Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap

From Sega Retro

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Wonderboyiii 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

















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
    AU     		7026
    Sega Master System
    KR
    Sega Game Gear
    JP     		¥3,8003,800 G-3308
    Sega Game Gear
    EU     		2422
    Wii Virtual Console
    US ▼     		500pts500[4]
    ESRB: Everyone
    Wii Virtual Console
    EU ▼     		500pts500[5]

    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

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

    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. A similar situation occurred with the sequel, Wonder Boy in Monster World.

    The game was eventuallly 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

    Magazine articles

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

    Promotional material

    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)[7]
    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

    Physical scans

    Master System version

    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Score Source
    91 №26, p144[9]
    68 №28, p50[1]
    92 №1, p37[10]
    96 №4, p110[11]
    96 №1, p63[12]
    86 №94, p104[13]
    100 №3, p38/39[14]
    71 [15]
    88 №1, p140[16]
    81 №22, p70[17]
    95 №1, p40/41[18]
    95 №1, p112[19]
    96 №1, p136[20]
    80 №23 (Vol 2), p54
    92 №1, p4-7[21]
    100 №23, p60
    100 №46, p101[22]
    97 №6, p31[23]
    73 №4, p84
    Sega Master System
    		 89
    Based on
    19 reviews
    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Version Score
    ACE (UK) PAL
    92
    		[9]
    ACE (UK)
    68
    		[1]
    Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
    72
    		[24]
    Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
    92
    		[25]
    Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
    96
    		[11]
    The Complete Guide to Sega (UK) PAL
    96
    		[12]
    Console XS (UK) PAL
    93
    		[26]
    Computer & Video Games (UK)
    86
    		[13]
    Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
    92
    		[27]
    Game Mania (UK)
    96
    		[28]
    The Games Machine (UK)
    71
    		[15]
    Joystick (FR) PAL
    88
    		[16]
    K (IT)
    81
    		[17]
    Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
    80
    		[29]
    Mean Machines (UK)
    95
    		[18]
    Mean Machines Sega (UK)
    96
    		[20]
    Megazone (AU)
    93
    		[30]
    Power Play (DE)
    76
    		[31]
    S: The Sega Magazine (UK)
    92
    		[21]
    Sega Power (UK) PAL
    100
    		[32]
    Sega Pro (UK)
    97
    		[23]
    Sega Pro (UK) PAL
    93
    		[33]
    Video Games (DE)
    83
    		[34]
    Zero (UK)
    73
    		[35]
    Sega Master System
    		 87
    Based on
    24 reviews

    Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap

    Master System, US
    WonderBoyIII SMS US cover.jpg
    Cover
    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
    ® variant
    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, AU
    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 (silver variant)
    WonderBoyIII SMS AU cover.jpg
    Cover
    WonderBoyIII SMS AU cart.jpg
    Cart
    Master System, KR
    WonderBoyIII SMS KR cover.jpg
    Cover

    Game Gear version

    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Score Source
    92 №127 (Go!), p22/23[3]
    85 №9, p107[36]
    92 №9, p86[37]
    92 №27, p185[38]
    82 №23, p102/103[39]
    52 №37, p58
    84 №8, p36/37[40]
    82 №9, p71[41]
    93 №35, p80[42]
    Sega Game Gear
    		 84
    Based on
    9 reviews
    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Version Score
    Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
    75
    		[43]
    Consoles + (FR)
    85
    		[36]
    Computer & Video Games (UK)
    92
    		[3]
    Hobby Consolas (ES)
    88
    		[44]
    Joypad (FR)
    92
    		[37]
    Joystick (FR)
    92
    		[38]
    Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
    78
    		[45]
    Player One (FR)
    82
    		[46]
    Play Time (DE)
    72
    		[47]
    Power Up! (UK)
    85
    		[48]
    Sega Power (UK) PAL
    52
    		[49]
    Sega Pro (UK) NTSC-J
    84
    		[40]
    Sega Pro (UK) NTSC-J
    84
    		[50]
    Sega Pro (UK) PAL
    75
    		[51]
    Sega Force (UK) PAL
    82
    		[41]
    Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
    82
    		[52]
    Video Games (DE)
    82
    		[53]
    Video Games (DE)
    83
    		[54]
    Zero (UK)
    93
    		[42]
    Sega Game Gear
    		 82
    Based on
    19 reviews

    Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap

    Game Gear, EU
    WB3tDT GG EU Box Back.jpgNospine.pngWB3tDT GG EU Box Front.jpg
    Cover
    WB3tDT GG EU Cart.jpg
    Cart
    Wonder Boy III The Dragon's Trap GG EU Manual.pdf
    Manual
    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

    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

    References

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 File:ACE UK 28.pdf, page 50 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ACE UK 28.pdf_p50" defined multiple times with different content
    2. ↑ File:CVG UK 097.pdf, page 36
    3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 File:Go UK 08.pdf, page 22 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Go UK 08.pdf_p22" defined multiple times with different content
    4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://www.nintendo.com:80/games/detail/8pVT43FgIVdr81lfBwwDPx10ijCkuv6z (Wayback Machine: 2010-11-21 03:04)
    5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 http://www.nintendolife.com:80/games/mastersystem/wonder_boy_iii_the_dragons_trap (Wayback Machine: 2017-09-07 09:15)
    6. ↑ https://archive.is/oXXjT
    7. ↑ ACE, "November 1989" (UK; 1989-10-xx), page 111
    8. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "January 1990" (UK; 1989-12-16), page 115
    9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 File:ACE UK 26.pdf, page 144 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ACE UK 26.pdf_p144" defined multiple times with different content
    10. ↑ File:CompleteGuideToConsoles_UK_01.pdf, page 37
    11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 File:CGtC UK 04.pdf, page 110 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CGtC UK 04.pdf_p110" defined multiple times with different content
    12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 File:TheCompleteGuideToSega UK.pdf, page 63 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TheCompleteGuideToSega UK.pdf_p63" defined multiple times with different content
    13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 File:CVG UK 094.pdf, page 104 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 094.pdf_p104" defined multiple times with different content
    14. ↑ File:GamePro US 003.pdf, page 40
    15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 The Games Machine, "January 1990" (UK; 1989-12-11), page 26
    16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 File:Joystick FR 001.pdf, page 140 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joystick FR 001.pdf_p140" defined multiple times with different content
    17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 File:K IT 22.pdf, page 72 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:K IT 22.pdf_p72" defined multiple times with different content
    18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 File:MeanMachines UK 01.pdf, page 40 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachines UK 01.pdf_p40" defined multiple times with different content
    19. ↑ File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf, page 112
    20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf, page 136 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf_p136" defined multiple times with different content
    21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 File:StheSegaMagazine UK 01.pdf, page 4 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:StheSegaMagazine UK 01.pdf_p4" defined multiple times with different content
    22. ↑ File:SegaPower UK 46.pdf, page 101
    23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 File:SegaPro UK 06.pdf, page 31 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 06.pdf_p31" defined multiple times with different content
    24. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "August/September 1989" (DE; 1989-07-28), page 75
    25. ↑ Complete Guide to Consoles, "" (UK; 1989-10-16), page 37
    26. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 146
    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. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Abril 1990" (ES; 1990-0x-xx), page 54
    30. ↑ Megazone, "June/July 1991" (AU; 1991-0x-xx), page 58
    31. ↑ Power Play, "7/89" (DE; 1989-06-12), page 55
    32. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 60
    33. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72
    34. ↑ Video Games, "1/91" (DE; 1991-03-27), page 78
    35. ↑ Zero, "February 1990" (UK; 19xx-xx-xx), page 84
    36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 File:ConsolesPlus FR 009.pdf, page 107 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ConsolesPlus FR 009.pdf_p107" defined multiple times with different content
    37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 File:Joypad FR 009.pdf, page 86 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joypad FR 009.pdf_p86" defined multiple times with different content
    38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 File:Joystick FR 027.pdf, page 185 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joystick FR 027.pdf_p185" defined multiple times with different content
    39. ↑ File:PlayerOne FR 023.pdf, page 98
    40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 File:SegaPro UK 08.pdf, page 36 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 08.pdf_p36" defined multiple times with different content
    41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 File:SegaForce UK 09.pdf, page 71 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce UK 09.pdf_p71" defined multiple times with different content
    42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 File:Zero UK 35.pdf, page 80 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Zero UK 35.pdf_p80" defined multiple times with different content
    43. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "April 1992" (JP; 1992-03-07), page 38
    44. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Julio 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 62
    45. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Octubre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 84
    46. ↑ Player One, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-09-10), page 102
    47. ↑ Play Time, "12/92" (DE; 1992-11-04), page 85
    48. ↑ Power Up!, "Saturday, August 01, 1992" (UK; 1992-08-01), page 1
    49. ↑ Sega Power, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-05), page 58
    50. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 74
    51. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 75
    52. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 88
    53. ↑ Video Games, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-29), page 123
    54. ↑ Video Games, "11/92" (DE; 1992-10-28), page 126
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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)
    Wonder Boy related media
    Music
    		 Monster World Complete Collection Original Sound Track (2007) | Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap Original Soundtrack Sampler (2018) | Wonder Boy Collection - Best Of Soundtrack (2023)
    Book
    		 Wonder Boy V Monster World III Koushiki Guide Book (1991)
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