A terrible curse has fallen over the Monster World Kingdom, but a hero that looks just a touch familiar is here to stop it. Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom is an upcoming action-adventure title for Nintendo Switch that will invoke some serious nostalgia for anyone with a love of the Wonder Boy games or Lizardcube's recent remake of The Dragon's Trap.
Details are scarce so far, but here's everything we know right now about Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom:
What is Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom?
Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom puts the player in the shoes of a young man named Jin whose evil Uncle Nabu is causing trouble in Monster World Kingdom with powerful magic. The game is a 2D sidescrolling action platformer, and its primary hook is that Jin can transform into six different forms that he unlocks as he adventures. Each form has different abilities that allow him to fight or traverse his environment in different ways, unlocking new paths.
How is it connected to Wonder Boy?
If you didn't guess from the name or gameplay description, Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom is very similar to the Wonder Boy games, which are also 2D sidescrollers that involve a main character shifting into different animal forms. The game is a spiritual successor to these games and has been supported by Wonder Boy's series creator. Though it doesn't include any of the same characters and is not made by the same developers, if you liked Wonder Boy and the Dragon's Trap on Nintendo Switch, you'll probably like Monster Boy as well.
How do you play?
As mentioned, Jin will explore the Monster World Kingdom, fighting enemies and obtaining treasure. At first, he won't be able to transform, but as you progress you'll gain the ability to turn into different animal forms. Each form has different movement abilities, and you may find yourself able to return to a previous area after unlocking a new ability that allows you to progress in a way you couldn't before.
In addition, Jin can collect items and weapons that have magical effects and also shape the world around him, unlocking new paths. Everything is interconnected and there are plenty of secrets to find this way.
Are there any special features on Nintendo Switch?
Monster Boy doesn't have any dramatically special Switch features like amiibo support, but it does support HD Rumble. Though we haven't had a chance to see exactly how in-depth this is, it seems it will be a more interesting rumble feature than on other platforms such as PC. It runs at 60fps in the Switch's handheld mode.
When can I get it?
Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom launches Dec. 4 on Nintendo Switch for $39.99.
Want to know more?
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