Wonder Boy in Monster World

From Sega Retro

For the Brazillian version, see Turma da Mônica na Terra dos Monstros.

n/a

WBiMW Title.png

Wonder Boy in Monster World
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Virtual Console, Steam
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP 		¥7,0007,000 G-5509
Sega Mega Drive
US 		$54.9554.95[4]
Sega Mega Drive
EU
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Mega Drive
AU
(Gold) 		FWON01SMC
Sega Mega Drive
CA
Sega Mega Drive
KR 		GM8017JG
Sega Master System
EU 		9012
Sega Master System
EU
(Classic) 		9012-50
Sega Master System
KR 		GB4021JG
Wii Virtual Console
JP ▼ 		600pts600[7]
CERO: A
Wii Virtual Console
US ▼ 		800pts800[8]
ESRB: Everyone
Wii Virtual Console
EU ▼ 		800pts800[9]
Wii Virtual Console
AU ▼ 		800pts800[11]
OFLC: Parental Guidance (PG)
Sony PlayStation 3
JP ▼ 		¥571 (600)571 (600)[12] NPJB-00091
CERO: A
Sony PlayStation 3
US ▼ 		$4.994.99[13] NPUB-30327
ESRB: Everyone
Sony PlayStation 3
EU ▼ 		€4.494.49[16] NPEB-00411
PEGI: 7+
Sony PlayStation 3
DE ▼ 		€4.494.49[17] NPEB-00411
USK: 0
Sony PlayStation 3
UK ▼ 		£3.693.69[15] NPEB-00411
PEGI: 7+
Sony PlayStation 3
AU ▼ 		$6.756.75[18] NPEB-00411
OFLC: General (G)
Sony PlayStation 3
KR ▼ 		₩6,3006,300[14] NPHB-00253
GRB: All
Sony PlayStation 3
TW ▼ 		NT$159159[19] NPHB-00253
GSRR: 0+

Wonder Boy in Monster World, known as Wonder Boy V: Monster World III (ワンダーボーイV モンスターワールドIII) in Japan, is an action game released for the Sega Mega Drive and Sega Master System in 1991 and 1993 respectively. It is the fifth game in the Wonder Boy series and a direct sequel to Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap (Monster World II: Dragon no Wana).

Gameplay

While Wonder Boy in Monster World clearly plays tribute to Wonder Boy in Monster Land (Monster World) and Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap (Monster World II) it is technically not a sequel to either of them, and doesn't even feature Wonder Boy as its main character. Instead, players control "Shion" to save Monster Land from the alien BioMeka.

Unlike The Dragon's Trap there is no concept of transformations. Instead the game plays similarly to its predecessor, with the player traversing the world, defeating enemies and collecting coins to purchase equipment upgrades.

More of an emphasis is put on the story in Wonder Boy in Monster World. While Shion doesn't speak, other characters do, as opposed to previous games where in-game text could only be found in shops.

Achievements

Main article: Wonder Boy in Monster World/Achievements.

History

Legacy

Wonder Boy in Monster World was ported several years later on PC Engine CD / TurboGrafx-CD, in 1994, in the form of Dynastic Hero with many changes during the transition. In the same way as Wonder Boy in Monster Land which became Bikkuriman World on PC Engine, Dynastic Hero lacks all Wonder Boy branding and therefore features palette-swapped visuals, new insect-themed graphics for main characters and insects' natural predators as bosses. A Red Book audio soundtrack, which is completely different from original, now takes place and anime-style cutscenes have been added at the intro and ending. Due to the PC Engine CD / TurboGrafx-CD lacks of support for a second background layer, the parallax have been removed. lastly, it should be noted that, oddly, in this version all but last shield look the same.

Both Wonder Boy in Monster World (Mega Drive) and The Dynastic Hero have been released for the Wii's Virtual Console service.

TecToy published a sprite edit in Brazil as Turma da Monica na Terra dos Monstros in 1994.

For 21 years, Wonder Boy in Monster World stood as the last title in the series to be released in English, its sequel, Monster World IV being a Japanese exclusive until an official translation was brought to western shores in 2012 (eighteen years after its original release).

Comic adaptation

Sonic the Comic included few "Wonder Boy" comic strips, the plot taking place after Wonder Boy in Monster World. The story arcs are: "Wonder Boy in Demon World" (issue #2 to issue #9) and "Wonder Boy in Ghost World" (#22 to #27).

Versions

Localised names

Also known as
Language Localised Name English Translation
English Wonder Boy in Monster World Wonder Boy in Monster World
English (US) Wonder Boy in Monster World Wonder Boy in Monster World
Japanese ワンダーボーイV モンスターワールドIII Wonder Boy V: Monster World III

Production credits


Digital manuals

  • Steam manual

Magazine articles

Main article: Wonder Boy in Monster World/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1991-11: "November 1991" (1991-10-08)
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
80 [22]
81 [23]
92 [24]
85 [25]
70 №1991-11, p89
86 [26]
91 №3
90 [27]
90 [28]
88 [29]
85 [30]
82 №18, p68
75 №18, p68
84 [31]
92 [32]
Sega Mega Drive
 85
Based on
15 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
40
[33]
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
60
[34]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
52
[35]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
80
[36]
Consoles + (FR)
92
[37]
Console XS (UK) PAL
82
[38]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
63
[39]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
60
[40]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
88
[41]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
68
[42]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
85
[4]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
70
[43]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
70
[44]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
86
[45]
Igry Sega Luchshiye iz luchshikh. Vypusk 1 (RU)
75
[46]
Joypad (FR) NTSC-J
91
[47]
Joystick (FR) NTSC-J
90
[27]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
75
[48]
Mega Force (FR)
85
[49]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
90
[50]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
68
[51]
Micro News (FR)
75
[52]
Mean Machines (UK) PAL
88
[53]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
88
[54]
Player One (FR)
85
[55]
Play Time (DE)
83
[56]
Power Play (DE)
84
[57]
Power Play (DE)
86
[58]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
79
[59]
Sega Force (UK)
84
[60]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
81
[61]
Supersonic (FR)
92
[32]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
68
[62]
Video Games (DE)
84
[63]
Sega Mega Drive
 78
Based on
34 reviews

Wonder Boy in Monster World

Mega Drive, US
WBiML MD US Box.jpg
Cover
WBiMW MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
WBiMW md us manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
WBiMW MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
WBiMW MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, JP
WBiML MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
WonderBoy5MW3 MD JP CartTop.jpg
WBiML MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, AU

Mega Drive, AU (Sega Gold Collection)
WBiMW MD AU Box Gold.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, KR

MonsterWorldIII MD KR cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, KR (Alt)
WBiMW MD KR alt cover.jpg
Cover
WBiMW MD KR alt cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, CA
WBiMW MD CA Box.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, SE (Rental)

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
90 [64]
88 [65]
83 №35, p130
57 №38, p62/63
90 №18, p40/41
80 №4, p32/33
75 [66]
80 №4, p10
Sega Master System
 80
Based on
8 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
83
[67]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
90
[68]
Game Mania (UK)
88
[69]
Joypad (FR) PAL
90
[64]
Megablast (DE) PAL
71
[70]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
88
[71]
Player One (FR)
83
[72]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
57
[73]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
90
[74]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
80
[75]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
75
[76]
Sonic the Comic (UK) PAL
80
[77]
Sega Master System
 81
Based on
12 reviews

Wonder Boy in Monster World

Master System, EU
WBiML SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
WBiMW SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, EU (Classic Master System)
WBiML SMS EU Box Classic.jpg
Cover
WBiMW SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, KR
WBiMW MD KR Box Alt.jpg
Cover

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
 ?
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
1991-07-25 Page
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 7d7ce80b
MD5 5837764c172c8c43c8c7b21f2144cf27
SHA-1 da0acdb1b9e806aa67a0216a675cb02ed24abf8b
512kB Cartridge (EU)

External links

References

  1. ↑ @gdri on Twitter
  2. ↑ Sega Force, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 69
  3. ↑ GamePro, "February 1992" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 40
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 GamePro, "June 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 58
  5. ↑ Sega Force, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 95
  6. ↑ https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/software/03.html (Wayback Machine: 2018-03-06 00:26)
  7. ↑ http://vc.sega.jp:80/vc_mw3/ (Wayback Machine: 2007-04-03 22:31)
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/wxgUzmGS05a1b76f_13XuZcG45-JVF5R (Wayback Machine: 2010-11-23 00:44)
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 http://www.nintendolife.com:80/games/megadrive/wonder_boy_in_monster_world (Wayback Machine: 2017-06-24 16:38)
  10. ↑ https://archive.is/03GVn
  11. ↑ http://www.nintendo.com.au/index.php?action=catalogue&prodcat_id=41&prod_id=19790&pageID=4 (Wayback Machine: 2012-03-28 00:31)
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 http://www.jp.playstation.com:80/software/title/jp0177npjb00091_00wonderboymwpsnjp.html (Wayback Machine: 2012-11-17 21:18)
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 http://blogs.sega.com/2012/05/18/vintage-collection-3-on-the-way-to-xbla-and-psn/
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 PlayStation Store (ko-kr; HP0177-NPHB00253_00-WONDERBOYMWPSNAS) (Wayback Machine: 2018-04-07 18:49)
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 PlayStation Store (en-gb; EP0177-NPEB00411_00-WONDERBOYMWPSNEU) (Wayback Machine: 2018-04-07 18:49)
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 PlayStation Store (fr-fr; EP0177-NPEB00411_00-WONDERBOYMWPSNEU) (Wayback Machine: 2018-04-07 18:51)
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 PlayStation Store (de-de; EP0177-NPEB00411_00-WONDERBOYMWPSNEU) (Wayback Machine: 2018-12-20 03:31)
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 PlayStation Store (en-au; EP0177-NPEB00411_00-WONDERBOYMWPSNEU) (Wayback Machine: 2018-04-07 18:49)
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 PlayStation Store (en-tw; HP0177-NPHB00253_00-WONDERBOYMWPSNAS) (Wayback Machine: 2018-04-07 18:51)
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 https://steamdb.info/app/211209/ (Wayback Machine: 2017-05-25 01:20)
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 http://steamdb.info/app/211209/ (Wayback Machine: 2013-05-22 20:31)
  22. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "November 1991" (JP; 1991-10-08), page 35 (37)
  23. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 83 (85)
  24. ↑ Consoles +, "Novembre 1991" (FR; 1991-11-07), page 38/39 (38)
  25. ↑ GamePro, "June 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 56 (58)
  26. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Junio 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 72/73 (72)
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Joystick, "Décembre 1991" (FR; 1991-1x-xx), page 142
  28. ↑ MegaTech, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-20), page 48-51 (48)
  29. ↑ Mean Machines, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-27), page 88-90 (88)
  30. ↑ Player One, "Mai 1992" (FR; 1992-05-10), page 58/59 (58)
  31. ↑ Sega Force, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 68/69 (68)
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Supersonic, "Mai/Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 5
  33. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 340
  34. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 266
  35. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "Februar 1992" (DE; 1992-01-10), page 115
  36. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "November 1991" (JP; 1991-10-08), page 37
  37. ↑ Consoles +, "Novembre 1991" (FR; 1991-11-07), page 38
  38. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 136
  39. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "February 1992" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 26
  40. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 325
  41. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 115
  42. ↑ Famitsu, "1991-11-01" (JP; 1991-10-18), page 39
  43. ↑ Game Informer, "January/February 1992" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 7
  44. ↑ Hippon Super, "November 1991" (JP; 1991-10-04), page 89
  45. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Junio 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 72
  46. ↑ Igry Sega Luchshiye iz luchshikh. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 2000-12-07), page 358
  47. ↑ Joypad, "Décembre 1991" (FR; 1991-11-19), page 70
  48. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "January 1992" (JP; 1991-12-07), page 101
  49. ↑ Mega Force, "Mai 1992" (FR; 1992-05-05), page 58
  50. ↑ MegaTech, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-20), page 29
  51. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Julio 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 80
  52. ↑ Micro News, "Décembre 1991" (FR; 1991-1x-xx), page 182
  53. ↑ Mean Machines, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-27), page 88
  54. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 143
  55. ↑ Player One, "Mai 1992" (FR; 1992-05-10), page 58
  56. ↑ Play Time, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-06), page 92
  57. ↑ Power Play, "1/92" (DE; 1991-12-11), page 173
  58. ↑ Power Play, "5/92" (DE; 1992-04-15), page 146
  59. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 68
  60. ↑ Sega Force, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 68
  61. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
  62. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 225
  63. ↑ Video Games, "1/92" (DE; 1992-02-03), page 23
  64. ↑ 64.0 64.1 Joypad, "Octobre 1993" (FR; 1993-xx-xx), page 156
  65. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-xx), page 70-72 (70)
  66. ↑ Sega Force, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 94/95 (94)
  67. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "Januar 1994" (DE; 1993-12-06), page 96
  68. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 162
  69. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 81
  70. ↑ Megablast, "1/94" (DE; 1993-12-29), page 40
  71. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-xx), page 70
  72. ↑ Player One, "Octobre 1993" (FR; 1993-xx-xx), page 130
  73. ↑ Sega Power, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-03), page 62
  74. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 40
  75. ↑ Sega Zone, "February 1993" (UK; 1993-01-20), page 32
  76. ↑ Sega Force, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 94
  77. ↑ Sonic the Comic, "10th July 1993" (UK; 1993-07-10), page 10
Necretro-round.svg
NEC Retro has more information related to The Dynastic Hero


Wonder Boy in Monster World

WBiMW Title.png

Main page | Comparisons | Maps | Achievements | Magazine articles | Reception | Region coding | Technical information


Books: Wonder Boy V Monster World III Koushiki Guide Book (1991)
Sega Master System
Prototypes: Prototype

Sega Mega Drive
Prototypes: 1991-07-25



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)
Retrieved from "https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=Wonder_Boy_in_Monster_World&oldid=537387"