Lizardcube and DotEmu have revealed that it will be possible to toggle between the original 8-bit version of Wonder Boy: Dragon's Trap and the new HD remake at the push of a button.
That's not all; it will be possible to play the HD version with the original Master System music and sound effects, and vice versa.
The developer's reverse engineering of the 1989 original has given other benefits; the game now runs at 60fps in widescreen. The scrolling and physics are now smoother, too. For true retro fans, the news that the original password saves will work on this new version should come as a pleasant surprise as well.
Here's the official update:
+ You will able to change between 1989 retro graphics and 2017 modern animated graphics anytime, anywhere, at the press of a single button!
+ You will able to change between 1989 retro music/sfx and 2017 modern music/sfx anytime, anywhere, at the press of a single button!
+ You can mix and match: retro graphics + modern audio, modern graphics + retro audio. You can also can mix and match modern music + retro sound effect or vice-versa.
+ The retro modes are running in widescreen, 60 FPS (contrast to the original Master System version running in 4:3 ratio with a refresh rate of 25 or 30 FPS depending on your console region). So the scrolling and physics are now smoother.
+ We worked very hard and implemented some crazy underlying technology to nail the game details so that it would feels just like the original, down to random drops. For those technically inclined, we hope to describe some of the technology we created in a future blog post.
+ Tech trivia: for a same given object, the pixel resolution has been multiplied by 6 on each axis. In the original version the "blocks" were 16x16 = 256 pixels, in the new versions they are 96x96 = 9216 pixels each. So the amount of pixels for a same object has been multiplied by 36! The game is rather heavy on texture data
+ The game will accept your original passwords from the Sega Master System and Game Gear versions of the game! So you can effectively load a "save" from decades ago.
+ The game will be able to emit new passwords that will work on the original 1989 and 1991 versions. You can also use those passwords to transfer your game accoss any platform the game is targetting.
+ The game will launch in Spring 2017 on the Nintendo Switch, the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One. The PC version should come shortly after (in the best case scenario we may be able to release it on the same date, but it may need to be delayed because PC compatibility is really tough to get right).
We don't know about you, but we can't wait to play this update on a past classic.
[source thedragonstrap.com]
Comments 86
First! More games the better! Switch looks to rock and be amazing!
Wait? You can load your 1989 save password? HA! nice little touch
Let's be honest; if I get a Switch early on, I'm getting this either way but this is cool. The art style is probably too nice to want to make the change, but more options will draw in more people.
@Bunkerneath for real! What a cool feature!!! Hahaa, almost comical.
Man I'm so excited for this game. The amount of love and care added to the game is just awesome.
This game looks beautiful. I'm gonna be switching up graphics and sound on my Switch version!
Okay, now I am interested! Does anyone know if it's getting a physical release?
Sold!
Okay... It's time to seriously prioritize what games I'm spending money on this year.
Too much good stuff! 🐲
Retro looking + HD sound or HD looking + Retro sound.
Huh ?
This game better be advertised on Nintendo's Indie Direct.
This feature seems to be all the rage anymore. I remember doing this on Tecmo Bowl Throwback on PS3 in mid-play.
Great game in the day. Would like to see Alex Kid in Shinobi world with same treatment
It's nice to see such a great game get such an awesome remake.
Please make a physical release! This looks like an amazing port.
This sounds like a work of love by the programmers. Never did any Master System games as a kid, was Big N all the way, but I will for certain pick this up.
Physical copy?
Something along the lines of this, then.
I bet there is someone,somewhere that still has a 1989 Dragons Trap scribbled down password stashed away.
I love that more and more retro remakes are coming out along with their original versions as well: Metroid: Zero Mission, Pier Solar HD, Ultra Street Fighter II Turbo, Killer Instinct, Castlevania X Chronicles, and now Wonder Boy.
I call that dedication.
That's exemplary work of them! ^_^ I'm gonna buy the game for me (PC) and a friend (PC) as soon as it comes out!
This is just exemplary, day one purchase.
Definite buy! Wonder if WE5T 0NE will still work as a password?
Can't wait for this and Monster Boy on Switch.
Reminds me of the WiiWare Cave Story, as well as Pokémon HG/SS. This is not an easy feat to accomplish, there's all sorts of bugs that can occur when trying yo mix and match settings. I'll be sure to get this on PC when it releases! (And maybe on NS as well, when I eventually get one...)
I grew up with Nintendo and even after owning close to 40 unique home consoles the SMS is one I still haven't found for a good price. One reason i haven't tried harder is because the NES was the only 8-bit system I ever really enjoyed (other than the C64 if that counts) and because I focus on consoles made in the 90s.
I'm definitely interested in this though.
Tremendous, Sega should hire them to do this with more of their back catalogue
Looks nice. I'll seriously consider getting this.
That's really fun! I'd have enjoyed a 16bit vibe as well, but this is a sweet addition!
Just a pet peeve of mine, this isn't 8-bit graphics or is it? The palette range seems higher.
@Kmno The original graphics? They're from the Sega Master System, so I'm pretty sure they're 8-bit.
I can't wait to play this awesome looking game. I've wanted to play the original for some time, but I don't have a Master System and don't really want to emulate.
I'm so bloody sold on this!
I own the VC version of the original on Wii, so I can extra save data from there.
This is what dreams are made of. Made me emotional seeing the game.
Alex Kidd next with amiibo
@Kmno
It is 8-bit, just it's a game from the Sega MasterSystem, which had a considerably better color pallette than the NES.
@NESguy94 you should. It has a great library.
@Kmno my understanding is that the Master System, while 8-bit, could display up to 16 colors per sprite which was more commonly associated with 16-bit systems.
I love this level of care and effort in development. Options like these are very nice and worthwhile to many as the modern graphics or music might be unappealing to some. For example, Vega's HD remix music is terrible, in my opinion. So far, I like the modern touches a lot and I find the modern graphics to work well with the old music. Even the opposite way seems okay. I think I'd be likely to go with the modern graphics with the chip tunes. This is definitely one I am excited to play.
@Anti-Matter You can have HD visuals + the Master System music/sounds or Master System visuals + HD soundtrack.
@Kmno Master System was 8-bit.
Modern Graphics, Modern Music and Retro Sound effects for me then!
@sdelfin I see, I've heard of this game but I never knew what system it was played on. The color palette threw me off for a bit there.
Anyway this seems like a sure purchase.
Neat idea looks very cool.
48th!
this is cool news for the fans with impressive options i must say so myself. for now ill stick with monster world 4 though
This is fantastic and the first game I'd get my hands on for the switch.
So awesome I still have my old passwords scribbled on the games manual too!
@OorWullie we5t 0ne 0000 000
52nd!
@Bunkerneath this would have been even better if they told me 25 years ago so that I didn't throw away those passwords 😔
@Fbigabig
man you beat me!
i wanted to be 52
Their sticking to the retro compatibility with the original games is ridiculous, I love it! It moves so fluidly, too! I might pick this up when it comes out.
Everyone support the efforts of this team and BUY THIS GAME!! Kudos to them for the retro tribute!! I will purchase on all 3 consoles!! 👍
@NESguy94 SMS blew the NES outta the water technically! Many many fantastic games! Only main difference? No 3rd party support in the United States. Europe however was a whole different ballgame....no region lock was a key plus for us stateside SMS Owners 😊
@rk3388 right from Lizard Cube:
"Right now most digital platforms take nearly identical cuts! Digital is always more profitable than retail (the cuts of physical retailers + manufacturing + shipping makes retail games almost zero profit, add to that the manufacturing time which effectively is eating time from the game development itself..) which is why in my opinion indie developers rarely ever go retail. We go retail for the pleasure of it but unless manufacturing super fancy edition it can effectively be a negative cost and small studio can rarely afford it).
Thanks a lot for the intent! If you wish to help, keep spreading the word about the game "
http://www.thedragonstrap.com/blog/post/201701_NintendoSwitch/
Won't be a physical release... at least initially anyway! Look at Axiom Verge just now getting a physical release...
master system was a great console, so many great memories, this looks like a great feature I would probably switch modes multiple times throughout the game.
This looks awesome, definitely picking this one up. Including the original 8-bit graphics and music is a nice touch. Similar to the master chief collection on Xbox one, such a good way to do a remake
That's great fan service right there I can't wait to get into this
Wow, this is brilliant and a shining example of how you do a remaster for a game of this sort. And the password system is a stroke of genius. Bring it on!
Ha! This is cool!
So we get 2 games for 1 price . Play the 8bit version as first and then the new one or other way round
Anybody else think the HD version is way too busy, visually? Not going to stop me from getting it, but we'll have to see how it plays.
Lucky dime caper and Castle of illusion next. Also would love to see MEGADRIVE(Genesis) version of Streets of Rage2 remastered
Any idea when this will release?
I seriously cannot wait for this game to release. I was so happy when the spiritual successor Monster Boy was anounced for switch, but to get this too makes me childish with glee. This is one of my favourite 2d side scrollers of all time.
And now i want also WONDER BOY IN MONSTER LAND and WONDER BOY IN MONSTER WORLD!!! Pleaseeee
This game caught me off guard.
Alot of times I have a tendency to skim over games I've never heard of, usually chalk them up to another game in the sea of mediocrity. But this? I'm impressed.
Very cool indeed! Doesn't affect my purchasing decision, I'll be buying it for the beautiful HD artwork and never swapping, but I love that they took the time to implement it anyway!
i didn't realize this was not a new game, just a remake.
that actually makes me more excited since i never played the original. AND you can use passwords from this on the original or from the original on this! haha how cool.
this is the love and care more retro games should get to make them new again!
Cool feature, this update seems like a labor of love for these creators. Will be picking up when it comes out
I'm more excited for this than most AAA games. The 8-bit option absolutely seals the deal. Dread to think how many hours I sunk into this game... the amount of batteries my Game Gear went through gives some indication.
Looks fun but it's not coming to any handheld? Seems like a huge missed opportunity. I'd may actually buy it if it did. As usual I prefer the original graphics. All remakes should have the option to play the original.
Getting this on the Xbox One! Might get it on the Wii U, but I'm not sure its coming to that system.
@Anti-Matter Kinda makes you wish that WayForward would do the same thing for the Original Shantae game.
so so .. nice .. so nice
@speedracer216
It's confusing because there is a brand new Wonder Boy game coming out (also on Switch) called Wizard of Booze, which also looks like a winner.
Dragon' Trap is an amazing game that really stands the test of time, especially now as so many indies mine this and other adventure platformers (silly to call them Metroidvanias when they precede SotN by over a decade) for ideas and mechanics.
@Freelance Switch isn't a handheld?
@samuelvictor Yea if you read the dev diaries, they went to extreme effort - interpreted the Assembly code of the original looking at outputs from that code to recreate exact physics and odds of drops etc. Lots of dedication.. and awesome.
Looks amazing
@audiobrainiac says spring - so hopefully sooner than later !
I own a copy of the original master system game and I just found a load of save codes scribbled on the back! Can't wait to give this a go. 😎
I loved the original, played it heaps. strangely i'm not sure how I feel about getting it again for the switch. i'm more excited for new stuff than remakes.
@AlexSora89 Hm...some time must have passed between the graphics swaps. Cause that chain chomp looks peaceful in the first couple and then gets hungry in the NSMB graphics =O.
That's pretty much sold it for me.
@Ernest_The_Crab
Graphics can be deceiving...
The original was my favourite Master System game and one of my favourite games of all time, so this just keeps getting better and better from my perspective.
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