Summary

Release Year: 1989
Genres: Platform, Role-playing game (RPG)
Platforms: Sega Master System/Mark III, Wii
Developers: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
Publishers: Sega Corporation, Sega Enterprises, Ltd.

Wonder Boy III: The Dragon’s Trap (1989)

Wonder Boy III: The Dragon’s Trap is a platformer game developed by Westone and published by Sega for the Master System in 1989. It is the third installment in the Wonder Boy series, and a direct sequel to Wonder Boy in Monster Land. The game was ported to numerous other platforms, including the Game Gear, Commodore 64, and Amiga.

In Wonder Boy III, the player controls Wonder Boy, a young adventurer who must travel through the Monster World to defeat the evil Meka-Dragon and save the kidnapped Princess Tomato. Along the way, Wonder Boy must use his various forms to overcome obstacles and defeat enemies.

Wonder Boy III is known for its innovative gameplay, which allows the player to transform into different animals, each with its own unique abilities. For example, the lion form can breathe fire, the mouse form can fit through small holes, and the piranha form can swim underwater. This transformative gameplay adds a layer of strategy to the game, as the player must use the right form to overcome each obstacle.

In addition to its innovative gameplay, Wonder Boy III is also known for its charming graphics and catchy music. The game’s visuals are bright and colorful, and the music is upbeat and memorable. These elements combine to create a truly immersive gaming experience.

Wonder Boy III was a critical and commercial success, and it is considered one of the best platformer games of all time. The game has been praised for its innovative gameplay, charming graphics, and catchy music. It has also been cited as an influence on many later platformer games.

Gameplay

Wonder Boy III is a side-scrolling platformer game. The player controls Wonder Boy, who must travel through the Monster World to defeat the evil Meka-Dragon and save the kidnapped Princess Tomato. Along the way, Wonder Boy must use his various forms to overcome obstacles and defeat enemies.

The game is divided into six worlds, each with its own unique theme and enemies. Wonder Boy must use his various forms to navigate each world and defeat the boss at the end.

Wonder Boy can transform into six different forms:

Human: The human form is Wonder Boy’s default form. It is well-rounded and has no special abilities.
Lion: The lion form can breathe fire. This is useful for defeating enemies and destroying obstacles.
Mouse: The mouse form can fit through small holes. This is useful for accessing secret areas and avoiding enemies.
Piranha: The piranha form can swim underwater. This is useful for exploring underwater areas and defeating aquatic enemies.
Hawk: The hawk form can fly. This is useful for reaching high places and avoiding enemies.
Salamander: The salamander form can breathe fire and swim underwater. This is the most powerful form in the game.

Wonder Boy can also purchase new equipment and items from shops. These items can help him to improve his stats and abilities.

Development

Wonder Boy III was developed by Westone, a Japanese video game developer. The game was directed by Ryuichi Nishizawa, who had previously directed the first two Wonder Boy games.

Westone wanted to create a platformer game that was more challenging and varied than its predecessors. They also wanted to add more RPG elements to the game, such as the ability to purchase new equipment and items.

The game was developed over the course of two years. The team experimented with different gameplay mechanics and graphics styles before settling on the final design.

Release

Wonder Boy III was released in Japan on November 24, 1989. The game was later released in North America and Europe in 1990.

The game was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its innovative gameplay, charming graphics, and catchy music. It has been cited as an influence on many later platformer games.

Legacy

Wonder Boy III is considered one of the best platformer games of all time. It has been praised for its innovative gameplay, charming graphics, and catchy music. The game has also been cited as an influence on many later platformer games.

Wonder Boy III has been ported to numerous other platforms, including the Game Gear, Commodore 64, and Amiga. The game has also been re-released on modern consoles, such as the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch.

In 2017, a remake of Wonder Boy III was released for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. The remake features updated graphics and sound, but the gameplay remains largely the same.

Wonder Boy III is a classic platformer game that still holds up today. It is a challenging and rewarding game that is sure to please fans of the genre.