Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap

{{see also|Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap#Overview|l1=Gameplay of Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap}}

Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap is a remake of the original Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap, with gameplay reverse engineered from the original Master System code, featuring brand new hand-drawn graphics and musical rearrangements.{{cite web|url=http://www.thedragonstrap.com/blog/post/201609_ReverseEngineering/|title=Reverse engineering the 1989 original: the quest for accuracy|date=8 September 2016 |publisher=The Dragon's Trap|access-date=3 July 2018}} Set immediately after the events of Wonder Boy in Monster Land, players control an adventurer who, upon defeating the Mecha Dragon, has become afflicted with a curse turning them into a Lizard-Man. The player must journey across the world and defeat all the other dragons in the land in order to return to their human form. As in the original game, players explore various lands, defeating enemies to earn items, such as arrows and fireballs, and money which can be used to purchase new weapons and armor. Over the course of the game, the player gains new animal forms, each with new abilities allowing for additional exploration. These include Lizard-Man, who can spit fire, Mouse-Man, who can cling onto checkerboard-patterned blocks, Piranha-Man, who can swim underwater, Lion-Man, who can perform a vertical slash attack, and Hawk-Man, who can fly through the air.{{cite web|url=https://www.lizardcube.com/presskit/TheDragonsTrap/|title=Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap|website=www.lizardcube.com|access-date=3 July 2018}}

The game retains the gameplay and level design of the original game, albeit with some enhancements such as instant weapon-toggling and removing the need to acquire charm stones to purchase new equipment. The game also supports passwords from the original game.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjJ4kqbnga0|title=17 Minutes of WONDER BOY: THE DRAGON'S TRAP Remake Gameplay|work=Polygon|date=14 December 2016|access-date=3 July 2018|via=YouTube}} New features added to the remake include additional difficulty settings,{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjJ4kqbnga0&lc=z123x1bbmuvavbloh04cg1w54rf5xxhrwlc0k.1481750100264845|title=17 Minutes of WONDER BOY: THE DRAGON'S TRAP Remake Gameplay|work=Polygon|date=14 December 2016|access-date=3 July 2018|via=YouTube}} the option to play as a female character named Wonder Girl,{{cite web|url=http://www.thedragonstrap.com/blog/post/201703_WonderBoyWonderGirl/|title=Wonder Boy and Wonder Girl Trailer|date=23 March 2017 |publisher=The Dragon's Trap|access-date=3 July 2018}}{{cite tweet|number=854754230619389952|user=AustinEruption|title=If you pick a girl in Wonder Boy - The Dragon's Trap, the main menu changes to match that.I thought this was cute. |accessdate=3 July 2018|date=19 April 2017}} hidden bonus areas, and the ability to independently toggle the graphics and audio between modern and retro styles with additional options for visual filters and FM audio.{{cite web |last=Romano |first= Sal|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2017/02/wonder-boy-dragons-trap-lets-switch-hd-8-bit-time|title=Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap lets you switch from HD to 8-bit at any time |website=Gematsu|date=24 February 2017|access-date=27 March 2024}} This marks the first time FM audio had been available officially in a Western release of the game.{{cite web|url=https://www.retrogamer.net/blog_post/unlock-the-hidden-sounds-of-your-master-system-games/|title=Unlock the Hidden Sounds of your Master System Games|date=1 August 2014|website=Retro Gamer|access-date=11 January 2019}} When a game with Wonder Girl selected as the player character was the last to be exited, the title screen is instead styled Wonder Girl: The Dragon's Trap.

The idea of creating a fan remake of Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap was originally conceived by Omar Cornut as early as 1998. Development eventually began in late 2013, and the remake was first announced in June 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2016/09/13/two-developers-are-bringing-wonder-boy-back-with-two-entirely-different-games|title=Two Developers Are Bringing Wonder Boy Back With Two Entirely Different Games|website=Kotaku UK|access-date=3 July 2018|archive-date=15 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915132030/http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2016/09/13/two-developers-are-bringing-wonder-boy-back-with-two-entirely-different-games|url-status=dead}} According to Cornut, the goal was to create a game whose gameplay was as close as possible to the original version.{{cite web |last=Cornut |first=Omar |title=Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap: Reverse engineering an 1989 original: the quest for accuracy |website=Game Developer |date=12 September 2016 |accessdate=20 June 2022 |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/programming/wonder-boy-the-dragon-s-trap-reverse-engineering-an-1989-original-the-quest-for-accuracy}}

The remake was originally developed by programmer Cornut and artist Ben Fiquet, who previously worked together on Soul Bubbles, as a fan remake developed by reverse engineering the original Master System game's code.{{cite web |last=Agnello |first=Anthony John |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/making-of-wonder-boy-the-dragons-trap/|title=Meet the mind behind Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap, the rebirth of a Sega classic|date=18 April 2017|website=GamesRadar|access-date=3 July 2018}} Lizardcube worked on the game in collaboration with original game designer Ryuichi Nishizawa,{{cite web|url=http://www.thedragonstrap.com/blog/post/201609_DevDiary1/|title=Dev Diary 1: Meeting with Nishizawa-san!|date=28 September 2016 |publisher=The Dragon's Trap|access-date=3 July 2018}} who acted in an advisory role during development.{{cite web |last=Scullion |first=Chris |title=Interview: Wonder Boy creator Ryuichi Nishizawa explains why he's returned after 27 years |website=Video Games Chronicle |date=27 April 2021 |accessdate=27 February 2022 |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/features/interviews/interview-wonder-boy-creator-ryuichi-nishizawa-explains-why-hes-returned-after-27-years/}} Fiquet produced all the art and animation for the game single-handedly.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/297106/Faithfully_updating_the_art_of_Wonder_Boy_The_Dragons_Trap.php|title=Faithfully updating the art of a classic in Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap|first=Joel|last=Couture|date=2 May 2017|publisher=|access-date=3 July 2018}} Despite requests from fans to include characters from Monica's Gang, mimicking how the original game was released in Brazil under the same license, Lizardcube have stated that it would not be possible due to the licenses required, although an unofficial fan-created mod for the PC version was released in July 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.thedragonstrap.com/blog/post/201704_LaunchTrailer/|title=Launch Trailer!|date=17 April 2017 |publisher=The Dragon's Trap|access-date=3 July 2018}}{{cite tweet|number=883255662792196096|user=lizardcube|title=Brazilian fans: Victor/Thays/Marco made an INCREDIBLE free mod to turn the game into "Turma da Monica em O Resgate"! |accessdate=3 July 2018|date=7 July 2017}} The same also applies to using sprites from Hudson Soft's TurboGrafx-16 port of the game, Dragon's Curse, as the rights to that version are currently held by Konami.{{Cite web|url=https://www.konami.com/games/jp/ja/products/dl_wii_adventureisland_vc/|title = アドベンチャーアイランド |publisher=Konami |accessdate=27 February 2022}}

To replicate the gameplay from scratch, developers extracted code from the original game cartridge and then read the information using a hex editor. The code from the original game consisted of game data written in Zilog Z80 assembly code as well as other game data. Using reverse engineering, developers used a disassembler to convert the data into Z80 code; then, using a debugger and the MEKA Sega Master System emulator, they would observe what the blocks of code were doing. They then developed a new game with the information with modern improvements in mind, including smoother physics, improved frame rate from the original 30 fps, and going from a 4:3 aspect ratio to widescreen.

The game's soundtrack is composed by Michael Geyre, who re-imagined the original soundtrack composed by Shinichi Sakamoto. The original chiptune soundtrack was arranged using real musical instruments played by musicians.{{cite web|url=http://www.thedragonstrap.com/blog/post/201612_DevDiary2/|title=Dev Diary 2: Music and Sound Design|date=3 December 2016 |publisher=The Dragon's Trap|access-date=3 July 2018}} The arranged soundtrack incorporates elements from several world music traditions, including classical, tango, Middle-Eastern and Japanese music. The soundtrack was released on Steam and Bandcamp on 12 July 2017. A vinyl soundtrack was released by Fangamer on 13 August 2018.{{cite tweet|number=1029043865611685888|user=lizardcube|title=Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap ♫ Double Vinyl Soundtrack ♫ now available on @fangamer! ♫ |date=13 August 2018}}

Limited Run Games released a physical PlayStation 4 version in both standard and collector's editions in Summer 2017.{{cite tweet|number=861966544955486208|user=LimitedRunGames|title=Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap physical PlayStation 4 disc coming this Summer to! Collector'… |accessdate=3 July 2018|date=9 May 2017}}{{cite tweet|number=861966725964865538|user=Dotemu|title=We are happy to announce that Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap will have a physical release with @LimitedRunGames! Sta… |accessdate=3 July 2018|date=9 May 2017}} Arc System Works also published a physical edition of the PlayStation 4 version in Asia in July 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.play-asia.com/wonder-boy-the-dragons-trap-multi-language/13/70b4g3|title=Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap (Multi-Language)|website=Playasia|access-date=5 July 2021}} A retail release of the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch versions was published by Nicalis on 13 February 2018 in North America and by Headup Games on 20 April 2018 in Europe.{{cite tweet|number=925772928947326977|user=nicalis|title=It's official! We've teamed-up with DotEmu and Lizardcube to publish Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap at retail for… |accessdate=3 July 2018|date=1 November 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wonder-Boy-Dragons-Nintendo-Switch/dp/B0797NJXZ4/|title=Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap|publisher=|access-date=3 July 2018|via=Amazon}} Pikii published a physical version for the Nintendo Switch in Japan.{{cite tweet|number=960851176089518080|user=PikiiGK|title=告知です！Nicalis, Inc.、DotEmu、Lizardcubeのご協力を得て,この度Nintendo Switchソフト『Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap』 のパッケージ版を発売することになり… |accessdate=3 July 2018|date=6 February 2018}}

{{Video game reviews

| MC = NS: 79/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/wonder-boy-the-dragons-trap/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap for Switch Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=3 July 2018}}
PS4: 79/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/wonder-boy-the-dragons-trap/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap for PlayStation 4 Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=3 July 2018}}
XONE: 80/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/wonder-boy-the-dragons-trap/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |title=Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap for Xbox One Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=3 July 2018}}

| Destruct = 8.5/10{{cite web|last=McClusky|first=Kevin|url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-wonder-boy-the-dragon-s-trap-431516.phtml|title=Review: Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap|date=18 April 2017|website=Destructoid|access-date=3 July 2018|archive-date=8 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708102654/https://www.destructoid.com/review-wonder-boy-the-dragon-s-trap-431516.phtml|url-status=dead}}

| EuroG = Recommended

| GSpot = 8/10

| IGN = 7.1/10

| NLife = {{Rating|8|10}}{{cite web|last=McFerran|first=Damien|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/wonder_boy_the_dragons_trap|title=Review: Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap (Switch eShop)|work=Nintendo Life|date=17 April 2017|access-date=3 July 2018}}

| NWR = 8/10{{cite web|last=Ronaghan|first=Neal|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/44501/wonder-boy-the-dragons-trap-switch-review|title=Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap Review - Review|website=Nintendo World Report|access-date=3 July 2018}}

| TA = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web |url=https://toucharcade.com/2019/05/31/wonder-boy-the-dragons-trap-review/ |title=Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap Review – What Is the Secret of Your Power? |last=Madnani |first=Mikhail |date=31 May 2019 |website=TouchArcade |access-date=1 June 2019}}

| rev1 = HobbyConsolas

| rev1Score = 84%{{cite web|last=Quesada |first=Daniel|url=http://www.hobbyconsolas.com/reviews/analisis-wonder-boy-dragons-trap-remake-clasico-95946|title=Análisis de Wonder Boy The Dragon's Trap, el remake del clásico|date=19 April 2017|website=Hobby Consolas|language=es|access-date=3 July 2018}}

| rev2 = Slant Magazine

| rev2Score = 8/10{{cite web|last=Pressgrove|first=Jed|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/games/review/wonder-boy-the-dragons-trap|title=Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap - Game Review|work=Slant Magazine|date=18 April 2017|access-date=3 July 2018}}

}}

Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap has received mostly positive reviews, with the Switch version currently holding a score of 79/100 on Metacritic. IGN said that "while (the original game)'s design definitely shows its age, (the remake) still has a few wonders in store for us thanks to a solid foundation, aesthetic upgrades, and some much-appreciated updates to the original programming."{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2017/04/18/wonder-boy-the-dragons-trap-review|title=Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap Review|last=Ryan|first=Jon|date=17 April 2017|publisher=IGN|access-date=18 April 2017}} GameSpot praised its visual enhancements and called it "one of the best retro remakes yet".{{cite web|last=Kemps|first=Heidi|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/wonder-boy-the-dragons-trap-review/1900-6416659/|title=Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap Review|date=19 April 2017|publisher=GameSpot|access-date=20 April 2017}} Eurogamer also praised the game, saying that it sets the bar for updating classics.{{cite web|last=Hosie|first=Ewen|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-04-18-wonder-boy-the-dragons-trap-review|title=Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap review|date=18 April 2017|publisher=Eurogamer|access-date=20 April 2017}} As of September 2017, the Switch version of the game has outsold all other versions combined.{{cite web|last1=Kerr|first1=Chris|title=Switch version of Wonder Boy outsells all other platforms combined|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/305407/Switch_version_of_Wonder_Boy_outsells_all_other_platforms_combined.php|website=Gamasutra|publisher=UBM TechWeb|access-date=13 September 2017|date=11 September 2017}} As of April 2019, the game has sold nearly 500,000 copies.{{cite web |last=Valdes|first=Giancarlo|title=Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap nears 500,000 copies in sales, mobile launch on May 30 |website=GamesBeat |date=30 April 2019 |accessdate=27 February 2022 |url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/04/30/wonder-boy-the-dragons-trap-nears-500000-copies-in-sales-mobile-launch-on-may-30/}} Nintendo Life later called it one of the best metroidvania games on the Nintendo Switch, "a perfectly-pitched non-linear action adventure [and] a Metroidvania before the term coagulated into existence".{{Cite web |date=2022-12-16 |title=Best Nintendo Switch Metroidvania Games |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/best-nintendo-switch-metroidvania-games |access-date=2023-01-02 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}

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