Wonder Boy in Monster World
Wonder Boy in Monster World — frequently asked questions
- What platforms is Wonder Boy in Monster World on?
- Wonder Boy in Monster World was released on PlayStation 3, Linux, Wii, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Sega Master System/Mark III, PC Engine, TurboGrafx-CD.
- When did Wonder Boy in Monster World release?
- Wonder Boy in Monster World was first released on October 25, 1991.
About Wonder Boy in Monster World
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.
Summary via IGDB.
Wonder Boy in Monster World on Wikipedia
Wonder Boy in Monster World, known in Japan as Monster World III (モンスターワールドIII), is a side-scrolling action role-playing game originally developed by Westone and published by Sega for the Mega Drive/Genesis in 1991. It is the fifth game in the Wonder Boy series and the third game in the Monster World sub-series, following Wonder Boy in Monster Land and Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap.
Source: Wikipedia (text under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Game details
- Platforms
- PlayStation 3, Linux, Wii, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Sega Master System/Mark III, PC Engine, TurboGrafx-CD
- Developer
- Escape
- Publisher
- Sega Corporation
- Game modes
- Single player, Multiplayer
- Themes
- Action, Fantasy
- Series
- Wonder Boy
Details via IGDB.
Reception
Every version compared
Prices, contemporary reception and the studio credited for each release
| Platform | Year | Loose | Complete | Sealed | Period reviews | Fake risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sega Master SystemDetails ↓ | 1993 | $25 | $71 | — | 5 reviews | Low (look-alike) |
| Sega GenesisDetails ↓ | 1992 | $26 | $60 | — | 2 reviews | Low |
The cheapest way to own it loose is the Sega Master System version ($25).
Also released on: PlayStation 3 · Linux · Wii · Sega Mega Drive/Genesis · PC (Microsoft Windows) · Mac · Sega Master System/Mark III · PC Engine · TurboGrafx-CD. We haven’t priced or authenticated those versions yet.
Prices are per version and are not interchangeable, and neither are the reviews: conversions in this era were often built by a different studio than the original, so a score earned on one machine says nothing about how another plays.
Collector value & authenticity
Sega Master System · PriceCharting sold data · Verified 2026-10-28
How often it sells
- Loose: about once a month
- Complete: about once a month
- Sealed: rarely — fewer than one recorded sale a year
Sales frequency from PriceCharting's completed-sale records, as of 2026-10-28.
Price over time
- Loose
- Complete
A loose copy sold for about $35 in Jan 2010, $48 five years ago, and $25 as of Oct 2026.
Show as table
| Month | Loose | Complete |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2010 | $35 | — |
| Jan 2011 | $14.99 | — |
| Jan 2012 | $33 | — |
| Jan 2013 | $30 | — |
| Jan 2014 | $25 | $16.99 |
| Jan 2015 | $60 | $16.99 |
| Jan 2016 | $60 | $26 |
| Jan 2017 | $29 | $38 |
| Jan 2018 | $27 | $55 |
| Jan 2019 | $31 | $41 |
| Jan 2020 | $29 | $40 |
| Jan 2021 | $30 | $50 |
| Jan 2022 | $41 | $78 |
| Jan 2023 | $52 | $80 |
| Jan 2024 | $56 | $80 |
| Jan 2025 | $18.75 | $50 |
| Jan 2026 | $29 | $70 |
| Oct 2026 | $25 | $71 |
Monthly price estimates from PriceCharting's completed-sale records, sampled quarterly, through Oct 2026.
Release record
| Territory | Date |
|---|---|
| Europe / PAL | August 1993 |
- Region
- EU
- Released
- 1993
- Authenticity
- Low
The Sega Master System version
A Europe-only 8-bit take on the Mega Drive adventure, with a long password instead of a built-in save.
In 1993 Sega released a Master System version of Wonder Boy in Monster World specifically for the European market, with Shimada Kikaku as developer. It is based on the Mega Drive and Genesis game and uses a very complex 45-character password system. Compared with that version it omits the companions, and a block replaces the character Hotta so you can progress.
Mean Machines Sega called it a vast, sprawling arcade adventure with hours of play, and noted that pressing the pause button opens an inventory screen for changing weapon, armor, boots, shield and special item.
What the press said at the time
| Sega Pro Issue 22 | August 1993 | 90% |
| Sega Master Force Issue 3 | October 1993 | 75% |
| Sega Pro Issue 25 | November 1993 | 90% |
| Sega Pro Issue 36 | September 1994 | 90% |
| Sega Pro Issue 44 | May 1995 | 75% |
“Now I've no need to worry, because the Master System version is almost exactly the same!”
“An all round stunner! Huge game area, great graphics and a few puzzles thrown in for good measure. Can you do without this one?”
“Wonderboy's set a number of tasks that eventually enable him to escape. There are traps to dodge, obstacles to jump and monsters to kill, plus plenty of people and objects to interact with. Although not as popular as Sonic, Wonderboy's adventures are still fun to play. Conquer villains and strange”
“An all round stunner! Huge game area, great graphics and a few puzzles thrown in for good measure. Can you do without this one?”
In the sales charts
In 2 sales charts, October 1993 to September 1995; highest position #4.
Show all 2 placings
- #9 in the Virgin Master System chart — Sega Pro, Issue 24, October 1993
- #4 in the Master System chart — Sega Pro, Issue 49, September 1995
Sales charts as printed in the magazines of the time.
How the Sega Master System version differs
The Master System version leaves out the small companions who follow Shion in the other versions.
Also on other platforms
Genesis · PC Engine · TurboGrafx-CD
| Sega Mega Drive/Genesis | Westone |
| PC Engine | Hudson Soft (publisher) |
- PC Engine. Hudson Soft remade the game for the TurboDuo in 1994 with an all-new theme and cast of characters.
Before you buy
The European cart is the one to look for, and loose it is priced well above the typical European-only game, with a complete copy costing noticeably more again. A US console plays European carts, so a listing calling it an American copy deserves a second look. The manual is the part most often missing.
Collector value & authenticity
Sega Genesis · PriceCharting sold data · Verified 2026-10-29
Other releases and variants
| Release | Loose | Complete | Sealed |
|---|---|---|---|
| European (PAL) release | $21 | $74 | — |
| Japanese release (Wonder Boy V: Monster World III) | $12 | $51 | — |
How often it sells
- Loose: about once a week
- Complete: about once a week
- Sealed: about once a year
Sales frequency from PriceCharting's completed-sale records, as of 2026-10-29.
Price over time
- Loose
- Complete
A loose copy sold for about $8.47 in Jan 2008, $33 five years ago, and $26 as of Oct 2026.
Show as table
| Month | Loose | Complete |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2008 | $8.47 | — |
| Jan 2009 | $7.99 | — |
| Jan 2010 | $7.88 | — |
| Jan 2011 | $8.15 | — |
| Jan 2012 | $4.49 | — |
| Jan 2013 | $8.03 | — |
| Jan 2014 | $12.99 | $35 |
| Jan 2015 | $14.99 | $31 |
| Jan 2016 | $20 | $38 |
| Jan 2017 | $25 | $42 |
| Jan 2018 | $27 | $58 |
| Jan 2019 | $26 | $62 |
| Jan 2020 | $31 | $48 |
| Jan 2021 | $31 | $67 |
| Jan 2022 | $34 | $80 |
| Jan 2023 | $25 | $78 |
| Jan 2024 | $23 | $65 |
| Jan 2025 | $22 | $55 |
| Jan 2026 | $25 | $60 |
| Oct 2026 | $26 | $60 |
Monthly price estimates from PriceCharting's completed-sale records, sampled quarterly, through Oct 2026.
Release record
| Territory | Date | Barcode |
|---|---|---|
| North America | March 1992 | 010086010268 |
| Europe / PAL | April 1992 | — |
| Japan | 25 October 1991 | — |
| Brazil | 1994 | — |
- Brazil: Released in Brazil as Turma da Mônica na Terra dos Monstros.
- Region
- NA+EU+JP+BR
- Released
- 1992
- Authenticity
- Low
The Sega Genesis version
A charming Westone action role-playing adventure, and one of the more expensive ordinary US carts.
This is the Genesis cartridge of Wonder Boy in Monster World, developed by Westone and published by Sega. It reached Japan on 25 October 1991 as Wonder Boy V: Monster World III, North America in March 1992 and Europe in April 1992. It is the fifth Wonder Boy game and the third in the Monster World line, a side-scrolling action role-playing game.
Brazil received it in 1994 from Tectoy as Turma da Mônica na Terra dos Monstros, an official release that Tectoy altered. Sega Pro, reviewing the Master System conversion in its issue 18, recalled that the Mega Drive game had been praised highly for its size and addictive play.
What the press said at the time
| Game Informer Issue 3 | January-February 1992 | Overall 7.75 (Ed) |
| Mean Machines Issue 18 | March 1992 | 88% |
“Here is a game that gives you the excitement of an action/adventure game, along with the challenge of a role-playing cart. The end result is the best of both worlds”
“If you’re looking for a platform game that’ll keep you playing for weeks rather than days, this should be put at the top of your list.”
“The music is pleasant and calming. Make sure you have a couple hours, if not days, to spend travelling with Wonder Boy in Monster World. You'll have a monsterously good time.”
How the Sega Genesis version differs
In the English-language Mega Drive versions, dying at an inn now ends in a Game Over screen instead of returning you to the inn.
Also on other platforms
Master System · PC Engine · TurboGrafx-CD
- TurboGrafx-CD. Hudson Soft's TurboDuo remake, The Dynastic Hero, has new insect-themed characters, a different Red Book audio soundtrack and anime-style cutscenes.
Before you buy
Among US carts it sits above the middle. The European loose cart usually costs less than the US one, but a complete European copy usually costs more. The Japanese cart (Wonder Boy V) usually costs less than the US one in both conditions and has a different cartridge shape. The Brazilian release is a separate cart, so check which one a listing is.
Wonder Boy in Monster World screenshots
Watch on YouTube
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