Play Wonder Boy (USA, Europe) Online

Wonder Boy is one of those old-school platformers that still holds up surprisingly well. You play as Tom-Tom, this little dude in a loincloth who’s trying to rescue his girlfriend from some weird monster. The controls are simple—just run and jump—but the levels throw some sneaky stuff at you, like fruit that disappears if you don’t grab it fast enough.

What’s cool is how the game mixes things up. You’ll hop on a skateboard to zip through sections, smash pots for hidden dolls (no idea why they’re there, but collecting them feels satisfying), and even stumble into secret areas if you’re paying attention. The graphics are bright and cartoony for an 8-bit game, and the music sticks in your head way longer than it should.

It’s tougher than it looks, though. One wrong jump and you’re back to the start of the level, so expect some frustration. But that’s part of the charm—it makes finally beating a stage feel like a real win.