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[3]
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
Wii Virtual Console
US
800pts800
Wii Virtual Console
EU
800pts800
CERO
Missing Parameter!

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).

Story

For twenty-one 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). It is also the first game in which, despite its localised name, the player does not play as "Wonder Boy". Instead, he/she plays as "Shion", who must save Monster World from the evil BioMeka.

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.

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).

Production credits

  • Chief Programmer: Takanori Kurihara
  • Programmer: Yoshihisa Shimizu
  • Music / Effect: Shinichi Sakamoto
  • Designers: Mina Morioka, Hiromi Kurihara, Tomoko Nakayama, Maki Ohzora
  • Directors: Yutaka Hirata, Yoshihisa Shimizu
  • Supervisor: Michishito Ishizuka
  • Special Thanks: Masanori Yoshihara, Tsutomu Watanabe, Yoshihito Saisyo, Hiromitu Watanabe, Susumu Konno, Naoki Hoshizaki, Kouta Kikuchi, Ryuichi Nishizawa

Digital manuals

Magazine articles

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

Promotional material

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
92 №3, p38/39[12]
85 №35, p56[3]
86 №9, p72/73[13]
91 №3
90 №22, p142[14]
90 №4, p48-51
88 №18, p88-90[15]
85 №20, p58/59[16]
82 №18, p68
75 №18, p68
84 №4, p68/69[17]
92 №1, p5[18]
Sega Mega Drive
87
Based on
12 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
40
[19]
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
60
[20]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
52
[21]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
80
[22]
Consoles + (FR)
92
[12]
Console XS (UK) PAL
82
[23]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
63
[24]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
60
[25]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
88
[26]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
68
[27]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
85
[3]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
70
[28]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
70
[29]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
86
[13]
Igry Sega Luchshiye iz luchshikh. Vypusk 1 (RU)
75
[30]
Joypad (FR) NTSC-J
91
[31]
Joystick (FR) NTSC-J
90
[14]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
75
[32]
Mega Force (FR)
85
[33]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
90
[34]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
68
[35]
Micro News (FR)
75
[36]
Mean Machines (UK) PAL
88
[15]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
88
[37]
Player One (FR)
85
[16]
Play Time (DE)
83
[38]
Power Play (DE)
84
[39]
Power Play (DE)
86
[40]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
79
[41]
Sega Force (UK)
84
[17]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
81
[42]
Supersonic (FR)
92
[18]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
68
[43]
Video Games (DE)
84
[44]
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 №24
88 №3, p70-72[45]
83 №35, p130
57 №38, p62/63
90 №18, p40/41
80 №4, p32/33
75 №13, p94/95[46]
80 №4, p10
Sega Master System
80
Based on
8 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
83
[47]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
90
[48]
Game Mania (UK)
88
[49]
Joypad (FR) PAL
90
[50]
Megablast (DE) PAL
71
[51]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
88
[45]
Player One (FR)
83
[52]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
57
[53]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
90
[54]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
80
[55]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
75
[46]
Sonic the Comic (UK) PAL
80
[56]
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)
WBiML SMS EU Box Classic.jpg
Cover
WBiMW SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, KR
WBiMW MD KR Box Alt.jpg
Cover

External links

References

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NEC Retro has more information related to The Dynastic Hero
  1. File:SegaForce UK 04.pdf, page 69
  2. File:GamePro US 031.pdf, page 40
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 File:GamePro US 035.pdf, page 58 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:GamePro US 035.pdf_p58" defined multiple times with different content
  4. File:SegaForce UK 13.pdf, page 95
  5. 5.0 5.1 http://www.jp.playstation.com:80/software/title/jp0177npjb00091_00wonderboymwpsnjp.html (Wayback Machine: 2012-11-17 21:18)
  6. 6.0 6.1 http://blogs.sega.com/2012/05/18/vintage-collection-3-on-the-way-to-xbla-and-psn/
  7. https://archive.is/iYOcH
  8. File:WBiMW PS3 KR PSStore.png
  9. 9.0 9.1 http://archive.is/1nTe2
  10. 10.0 10.1 http://archive.is/t9cGt
  11. 11.0 11.1 http://archive.is/7DRjc
  12. 12.0 12.1 File:ConsolesPlus FR 003.pdf, page 38 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ConsolesPlus FR 003.pdf_p38" defined multiple times with different content
  13. 13.0 13.1 File:HobbyConsolas ES 009.pdf, page 72 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:HobbyConsolas ES 009.pdf_p72" defined multiple times with different content
  14. 14.0 14.1 File:Joystick FR 022.pdf, page 142 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joystick FR 022.pdf_p142" defined multiple times with different content
  15. 15.0 15.1 File:MeanMachines UK 18.pdf, page 88 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachines UK 18.pdf_p88" defined multiple times with different content
  16. 16.0 16.1 File:PlayerOne FR 020.pdf, page 58 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PlayerOne FR 020.pdf_p58" defined multiple times with different content
  17. 17.0 17.1 File:SegaForce UK 04.pdf, page 68 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce UK 04.pdf_p68" defined multiple times with different content
  18. 18.0 18.1 File:Supersonic FR 01.pdf, page 5 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Supersonic FR 01.pdf_p5" defined multiple times with different content
  19. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 340
  20. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 266
  21. Aktueller Software Markt, "Februar 1992" (DE; 1992-01-10), page 115
  22. Beep! MegaDrive, "November 1991" (JP; 1991-10-08), page 37
  23. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 136
  24. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "February 1992" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 26
  25. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 325
  26. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 115
  27. Famitsu, "1991-11-01" (JP; 1991-10-18), page 39
  28. Game Informer, "January/February 1992" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 7
  29. Hippon Super, "November 1991" (JP; 1991-10-04), page 89
  30. Igry Sega Luchshiye iz luchshikh. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 2000-12-07), page 358
  31. Joypad, "Décembre 1991" (FR; 1991-11-19), page 70
  32. Mega Drive Fan, "January 1992" (JP; 1991-12-07), page 101
  33. Mega Force, "Mai 1992" (FR; 1992-05-05), page 58
  34. MegaTech, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-20), page 29
  35. Micromanía (segunda época), "Julio 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 80
  36. Micro News, "Décembre 1991" (FR; 1991-1x-xx), page 182
  37. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 143
  38. Play Time, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-06), page 92
  39. Power Play, "1/92" (DE; 1991-12-11), page 173
  40. Power Play, "5/92" (DE; 1992-04-15), page 146
  41. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 68
  42. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
  43. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 225
  44. Video Games, "1/92" (DE; 1992-02-03), page 23
  45. 45.0 45.1 File:MeanMachinesSega03UK.pdf, page 70 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega03UK.pdf_p70" defined multiple times with different content
  46. 46.0 46.1 File:SegaForce UK 13.pdf, page 94 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce UK 13.pdf_p94" defined multiple times with different content
  47. Aktueller Software Markt, "Januar 1994" (DE; 1993-12-06), page 96
  48. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 162
  49. Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 81
  50. Joypad, "Octobre 1993" (FR; 1993-xx-xx), page 156
  51. Megablast, "1/94" (DE; 1993-12-29), page 40
  52. Player One, "Octobre 1993" (FR; 1993-xx-xx), page 130
  53. Sega Power, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-03), page 62
  54. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 40
  55. Sega Zone, "February 1993" (UK; 1993-01-20), page 32
  56. Sonic the Comic, "10th July 1993" (UK; 1993-07-10), page 10



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)