Today I made something that I never do, I bought (more precisely, pre-ordered) the Wonder Boy Anniversary collection Collector’s Edition which costs €99.99 (not including delivery).
So Why did I Pre-ordered Wonder Boy Anniversary Collection?
Wonder Boy games are the most nostalgic games for me. Nothing can change that as it tight directly to my childhood memories. These types of retro games are one of the only ways I can access my childhood memories. It’s amazing that once I hear the music and I play retro games, things in my brain keeps popping out–images, sounds, feelings–that I never knew I can relieve again as an adult.
We are talking about more than 35 years ago. I rarely remember things at such a young age, but games tickle the brain to retrieve those memories back, although they are pale and rusty. Still, once they come, I feel a sense of happiness, I feel like that little kid again. I remember the apartment I lived in, the console I played, and some background things from that.
It even sometimes brings related events into my consciousness.
I bought the Nintendo Switch version of the Wonder Boy Anniversary Collection Collector’s Edition as I wanted to be able to play it when I travel, so it will always be with me.
This specific edition is limited to 3000 copies worldwide and ships internationally.
At my age, and I am in my 40s, collecting things isn’t something I think about. Actually, if there was an option to buy just the game (already sold out), I would have bought that instead. But because it was sold out, I bought the more expensive option.
Wonder Boy Collection vs Anniversary Collection
Now I could have bought the Wonder Boy Collection for the Nintendo Switch, as it is already sold on Amazon for $29.99 as of the time of writing. It features four of the classic Wonder Boy games: Wonder Boy, Wonder Boy in Monster Land, Wonder in Monster World, and Monster World IV. But the Anniversary Edition variants feature more options, including Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair and Wonder Boy III: The Dragon’s Trap.
It also included JP, and Western/International version of the game as well as of different game systems, including Game Gear, Master System (the console I played many of those games on), Arcade (SYSTEM 16), Mega Drive, Genesis, Sega Mark III, Arcade (System 2).
It will be amazing playing all of these versions including the one that I originally played on, which is the Sega Master System.
The Wonder Boy Anniversary Edition features the following version of Wonder Boy:
| Original Title |
Version |
Console Port |
| Wonder Boy |
International/Western |
Arcade (SYSTEM 1) |
| Wonder Boy | JP | SG-1000 |
| Super Wonder Boy | JP | Master System / Sega MARK III |
| Wonder Boy | International/Western | Master System / Sega MARK III |
| Revenge of Drancon (Wonder Boy) | International/Western | Game Gear |
| Wonder Boy | JP | Game Gear |
| Wonder Boy in Monster Land |
International/Western | Arcade (SYSTEM 2) |
| Wonder Boy in Monster Land | International/Western | Master System |
| Wonder Boy in Monster Land | JP | Arcade (SYSTEM 2) |
| Super Wonder Boy: Monster World |
JP | Master System / Sega MARK III |
| Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap |
International/Western | Game Gear |
| Wonder Boy III: The Dragon’s Trap | International/Western | Master System |
| Monster World II (Dragon’s Trap) |
JP |
Master System / Sega MARK III |
| Monster World II: The Dragon’s Trap |
JP | Game Gear |
| Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair |
International/Western | Arcade (SYSTEM 16) |
| Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair | International/Western | Mega Drive / Genesis |
| Wonder Boy in Monster World |
International/Western | Master System / Sega MARK III |
| Wonder Boy in Monster World | International/Western | Mega Drive / Genesis |
| Wonder Boy V: Monster World III |
JP | Mega Drive |
| Monster World IV |
International/Western | Mega Drive / Genesis |
| Monster World IV |
JP | Mega Drive |
Via: strictly limited games
Aside from that, with The Collector’s Edition I get the following:
- Game for Nintendo Switch or PlayStation 4 with colorful Game Manual
- Collector’s Edition Box with a magnetic latch
- Best Of Soundtrack
- Acrylic Diorama
- 3 Arcade Flyer
- Autograph Card
- Vacation Postcard Set of 6
- Hardcover Artbook
- Collector’s Coin Album
- Card Game
- Sticker Set of 7
- Reversible A2 Poster
- Enamel Pin
I personally only care about the game, but it’s nice having some extra things—not sure what I’m going to do with them however 🙂
The total cost with shipment and taxes should be around the cost of two triple-A games. But more me, I know I’ll be playing those games a lot from time to time. I want that “childhood memories access tech” (a joke of course) to be with me wherever I go.
It’s the only set of games, Wonder Boy series, and a retro game that I will ever pay that much. I’m sure it will also be amazing to play it handheld—Can’t wait!
It should arrive around November and I can’t wait to share with you those moments. I know it will be special.
By the way, tomorrow, July 14, 2022–Wonder Boy The Dragon’s Trap will be available for free on Epic Games Store. I definitely going to play it.
That’s it. Follow my YouTube channel ‘SpookyFairy’ on YouTube if you want to see those moments when I open the Collector’s edition and share my first playthrough of all these amazing Wonder Boy games around 35 years after—Thank you for coming.