Preview: Monster World Collection (XBLA)

[TheSonicRetard]

This was announced AGES ago but SEGA finally showed something off:








This appears to be a port of the Sega Ages Monster World collection (although it's missing Monster World II: Wonderboy 3 the Dragon's Trap), and it's being handled by M2, not backbone. The heart of this collection, however, is the release of Monster World IV - fully translated into english - for the first time ever outside of Japan.

This is my absolute favorite Sega series of all time, I can't goddamn wait. Only the XBLA was shown off today, but the PSN version was announced over a year ago, so this is assuredly coming to the PS3 (and likely Steam) as well.

Sega's string of DD hits continues. It's the worst kept secret in gaming, but Sega also hinted that Shenmue is the next game which will be announced (and it will be).

[TrekkiesUnite118]

What's the one shown as an Arcade Cabinet?

[TheSonicRetard]

What's the one shown as an Arcade Cabinet?

Wonderboy in Monsterland, aka Super Wonderboy Super Monster World aka Monster World I.

[TheSonicRetard]

This is, by far, my favorite Sega series, btw. I have the entire series - physical copies - including a translated monster world IV cart, and the PS2 complete collection. I'm going to absolutely double dip on these two versions, though. I will always support Wonderboy.

[TrekkiesUnite118]

Is the translated Monster World 4 a new translation from Sega or did they just do some legal magic to use the fan translation?

[NeoVamp]

How can they call it a collection if its missing The Dragon's Trap?

[TheSonicRetard]

Is the translated Monster World 4 a new translation from Sega or did they just do some legal magic to use the fan translation?

You can tell from the screenshot that it's a new translation.

[TrekkiesUnite118]

I've actually not played the games as I never had access to them. So I couldn't really tell from the screenshot. I've been meaning to give them a try though.

I wonder if it's a ROM if there's a way to extract it and write it to a Genesis cart.

[TheSonicRetard]

How can they call it a collection if its missing The Dragon's Trap?

I know, right? It's also missing Wonderboy, and Monster's Lair

but really, this is just a release of Monster World IV with a great frontend, a soundtest mode, and 2 additional games thrown in (in fact, the arcade version of Wonderboy in Monsterland has never been released in the US, either).

[TheSonicRetard]

I've actually not played the games as I never had access to them. So I couldn't really tell from the screenshot. I've been meaning to give them a try though.

I wonder if it's a ROM if there's a way to extract it and write it to a Genesis cart.

Oh, I didn't meant to imply that you should have been able to spot that it's a new translation, I was just clarifying how I knew. They haven't officially said if it's a new translation or not, but it's got a different font, and that string of text is never in the original translation.

It's certainly a font, and I wouldn't doubt it'll get extracted eventually. As to if it can be played on a Genesis cart, it'll all depend on what changes they made to the rom.

[TrekkiesUnite118]

Was there a previous European release of Wonderboy in Monsterland or did they have to translate that one as well.

[Black_Tiger]

Sold!

I already own the PS2 collection and all the console games except Wobderboy SG-1000, but I'll definitely still enjoy this outside of the translated MWIV. I hope that this set keeps all the games and video settings.

[TheSonicRetard]

Was there a previous European release of Wonderboy in Monsterland or did they have to translate that one as well.

Wonderboy was released as an arcade machine in Japan, the US, and Europe. It also saw a port to the Sega Master System (and NES, under the name Adventure Island).

Super Wonderboy in Super Monster World is both Wonderboy 2 and Monster World 1 - it's the start of a new series, and a sequel at the same time. It was released in Europe and America on the Sega Master System as Wonderboy in Monster Land. An arcade unit was released in europe under the same title, but it never came to the US.

Wonderboy in Monster Lair is Wonderboy 3, not a monster world title. It was never released in the US, although the Turbo Duo port, which drops the Wonderboy name, was released. It was also released in europe on the Megadrive.

Wonderboy in Monster World 2 is a sequel to Wonderboy and Monster World. it's technically wonderboy IV, and Monster World 2. it was released in Europe and the US as Wonderboy 3 - The Dragon's trap.

Wonderboy in Monster World III is the 3rd monster world game, and fifth wonderboy game. It was released in the US and europe as Wonderboy in Monster World.

Monster World IV is the 4th monster world game, and isn't a wonderboy game. It was never released outside of japan.

[Benjamin]

Great stuff, especially if this lands at the $5 price point the Sonic CD remake did. So glad to see Backbone's greased ROM rehashes are finally gone. I do wish Dragon's Trap was included since that's when the series really came into its own, but that's still terrific news regardless.

[TheSonicRetard]

Great stuff, especially if this lands at the $5 price point the Sonic CD remake did. So glad to see Backbone's greased ROM rehashes are finally gone. I do wish Dragon's Trap was included since that's when the series really came into its own, but that's still terrific news regardless.

I've always felt that, while Wonderboy 3 is a more celebrated game (being that it's arguably the best SMS game ever, with only Phantasy Star giving it real critical competition), that Wonderboy in Monster World was the better game. It's certainly my favorite game in the series.