The Wonder Boy Collection will now receive an additional ‘Anniversary Collection’ which will include ports of Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair and Wonder Boy III: The Dragon’s Trap. In addition to these titles is news that the collection will feature every officially SEGA-licensed port which means arcade, SG-1000, Master System and Mega Drive ports are all present. This brings the total games included up to 21 total versions of the various Wonder Boy games released from the original game to Monster World IV.
Strictly Limited Games will be publishing the game physically on PS4 and Nintendo Switch. 3 editions are available: a standard edition, a collector’s edition and an ultra collector’s edition. See below for the frankly ridiculous list of included Wonder Boy titles:
Wonder Boy – Arcade (SYSTEM 1)
Wonder Boy (JP) – SG-1000
Super Wonder Boy (JP) – Master System / Sega MARK III
Wonder Boy – Master System / Sega MARK III
Revenge of Drancon – Game Gear
Wonder Boy (JP) – Game Gear
Wonder Boy in Monster Land – Arcade (SYSTEM 2)
Wonder Boy in Monster Land – Master System
Wonder Boy in Monster Land (JP) – Arcade (SYSTEM 2)
Super Wonder Boy: Monster World – Master System / Sega MARK III
Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap – Game Gear
Wonder Boy III: The Dragon’s Trap – Master System
Monster World II (JP) – Master System / Sega MARK III
Monster World II: The Dragon’s Trap (JP) – Game Gear
Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair – Arcade (SYSTEM 16)
Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair – Mega Drive / Genesis
Wonder Boy in Monster World – Master System / Sega MARK III
Wonder Boy in Monster World – Mega Drive / Genesis
Wonder Boy V: Monster World III (JP) – Mega Drive
Monster World IV – Mega Drive / Genesis
Monster World IV (JP) – Mega Drive
Click the listings below to go to each edition’s store entry on Strictly Limited Games:
Pre-orders will open on March 6th 2022. Wonder Boy Anniversary Collection is being developed by ININ and being physically published by Strictly Limited Games and digitally published by BlissBrain.
The upcoming remake of Monster World IV, Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World, has received a new trailer and a fresh round of details to go along with it.
The trailer is notable as is showcases a fair improvement over the previous ones; Asha’s animations appear to have been reworked, and on the whole it looks a bit nicer( you can also search about photorealistic animation here)The latest press release makes particular mention that the developers have been taking on feedback, and given the frosty reception to the initial showings, it’s sure looking like it.
The trailer also gives us more of the Japanese voice acting being added to the game, as well as a new Q2 2021 release window. There’s also a reaffirmation that physical copies of the game will include the original Mega Drive title on a separate cartridge for Nintendo Switch, and as a download for PS4; Gematsu reports that this version will now be available at retail, whereas previously it seemed like it’d be exclusive to Strictly Limited, with only 3000 copies being made.
Japan has received a more solid release date of April 22nd, and will also be getting physical versions; their Special Pack will include two artbooks.
Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World is launching for Nintendo Switch and Playstation 4 later this year.
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
Upcoming Monster World IV remake Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World will be getting a few physical editions of varying complexity, from Strictly Limited Games.
The contents of each pack vary; there’s the regular edition which simply gets you a physical copy of the game for either Nintendo Switch or Playstation 4 (there is no physical option for the PC version), followed by the Collector’s Edition which comes with the entire kitchen sink – including your very own squishable Pepelogoo. Finally there’s the Mega Collector’s Edition, which has the contents of the CE as well as some more extras on top; including a sticker, pin badge, and even an exclusive statue of Asha and Pepelogoo.
Most notably though, all physical versions will include the original Mega Drive version of Monster World IV, ported to the respective platform. For Switch owners, it’ll be included on the cartridge, while PS4 owners will receive a download code for the MD title.
According to Gematsu, pre-orders will open later today. They also have a detailed run-down of what each edition contains. If you want one you’ll have to act though; even the regular edition is limited.
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
Just the other day, Wonder Boy – Asha in Monster World was announced. Upon its reveal, it was billed as a new title with the involvement of the original Westone staff, and the logo seen on the game’s mailing list page (above) also suggested Asha was finally getting a new adventure.
However, Artdink have now launched their own PR for the game to Japanese outlets (under their ‘G-CHOICE’ imprint), with a slightly different story. Apparently with Unlimited Graphic Design, the game will actually be a full remake of Monster World IV, using 3D graphics and voice acting. The game is however planned to feature new game modes (that is being enhanced at the Animation Studio), and will be available in a multitude of languages – Japanese, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Chinese are all listed as being included by Famitsu.
Also of note is that they list a platform that wasn’t mentioned in the English announcement – the game is planned to be released on PC via Steam, as well as the previously confirmed PS4 and Nintendo Switch releases.
It’s somewhat of a shame given how exciting the idea of a new game starring Asha was, but Monster World IV is a very good game – so hopefully this remake will do it justice. It’s that, or it’s actually Famitsu who’ve gotten it wrong – but time will tell come Saturday, where the game is set to be revealed at Gamescom.
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
Strictly Limited Games, alongside ININ Games, have announced that they’ve acquired the rights to publish Westone Bit Entertainment’s Clockwork Aquario for current gaming platforms. For those not in the know, Clockwork Aquario was a cancelled SEGA System 18 board arcade title from Westone Bit Entertainment, best known for their work on the Wonder Boy/Monster World franchise. The modern ports of the game will land before the end of the year, with both a limited physical run and a general digital release. Currently mooted platforms are Playstation 4 and Nintendo Switch.
Gematsu have the full press release, which goes into the details of how Strictly Limited got their hands on the game; and how they signed a deal with LAT and SEGA to get it released, 27 years later. Westone Bit Entertainment’s former staff, including Ryuichi Nishizawa (generally cited as the creator of Wonder Boy) have also been involved with the new release.
It’s very exciting when lost arcade titles pop up, and even moreso when they get official releases. We’re very excited to get our hands on this gorgeous looking title!
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
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