I am assuming you're running the arcade version off a SuperGun? How much did the board set you back?
Initially, I just assumed it was the SMS version. But it looked too damn nice, "That title screen can't be from the SMS port, could it?"
What's sad is that I've played the SMS port a billion times, but I can't recall the title screen with any clarity.
I know it says "insert coin", I'm talking about the fact that I can't remember things. That's what is disturbing.
These are the version's of WonderBoy I've got in my collection so far. My favorite of the 3 is the TG16 version for obvious superior reasons all around. And it's the only one that I have beaten so far. I'm still working on trying to beat the NES version but it's so freaking hard ! Gonna definitely have to try out the rest of the series that you guy's posted up on here.
![](http://i1342.photobucket.com/albums/o769/Willza562/20140721_235954_zps5a9afcae.jpg)
It is quite satisfying when you beat Adventure Island NES, since it is a challenging game. Such a great game, though.
If you have SMS, certainly grab Wonderboy—it's cheap and one of the best games in the SMS library (a very solid platformer, marred only by the lame square direction pad on the SMS controller).
Also, don't hurt me, but since you like this classic platforming formula of Wonderboy, you should give JJ & Jeff a chance. It is the black sheep, the bastard child, the lone wolf in the Wonderboy family. Folks either love it or hate it, I think. It's not perfect, but I personally find enough there to deem it "worthy". JJ&Jeff, like AI NES, has some quite challenging platforming acrobatics required later in the game.
NAI is easy but fun as hell.
AI 2 NES is very nice, too.