Subtitled Monster Lair, this entry into what was already an interesting series took the gameplay into a new direction. The first part of each level is very much a platformer, with a little bit of shooting mixed in; think Mario with a permanent fire flower. Once you've jumped and pew pew pew-ed to the end of the level, the formula changes totally. Wonder Boy and his female companion mount pink dragons and it's all shmup, nasty boss at the end and all. It's a nice twist, keeping the action fresh and hectic throughout.