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Tales of Monsterland DX

$39.99 USD
$39.99 USD
Sale Sold out

A retro-inspired platform adventure where you run, jump, and battle through Monsterland, uncovering secrets, unlocking powers, and saving a village from invading creatures.

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Content Descriptors: Mild Fantasy Violence

Save a village besieged by monsters by uncovering their origin. Run, jump, and battle through a magical world while gaining new abilities. Inspired by classic 8-bit platformers, it’s a fast-paced adventure with charm and challenge.

  • Four magical forms to discover
  • Hidden world to unlock
  • Classic palettes and new chiptune soundtrack
  • Battery-less saving
  • Premium Cartridge
  • Instruction Manual
  • Chromatic Charm featuring game-specific character
  • Genre: Platformer
  • Platform: Chromatic
  • Developer: Joel J Games
  • Players: Single player
  • Play Time: 2 Hours
  • Replayability: Medium
  • Supported Languages: English
  • Compatible With: Chromatic, Game Boy Color®
Tales of Monsterland DX Manual
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Tales of Monsterland DX
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Unboxing Letters Chromatic Stars Doodle Fish Shield Doodle Fireball Doodle Decorative Frame

About the Developer

Bio

Name / Studio Name

Joel / Joel J Games

Location

Manchester, UK

How It Started

I’ve been interested in making games since playing around with tools like Klik & Play when I was younger, but it took a pandemic—and the free time of lockdown—to finally get started. The improvements in modern tooling helped make it possible, too.

Other Games / Projects

Aside from the original (non-DX) Tales of Monsterland, I’ve been working on my second game, a Game Boy open-world sci-fi RPG called Fall from Space, for the last three years.

Fun Fact

This might be common among other developers, but outside of actual development time, I really struggle to stop thinking about the game and its world. I often find myself recording ideas while in the shower, driving home, or trying to fall asleep!

The Idea

Why I Made This Game

It’s both a love letter to the kind of games I enjoyed playing on my original Game Boy, and a “what if” scenario – what if a game like Wonder Boy had come out on that platform?

What Makes This Game Special

It’s my first game, and making it has felt like revisiting memories and emotions from a particular time in my life.

You'll Love This If...

You enjoy a bit of escapism in a charming 8-bit world – especially if you're a fan of classic platformers.

Inspiration / Influences

Kirby, Wonder Boy, Alex Kidd

Favorite Feature

Definitely the chiptune soundtrack. June (Incognitio) did such an amazing job with the music – it really brings the world to life!

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4.8
Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
Based on 40 reviews
40 reviews
  • Catherine F.
    Verified Buyer
    1 week ago
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    Nice game but short.

    A little too short but very good.

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  • David N.
    Verified Buyer
    1 week ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Good game

    It was a really good game!

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  • Julie G.
    Verified Buyer
    2 weeks ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    The right amount of challenging

    This game is in the sweet spot for me. I hate when a game is too easy and over quickly. This game is so fun and just the right amount of challenging. I can't wait to try some other titles in the modretro library!

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  • Cedric S.
    Verified Buyer
    2 weeks ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Platforming but Modern

    Old school soul with modern QOL.

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  • Andrew F.
    Verified Buyer
    2 weeks ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Alex Kidd meets Wonderboy meets Trip World

    Tales of Monsterland DX is a charming, modern Game Boy platformer inspired by Wonder Boy 3 and Alex Kidd. It blends classic side-scrolling action with light RPG elements, tight momentum-based platforming, and multiple transformable forms (like werewolf and mermaid) that open new paths in its mostly linear, Metroidvania-styled world. The controls are precise, the challenge is fair but tough, and exploration with backtracking is rewarded through hidden items and powerups.

    Love the music and I feel like it probably pushes the Game Boy’s limits, colorful graphics, and smooth animation. Despite its retro influences, it feels like it stands out on its own. While the game allows saving, limited continues make first playthroughs difficult—later runs feel easier and more rewarding.

    A short game would be the only downside considering the price but I wouldn't let that hold you back, its definitely worth it.

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