View source for Adventure Island (video game)

{{Short description|1986 video game}}
{{other uses|Adventure Island (disambiguation)}}
{{for-multi|the Game Boy version of Adventure Island|Adventure Island II|the PC Engine game of the same name|Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Adventure Island
|image = adventureisland.jpg
|caption = Cover art of ''Adventure Island'' (North American NES version)
|developer = [[Hudson Soft]]
|publisher = Hudson Soft
|artist = [[Susumu Matsushita]]
|composer = [[Jun Chikuma]]
|engine =
|released = '''Famicom/NES''' {{video game release|JP|September 12, 1986|NA|September 1988|EU|1992}} '''MSX''' {{video game release|JP|September 12, 1986}}
|genre = [[Platform game|Platform]]
|modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
|platforms = [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[MSX]], [[Gamate]], [[Game Boy Advance]], [[GameCube]], [[PlayStation 2]]
}}

'''''Hudson's Adventure Island''''', known as {{nihongo|'''''Takahashi Meijin no Bōken Jima'''''|高橋名人の冒険島||''[[Takahashi Meijin#Appearances|Master Takahashi]]'s Adventure Island''}} in Japan and also known as '''''Adventure Island''''',{{efn|Released in the NES PAL-A region as '''''Adventure Island Classic''''', and in the PAL-B region as '''''Adventure Island in the Pacific'''''}} is a side-scrolling [[platform game]] produced by [[Hudson Soft]] that was released in Japan for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]] and [[MSX]] on September 12, 1986. ''Adventure Island'' was released in North America for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] in 1988 and in the [[PAL region]] in 1992.

''Adventure Island'' is an adaptation of the arcade game ''[[Wonder Boy (video game)|Wonder Boy]]'', developed by [[Westone Bit Entertainment|Escape]] for [[Sega]]. ''Adventure Island'' was followed by a series of sequels with no connection to the ''[[Wonder Boy]]'' series.

==Plot==
The player controls Master Higgins (known as Master Wigins in the [[United Kingdom]]<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Matt|last=Yeo|title=Things that Make You Go Boom!|magazine=[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]|issue=19|publisher=[[Emap International Limited]] |date=May 1997|page=42}}</ref> and as [[Takahashi Meijin]] in Japanese versions), a young man who ventured to Adventure Island in the South Pacific after hearing that the Evil Witch Doctor kidnapped Princess Tina. To rescue her, Higgins must survive a series of 32 stages. There are eight worlds called "areas", which are divided into four stages or "rounds" each, which are further divided into four checkpoints. When the player reaches the fourth round of each area, he must confront a boss at the end to continue to the next area. The game is completed when the player saves the girl after defeating the eighth and final form of the evil lord.

==Gameplay==
[[File:Adventure Island (NES) gameplay.gif|left|thumb|The first stage in the NES version]]
Master Higgins (the player character) loses a life whenever he touches an enemy, an enemy's attack, a fire roast, or when he falls into a pitfall or a body of water. The player also has a health gauge that starts out with 11 points, which gradually depletes over time or whenever Higgins trips on a rock in his path. When Higgins' health gauge reaches zero, he will lose a life. If Higgins still has extra lives, he will revive at the last checkpoint he passed through. The game ends when all of Higgins' lives run out. To replenish his health, Higgins can pick up fruit or a milk bottle and has a maximum health of up to 16 points. When the player's score reaches 50,000 points, 100,000 points, and 200,000 points, Higgins will receive an extra life. Finding a bee-like fairy known as Honey Girl will grant Higgins invincibility for about ten seconds and allow him to kill enemies with a single touch. Also hidden in each stage is a special pot, which doubles the player's end-of-stage bonus.

Higgins starts off each life without the ability to attack and can only gain the ability to attack by picking up a stone axe, which can be found in specific spots in each stage. When Higgins is wielding the stone axe, he can trade it for magical fireballs that have longer range and are capable of destroying rocks and rolling stones (which are invulnerable to the stone axe).

To break an egg, the player must touch it or hit it with a weapon twice. In addition to weapons, there are numerous bonus items inside. There is also the possibility of receiving a negative item, the eggplant, which drains Higgins' life meter. Some of the eggs are not immediately visible in plain sight. The locations of these "hidden eggs" are usually indicated when a weapon thrown by a player disappears before falling to the ground and are uncovered by jumping at the indicated spot. Some of these hidden spots do not contain hidden eggs, but instead a cloud that will warp the player to a bonus stage, which is instead uncovered by standing still for a short period of time. During bonus stages, the player can collect a series of fruits (each worth 500 points regardless of the type) until Higgins falls into a pitfall. However, instead of losing a life, he will return to the regular stage at the next checkpoint.

At the fourth round of each area, Higgins will confront a different form of the Evil Witch Doctor, the game's [[Boss (video games)|boss character]]. He has the ability to change his head by up to eight different types. Higgins must defeat him by striking his head a specific number of times with his weapon. The number of hits required to defeat him increases with each area (his first form requires eight hits and every subsequent form requires two additional hits until the eighth and final form, which requires 22 hits). When the Evil Witch Doctor is defeated, he will change his head and escape to the next area. He uses the same attack in each form, with the only changes being his durability, speed and the speed of his fireball attacks. When Higgins defeats his final form, the Evil Witch Doctor will fall into a pit and the girl will be rescued.

==Development==
===Relation to ''Wonder Boy''===
''Adventure Island'' began development as a direct port of the [[Sega]] arcade game ''[[Wonder Boy (video game)|Wonder Boy]]'', the partial rights to which Hudson Soft obtained from developer Escape (now known as Westone Bit Entertainment). However, the developer had already signed away ownership of the Wonder Boy name and characters to Sega,<ref>{{cite web |title=The Legend of Wonder Boy |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/11/14/the-legend-of-wonder-boy |website=IGN |date=14 November 2008 |accessdate=17 November 2019}}</ref> so Hudson created a new protagonist modeled and named after Hudson Soft's spokesman [[Takahashi Meijin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/features/master-higgins-speaks_2?pager.offset=1|title=Master Higgins Speaks from 1UP.com|quote=Around 1986, there was an arcade game called Wonder Boy that we at Hudson all liked, and there was a suggestion within the company to turn that into a Famicom game. So the vice president and I went to take a look at the development of the character and the game, and as we were looking at the character being built, the character already somewhat resembled me. The vice president was looking at it and went, "Y'know, that character sort of looks like you, and you are a celebrity – it doesn't make any sense for us not to make this game about you". So they decided to turn me into that character, and that's how Adventure Island was born.|access-date=2011-08-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020015030/http://www.1up.com/features/master-higgins-speaks_2?pager.offset=1|archive-date=2012-10-20|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the western version of ''Adventure Island'', the Takahashi Meijin character was renamed Master Higgins.

While the ''Wonder Boy'' series adopted an action RPG system for its sequels (beginning with ''[[Wonder Boy in Monster Land]]''), most of the ''Adventure Island'' sequels stuck to the game system of the original ''Wonder Boy''. Moreover, Hudson Soft also obtained the rights to port all of the ''Wonder Boy'' sequels to the [[TurboGrafx-16]], changing the title and character designs of each game (with the exception of ''[[Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair]]''). Incidentally, the Japanese version of ''Dragon's Curse'' (the TurboGrafx-16 adaptation of ''[[Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap]]'') was titled ''Adventure Island''.

In 2004 Hudson Soft adapted ''Wonder Boy in Monster Land'' to mobile phones as ''Super Adventure Island''.

The rights to the ''Adventure Island'' series are currently owned by [[Konami]], who absorbed Hudson Soft in 2012.

===Re-releases===
The NES version of ''Adventure Island'' was re-released in Japan for the [[Game Boy Advance]] as a [[Classic NES Series|Famicom Mini]] title on May 21, 2004.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.cnet.com/products/famicom-mini-adventure-island-game-boy-advance/specs/ | title = Famicom Mini: Adventure Island (Game Boy Advance) Specs}}</ref> It was later re-released internationally for the [[Virtual Console]] service in 2008 for the [[Wii]] and in 2014 for the [[Wii U]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.nintendolife.com/games/nes/adventure_island | title=Adventure Island | date=4 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/adventure-island-wii-u | title = Adventure Island for Wii U - Nintendo Game Details}}</ref>

A remake was also developed for the [[PlayStation 2]] and [[GameCube]] titled ''Hudson Selection Volume 4: Takahashi Meijin no Bōken Jima'', which was released exclusively in Japan on December 18, 2003.

===Sequels===
Two sequels were produced for the NES, ''[[Adventure Island II]]'' and ''[[Adventure Island 3]]'', as well as a fourth game for the Famicom that was released exclusively in Japan titled ''[[Takahashi Meijin no Bōken Jima IV]]''.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://ca.ign.com/games/adventure-island-ii/nes-6023 | title = Adventure Island II}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://ca.ign.com/games/adventure-island-3/nes-6024 | title=Adventure Island 3}}</ref> In addition to the standalone Famicom Mini re-release of the first game, all four games were re-released in a compilation for the Game Boy Advance titled ''Hudson Best Collection Vol 6: Bōken Jima Collection'', released in Japan on January 19, 2006.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.gamespot.com/hudson-best-collection-vol-6-bouken-jima-collect/ | title = Hudson Best Collection Vol. 6: Bouken Jima Collection}}</ref>

Sequels were also released on other platforms, such as ''Adventure Island'' and ''Adventure Island II'' for the [[Game Boy]] (based on the second and third NES games respectively), ''[[Super Adventure Island]]'' and ''[[Super Adventure Island II]]'' for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]], ''[[New Adventure Island]]'' for the [[TurboGrafx-16]], ''[[Adventure Island: The Beginning]]'' for the [[Wii]], ''Gacha wa shi Meijin no Bōken Jima'' in 2007 for mobile, and ''Adventure Island Quest by Takahashi Meijin'' in 2010 for mobile.

===Appearances in other games===
Takahashi Meijin appears as a playable character in the crossover fighting game ''[[DreamMix TV World Fighters]]'', released in Japan for [[GameCube]] on December 13, 2003.

Takahashi Meijin appears in the mobile game ''Gacha Washi Meijin no Bōken Jima'' in 2007, a cross-over between the [[Gachapin]] series and the Adventure Island series.

Takahashi Meijin also appears in the sport mobile game ''Gachapin & Mukku no Dai Undoukai'' ("Gachapin & Mukku's Big Sports Day") in 2008, and crosses over with [[Katamari]] franchise in the mobile game ''Takahashi Meijin and Katamari Damacy'' in 2010.

Takahashi Meijin also appears in the [[pachinko]] mobile game ''Pachinko Takahashi Meijin no Bouken Jima'' in 2008.

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| GR = NES: 62%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/nes/587067-adventure-island/index.html |title=Adventure Island for NES |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=2018-10-04}}</ref>
| Allgame = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Geoffrey Douglas|title=Adventure Island – Review |publisher=[[Allgame]] |accessdate=December 6, 2012 |url=http://allgame.com/game.php?id=1140&tab=review|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211101348/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1140&tab=review|archive-date=December 11, 2014}}</ref>
| GSpot = 6.5/10<ref>{{cite web|last=Provo|first=Frank|title=Adventure Island Review|website=[[GameSpot]]|accessdate=December 6, 2012|url= http://www.gamespot.com/adventure-island/reviews/adventure-island-review-6178091/}}</ref>
}}
{{Expand section|date=February 2015}}

''Adventure Island'' has received positive to mixed reviews from critics. ''[[GameSpot]]'' awarded the game 6.5 out of 10, calling it a "fast-paced, challenging platformer".<ref>{{cite web|last=Provo|first=Frank|title=Adventure Island Review|website=[[GameSpot]]|accessdate=December 6, 2012|url=http://www.gamespot.com/adventure-island/reviews/adventure-island-review-6178091/}}</ref> ''[[GamesRadar+]]'' ranked it the 23rd best NES game ever made. The staff praised it for the fact that its challenge comes from quality level design and not low quality. It is widely regarded as one of the most difficult NES games.<ref>{{cite web |title=Best NES Games of all time |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/best-nes-games-all-time/ |work=[[GamesRadar]] |date=2012-04-16 |accessdate=2013-12-05}}</ref>

== Other media ==
{{Infobox animanga/Header
| name            = Famicom Runner: Takahashi Meijin Monogatari
| image           = 
| caption         = 
| ja_kanji        = ファミコンランナー高橋名人物語
| ja_romaji       = 
| genre           = <!-- Genres should be based on what reliable sources list them as and not on personal interpretations. Limit of the three most relevant genres in accordance with [[MOS:A&M]]. -->
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type            = manga
| author          = Kazuyoshi Kawai
| publisher       = [[CoroCoro Comic]]
| demographic     = 
| magazine        = 
| published       = April 1986 – February 1988
| volumes         = 1
| volume_list     = 
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
| name            = Honey Bee in Toycomland
| image           = 
| caption         = 
| ja_kanji        = Bugってハニー
| ja_romaji       = Bug-tte Honey
| genre           = [[Adventure film|Adventure]]
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = tv series
| director        = Minoru Okazaki
| producer        = Hidehiko Takei<br />Shunzo Kato<br/>Yasutaka Tarumi
| writer          = Kasumi Oka
| music           = Hiroshi Tsutsui
| studio          = [[TMS Entertainment|Tokyo Movie Shinsha]]
| network         = [[Nippon Television Network System|NNS]] ([[Nippon Television|NTV]])
| first           = October 3, 1986
| last            = September 25, 1987
| episodes        = 51
| episode_list    =
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = film
| title           = Bug-tte Honey: Megalom Shōjo Rondo 4622
| director        = Akinori Nagaoka
| producer        = Shunzo Kato
| writer          = Kasumi Oka
| music           = Hiroshi Tsutsui
| studio          = Tokyo Movie Shinsha
| released        = July 21, 1987
| runtime         = 48 minutes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}

=== Manga ===
* {{nihongo|'''''Famicom Runner: Takahashi Meijin Monogatari'''''|ファミコンランナー高橋名人物語|Lit. "Famicom Runner: Master Takahashi's Story"}} is a manga based on Hudson Soft's character Bee and Takahashi Meijin, was released in April 1986 to February 1988 in Japan, was published by CoroCoro Comics, and created by Kazuyoshi Kawai.

=== Anime ===
* ''Adventure Island'' also inspired an animated television series titled {{nihongo|'''''Honey Bee in Toycomland'''''|[[:ja:Bugってハニー|Bugってハニー]]|Bug-tte Honey}},<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tms-e.com/english/search/index.php?pdt_no=218|title=Honey Bee in Toycomland / TMS Entertainment|access-date=2011-08-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810063915/http://www.tms-e.com/english/search/index.php?pdt_no=218|archive-date=2011-08-10|url-status=dead}}</ref> which was produced by [[TMS Entertainment]] and aired in Japan from October 3, 1986, to September 25, 1987, lasting 51 episodes and a theatrical film. The series also inspired its own Famicom game titled {{nihongo|'''''Takahashi Meijin no Bug-tte Honey'''''|[[:ja:高橋名人のBUGってハニー|高橋名人のBUGってハニー]]}}, released on June 5, 1987. The TV series featured Honey Girl (the bee-like fairy who grants Higgins temporary invincibility in the original game) as a major character. The plot involved the kidnapping of Takahashi (Master Higgins) and his lady friend. Honey Girl's mission is to rescue him by enlisting the help of One-Up, Dal, and Midori, three Earth children who also happen to be video game aces. The series featured Minoru Maeda (known for his contributions to the anime versions of ''[[Dragon Ball]]'') as character designer, and featured storylines incorporating elements of various popular video games of the day. Another Hudson character, [[Bomberman]], makes a cameo in the second episode.

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}
* {{Cite book|title=Adventure Island Operation Manual|location=Japan|publisher=Hudson Soft|year=1986}}

==External links==
* [https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/vc_tmb/index.html ''Takahashi Meijin no Bōken Jima'' (FC) at the Wii Virtual Console website] {{in lang|ja}}
* {{anime News Network|anime|1373|Bug tte Honey}}
* {{MobyGames|id=/adventure-island|name=Adventure Island}}

{{Adventure Island series}}
{{Konami franchises}}
{{Wonder Boy series}}
{{TMS Entertainment}}
{{TMS Entertainment films}}

[[Category:1986 video games]]
[[Category:1987 films]]
[[Category:Adventure Island (franchise)]]
[[Category:Game Boy Advance games]]
[[Category:GameCube games]]
[[Category:Hudson Soft games]]
[[Category:Konami franchises]]
[[Category:Mobile games]]
[[Category:MSX games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Platformers]]
[[Category:Side-scrolling platformers]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:TMS Entertainment]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Jun Chikuma]]
[[Category:Video games set in Oceania]]
[[Category:Video games set on fictional islands]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Wii U]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games]]