is a platform game for the Master System. It was released in Japan on November 1, 1986, and internationally in 1987. It is was later built into many Master System and Master System II consoles. A remake by Merge Games and Jankenteam is currently being developed.
Gameplay
Alex Kidd in Miracle World is a 2D platformer game. The player must finish levels and overcome obstacles and puzzles in both scrolling and single-screen environments. Throughout the 17 stages, Alex faces many monsters and the three henchmen of Janken the Great, before facing Janken himself. Alex's punching ability is used to destroy enemies and to break rocks in order to access new paths and to collect items such as money which can then be used to purchase other items including vehicles such as motorbikes and helicopters. At the end of many stages, Alex plays jan-ken-pon with one of Janken's henchmen. Alex dies with one hit, or by losing a game of rock, paper, scissors.
Plot
A young martial artist named Alex Kidd learns of a villain named Janken the Great who has defeated King Thunder of the city of Radaxian and who has kidnapped his son, Prince Egle, and Egle's fiancée Princess Lora. Discovering that he is the lost son of King Thunder, Alex sets out to rescue the kingdom. On his quest, he defeats Janken's henchmen and retrieves various items which lead him toward Janken whom he defeats and sees turned to stone. Alex retrieves the crown, and the people of Radaxian are restored under the newly crowned King Egle.
Development and release
Alex Kidd in Miracle World originally began development as a licensed tie-in game based on the Dragon Ball manga series. However, during development, Sega lost the Dragon Ball license and were forced to rework the game into an original property. The game was originally only available in cartridges but was later built into many editions of both the Master System and the Master System II power base, enabling play without the use of a game cartridge. From 1990 onwards a slightly different version was integrated into the US, Australian and European versions of the Master System II and also some Australian and European versions of the original Master System. There were two differences: firstly when changing targets in the game map, Alex is shown eating onigiri in the original version, and a hamburger in the integrated version. Secondly, the original version used button 2 to hit and button 1 to jump; these controls were inverted in the integrated version. The game was released alongside Super Hang-On and The Revenge of Shinobi as part of Sega Vintage Collection: Alex Kidd and Co., which was released for Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network in May 2012. This version allows play of any region version of the game and the Master System II variation. The original version is included on the AtGames Sega Genesis Flashback HD compilation, a dedicated console with games from the Sega Genesis, Master System and Game Gear.
Reception
The game has been critically acclaimed since its release. In 1987, the French magazine Génération 4 gave the game a 99% score. In 1991, Sega Pro magazine gave the game a 95% score, stating that, with "so much to do and so many different ways of doing it, this is one of those games you will keep coming back to even when you have finished it completely." Computer and Video Games magazine in 1991 gave it an 86% score, describing the game as "Sega's answer to Mario" and concluding that the "absorbing gameplay will have you glued to your screen for hours on end." In a 2008 retro review, IGN gave Alex Kidd a score of 9 out of 10 and an "Editor's Choice" award, calling it "an exceptional platformer with loads of action and some great puzzle-solving challenges" that "still holds up remarkably well." IGN also gave the Wii Virtual Console release a score of 9 out of 10.
Remake
A remake of the game, titled Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX, was announced on June 10, 2020. The game is being developed by Merge Games and Jankenteam for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC and is scheduled for release in 2021. The remake will feature new levels, alternate boss fights, and options for modern or retro style graphics.
