One of the most interesting retro gaming series is Wonder Boy. During the 80s and 90s, the franchise captured players with six entries across arcades and consoles. It can be a bit overwhelming to think about where to start if you want to try the series. Thankfully, the Wonder Boy Collection is here to make undertaking the series easier! 

Published by ININ Games, the collection brings four of the six games to PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. The arcade versions of Wonder Boy and Wonder Boy in Monster Land. Plus, the SEGA Genesis console versions of Wonder Boy in Monster World and Monster World IV. But the question remains? Is this a solid collection to start the franchise with for old and new fans alike?

How are the games you get?

Let’s discuss the games included first in Wonder Boy Collection. The main thing to know about the franchise is that each game is an action game with RPG elements. Wonder Boy and Wonder Boy in Monster Land launched in arcades in the 80s. This means that, yes, they are difficult. Fun, but punishing with many areas programmed to be explicitly laborious to eat quarters. Thankfully, the collection has a rewind and save state feature for each game. But newcomers might find these two games specifically very challenging.

The gems of this collection are Wonder Boy in Monster World and Monster World IV. Both games were released at home for the SEGA Genesis in the 90s. Because of this, these two are more straightforward to play for new players. Especially Monster World IV, which is structured like a more traditional action RPG. If you wish to try the series out, IV might be the best game for new players to start. 

All four games included are the best of the series. Including them gives old fans a new way to play these titles that are harder to find now. For people curious to try the franchise, these four games are the best place to start. 

Play with the display you want

As with many collections, Wonder Boy Collection allows players to customize the display of how they wish to play these older titles. Customized aspect ratios, CRT filters, and pixel smoothing. They’re all here and work well to give players the display option they want to use while playing.

A personal favorite for me is to use CRT filters on the Switch in handheld mode. Because of the Switch’s smaller screen, the filters give the feel and vibe of playing on an old CRT in your childhood bedroom. It’s a nostalgic way to experience these older games in the way they were intended.

Another excellent element of the collection is the plethora of art and promotional materials you can look at for each game. ININ did a fantastic job providing a lot for fans of the series to look over and marvel at. Some art pieces included are so early in development for games I thought to be impossible to still have in good condition. 

Final thoughts

Wonder Boy Collection is a fantastic package for new and old fans of the franchise. While I wish they could have included all six games in the franchise, the four chosen are the best way to enjoy what the series offers. Being allowed to play all four games with multiple display options is a blessing for retro and nostalgia fans. Plus, the amount of art and features included is a must for any fan of the series. If you’ve been curious to try the franchise out, this collection is an excellent place to start. 

Wonder Boy Collection is available now for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4/5. You can also get a physical copy for each system.