Alex Kidd in Shinobi World

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Alex Kidd in Shinobi World
System(s): Sega Master System, Virtual Console
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sega
Genre: Action
Release Date RRP Code US ▼ 2010-02-01 500pts500 EU ▼ 2009-12-11 500pts500
PEGI OFLC

Alex Kidd in Shinobi World is a game released in 1990 for the Sega Master System console. It is the sixth and final game in the Alex Kidd series. The game is a parody of the game Shinobi, with the small difference of Alex Kidd playing the hero’s role. Alex Kidd must rescue his girlfriend from the evil ninja Hanzo. He is transformed into a ninja by a mysterious deity, the White Ninja, to help him perform this task. It was supposedly called Shinobi Kid during development (according to GamePro's March 1990 "Short ProShots" section, at least)

Alex Kidd in Shinobi World received favourable responses from both gamers and reviewer alike and many consider it one of the finest Master System games ever made.

Gameplay

The game plays similarly to previous games in the Alex Kidd series, but with some major differences. Alex attacks with a sword, instead of his trademark fist. Ninja knives can be found, which can be used to attack enemies at a distance. Ninja magic can also be found, which allows Alex to temporarily turn into a whirlwind. Alex can also climb up ropes, bounce off walls, or swing from lamp posts and pipes to fling himself at his attackers. This is the only game in the series that has a life meter. Alex can take three hits, but he can restore his health by finding a heart. When Alex has six hit points, any further hearts become extra lives.

Stages

	Round 1-1
	Parody of Shinobi's first level.
	Round 1-2
	Round 1-3
	End boss is Kabuto who is also a parody of Ken Oh from Shinobi and someone else. (See below)
	Round 2-1
	Parody of Shinobi's second level, particularly level 2-3 with lots of jumps, swimming and harbor background.
	Round 2-2
	Round 2-3
	End boss is "Heli". Another parody of Shinobi's bosses, "Black Turtle".
	Round 3-1
	Take place in Jungle.
	Round 3-2
	Round 3-3
	End boss is "Robster" a giant lobster, which is obviously a parody Shinobi's of 4th level boss "Lobster".
	Round 4-1
	Take place in a ancient Japanese castle. Mostly a parody of Shinobi's final level.
	Round 4-2
	Round 4-3
	End boss also acts just like Nakahara, Shinobi's final boss with different appearance.

Super Mario Parody

During the development phase, in which the game was named "Shinobi Kid", first boss Kabuto was actually going to be a parody of Super Mario, Nintendo's most well-known character. He was supposed to have a moustache and named "Mari-Oh" but this was later dropped due to possible copyright problems. The obscure reference still remains however as Kabuto shrinks (similar to Mario who also shrinks when damaged, before the dies) when players inflict enough damage to him.

Production Credits

Game Design: Yoshio.Y, Cap.Elf
Programming: Takubo, Kuma
Graphic Design: Youko, Gen, Stresteles
Music Compose: XOR
Special Thanks: Pata, Teriyaki.Fanks, Okaru

Physical Scans

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source Complete Guide to Consoles (UK) 92 №3, p83 Complete Guide to Consoles (UK) 90 №4, p90 Computer & Video Games (UK) 92 №106, p88/89 Joystick (FR) 91 №9, p92 Mean Machines Sega (UK) 90 №1, p132 Player One (FR) 74 №3, p32/33 Power Play (DE) 77 S: The Sega Magazine (UK) 88 №10, p4/5 Sega Power (UK) 80 №23, p55 Sega Pro (UK) 88 №1, p19 Zero (UK) 78 №14, p128

	85
Based on 11 reviews

Sega Retro Average

Publication Version Score Complete Guide to Consoles (UK) 92 Complete Guide to Consoles (UK) 90 The Complete Guide to Sega (UK) PAL 90 Console XS (UK) PAL 85 Computer & Video Games (UK) 92 Excalibur (CZ) 50 Game Mania (UK) 90 Joystick (FR) 91 Mean Machines Sega (UK) 90 Player One (FR) 74 Power Play (DE) 77 S: The Sega Magazine (UK) PAL 88 Sega Power (UK) PAL 75 Sega Pro (UK) PAL 88 Sega Pro (UK) PAL 85 VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) 60 Zero (UK) PAL 78

	82
Based on 17 reviews

Alex Kidd in Shinobi World

Master System, US
Cover
Cart Manual

Master System, EU 6 Languages variant
Cover
Cart

Master System, EU 8 Languages variant
Cover

Master System, BR (cardboard)
Cover

Master System, BR
Cover
Cart Manual

Master System, CA
Cover

Master System, AU Booklet Manual
Cover
Cart Manual

Master System, AU Fold-Out Manual
Cover
Cart Manual

Critical Reception

See Physical Scans section above for review scores

In an early preview, the August 1990 issue of Computer & Video Games magazine referred to the game as a parody of Shinobi.

Alex Kidd in Shinobi World was critically acclaimed upon release, with an average aggregate score of 85% on Sega Retro, based on eleven reviews. Computer & Video Games magazine gave the game a score of 92% in its September 1990 issue. The reviewer Robert Swan stated that the "game is brill" and a "combination of Alex Kidd in Miracle World and Shinobi" that "works really well." He praised the playability that "becomes progressively more difficult as you go along," and concluded that it is a "great game" overall. In 1991, "The Complete Guide to Sega" issue of Computer and Video Games gave it a 90% score, describing the game as "probably the best in the Alex series so far" and "a hilarious mixture of Alex Kidd and Shinobi." They stated it is "a platform chop-socky game" with "top-notch" graphics and "excellent" sound, including "cutesy version of the Shinobi title music!" They concluded that it is "Dead funny" and "playable as heck," recommending readers to "grab hold of at the first opportunity!"

Sega Pro magazine gave the game a score of 88% in its inaugural November 1991 issue, describing it as a "huge game" with "so much to do that addiction is guaranteed." They stated that it is a "one-player only game but with something this good you wouldn't want anyone else to intrude" and concluded that it is "Great fun." [1] The October 1992 issue of Mean Machines Sega gave it an 88% score, stating that it is the "latest and greatest Kidd game." They described it as "a parody of the Shinobi landscape" and concluded it to be a "a humorous and very playable cart" that is "Recommended."

Photo Gallery

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  AU Booklet Manual

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  AU Fold-Out Manual