Wonder Boy Collection | PS4 Review

ININ Games, and Ratalaika's joint venture into the world of Wonder Boy is a bold attempt at bringing back the series classics in their truest form with additional settings, and features not available in those initial releases. The collection itself consists of four titles. This includes Wonder Boy, Wonder Boy In Monster Land, Wonder Boy In Monster World, and Monster World IV. The collection of games housing, respectively, the main three protagonists including Wonder Boy himself, Shion, and Asha. All being games and fantasy adventures which hailed from the mid to late 80's. They were each published by SEGA, and created in kind by Westone. Much like the original retro releases the newly updated ports within this collection come complete with all the frustrating elements, and mechanics fully intact. It is, as I've said, a true to the original porting with an emulation that allows for player preferred tweaking. 

Visually, and functionally each game in the collection looks and plays like the original, but with the added ability to change the screen size four times over, and tinker with the detailed CRT scanlines toggles. Also included in the mix is more modern border art, and an additional side gallery featuring more artistic takes on series characters. The games, in general are all about side-scrolling action adventures. Some with RPG elements. Each distinctly different.

Wonder Boy, which is the most unique of the lot, features a caveman style protagonist that chucks stone axes, and rides skateboards hatched from dinosaur eggs across set stages as he collects food to keep his hunger meter from depleting. If you've ever played Sunsoft's "Adventure Island" series it's a lot like that. Following that are two game entries that closely resemble each other outside of the visual design, and protagonist. These games are "Wonder Boy In Monster Land", and "Wonder Boy In Monster World". Both are RPG-lite experiences where you control a blonde haired Wonder Boy and Shion, adventurers who are out separately on a quest to stop the infamous dragon lord, and to save the kidnapped princess. Through coin collecting and monster killing you buy the weapons, spells, and equipment needed to progress further. Occasionally stopping to chat with key characters, and taking on mini-bosses that are hidden behind closed doors. 

Lastly, "Monster World IV" is the boldest improvement of the lot seeing as it's later in the series' timeline, and once again features RPG elements. It is the fan favorite for a reason. This time around you are controlling female protagonist Asha in a sort of Arabian take on the fantasy world. You will be scaling a monster filled tower as you try to rid your world of the encroaching monster threat. The roleplaying elements are beefed up a bit, and there are secrets to be found as you upgrade Asha's equipment, health, and abilities. Key mechanics changes include Asha's ability to downward thrust and pogo on top of enemies with her sword. That, and a shield which negates projectile and melee damage with a quick pressing of DOWN on the DPad.

Extras in the collection include a Gallery menu full of art that can be enlarged as well as a load/save state menu accessed by the touchpad while playing the games. There's also a Credits menu, and the ability to toggle game specific bonuses tied to score, lives, and difficulty. Beyond that there also exists a rewind/fast forward in-game option that is triggered by pressing the controller's back two triggers, respectively. As far as visual adjustments go the several setting CRT menu makes for horrible visual effects that worsen the looks of gameplay, and add nothing worthwhile to the experience. Something that feels slapped over what was already there instead of appropriately applied.

The Verdict ...

As a collection ININ Games and Ratalaika Game's presentation comes off as being a bit cheaper made than some of the other Wonder Boy Collections that have been released. The menu system is very basic in appearance. Almost like what you'd find with an emulator console. Also the visual aspect, as option filled as it might be, seems bog standard by today's standards. In other words it's what we'd expect, but nothing truly special or inventive. It isn't really applied in a polished manner either given these ports seem to be more emulation than a proper reworked, and updated port. I have honestly seen and reviewed better Wonder Boy Collections, and game remasters. Some from ININ Games, directly. This feels more like a half effort, and a means to capitalize on the anniversary with the least investment possible. Slapping on a layer of sheen and shine atop of emulations. 

While the ports do hold up, and are in their truest form it can be a little off putting considering the brutal nature of some of the games as well. As it is, and considering I've seen better I cannot, in good faith, recommend this collection. I honestly don't know why they released this after having already shown they know how to make a competent remake. I suggest checking out ININ's "Wonder Boy: Asha In Monster World" remake, and the "Wonder Boy Remix" as well. They are worth it, and I own both. Double dipped on the Wonder Boy Remix as there are two versions.