Alex Kidd in Miracle World
{{Short description|1986 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Alex Kidd in Miracle World
| image = AlexKiddInMiracleWorldBox.jpg
| developer = Sega
| publisher = Sega
| designer = Kotaro Hayashida
| artist = Rieko Kodama
| programmer = Papa Kouichi
| composer = Tokuhiko Uwabo
| platforms = {{collapsible list
| title = Master System
| Original
Master System
Remake
Nintendo Switch
PlayStation 4
PlayStation 5
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X/S
}}
| released = {{collapsible list
| title = November 1986
| Master System
{{vgrelease|JP|November 1, 1986{{cite web |title=Software List |url=https://sega.jp/history/hard/segamark3/software.html |website=Sega Hard Encyclopedia |publisher=Sega Corporation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621034428/https://sega.jp/history/hard/segamark3/software.html |access-date=May 15, 2023 |archive-date=2019-06-21 |language=ja}}|NA|December 1986{{cite magazine|title=Availability Update|magazine=Computer Entertainer|date=January 1987|page=14| url=https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=File:ComputerEntertainer_US_Vol.5_10.pdf&page=14|access-date=2016-08-23}}|EU|1987}} Remake {{vgrelease|WW (digital)|June 22, 2021|WW (Physical)|June 25, 2021}}
}}
| genre = Platform
| series = Alex Kidd
| modes = Single-player
}}
{{nihongo foot|Alex Kidd in Miracle World|アレックスキッドのミラクルワールド|Arekkusu Kiddo no Mirakuru Wārudo|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a platform game developed and published by Sega for the Master System. It was released in Japan on November 1, 1986, followed by North America in December 1986, and Europe in 1987. It was later built into many Master System and Master System II consoles. A remake developed by Jankenteam and published by Merge Games, titled Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX, was released on June 22, 2021.
Gameplay
File:Alex-Kidd-in-Miracle-World-game-screenshot.png
Alex Kidd in Miracle World is a 2D platform 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.{{cite web|title=Alex Kidd in Miracle World Game manual|url=http://www.smstributes.co.uk/images/db/manual_akinmiracleworldUSA.pdf|access-date=2010-07-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303053626/http://www.smstributes.co.uk/images/db/manual_akinmiracleworldUSA.pdf|archive-date=2012-03-03|url-status=live}}
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.{{cite web|title=Alex Kidd in Miracle World Review| url=http://www.smstributes.co.uk/viewuserreview.asp?gameid=6&userreviewid=5|date=2004-10-26 |author=Angel, Shadow (username)|access-date=2010-07-11| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100822203810/http://www.smstributes.co.uk/viewuserreview.asp?gameid=6&userreviewid=5| archive-date= 22 August 2010 | url-status=live}} At the end of many stages, Alex plays jan-ken-pon (rock-paper-scissors) with one of Janken's henchmen. Alex dies with one hit, or by losing a game of rock, paper, scissors.
The game has no save system, but by holding the directional pad up and pressing the 2 button eight times at the Game Over screen, the player will restart the level with three new lives, at a cost of 400 Baums (the in-game currency).
Story
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 (or 'Igul'), 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.{{cite web |title=Alex Kidd in Miracle World - Info from the original game manual |url=http://www.smstributes.co.uk/images/db/manual_akinmiracleworldUSA.pdf |access-date=2010-07-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303053626/http://www.smstributes.co.uk/images/db/manual_akinmiracleworldUSA.pdf |archive-date=2012-03-03 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Alex Kidd in Miracle World (videogame)|url=http://www.giantbomb.com/alex-kidd-in-miracle-world/61-9101/|access-date=2011-09-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920073222/http://www.giantbomb.com/alex-kidd-in-miracle-world/61-9101/|archive-date=2011-09-20|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Alex Kidd In Miracle World Story |url=http://www.captainwilliams.co.uk/sega/ms/alexkidd/alex_kidd.php |access-date=2011-09-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324014937/http://www.captainwilliams.co.uk/sega/ms/alexkidd/alex_kidd.php |archive-date=2012-03-24 }}
Development and release
Alex Kidd in Miracle World originally began development in 1984 as a licensed tie-in game based on the Dragon Ball manga series. However, during development, the Dragon Ball license expired and Sega CEO Hayao Nakayama ordered the developers to start the game over from scratch.{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/02/alex_kidd_in_miracle_world_was_supposed_to_be_a_dragon_ball_game|title=Alex Kidd In Miracle World Was Supposed To Be A Dragon Ball Game|website=Nintendo Life|last=McFerran|first=Damien|date=February 28, 2018|access-date=August 28, 2019}}
The game was originally only available as a cartridge 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 the 2008 Wii Virtual Console port), 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 (the European version retaining a 50 Hz framerate) and the Master System II variation.{{Cite web |url=http://segabits.com/blog/2012/03/23/xbla-monster-world-and-alex-kidd-vintage-collections-revealed/ |title=XBLA Monster World and Alex Kidd Vintage Collections Revealed | SEGAbits |date=23 March 2012 |access-date=2012-05-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330094956/http://segabits.com/blog/2012/03/23/xbla-monster-world-and-alex-kidd-vintage-collections-revealed/ |archive-date=2012-03-30 |url-status=live}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/10/13/16051258/sega-genesis-flashback-hd-review|title=Sega Genesis Flashback HD review|first=Christopher|last=Grant|date=October 13, 2017|website=Polygon}}
{{Clear}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
|title =
| GR = 80%{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/sms/588027-alex-kidd-in-miracle-world/index.html |title=Alex Kidd in Miracle World for Sega Master System |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=2021-06-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209015537/https://www.gamerankings.com/sms/588027-alex-kidd-in-miracle-world/index.html |archive-date=2019-12-09 |url-status=dead}}
| CVG = 87%{{cite journal |title=Complete Games Guide |journal=Computer and Video Games |date=16 October 1989 |issue=Complete Guide to Consoles |pages=46–77 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/9/98/CompleteGuideToConsoles_UK_01.pdf#page=46}}
| EuroG = 7/10{{Cite news |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/virtual-console-roundup_0_4 |title=Virtual Console Roundup Review | Wii | Eurogamer |website=Eurogamer |date=17 June 2008 |access-date=2011-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091121172343/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/virtual-console-roundup_0_4 |archive-date=2009-11-21 |url-status=live}}
| GT = 10/10{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJx5KP-pCUmL9eZUv-mIcNw|title=GameTrailers|website=YouTube}}
| Gen4 = 99%{{cite magazine|title=Alex Kidd in Miracle World|magazine=Génération 4|date=1987|issue=1|url=http://www.abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=27&num=388&album=oui|access-date=10 February 2012|page=21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110134630/http://abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=27&num=388&album=oui|archive-date=10 January 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
| IGN = 9/10{{cite web|last=Thomas|first=Lucas M.|title=Alex Kidd in Miracle World Review: The Master System's best platformer finally makes the jump to Wii|url=http://uk.wii.ign.com/articles/883/883403p1.html|publisher=IGN|access-date=10 February 2012|date=June 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091105093230/http://uk.wii.ign.com/articles/883/883403p1.html|archive-date=5 November 2009|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
| TGM = 82%{{cite magazine |title=Console Dawn |magazine=The Games Machine |date=18 May 1989 |issue=19 (June 1989) |pages=16–22 |url=https://archive.org/details/the-games-machine-19/page/n15/mode/2up}}
| rev1 = Console XS
| rev1Score = 90%{{cite magazine |title=Software A-Z: Master System |magazine=Console XS |date=23 April 1992 |issue=1 (June/July 1992) |publisher=Paragon Publishing |location=United Kingdom |pages=137–47 |url=https://archive.org/details/console-xs-01/page/137}}
| rev2 = Game Freaks 365
| rev3 = GameHall
| rev4 = RetroGarden
| rev5 = Sega Pro
| rev6 = S: The Sega Magazine
| rev6Score = 93%{{cite magazine |title=Game Test: Alex Kidd in Miracle World |magazine=S: The Sega Magazine |date=2 August 1990 |issue=10 (September 1990) |page=24 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/7/7f/StheSegaMagazine_UK_10.pdf#page=24}}
}}
The game has been critically acclaimed since its release. In 1987, the French magazine Génération 4 gave the game a highly positive score. In 1991, Sega Pro magazine stated 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."{{cite journal|title=Sega Software Showdown|journal=Sega Pro|date=November 1991|issue=1|page=19}} Computer and Video Games magazine in 1991 described the game as "Sega's answer to Mario" and concluded that the "absorbing gameplay will have you glued to your screen for hours on end."{{cite journal|title=The Complete Guide To Sega|journal=Computer and Video Games|year=1991|url=http://www.smspower.org/Reviews/AlexKiddInMiracleWorld-SMS-CVGCompleteGuideToSega|access-date=9 February 2012|issn=0957-669X|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113035220/http://www.smspower.org/Reviews/AlexKiddInMiracleWorld-SMS-CVGCompleteGuideToSega|archive-date=13 November 2013|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
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."{{cite web|last=Buchanan|first=Levi|title=Alex Kidd in Miracle World Review|publisher=IGN|date=January 25, 2008|url=http://retro.ign.com/articles/845/845102p1.html|access-date=2012-02-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329114727/http://retro.ign.com/articles/845/845102p1.html|archive-date=March 29, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} 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, and released on June 22, 2021. The game is developed by Merge Games and Jankenteam for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows (Steam), Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The remake features new levels, new NPCs, alternate boss fights, and can instantly change between modern or retro-style graphics by using the right trigger button. Once the player completes the game, the player unlocks two additional modes: Classic Mode, which is an upscaled Master System port of the original game, and Boss Rush, where the player must defeat all the bosses at Rock Paper Scissors and follow-up battle without dying.{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/segas-alex-kidd-is-making-a-comeback-next-year-1843986252|title=Sega's Alex Kidd Is Making A Comeback Next Year|website=Kotaku|date=10 June 2020 |access-date=2020-06-10}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/alex-kidd-in-miracle-world-dx-trailer-details|title=IGN Expo: Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX Revives a Platforming Classic|website=IGN|date=10 June 2020 |access-date=2020-06-10}}
{{Clear}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://archives.sega.jp/segaages/ak/ Official website] (Nintendo Switch, in Japanese)
- [https://ages.sega.jp/online/title/alexkidd/index.html Official website] (PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, in Japanese)
- [https://www.sega.jp/fb/album/04_alex/home.html Interview with game planner Mr. Osaru Kouta (pseudonym)] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20110716142734/http://www.sega.co.jp/archive/album/04_alex/home.html Archive], in Japanese)
- {{moby game|id=/alex-kidd-in-miracle-world}}
{{Alex Kidd series|state=expanded}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alex Kidd In Miracle World}}
Category:PlayStation Network games
Category:Virtual Console games
Category:Xbox 360 Live Arcade games
Category:Nintendo Switch games
Category:Video games developed in Japan