We absolutely adored Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap when it landed on the Switch eShop earlier this year; Lizardcube's retro remake took the Sega Master System classic and improved on it in every way possible.
Of course retro gamers love nothing more than collecting boxes and game cards, so having this game as a download only option wasn't ideal. Enter publisher Nicalis, who has struck up a deal with DotEmu to give the game a physical boxed release at some point in the future.
Here's what Nicalis CEO Victor Rodriguez had to say about this partnerhip:
We’re huge fans of the Wonder Boy series, and we believe that Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap deserves the full physical retail treatment that was given to our own games like The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ and Cave Story+. We’ve got a deep respect for DotEmu; this is an exciting partnership for us.
DotEmu CEO Cyrille Imbert was equally as enthusiastic:
Thanks to Nicalis’ experience and passion for classic games, Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap will be available on physical cartridges and discs in retail stores—just like in the old days. This is awesome! A full retail release of Lizardcube’s masterpiece is a great way to reflect the spirit of the game and its history.
No firm release date has been given for the boxed version of the game yet, nor has the artwork been revealed yet. But let's hope for a lovely blue gridlines to give it a true Sega Master System look.
Do you plan to pick this one up? Let us know with a comment below.
Comments 49
Nice, may get it.
Coolio, Might get it when it comes out, was interested but when you buy physical you can't get around it!
Very rarely double-dip but probably will with this one, it's such a special game. I've been holding off on buying a lot of digital games lately (golf story for example) in case they turn up as physical later.
At least this came digitally before Nicalis dug their greedy hands into it. Assume it won't be Europe like most from them.
But then could be worse. Could of been Limited Run Games.
Wonderful. Didn't I also hear Monster Boy was getting a physical? I ended up not buying either one because I couldn't figure out which one was supposed to be physical. Now I'm going to be able to get both.
Will Definitely be getting this now, i was hoping for physical
Even though I bought it Day 1 this is awesome!! But this is also exactly why I haven’t bought certain other download games like shantae etc - for the fear of this happening!!
Double-dipping this! This game was everything to me when I was 6. That and Wonder Boy in Monster Land.
Ive been waiting for this. Was expecting LRG to pick it up but nicalis is better.
Definite Day1 double dip di doo!
Europe?
Wow I thought we would not get this. I might have to pick it up!
I never got a chance to play this so now I'll definitely wait for the physical release
Was gonna order the Asian english version but now will get the North American release. Been wanting to olay it but was holding out for a possible physical Switch release.
Interesting. I wonder if it's worth holding out for this or just getting the Southeast Asian version that releases this month.
Hi all
I have know this for some time now they did a survey and most people wanted it to be physical copy so the rest is history
Any link to pre-order?
I'm all about digital downloads... I mean, on other devices, I am. But I'm giving in to the future of our home containing multiple Switches and physical releases are going to make more and more sense... also, pre-ordering through Amazon (with Prime) at 20% off has already got me making most of my purchases physical.
Meanwhile, on all my other devices, physical releases are a long forgotten memory. If prices were more competitive and there was some sort of family sharing plan like on iOS, I'd be digital all the way, but Nintendo has just about no incentive to do it at this point. Hard to argue with success.
Great success!!
Hopefully many that otherwise wouldn't will get to play the game.
@yeayeanaynay Yeah, that's why I was gonna get it. I think I might just stick with it rather than waiting. Probs end up being a bit cheaper for me as I'd be importing either way.
Damn it, I don't do double dipping, but I will have to buy this one.
Ok now I'm not going to wait for a deal on GoG to buy it or import it in a couple weeks from Yes-Asia.
This is already bought as far as I'm concerned. Thanks Nicalis. Someone did the right thing finally. No limited run game scam tactics either, but a real release.
Haven't gotten around to buying this yet so I'll wait for the physical release now.
Yes! I almost bought the Play Asia release. And the Limited Run PS4 release. Glad I stuck it out!
@XenoShaun
Probably won't be for Europe, but seeing as the Switch is region free, all might yet be good in this world for those that want this.
Looks like I’m buying it twice. Happily. Quite the gem.
Cool. Maybe I'll get it.
Fantastic game, I 100% it twice when it was new. I can’t double dip, but if you haven’t played it, you’re in for a treat. It’s length is about that of a classic Gameboy or NES game. To those who never played the Master System version, this is something to consider if you’re planning to spend extra money.
$40 for the retail version. A bit too rich for my blood. That's twice as much as the digital version.
Everybody, prepare to Pre-Order from playasia.com
The game will be released on Asian region first on 23 Nov 2017.
https://www.play-asia.com/wonder-boy-the-dragons-trap-multi-language/13/70bi83
@JJ286
Hi.
Check my post number #33 for Pre-Order link.
Day one purchase. I’ve been holding out to buy this game, in hopes that they would release a physical version! Hoping for more digital games to do this!
Phew... Glad I held out on this one.
No firm release date from Nicalis . . . well, don't hold your breath (see 90s Arcade and RedOut).
Happy I held off on downloading this.
Yes! This will be an instant buy for me even though I already got the game digitally for Switch and PC. I'm also glad that it's going to be a mainstream physical release and not some kind of stupid limited run deal like what Nintendo is attempting to do.
Glad I waited!
Thank goodness this isn't going the Limited Run Games route. That has to be one of the most stressful shopping experiences I've ever had just to buy a physical copy of a game.
Too bad the physical is way late. I already paid 30$ or whatever for this digitally. I was a huge fan of the original. I remember as a kid going to Toys R Us on my birthday and my dad pick this up for me.
Game holds a special place in my gaming life. But, honestly, it's going to be 50$ CAD for this in Canada as all Nicalis releases are overpriced.
On the fence on picking up the physical copy.
Urgh. Nicalis
I held off on this one, despite it being one of my most anticipated games of the year, that's how much i wanted a physical copy...but it's bloody Nicalis again which means we're going to be paying about £30 for a £15 game and just have to pray it sees an eventual European release. They need to stop shafting switch owners with these overpriced physical copies - £25 TOPS.
Already have it downloaded but will still buy a physical version as it's in my top 10 games of all time. Too much nostalgia.
Twice as much for physical? They are crazy - not even that long of a game.
I may or may not have waited for THESE game to get a physical version to play it, it was gonna happen, and thankfully it did. Limited Run Games recently had given the PS4 version a physical release, but held out for a Switch release(and also DAT sold out in an instant) and now it's being revved up = YEE!
Pre-ordered play asia's release months ago, its claimed to release in three weeks time.
Am I missing something? A lot of people stating this will be $40 even though Isaac is the only Nicalis title at that price. Most are $30
Anyways I'm in. Been on my eShop wishlist but never pulled the trigger. Always prefer a physical release.
@Anti-Matter thanks.
Looks like I'm double dipping since I had it digitally on PS4 since the day it came out
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