Adventure Island II

Game Overview

Adventure Island II (known in Japan as Takahashi Meijin no Bōken Jima II) is a side-scrolling platform game developed by Now Production and published by Hudson Soft for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It was released in North America in February 1991, in Japan on April 26, 1991, and in Europe in July 1992. Unlike the first Adventure Island (which was based on Sega’s Wonder Boy), this entry is an original Hudson Soft title.

Tina has been kidnapped again, this time by the persistent followers of the Evil Witch Doctor. Master Higgins must travel across eight distinct islands, each containing multiple short stages, to reach her. Gameplay retains the core formula: a constantly draining vitality meter that requires regular collection of fruit, one-hit deaths unless protected by a power-up, and the need to smash eggs for items.

Major new features include four rideable dinosaurs (red and blue camptosaurus, pteranodon, and elasmosaurus), each with special abilities such as fire-breathing, flying, or swimming. An inventory system lets players store and select axes or dinosaurs before starting a stage. Stages are shorter than in the original, checkpoints have been removed, and players can backtrack limited distances. The game also introduces underwater levels, vertical scrolling, and a password system. With more variety, better bosses, and the fun of dinosaur mounts, Adventure Island II is often considered the strongest entry in the NES series.

Quick Specifications

• Title: Adventure Island II (Hudson’s Adventure Island II)
  
• Japanese Title: Takahashi Meijin no Bōken Jima II
  
• European Title: The Adventure Island Part II
  
• Platform: NES / Famicom
  
• Developer: Now Production
  
• Publisher: Hudson Soft
  
• Release Dates: North America – February 1991; Japan – April 26, 1991; Europe – July 22, 1992
  
• Genre: Platform / Action
  
• Players: 1 (single-player)
  
• Playable Character: Master Higgins (Takahashi Meijin)
  
• Stages: 8 islands with multiple short stages each
  

Key Features

• Four rideable dinosaurs with unique abilities (fire breath, tail whip, flight, swimming)
  
• Inventory system for storing and selecting axes or dinosaurs before each stage
  
• Constantly draining vitality meter that requires collecting fruit
  
• Shorter stages with limited backtracking and no mid-stage checkpoints
  
• Underwater stages and vertical-scrolling sections
  
• More varied and interesting boss battles compared to the first game
  
• Hidden eggs that can lead to bonuses, warps, or item rooms
  
• Password system for continuing progress
  

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

How does Adventure Island II differ from the original?

The biggest additions are the rideable dinosaurs, an inventory system, shorter stages, underwater and vertical levels, and more diverse bosses. Checkpoints were removed, but stages are shorter overall.

What do the dinosaurs do?

There are four dinosaurs: the red camptosaurus breathes fire and can cross lava, the blue camptosaurus attacks with its tail and handles ice well, the pteranodon allows flight and dropping rocks, and the elasmosaurus is specialized for underwater stages.

Can I save my progress?

The game uses a password system. After losing all lives, you receive a password that lets you continue from the current island.

Is the vitality drain still present?

Yes. Master Higgins’s energy steadily decreases, and players must collect fruit and other food to keep it from reaching zero. Running out of vitality results in losing a life.

Is there a Game Boy version?

Yes. A portable version was released for the Game Boy in 1992 under the title Adventure Island (or Takahashi Meijin no Bouken Jima II in Japan).