Looking for games similar to Wonder Boy? Here are some key titles you might like! Many of them are directly inspired by the series in some way, shape or form. From indies to IPs that were lost along the way, it doesn't matter where you land on the map, you're family to us!
Developer: PQube, Wonderboy Bobi
Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4/5
Critically-acclaimed action-RPG that takes the template laid down by classics like Wonder Boy, nails the 16-Bit aesthetics for nostalgia fans, but updates the mechanics to feel fresh and modern. Explore a beautiful open world and plunder dungeons, caves and forests to help take down epic bosses!
Developer: Eldin Pixels
Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Linux, Microsoft Windows, Mac
Alwa’s Legacy is a modern retro game full of dangerous dungeons, mystic items and ancient secrets. Upgrade your magic and choose your own path in this non-linear adventure game brimming with exploration.
Developer: Cape Cosmic
Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4/5, XBox One
Embark on a grand adventure in Phoenotopia! An action-adventure puzzle platformer inspired by the great classics. Meet charming townsfolk, brave the dungeons, and thwart evil in your quest to save your family.
Developer: EngineerKappa
Platform: PC
B.U.D.D. is a sci-fi action platform game with light Metroidvania elements, inspired by games and anime from the late 80's and early 90's. Join Eris Altair as she explores abandoned planets, battles monsters with her trusty BUDD units, and unravels the mysteries of the Lumina system in this cute sci-fi adventure platformer!
Developer: Joel J Games
Platform: PC, ModRetro Chromatic
A village besieged by monsters, a mysterious tower and a broken rope bridge. Save the village by uncovering the origin of these creatures. Run, jump and battle your way through a strange land,gaining powerful abilities to help you in your quest.It’s non-stop action all the way to the end and then maybe, you can find your way home.
Developer: Adventure Islands
Platform: PC
Guide Timmy the little treasure hunter through traps and puzzles to reach the legendary treasure! Experience the classic mini metroidvania remade with new visuals, music, and content!
Developer: Cuticle Nyan Co.
Platform: PC
"If magic doesn't work,then you beat with stick!" Action game in which a magical girl is transferred to another world and struggles.
Developer: Dumativa, Castro Brothers
Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch
A classic platform with a twist: A dynamic soundtrack and funny lyrics that sings the player's actions and responds to what is happening during the adventure.
Developer: SaruPro
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Take control of Yuki and set of on a digital journey of pixel proportions! Get ready for FX-Unit Yuki!!! 8 levels of hardcore retro action with Power-Ups, varying stage types and multiple endings accompanied by an amazing sound design.
Developer: Ravengrounds LIMITED
Platform: PC
Use your platforming skills to guide Buster on an adventure to uncover secrets, collect treasure, and defeat challenging bosses!
Developer: Joakim Sandberg
Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS Vita, PS4
Join renegade mechanic Robin and uncover the secrets of a dying planet. Explore a big world filled with intricate puzzles, interesting characters and menacing bosses in a beautiful platform adventure that tells a personal story about faith, purpose and the challenge of helping people.
The developer mentions Monster World IV as one of the key inspirations for the game!
Developer: Super Item Studios
Platform: PC
A brand new 16-Bit adventure! Help Dono on his quest to get back his delicious fruit! as he travels through Aztec ruins, soda factories, and more! you'll be able to smash the baddies with a variety of abilities such as a wing jump, claw slash, thunder dash, and lots more!
The developer mentions Wonder Boy as one of the key inspirations behind the project. It currently has a demo!
Developer: Pippin Games
Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch
A retro platform, side-scrolling game with gorgeous pixel art. Help Mia rescue Fernando, her husband, who has been kidnapped by a Dark Elf named Morganna and her pack of Monster Girls.
Developer: Gelato Games Limited
Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch, iOS
A retro-inspired action platformer with light rpg elements. An army of monsters led by an evil wizard have invaded your hometown.
Developer: Dreamrift
Platform: Nintendo DS, Modern Platforms (TBA)
An action-adventure game with pet simulator elements that released late on the Nintendo DS life cycle. You play as Ellie, a girl who is transported to the Monster World and teams up with a floating creature named chomp to save it. A re-release was announced in 2021 for its 10th anniversary! That state of it is currently unknown.
Developer: Polestar Pack-In-Video
Platform: SNES
A side-scrolling action platfomer game where you take control as the Princess and defeat an army of demons. It never released outside of Japan, but it does have an English patch for players who are interested!
Developer: rdein, Bombservice
Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch
Momodora is a series of platform games developed by Guilherme "rdein" Martins and his studio, Bombservice. The series follows several priestess heroines who utilize magic maple leaves as weapons against monsters and other cursed entities. The series consists of five games: Momodora I, Momodora II, Momodora III, Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight, and Momodora: Moonlit Farewell.
Note: The first two entries are free to play!
Developer: WayForward
Platform: Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, DSi, 3DS, PC, Mobile, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, XBox
An action-oriented platformer indie series that debuted on the Game Boy Color in 2002. It fell into deep obscurity following its initial release for nearly a decade before making a return and becoming more successful in the mid 2010s with the advent of social media, waves of fan art, crossovers and digital distribution. If you like Wonder Boy, you'll probably like Shantae and vice versa due to similar ideas and aesthetics!
Developer: Falcom
Platform: PC88, Sega CD, TurboGrafx CD, SNES, Nintendo Switch
An iconic action RPG series developed by Falcom. It debuted in the early 90s. Several versions of the game were released on multiple platforms with the most notable and well-known of those being the 1994 Sega CD game. The series was mostly inactive after that, only having a cameo costume in Dead or Alive 5. However, the original game was re-released on the Nintendo Switch in 2024 as part of the EGGCONSOLE lineup!
Developer: Hudson Soft
Platform: NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Gamecube, Turbografx-16, PS2, Mobile, Wii
Adventure Island debuted as a reskin of the original Wonder Boy game for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It would then branch off and become its very own IP! It is a key part of Wonder Boy's history and family.
