Wonder Boy – Spectrum 48/128K/+2/+3 Cassette Game

Wonder Boy 1986 platform game published by Sega and developed by Escape (now known as Westone Bit Entertainment). Originally designed for arcades, it was later ported to the ZX Spectrum home computers by Activision. The game is also known as Super Wonder Boy.

The game was true in spirit to the original, although the levels beyond level 4 differed to allow for the necessary multi-load system. The first round of each area was always a forest, the second an ocean. The third is a cave and the fourth a forest at night time. This was not the case in the console and arcade versions, in which the areas provided more variation (although based on these same four themes).

In the far past, a Boy is attacked by the Evil King. He manages to escape, but The king kidnaps his girlfriend, Tina. the Boy explores the island and avoids the Grim Reaper, who has set out under the command of The King to lead him to his doom. After questing for ages, the Boy confronts the and saves Tina. After returning home, The Boy is heralded as a “Wonder Boy”.

Wonder Boy Spectrum Cassette Game Gameplay

The titular Wonder Boy is a tribal caveman-like boy whose girlfriend Tina has been captured by the dark King (known as Drancon in the Game Gear version). The player must guide the Wonder Boy through seven “areas”, each consisting of four “rounds”.

Wonder Boy can arm himself with a stone hatchet, which he can throw at oncoming foes, a skateboard with which he can rush through the levels and temporary protection by an angel which allows him to destroy foes by simply running into them. All of the aforementioned power-ups are obtained by breaking open eggs. These eggs can also contain unpleasant surprises – curses which cause him to lose vitality more quickly than usual, and poisonous mushrooms which reduce Wonder Boy’s vitality in one go.

The player must remain aware of the vitality meter, which constantly runs down at a steady pace and can only be refilled by collecting food throughout the level. There is also one doll to collect in each level, which doubles the bonus points awarded at the end of the level. If all 28 dolls are collected, then a bonus eighth area will be unlocked.

At the end of every “area”, Wonder Boy will encounter an incarnation of the chief antagonist as a boss character. Once defeated, the mighty lord’s mask flies off and transforms into an item such as a tea cup or a piece of fruit, before subsequently making his escape. A two-player alternating mode is available where each player takes turn whenever the other one loses a life.

Game Reviews

Your Sinclair reviw: “Yaaaaarrrghhh! It’s a ‘cute’ game! A conversion of one of those coin-ops that the Japanese (and Matt) seem to be so fond of. The hero, Wonderboy (who’s been promoted to the rank of ‘Super’ for some reason), is about as macho as Sue Pollard – at the beginning of the game he’s even wearing a nappy, for Gawd’s sake! Luckily, though, he soon gets given a suit of armour. I suppose I’d better tell you what happens next.” – Duncan MacDonald.

Buying Retro Cassette Tape Games

While we’ve experienced minimal to no difficulties loading both sides of this Spectrum Cassette game. It’s important to understand that results may vary on your equipment. Therefore, please keep in mind that these are sold primarily for decorative purposes, and any loading challenges you encounter will be your responsibility.

Wonder Boy Spectrum 48/128K/+2/+3 Cassette Game Ocean Software

Wonder Boy original cassette
Original inlay instructions
Original cassette case

What’s it like today?
Rarity: Fairly Common
Typical value: £5.99
Boxed & Mint: £9.99 – £19.95

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