Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap

 Switch
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 172 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 123 out of 172
  2. Mixed: 34 out of 172
  3. Negative: 15 out of 172
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. SuperkenGaming
    Apr 19, 2017
    7
    Wonder Boy: The Dragons Trap
    A Modern look with a dated feel
    The Dragons Trap is a remake of the master system game Wonder Boy 3 You can even swap between the 2 versions of both sounds and visuals with the touch of a button This is an action platformer where you play as wonder boy or wonder girl trying to undo a curse that turns you into a lizard man There are definitely some    Wonder Boy: The Dragons Trap
    A Modern look with a dated feel
    The Dragons Trap is a remake of the master system game Wonder Boy 3
    You can even swap between the 2 versions of both sounds and visuals with the touch of a button
    This is an action platformer where you play as wonder boy or wonder girl trying to undo a curse that turns you into a lizard man
    There are definitely some metroidvania style feels here…
    You basically explore a sort of open map until you can’t anymore... you’ll eventually find the right path to the next boss and pick up coins and other items dropped from enemies along the way…
    The coins can be used to heal your character as well as buy new armor shields and swords from shops scattered throughout the game…
    Unfortunately you can’t use the coins to buy any of the consumable weapons which sucks... I’d much rather grind for coins than random drops…
    These consumable weapons are so rare that you’re better off ignoring them, because relying on them you’ll quickly find is a mistake because of this rarity…
    Once you make it to a boss, you take part in a battle of dodging and attacking the head..
    These battles are where the games problems really start to show…
    The biggest issue is that you have to hit the enemies head, meaning you have to get close...
    problem is if you get too close you take damage and you can’t attack for a few seconds after damage is taken…
    This makes every single boss battle feel luck based and cheap…
    There was really only one boss I felt like I beat using timing and skill…
    The others I had to rely on my potions that refilled my health after I lost all of my hearts while I try to get lucky with being just the right distance while at the same time not having taken damage from their spammy attacks…
    These encounters are just not fun…
    and if you die you restart from the little village and have to make your way back through all of the obstacles and enemies again…
    If you do defeat the boss you unlock a new form...
    You then use this form to reach areas you couldn’t reach before and it’s the same cycle of go until you cant or until you find a boss for the next form…
    Each form feels unique and has its own abilities…
    The mouse though clearly the worst and most frustrating to use thanks to its forced extra close ranged attacks...
    Wonder Boy The Dragons Trap is fun to play through... its gorgeous.. It’s my favorite kind of metroidvania where you feel the urge to explorer rather than feeling like you’re forced to do so and it’s a fairly quick game that can be beat in a little less than 3 hours…
    But still this is a remake of an old game and it shows...
    The platforming is stiff... bosses are cheap thanks to this no doing damage after you’ve taken damage window…and the grind for pickups is no fun
    But what is fun is unlocking all of the abilities and finding all of the secrets this game has to offer.
    I give Wonder boy: The Dragons trap
    a 7/10    … Expand
  2. ricklongo
    Jun 19, 2017
    7
    As a Brazilian, it should come as no surprise I have a keen sense of nostalgia for the Master System. It was my second ever console, after the NES, and it went on to be a staple of my childhood. The Wonder Boy franchise (which was localized in Brazil as Turma da Mônica, after a popular comic book series) has always stood tall among the console's library, and now one of its best titles hasAs a Brazilian, it should come as no surprise I have a keen sense of nostalgia for the Master System. It was my second ever console, after the NES, and it went on to be a staple of my childhood. The Wonder Boy franchise (which was localized in Brazil as Turma da Mônica, after a popular comic book series) has always stood tall among the console's library, and now one of its best titles has received a loving remaster for a new era.

    The Dragon's Trap is one of gaming earliest metroidvanias, predating even that particular term. You play as the titular Wonder Boy (or, in the case of this remaster, as Wonder Girl if you want), who is soon placed under a curse and turned into an anthropomorphic, fire-spewing lizard. Subsequently, you're thrown into a big 2D open world and it's your task to explore it in search for new transformations, each with its own abilities, which in turn allow you to explore new areas.

    The game's graphics have gotten a much needed coat of paint, making it look absolutely lovely. The hand-drawn animations are crisp and detailed, in stark contrast with the Master System original's rigidness. In fact, the graphical work is so well done that it completely changes how the controls feel in regards to the in-game physics, even though those remain 100% unchanged (as the original graphics mode, accessible by the mere click of a button, can attest). It's amazing how the mere addition of extra frames of animation can turn a control scheme that's overly slippy into something that feels just right.

    As a clear labor of love for the original, however, Dragon's Trap misses an excellent opportunity to solve some of the game design quirks that haven't aged well. A few of the game's many secrets, for exemple, are almost impossible to find without a guide, and each new sword or piece of armor hold new powers that are never properly explained. For example: there's a sword which allows the player to transform between characters at any moment, an extremely important ability, but you'd never know it (or how to actually do it) unless you go looking elsewhere for the information.

    TL;DR:
    At around 5 hours to get everything, Wonder Boy: The Dragon's trap is a short but sweet metroidvania platformer. The new graphics are nothing short of stunning, and the extra frames of animation single-handedly manage to fix the otherwise unchanged physics system, which used to feel overly rigid and slippy. Some of the more obtuse conventions from back in the day, such as new powers that are never properly explained, sadly remain, but the game still emerges as a lovely experience that can appeal to gamers old and new.

    Rating: 7.5/10    … Expand
  3. LuccaSSC
    Jul 13, 2017
    7
    While this game is stunningly beautiful with its hand-drawn style, there are still many issues regarding the hitboxes of some enemies that come as an inheritance of the original game for the Master System. Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap can be really, really fun, but also really frustrating during some specific sections of the game. Furthermore, it's really short and offers nothingWhile this game is stunningly beautiful with its hand-drawn style, there are still many issues regarding the hitboxes of some enemies that come as an inheritance of the original game for the Master System. Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap can be really, really fun, but also really frustrating during some specific sections of the game. Furthermore, it's really short and offers nothing interesting to do after defeating the last boss.… Expand
  4. metaknightmare
    Apr 21, 2017
    7
    One of the best remasters of an older game, it looks pleasant and the soundscape is rich. With that said, these are only new skins on an old game and while that may sound appealing, the outdated gameplay is more often frustrating than it is fun. Particularly what is lacking are the combat and progression systems. Combat and movement are clunky, a lot of the times you attack or move in aOne of the best remasters of an older game, it looks pleasant and the soundscape is rich. With that said, these are only new skins on an old game and while that may sound appealing, the outdated gameplay is more often frustrating than it is fun. Particularly what is lacking are the combat and progression systems. Combat and movement are clunky, a lot of the times you attack or move in a way that you did not intend to even knowing the rules of the game. It's nice that there is room to get good but even if you master a zone, it never feels like you have a solid grasp going into the next one. The process results in many deaths and allows only a few moments where you feel like you have control of your own character. Progression is mostly unsatisfying and when you get lost on what to do next you may spend a lot of time going all the way around the map again. That part is forgivable since you can still make gold and buy things from backtracking. I wish they would have enhanced the gameplay to be more intuitive and fluid but then somebody who wants to play the older game the same as it was with updated skins would not be as happy. So for me it is a 7 max, pleasant graphics and music but gameplay is, over 50% of the time, more frustrating than fun.… Expand
  5. hypernewbie
    Aug 16, 2017
    7
    Pretty good retro. The start was REALLY REALLY rocky and almost put me off. I would rework the beginning part. Start would score 0 / 10.

    Rest of the actual game is great, metroidvia game feel to it.
  6. BossRabbit
    Apr 24, 2017
    6
    A fantastic remake of an old classic. Unfortunately it also exists as a prime reason as to how sometimes the games we played as kids don't age that well.

    The art and music in this game are absolutely fantastic. Every character looks absolutely incredible, and I absolutely love the new designs and artwork for Wonder Boy/Girl and their various forms. One of my favorite things has to be    A fantastic remake of an old classic. Unfortunately it also exists as a prime reason as to how sometimes the games we played as kids don't age that well.

    The art and music in this game are absolutely fantastic. Every character looks absolutely incredible, and I absolutely love the new designs and artwork for Wonder Boy/Girl and their various forms. One of my favorite things has to be the dopey, glazed over stares of each form as they stand in the stores. On every single screen I found myself hitting RT just to see what changed, like how they imagined a room of boxes in a black void as a beach house. Another fantastic change is the music in the Meka-Dragon's castle is somber and quiet during the intro, yet triumphant and heroic when you return in your Hawk form.

    As far as gameplay goes, it is a frustratingly well-preserved slice of everything terrible about early video games, with a constant barrage of enemies constantly smacking you off platforms or into other enemies with frustrating patterns. You also never seem to feel stronger or tougher despite shelling out for expensive armors, and it feels like you're a total wimp until you get your legendary gear back.

    I love the Wonder Boy series, and Lizardcube did a fantastic job breathing new life into an old classic, but I found myself saying "it's finally over" rather than joy when I finally beat the game.    … Expand
  7. FrankoAmmo
    Jan 3, 2018
    7
    I have to admit I had never played the original title and I was quite impressed with this new version!! Wow it must have been one of the coolest/better games back in 1989! Even when I was changing the new style to the retro one for a minute or two I found myself still liking the game. The different characters and abilities were pretty fun, but the mouse-man combat style is frustratingI have to admit I had never played the original title and I was quite impressed with this new version!! Wow it must have been one of the coolest/better games back in 1989! Even when I was changing the new style to the retro one for a minute or two I found myself still liking the game. The different characters and abilities were pretty fun, but the mouse-man combat style is frustrating (very short range). The game is somewhat hard in general, but it is not that bad in my opinion. The graphics are awesome and the bosses are good, but frustrating (you need to hit them on the head and it is easy to take damage if you get too close). I find the price a little high therefore I bought it when it was 25% off. I completed the game with almost everything in 7 hours, but I only completed two of ''the unknown'' sections as I did not enjoy them or understand the purpose of them. The game is not that long therefore I would suggest you to wait for a sale if you are not already convinced. The platforming aspect was a little stiff in general, but barely noticeable.

    This title deserves a 7.5 out of 10 in my book.    … Expand
  8. GlennGlenny
    Jan 23, 2018
    7
    An excellent remake with really solid mechanics, every jump and slash missed was my fault. The flip of switch allowed me to swap between original 8/16 bit graphics and the lovely new visuals and the same trick with the sound and music too. A really good game but as a product of it's time the difficulty and the not having an indication of where to go to next pushes back a little bit moreAn excellent remake with really solid mechanics, every jump and slash missed was my fault. The flip of switch allowed me to swap between original 8/16 bit graphics and the lovely new visuals and the same trick with the sound and music too. A really good game but as a product of it's time the difficulty and the not having an indication of where to go to next pushes back a little bit more than we're accustomed these days.… Expand
  9. hsh1417
    Apr 13, 2018
    5
    I don't feel like I used to have fun ... I did a great job with the remake.
  10. Walhalla
    Jun 20, 2019
    6
    Even its a reskinned game, its fun to play. Or maybe because its a reskinned game its fun to play. I havent played any wonderboy game before.. because of the graphics. It was too retro for me. To oldschool. And I wouldnt play it, if it still would be looking like the 8bit game. But the way it looks now.. its fun to play and this shows, how important the view of the game is. If you are aEven its a reskinned game, its fun to play. Or maybe because its a reskinned game its fun to play. I havent played any wonderboy game before.. because of the graphics. It was too retro for me. To oldschool. And I wouldnt play it, if it still would be looking like the 8bit game. But the way it looks now.. its fun to play and this shows, how important the view of the game is. If you are a fan of the Wonderboy games, this is a must for you. But even if you dont know them.. the same as I dont know them... even then, this game could be a good choice for you. If you at least like platformers... :-)
    https://youtu.be/un8P2SYDkHA    … Expand
  11. sentimento
    Sep 24, 2019
    5
    Graphics were what catched me in this strange web. But it's such poorly balanced game, that i had little fun playing it. What kept me playing was the price I paid for the game and graphics :x but i guess it's not enough
  12. Albgut
    Dec 30, 2020
    7
    Fun game the only downside side in my opinions is that the controls needed to be a bit tighter.
  13. Jojogonpa
    Apr 12, 2021
    7
    Un jeu magnifique visuellement et musicalement, le gameplay est malheureusement d'un autre âge et le jeu est trop cours... (du fait qu'il s'agit d'un remake d'un jeu game gear, le rajout de contenue n'aurait pas été de trop). Bon jeu malgré ses défauts

Awards & Rankings

54
#54 Best Switch Game of 2017
31
#31 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2017
28
#28 Most Shared Switch Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Jun 23, 2017
    85
    This may be the most beautiful hand-drawn 2D game I've ever played, and I'd frequently stop while playing just to marvel at the mastery of how each scene was reworked. [Issue #28 – July/August 2017, p. 20]
  2. CD-Action
    Jun 7, 2017
    85
    After you get used to some crudeness related to the fact that the original is 28 years old, you’ll notice that is hasn’t aged that much. What’s more, visuals were revamped so skillfully that The Dragon’s Trap is one of the prettiest games released this year. [06/2017, p.54]
  3. Pocket Gamer UK
    May 26, 2017
    90
    Wonder Boy is full of wistful retro charm, and an absolutely essential purchase on the Nintendo Switch eShop.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »