Wonder Boy Returns Remix

 Switch
Metascore
65

Mixed or average reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Switch Player
    May 15, 2020
    70
    Wonder Boy Returns Remix holds up impressively despite a number of flaws that mostly serve to inflate the challenge. This remix polishes down some of the harder edges and slaps a decent lick of paint on top.
  2. Vooks
    Jul 1, 2019
    70
    As a fan of the Wonder Boy series growing up, I can’t recommend it enough to others in a similar position. For newcomers, it’s harder to recommend, but at least watch a couple of the trailers for the game to see if it looks up your alley first.
  3. Nintendo Life
    May 23, 2019
    70
    It’s a great modernisation of a classic and a stress-free way to feel the thrill of Wonder Boy and get to the final boss. However, if the time trialling and One Coin mode don’t appeal to you, then it will be a little brief.
  5. Nintendo Insider
    Jun 17, 2019
    60
    Those looking to delve back into their childhood memories may be left feeling a little empty with Wonder Boy Returns Remix. The facelift is practical enough to keep within the flavor of the classic Wonder Boy games, but not including the original game as an option makes this new style seem hollow by default. I was never expecting too much in regards to added features or gameplay improvements. Although, I was more hoping to see a package that would celebrate a piece of gaming history. Instead, what I have been left with is a distant memory masked by a cheap and inferior makeover. That’s not to say that the spirit of the gameplay isn’t present, it just fails to capture the fond timeframe that I remember.
  6. NintendoWorldReport
    May 30, 2019
    60
    If you feel the need to revisit Wonder Boy or Adventure Island, which were ported to pretty much everything available in the late 80’s, you might give Wonder Boy Returns Remix a shot. For the rest of us, though, there are two much better Wonder Boy games on the Switch that you’ll probably enjoy a whole lot more.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 19
  3. Negative: 5 out of 19
  1. rosnk30
    Jan 2, 2020
    5
    Well, I had played it a lot of time ago. If I remember, this Wonder Boy was one of my first plataform games that I had enjoyed. So, I rememberWell, I had played it a lot of time ago. If I remember, this Wonder Boy was one of my first plataform games that I had enjoyed. So, I remember a tons of stuff like envirorment, music etc.

    But this's is a fan made wonder boy. The game hadn't challenge and is pretty much repetitive.
    Luck that is cheap game....    … Full Review »
  2. Mangamanvii
    Sep 13, 2021
    7
    This is a solid remake of where it all began, The Wonder Boy series has seen a large revival as of late and it seems it was appropriate toThis is a solid remake of where it all began, The Wonder Boy series has seen a large revival as of late and it seems it was appropriate to have one of the core original experience. I'm not exactly a fan of the music as some of it sounds cheap, but there are some standout tracks.

    The core gameplay is there with running and jumping while being able to toss an infinite amount of projectiles to take care of enemies along the way too. The levels are more varied to look at this time with the addition of HD graphics and updated art style. Highly recommended for action game fans.    … Full Review »
  3. Sabrewulf1
    Dec 21, 2020
    7
    Ok, so as a 15 year old down the local arcade, i used to regularly get to world 8 on a single 10 penny piece. You git good or go home withOk, so as a 15 year old down the local arcade, i used to regularly get to world 8 on a single 10 penny piece. You git good or go home with this. So here goes.. the original wonderboy returns completely missed the mark and went for the cute graphics and did not understand this was a hardcore arcade game that , back in the day, had seriously competitive gamers playing this. And it was basically a speed runner with a timer and high score system that used bonus drops in the form of upgrades to the fruit you picked up and collecting a doll on each stage. This remix has that competitive arcade feel and is very close to the original arcade machine now. The original was a steaming turd.

    Its still not exactly the same as the original, its still way more forgiving..even on one coin mode (10 lives ? Original had 3 with bonus lives at varying high score stages) the doll bonus does not add to the score at the end of each stage, tomtom now has a charged axe attack that can even destroy rocks (really ? No need, its like the devs were scared the new kids cant handle difficulty) and the scoring is completely different. However, each stage is now almost the original levels, down to jumps , platforms, bear dressed natives , the flowers and even secret bonuses are intact (mostly). I know this because i have this games muscle memory jumps still from 30 years ago, and you can get in 'the zone' and into a hypnotic rhythm of jumping and shooting which the game demands to be able to stand chance of completing it, something most gamers will not pick up on. (Or probably dont care as the rpg platformer monsterboy / wonderboy is far more accessible to the new breed of gamer)

    This was always a game that was aimed at hardcore arcade high score chasers, that loved brutal difficulty, super responsive control mechanics, rapid reaction twitch shooting, and muscle memory rythmic jumping. (Gotta keep that skateboard, its finally even rewarded with extra fruit if you do), which leads me to my main gripe... no live global high scores. Lets face it, this game is for niche lovers of wonderboy, and we all played it for the fierce competitive nature of it. Leaving that huge high score up so others could try and smash it. This version is functional at best, and it even has major spelling mistakes (character select screen is spelt 'charcter select').

    This to me shows the utter lack of polish it has. Clearly wonderboy returns was lacking mass sales of the game, so the devs changed it to this to save it. For the most part , it has, its now definately a game i dont regret picking up, i jist wish it was a remaster rather than a remake. Remake means devs feel they can add more 'modern feel, whereas, sticking with why this game was loved (fierce competitive nature and super skillset gaming) would have made it a 'must own'. Rule one, never remake a classic, remaster the classic, make the framerate a rock solid 60fps (background images chugg), and make the controls on arcade remasters super tight and responsive.

    Its an enjoyable game, but the whole project bent too heavily on cute graphics and lost what made this game great leaving it a missed opportunity. Shame. An honest shame. If you pick it up , stay away from the original WBR, thats a 1 out of 10.    … Full Review »
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