The gameplay is a mixture of Zelda-like sword wielding and Mario-esque platforming with a hub area with 4 areas to access. They simply don’t make ’em how they used to. While the aforementioned features are the game’s main appeal, it’s actually the small things in MWIV that made it especially enjoyable for me -the easy on the eyes animation, the great sound effects and wise-cracking characters, such as a boss setting up three barriers to prevent your progress only to ask you three times if you can beat him while chuckling to himself. Grabbing onto your little assistant can allow you to glide and even do a double jump. This implementation of the buddy-type system is excellent and is on par with Yoshi and Mario as one of the best I’ve experienced in a 2D setting. This blue Kirby-like monster can be utilized to assist you during gameplay by reaching far-off switches, to glide to inaccessible areas and to protect you. This far from accurately reflects its true value, however, as this action-adventure platformer has aged like a fine wine served with cheese with great character designs and soundtrack, fun basic gameplay and the cutest little monster assistant ever by the name of Pepelogoo. This particular release is slightly unique in the sense that it’s only available as a download code included in the physical release of MWIV‘s remake Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World, and there are no other standalone versions available on current gen consoles, which might normally be a cause for concern for potential newcomers. Monster World IV is one such example, waiting 18 years from its original 1994 release to first receive a translated version on the Wii’s virtual console in 2012 before also seeing releases on the PS Store and X-Box Network.īetter late than never though, as this definition of a hidden gem encompasses everything great about the 16-bit days with its charming quirks and addictive gameplay making it perfect for children and adults alike. If you didn’t grow up in the Sega Genesis/SNES era, deciding which retro games are essential must-play experiences can be quite the daunting task, especially as not every classic received a western release.

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