Milon's Secret Castle (Game Boy, 1993)

• GB ver. differences: Password save and standard continues from the get go, cheaper items, new artwork stills for the ending, smaller rooms, slightly fewer coins to collect (the cheaper items heavily balances this out in the player's favor), easier bosses

• No area maps (the NES manual shows a basic exterior map and names the first few rooms)

• Buy items and healing in shops with money collected in the levels (can also get clues for free though they tend to suck)

• Partially non-linear structure (can choose between 2+ (4 on the second and 7 on the third floor) levels/sub areas at a time in the overworld/outside the castle)

• Can replay beaten levels

• Weather mechanic with an effect on gameplay outside the castle (lightning storms)

• Few exploration/movement oriented upgrades (one transformation (mini form) via the potion and the gloves placed in some areas (temporary - go back to normal after exiting the current level/sub area), fire protection vest (protects for a few seconds at a time), the two pairs of jump shoes - only the first pair is really needed to progress, the lamp to see in the well, the blimp - hover jump, paint - to see the invisible platforms in the shrines, the feather (use the elevator platform) isn't needed)

• Frequently respawning enemies (they tend to be easy though)

• Life bar upgrades (honeycomb item), Upgradeable shot power and range (lvl 3 also keeps going after destroying something), Temporary rate of fire upgrade (umbrella item) - lose one upgrade when hit enough?, Temporary shield power up

• Some decent platforming puzzles

• Quick "exit sub area" item (balloon) - however you can't put it in your inventory for later use and you can only find one in the well

Playthrough - Video Review - Mini Review

Influenced by: Super Mario Bros., possibly The Legend of Zelda and/or Dragon Slayer 1-2, Starquake

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Influenced: Possibly The Addams Family (NES and AMI/MD/SNES games), The Maze of Galious, Legacy of the Wizard, Cyborg Hunter