Adventure Island III

Adventure Island III

Adventure Island III (also known as Adventure Island 3) is Hudson Soft’s 1992 NES sequel in the long-running platform series. Master Higgins must once again rescue his girlfriend (called Jeannie Jungle in English materials) after she is abducted by aliens in a flying saucer. Building on Adventure Island II, the game adds the ability to crouch, a new boomerang weapon, a fifth dinosaur mount (the rolling triceratops), power crystals for temporary protection, and an expanded inventory system. It retains the series’ signature vitality-drain mechanics, short stages across eight islands, and rideable dinosaurs while offering more item variety and secret rooms.

Game Overview

Adventure Island III (known in Japan as Takahashi Meijin no Bōken Jima III) is a side-scrolling platform game developed by Now Production and published by Hudson Soft for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It was released in Japan on July 31, 1992, and in North America in September 1992. A Game Boy port followed in 1993 under the title Adventure Island II: Aliens in Paradise.

Aliens in a flying saucer have kidnapped Master Higgins’ girlfriend. He must travel across eight islands, each filled with short stages and guarded by a large boss, to rescue her. Core gameplay remains familiar: a steadily draining vitality meter that requires collecting fruit and other food, one-hit deaths without protection, and smashing eggs to reveal weapons, dinosaurs, or keys to secret areas.

New additions include the ability to crouch (helpful for dodging and using the new boomerang), a fifth dinosaur (a star-card triceratops that rolls into enemies), power crystals that grant temporary protection, and an expanded inventory allowing up to eight selectable items before each stage. Hidden rooms now include treasure chambers, surfing or springboard bonuses, crystal rooms, and even the option to skip a boss. While very similar in structure and feel to Adventure Island II, the extra tools and refinements make it a polished continuation of the series’ demanding but addictive platforming formula.

Quick Specifications

• Title: Adventure Island III (Adventure Island 3 / Hudson’s Adventure Island III)
  
• Japanese Title: Takahashi Meijin no Bōken Jima III
  
• Platform: NES / Famicom
  
• Developer: Now Production
  
• Publisher: Hudson Soft
  
• Release Dates: Japan – July 31, 1992; North America – September 1992
  
• Genre: Platform / Action
  
• Players: 1 (single-player)
  
• Playable Character: Master Higgins (Takahashi Meijin)
  
• Stages: 8 islands with multiple short stages each
  

Key Features

• Expanded inventory system (up to eight selectable items before each stage)
  
• Five rideable dinosaurs, including a new rolling triceratops
  
• New boomerang weapon alongside the traditional stone axes
  
• Ability to crouch for better evasion and aiming
  
• Power crystals that provide temporary protection
  
• Continuously draining vitality meter requiring fruit collection
  
• Hidden eggs leading to bonuses, warps, treasure rooms, or boss-skip options
  
• Short stages with more variety in secret rooms than the previous game
  

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

How does Adventure Island III differ from Adventure Island II?

Key additions include the ability to crouch, a new boomerang weapon, a fifth dinosaur (rolling triceratops), power crystals, an expanded inventory of eight items, and new types of secret rooms. Backtracking within stages was removed, and bosses no longer move to different stages after a loss.

What new dinosaur is added?

A triceratops (summoned by a star card) that can perform a rolling attack to defeat enemies. The previous four dinosaurs (red and blue camptosaurus, pteranodon, and elasmosaurus) also return.

Can Master Higgins crouch in this game?

Yes. Crouching is a new ability introduced in Adventure Island III and is useful for dodging attacks or using the boomerang more effectively.

Is there a Game Boy version?

Yes. A portable version was released in 1993 as Adventure Island II: Aliens in Paradise (due to numbering differences in the Game Boy series). It includes a password system and an interactive map.

Does the vitality drain still exist?

Yes. The energy bar steadily decreases during stages, and players must collect fruit, milk, or meat to replenish it. Running out of vitality results in losing a life.