Genga Gallery, Graphic Sha, page 99
    18. ACE, "November 1989" (UK; 1989-10-xx), page 111
    19. Computer & Video Games, "January 1990" (UK; 1989-12-16), page 115
    20. ACE, "November 1989" (UK; 1989-10-xx), page 144
    21. Aktueller Software Markt, "August/September 1989" (DE; 1989-07-28), page 75
    22. Complete Guide to Consoles, "" (UK; 1989-10-16), page 37
    23. Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 110
    24. The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 63
    25. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 146
    26. Computer & Video Games, "September 1989" (UK; 1989-08-16), page 104
    27. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 161
    28. Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 81
    29. The Games Machine, "January 1990" (UK; 1989-12-11), page 26
    30. Joystick, "Janvier 1990" (FR; 19xx-xx-xx), page 140
    31. K, "Novembre 1990" (IT; 1990-xx-xx), page 72
    32. Micromanía (segunda época), "Abril 1990" (ES; 1990-0x-xx), page 54
    33. Mean Machines, "October 1990" (UK; 1990-09-xx), page 40
    34. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 136
    35. Megazone, "June/July 1991" (AU; 1991-0x-xx), page 58
    36. Power Play, "7/89" (DE; 1989-06-12), page 55
    37. S: The Sega Magazine, "October 1989" (UK; 1989-09-27), page 4
    38. Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 60
    39. Sega Pro, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 31
    40. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72
    41. Video Games, "1/91" (DE; 1991-03-27), page 78
    42. Zero, "February 1990" (UK; 19xx-xx-xx), page 84
    43. Beep! MegaDrive, "April 1992" (JP; 1992-03-07), page 38
    44. Consoles +, "Mai 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 107
    45. Hobby Consolas, "Julio 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 62
    46. Joypad, "Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-05-1x), page 86
    47. Joystick, "Mai 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 185
    48. Micromanía (segunda época), "Octubre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 84
    49. Player One, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-09-10), page 102
    50. Play Time, "12/92" (DE; 1992-11-04), page 85
    51. Power Up!, "Saturday, August 01, 1992" (UK; 1992-08-01), page 1
    52. Sega Power, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-05), page 58
    53. Sega Pro, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-21), page 36
    54. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 74
    55. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 75
    56. Sega Force, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-13), page 71
    57. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 88
    58. Video Games, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-29), page 123
    59. Video Games, "11/92" (DE; 1992-10-28), page 126
    60. Zero, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-13), page 80
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    Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap

    Wonderboyiii title.png

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    Games in the Wonder Boy Series
    Wonder Boy (1986) | Wonder Boy in Monster Land (1987) | Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair (1988) | Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap (1989) | Wonder Boy in Monster World (1991) | Monster World IV (1994) | Monster World Complete Collection (2007) | Sega Vintage Collection: Monster World (2012) | Arcade Archives Wonder Boy (2014) | Wonder Boy Returns (2016) | Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap (2017) | Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom (2018) | Wonder Boy Returns Remix (2019) | Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World (2021) | Wonder Boy Collection (2022) | Wonder Boy Anniversary Collection (2022)
    Music
    Monster World Complete Collection Original Sound Track (2007)
    Book
    Wonder Boy V Monster World III Koushiki Guide Book (1991)