Okay, so Wonder Boy III - Monster Lair is kind of the black sheep of the series—it ditches the usual platforming for this weird but cool hybrid of side-scrolling action and shoot 'em up. You start off running and slashing like classic Wonder Boy, but then suddenly you're hopping on a dragon and blasting enemies with projectiles. It’s jarring at first, but once you get into the rhythm, it’s surprisingly fun.

The levels flip between ground combat and flying sections, and the shift keeps you on your toes. Graphics are bright and cartoony, and the music’s got that classic Genesis charm—though some tracks are definitely better than others. If you go in expecting another Wonder Boy in Monster World, you’ll be confused, but it’s worth sticking with for the sheer weirdness of it all.

Also, pro tip: the Japanese version has slightly better sound, but good luck finding a physical copy.