Wonder Boy in Monster Land [Model 317-0043]

39 Years old Arcade Video game SEGA Enterprises, Ltd. [Tokyo, Japan]

Wonder Boy in Monster Land © 1987 Sega.

Wonder Boy in Monster Land is a multi-directional scrolling platform hack 'n' slash game with RPG elements, in which the game's hero, Wonder Boy, has seen his home of Wonderland invaded by the evil 'MEKA Dragon' and its army of minions.

At the start of the game Wonder Boy is unarmed, but the mayor of Wonder Land (as it was known before the invasion) gives him a short sword to help him in his quest. Wonder Boy has a life meter represented as a series of red hearts and whenever he sustains damage, the hearts deplete. When all the hearts are depleted, Wonder Boy dies and the game ends. As well as the life meter, there is also an Hourglass Timer at the top of the screen; whenever this runs out, Wonder Boy loses some life. The Timer can be refilled by collecting hourglasses or by visiting hospitals or taverns.

Enemies can be killed by being stabbed with the sword, with many requiring multiple hits. Bags of gold and gold coins can be found (either dropped by some defeated enemies, or appearing when players jump in certain spots) for use in the shops that appear in each stage. Players can buy upgrades to Wonder Boy's boots (for better jumping and faster running speed), shield and armour.

As well as gold and coins, there are many other items located throughout the game. These include necklaces, harps, mirrors and crowns that increase the player's score; hearts that refill the life meter; gauntlets that temporarily double Wonder Boy's attack power; helmets that temporarily provide additional protection from enemy attacks; Winged Boots that allow Wonder Boy to fly over obstacles; Revival Potions and magic mantles that make Wonder Boy temporarily invisible. Other special items hidden in the game which the player must find include letters, the flute, various charms, the bell and the ruby.

Wonder Boy in Monster Land is divided into twelve levels for players to battle through to reach the Meka Dragon, and each has its own unique features, items, monsters and secrets. These levels include towns, valleys, deserts, islands, and castles. Most stages include a boss that once defeated, leaves behind a key to the next stage. Defeating a boss also strengthens Tom-Tom's sword.

TECHNICAL

Game ID: 317-0043

Runs on the Sega "System 2" hardware.

Players: 2
Control: 8-way joystick.
Buttons: 2 (STAB, JUMP)

TRIVIA

Wonder Boy in Monster Land was released in August 1987 in Japan. It was developed by Westone.

A bootleg of this game was made by Galaxy Electronics in England.

TIPS AND TRICKS

* This game has hidden coins that appear when you jump in certain spots. The demo screen shows a couple of these. Some of them will give you 60 gold or more every time.

* How to get 60+ golds from hidden coins:
Besides the general strategy of quickly wiggling the joystick right and left while jumping (which raises the chance to get 60+ golds), certain coins, in certain places within the game, will ALWAYS yield 60+ golds if you perform particular actions:
1) Round 2: On the screen after you kill the Vampire, there's a platform with a Shoe Shop and some stairs which lead downwards to an Infirmary. Wait for the little mushroom to go down the stairs, and stand so that you are almost off the topmost stair. The mushroom will come back up and hit you, making you fall off the stairs. Hold the joystick to the left so that when you land you walk into the bottom step. This will drop a 60+ coin. NOTE: This trick only works if you haven't bought any shoes yet.
2) Round 3: On the stage after you kill the Red Knight, you'll see some jellyfishes on platforms over the water. At the first jellyfish you come to, wait for it to drop into the water, then lean out of the platform putting yourself on its trajectory. The jellyfish will hit you, and you'll get a 60+ golds bag. NOTE: This trick is shown during the attract mode.
3) Round 3 (Baraboro): Climb the ladder to the platform where the Shield Shop and Catherine's window are located. Once you're atop the ladder, let the mouse hit you. You'll fall leftwards, triggering a 60+ golds bag.
4) Round 6 (Pyramid): Beneath the platform where the Infirmary is located, there are some spikes. Approach the spikes as much as possible, then hit jump and fire at the same time, and keep hitting them every time you land. Some coins will start to fall from the platform and head towards you. If you'll keep a pace as much regular as possible, many of those coins will yield 60+ golds.

SERIES

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1. Wonder Boy [Model 315-5135] (1986, Arcade)
2. Wonder Boy in Monster Land [Model 317-0043] (1987, Arcade)
3. Wonder Boy III - Monster Lair [Model 317-0084] (1988, Arcade)
4. Wonder Boy III - The Dragon's Trap (1989, Master System)
5. Wonder Boy V - Monster World III (1991, Mega Drive)
6. Monster World IV (1994, Mega Drive)

STAFF

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