Wonder Boy Master System box art

Sega Master System · Platformer

Wonder Boy

SystemSega Master System
GenrePlatformer
DeveloperSEGA
PublisherSEGA
Players1–2 players
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
SeriesWonder Boy
ESRBE
LegacyDeep cut

Wonder Boy is a platformer released for the Sega Master System, developed by SEGA.

It is part of the Wonder Boy series; on the Master System you can also try Wonder Boy in Monster Land, Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap and Wonder Boy in Monster World. The series also appears on other systems with Monster World IV (Genesis) and Wonder Boy in Monster World (Genesis). SEGA also made Alex Kidd in Miracle World, Phantasy Star and Hang-On for the Master System.

Wonder Boy supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.

Pick it if…

  • you want to run, jump and explore
  • you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
  • you have a friend to play against
  • you've played the Master System hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives

What playing Wonder Boy is like

Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.

Tip for newcomers: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.

Wonder Boy gameplay screenshot on Master System
In-game screenshot (Master System)

Wonder Boy cheats & codes

26 codes on file (Action Replay, Other codes). Here are a few Action Replay codes to start with:

Infinite Lives00C1-4309
Freeze Wonder Boy's Jogging Animation00C1-7013
Infinite Red/Yellow Bar00CC-3611
Invincibility + Stone Hammers00C1-2703
Start With Stone Hammers00C1-2701
40 Dolls00C1-3028

See all Wonder Boy cheats

If you like Wonder Boy, the Matrix also picks…

Playing Master System games today

The Master System library is full of colorful arcade-style games that are easy to pick up. Many titles also appear in Sega's official compilations.

Wonder Boy FAQ

Who made Wonder Boy?

It was developed by SEGA.

Is Wonder Boy multiplayer?

Yes. Wonder Boy supports up to 2 players.

How long does Wonder Boy take to play?

As a platformer, Wonder Boy typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

Not sure? Let the Matrix pick for you