One of the best 2D action-platformers of the last decade is going mobile. Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom, the lavish hand-drawn adventure from developer Game Atelier and publisher FDG Entertainment, launches on iPhone, iPad and Mac (Apple Silicon) on June 18 — and it is doing so as a proper premium release rather than a free-to-play retrofit.
The Apple version costs $24.99 with no ads and no in-app purchases, and it is no half-hearted port. FDG has confirmed support for 120Hz displays, full external controller support including Xbox and PlayStation pads, keyboard and mouse, achievements, and iCloud saves that sync your progress across devices — a setup that treats Apple Silicon as a serious gaming platform rather than a phone afterthought.
A modern heir to Wonder Boy
First released in late 2018, Monster Boy is the spiritual successor to Sega’s classic Wonder Boy series, made with the involvement of original creator Ryuichi Nishizawa. You play as Jin, a young knight whose kingdom has been hit by a curse that transforms its inhabitants into anthropomorphic animals. Jin himself gains the ability to shift between multiple animal forms — a pig, snake, frog, lion and dragon among them — each with distinct abilities that unlock new paths through its interconnected, Metroidvania-style world.
Still gorgeous, still generous
The game earned a reputation on console for its sumptuous, fully hand-animated visuals and a sprawling adventure that runs well over a dozen hours, backed by a soundtrack featuring industry legends including Yuzo Koshiro. Snakes squeeze into tiny gaps, the frog uses its tongue as a grappling hook, and the dragon eventually opens up the skies — the kind of ability-gated design that makes backtracking feel like discovery rather than chore.
A premium pick in a sea of free-to-play
Mobile storefronts are not exactly short on free games stuffed with timers and microtransactions, which makes a buy-it-once, play-it-forever release like Monster Boy stand out. With native controller support and iCloud sync, it slots neatly alongside the growing library of console-grade games that have made their way to Apple Silicon. If you missed it on Switch, PlayStation, Xbox or PC, June 18 is a fine excuse to finally take the plunge — ideally with a controller in hand.
