Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap

Developer / Publisher: Sega

Sep 1, 1989

Visual

pixel
side scroll

Structure

exploration
interconnected map
item gated
non linear
boss gated
Has Hub

Combat

action

Features

equipment
multiple characters

Themes

fantasy

Sub-Genre

RPG
proto-Metroidvania

Summary

A direct sequel to Wonder Boy in Monster Land, you wander through the lands using multiple forms that each have different abilities. Each defeated boss unlocks a new form that has to be used to advance to a new area, while shops give you access to new equipment for money.

Last updated August 12, 2026

Where to play

Nintendo
- Wii
Sega
- Master System
Retro / Etc.
- Other

Resources

Romhacks

ROMHacking.net

Other

Lord of the Sword

Developer: Ltd., Sega

Publisher: Sega, Ltd.

1988

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- interconnected map
- pixel
- side scroll
- boss gated
- action
- equipment
- fantasy
- RPG
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- story gated
- medieval
- Semi-Linear
Zillion

Developer: Sega

Publisher: Sega, Tec Toy

1987

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- Has Romhack
- exploration
- non linear
- pixel
- side scroll
- equipment
- multiple characters
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- 8-Bit
- Sci-Fi
- puzzle heavy
SpellCaster

Developer / Publisher: Sega

1988

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- interconnected map
- pixel
- side scroll
- action
- fantasy
- proto-Metroidvania
QuackShot Starring Donald Duck

Developer: Ltd., Sega

Publisher: Sega, Tec Toy, Ltd.

1991

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- item gated
- pixel
- side scroll
- boss gated
- action
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- Has Overworld
- puzzle heavy
- Semi-Linear
Cyborg Hunter

Developer: Sega

Publisher: Activision, Sega, Tec Toy

1988

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- interconnected map
- pixel
- side scroll
- action
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- Sci-Fi
Turma da Mônica na Terra dos Monstros

Developer: Sega

Publisher: Tec Toy

1994

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- interconnected map
- pixel
- side scroll
- action
- RPG
Wonder Boy in Monster World

Developer: Escape, Westone

Publisher: Sega

1991

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- Has Romhack
- exploration
- interconnected map
- non linear
- pixel
- side scroll
- boss gated
- Has Hub
- action
- equipment
- fantasy
- RPG
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- leveling
Dragon Slayer IV: Drasle Family

Developer / Publisher: Nihon Falcom

1987

85%

Very Positive

143 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- non linear
- pixel
- side scroll
- equipment
- fantasy
- multiple characters
- RPG
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- 8-Bit
Super Adventure Island II

Developer / Publisher: Hudson Soft

1994

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- item gated
- pixel
- side scroll
- Has Hub
- equipment
- RPG
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- ability gated
- discrete levels
- Semi-Linear
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Radical Rescue

Developer / Publisher: Konami

1993

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- interconnected map
- item gated
- pixel
- side scroll
- boss gated
- action
- multiple characters
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- ability gated
- 8-Bit
- Semi-Linear
Cosmo Police Galivan

Developer: Nichibutsu

Publisher: Imagine Software, Nichibutsu

1985

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- interconnected map
- item gated
- pixel
- side scroll
- boss gated
- equipment
- RPG
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- 8-Bit
- leveling
- Sci-Fi
- Semi-Linear
Frontier Hunter: Erza's Wheel of Fortune

Developer / Publisher: IceSitruuna

2024

83%

Very Positive

2,095 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- interconnected map
- non linear
- side scroll
- boss gated
- Has Hub
- equipment
- fantasy
- multiple characters
- RPG
- Differences
- Demo Available
- 2.5D
- cosmetics
- Sci-Fi

Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap

Summary

Where to play

Resources

Other games to love