Dragon's Curse (aka "Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap") is a side-scrolling platform game and action role-playing game. The player controls Wonder Boy as he looks for the Salamander Cross that is hidden by the Vampire Dragon in Monster Land after being cursed the Mecha Dragon's defeat. The player uses the directional pad to move Wonder Boy left or right, crouch down (only possible with Hu-Man or Lizard-Man), or to enter doors. Players use the buttons on the controller to attack enemies and to jump. Wonder Boy can attack with his main weapon or with secondary weapons by holding down on the directional pad and pressing the attack button. Pressing the pause button brings up the Status Screen and pauses the game if Wonder Boy is fighting a dragon.