Wonder Boy in Monster World

Developer: Escape, Westone

Publisher: Sega

Oct 25, 1991

Visual

pixel
side scroll

Structure

exploration
interconnected map
non linear
boss gated
Has Hub

Combat

action

Features

equipment
leveling

Themes

fantasy

Sub-Genre

RPG
proto-Metroidvania

Summary

Monsters have taken over the land, and every day the citizens fear for their lives, hoping that a hero will step forth and bring peace to the embattled country.

Last updated August 12, 2026

Where to play

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

Resources

Maps

VGMaps

Romhacks

Other

Monster World IV

Developer: Westone

Publisher: Sega

1994

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- Has Romhack
- pixel
- side scroll
- Has Hub
- equipment
- fantasy
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- companion combat
- discrete levels
- Semi-Linear
Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap

Developer / Publisher: Sega

1989

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- Has Romhack
- exploration
- interconnected map
- non linear
- pixel
- side scroll
- boss gated
- Has Hub
- action
- equipment
- fantasy
- RPG
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- item gated
- multiple characters
Cosmo Police Galivan

Developer: Nichibutsu

Publisher: Imagine Software, Nichibutsu

1985

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- interconnected map
- pixel
- side scroll
- boss gated
- equipment
- leveling
- RPG
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- item gated
- 8-Bit
- Sci-Fi
- Semi-Linear
Xanadu Scenario II

Developer / Publisher: Nihon Falcom

1986

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- interconnected map
- non linear
- pixel
- side scroll
- boss gated
- action
- equipment
- fantasy
- leveling
- RPG
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- 8-Bit
- contact damage
- character creation
- class system
The Scheme

Developer: Onion Software

1988

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- non linear
- pixel
- side scroll
- action
- fantasy
- leveling
- RPG
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- ability gated
- item gated
- 8-Bit
- Sci-Fi
Lord of the Sword

Developer / Publisher: Ltd., Sega

1988

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

Developer: Hudson Soft, Konami

Publisher: Nintendo, Hudson Soft, Konami

1987

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- Has Romhack
- exploration
- interconnected map
- pixel
- side scroll
- equipment
- fantasy
- leveling
- RPG
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- ability gated
- item gated
- 8-Bit
- contact damage
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
- RPG
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- 8-Bit
- multiple characters
Super Adventure Island II

Developer / Publisher: Hudson Soft

1994

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- pixel
- side scroll
- Has Hub
- equipment
- RPG
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- ability gated
- item gated
- discrete levels
- Semi-Linear
Shadows Labyrinth

Developer / Publisher: Kratos Games

2025

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- interconnected map
- non linear
- pixel
- side scroll
- boss gated
- action
- equipment
- fantasy
- leveling
- RPG
- Differences
- Demo Available
- ability gated
- gore
- gothic
Tritorn Final

Developer: Lee Way

Publisher: XAIN Soft

1989

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- interconnected map
- pixel
- side scroll
- fantasy
- leveling
- RPG
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- linear
The Battle of Olympus

Developer: Infinity

Publisher: Brøderbund Software, Imagineer, Nintendo

1988

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- Has Romhack
- exploration
- pixel
- side scroll
- boss gated
- Has Hub
- action
- equipment
- proto-Metroidvania
- Differences
- 8-Bit
- Has Overworld
- Semi-Linear

Wonder Boy in Monster World

Summary

Where to play

Resources

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