The third entry refines the formula with new rideable dinosaurs and varied levels. One of the best entries in the saga. Overlooked but superior to many NES platformers of its era.
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Category
Platformer1 player3+
Description
Third Adventure Island featuring new allied dinosaurs and enriched island levels. Published by Hudson Soft, released in the USA in 1992. Master Higgins with four dinosaurs of distinct abilities to ride, forest and underwater levels and varied bosses. Third and finest entry in the Adventure Island series on NES.
Adventure Island 3 launched in November 1992, near the very end of the NES commercial run, making it one of the most valued American late releases in the series. The small print run of that period explains complete copies around 247 euros and sealed near 1000. Regarded as the best NES entry thanks to its rideable dinosaurs and varied stages, it pairs gameplay acclaim with end-of-cycle scarcity, a dual driver of its value.
Is Adventure Island 3 still worth playing in 2026?
The third entry in Hudson's series, Adventure Island 3 enriches the formula with new dinosaur mounts of distinct abilities and more varied islands, while keeping the snappy run and the emblematic fruit collecting. The prehistoric companions add a tactical layer and a touch of flexibility to a still high challenge. The careful production draws the best from the machine. For a demanding retro platforming fan, a Master Higgins fan or a collector, the title keeps an infectious energy and an accomplished arcade pleasure.
