It's unclear why it happened, but this generation has delivered a big comeback for the Wonder Boy series, from officially sanctioned remasters to loosely linked re-imaginings. It's not quite over, with Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World getting ever closer; it's out this month on Nintendo Switch in Japan and has a 'Q2' window for the rest of the world.
It's a reimagining of Monster World IV, which was Japan-only originally on SEGA Mega Drive, before getting localised on the good old Wii among other systems. One of its selling points is that it has key members of the original development team at the helm, though its overhauled visual style won't please everyone.
In any case, there's a new trailer to showcase the sort of gameplay we can expect once it arrives.
There are also four new screens, included below to cheer up your eyeballs.
You will have to pay out for one of the physical editions if you want a copy that also has the original version included, so bear that in mind.
Are you excited about this latest Wonder Boy remaster?
Comments 32
The game is looking more polished with each trailer, which is promising.
It's not outstanding graphically but it is pleasing to look at.
Looks definitive better than the first Trailer.
I've ordered myself a Copy.
In between the previous Wonderboy games already released and things like Shantae, it’s a pretty crowded genre. Not seeing anything here yet to make me think this is for me but it does look better than the previous trailer.
Hope they have a limited run release. I own all the others physically would like to have a us version for this one as well. That being said I will order it from strictly and if LRG has a release get that one also.
I recognize they've improved this game a lot since initial reveal but it still looks pretty ugly compared to either the Dragon's Trap remake or Cursed Kingdom.
@Dirty0814 LRG has nothing to do with this. You can check out
https://wonderboy.inin.games/
for more details about the different editions releasing.
It will be mine! Now it's time for Wonder Boy in Monster World! I've loved it for Sega Mega Drive 😁
I've got my physical already ordered
Was looking for specific release information
@NicolausCamp limited run never has anything to do with them at the start. This is released through strictly limited so there is a good chance there may be a limited run release as well. I have seen it many times. That was my point, I am ordering the strictly limited one to be safe so I have the whole collection but I will also order a limited run one as well if they get a release also. Usually there is a 3-6 month wait before they announce a release after strictly.
I like how it graphically kind of looks like a really polished/modern take on a PS1 era game.
@Dirty0814 That's my point though, it's not only available through SLG, but also their subsidiary, ININ, who will distribute the game at regular retail, worldwide. You should in theory at least, be able to pick up the game at any retailer that sells games. No point in releasing a LRG release at that point.
No thanks it didn't take me long at all to get super stuck for what to do next in the MW IV on Megadrive mini. Now Monster's lair is a one i would love a remake for, i know its gets a lot of hate but i loved the Megadrive one sadly it isn't on the mini.
Ok some of Asha's animations are really well done. I plan on getting this one eventually.
This looks great. I really enjoyed Wonder Boy The Dragon's Trap as an early Switch title (in fact it was probably my gateway into the Metroidvania genre), so I'll probably give this a go.
That's a good lookin' game!
@NicolausCamp there is no region codes on the game yet which means it may not be worldwide. Amazon has it on their site but I have found their pictures never align with the region codes and try and stay away from ordering from there. I will keep an eye out though. Hopefully best but gets it over here as it is the only place worry buying from. Amazon sends you other regions and gamestop opens most their games even new even if ordered online. For best buy to not have it preorder and Amazon does with a release of not even 2 months I am.not sold on it being rated T or E yet. I hope you are correct and so is the site but skeptical since that is the only place I have found itnhre in America.
@Dirty0814 Did you watch the trailer? It ends with box shots with ESRB ratings on it, and on the homepage that I linked to, no, you can't preorder the game there yet, but you can select a region, which includes the US. And lastly, it says on the homepage that the game will be distributed by ININ in "North America, Europe and Australia". They really have covered all their bases here and I can't see LRG swooping in here as there is no need at all to do so.
I think it looks pretty good. It's giving off a playstation 1 era platformer vibe. I'm interested
I just finished the original like a week ago. So I'm not welcome then?
(Since I'm not in the group who never played it, and not in the one that haven't played it in a while).
This looks like Wonderboy to me! So it's all good. (Not sure about that background with all the diamonds and spades, though. What were they thinking?)
It's got a May release date at least in Europe. You can actually preorder it. Not Q2.
I just came here for the subhead. Wonder Boy: Asha in-a Monster Land. Everybody needs it physical for a pillow, everybody needs it physical...
Certainly looks more tempting than the Alex Kidd trailer earlier this weekl.
@Wavey84
@Slowdive Same. I thought the animations looked pretty nice. Or nice enough for what it is anyway. (I generally prefer the original pixel art in these remakes though... however in this case I actually like what they’ve done well enough to enjoy both versions.)
I almost hope you can’t do original graphics just because this is one of four games I bought for the Wii just before it’s shop closed heh. I want a reason to play that on my Wii! Lol
EDIT: Oh wait, I didn’t read the last bit! You have to buy physical to get the original version... hmm, wonder if it’s widescreen or anything... probably not. Not sure if I should go physical or not now... 😋
I am 178 so remember the original and obviously have this on preorder but... those graphics .. good Lord.
They look like the face of my first husband after I served his unspeakables to him on a plate in the divorce courts. (I got the house btw so yay for that!)
Come on Inin... do better.
This actually looks really good imo.
I've always loved the Wonder Boy games. I am so happy about this recent resurgence.
@Flangela Intriguing!
It does look nice, and I'll likely be getting it eventually, but why oh why aren't they including the original version in the digital edition?
I'm not super bothered, as they included it on the Mega Drive Ultimate Collection, but ONLY on the PS4 version (I would have double dipped had they not removed it (and MWIII / Wonderboy in Monster World) from the Switch version)
Already pre-ordered the collectors edition. Looking forward to more Wonderboy greatness.
This is definitely looking better each time! Cell-shaded fits this world well. I'm still a bit bothered by some things like Asha's ponytail movement as it can look plain unnatural at times, but I'll let it slide I guess...
The past 4 titles have been hand-drawn, so it's refreshing to see 3D for once in its 35 years. The original team are older now and are reuniting for the first time in ages and I believe it's important for them to do things while they are able to in their lifetimes.
I miss the times when a series going 3D for the first time was a big deal rather than looked down upon because we're so spoiled by pixel or hand-drawn art in platformers for some odd reason that we can't accept anything else and believe every one should be that way. There's already nine million others on the market that do that.
Anyways, I look forward to the release of the game and unlike back in 1994, I hope this isn't the end of the saga revival-wise. We must see more!
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