Wonder Boy III - Monster Lair

PC Engine CD / TurboGrafx-CD · 1990 · JP

Also known as: Wonder Boy 3 - Monster Lair · Monster Lair (US) · Wonder Boy III : Monster Lair (JP)

Hudson Soft Alfa System

Publisher: Hudson Soft · Developer: Alfa System

Feeling more like the first Wonder Boy than the second, Monster Lair is a fast-paced auto scrolling platform game. The levels are split into two stages, the first being a platform stage, the second a shoot 'em up stage which ends in a boss. During the game your energy counts down, so you must keep picking up fruit to replenish yourself. There are a variety of weapons to collect - lasers, spread shots, spinning shields and so on, but these are also on a timer and do not last long, so weapon switching is frequent to avoid being left with your basic short range sword shot. The game is single or two player simultaneous.