Alex Kidd in Shinobi World

From Sega Retro

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Alex Kidd in Shinobi World title.png

Alex Kidd in Shinobi World
System(s): Sega Master System, Virtual Console
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Genre: Action

















Release Date RRP Code
Wii Virtual Console
US ▼ 		500pts500
Wii Virtual Console
EU ▼ 		500pts500

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

AKiSW SMS Stage1 Part1.png Round 1-1
Parody of Shinobi's first level.
AKiSW SMS Stage1 Part2.png Round 1-2
AKiSW SMS Stage1 Part3.png Round 1-3
End boss is Kabuto who is also a parody of Ken Oh from Shinobi and someone else. (See below)
AKiSW SMS Stage2 Part1.png Round 2-1
Parody of Shinobi's second level, particularly level 2-3 with lots of jumps, swimming and harbor background.
AKiSW SMS Stage2 Part2.png Round 2-2
AKiSW SMS Stage2 Part3.png Round 2-3
End boss is "Heli". Another parody of Shinobi's bosses, "Black Turtle".
AKiSW SMS Stage3 Part1.png Round 3-1
Take place in Jungle.
AKiSW SMS Stage3 Part2.png Round 3-2
AKiSW SMS Stage3 Part3.png Round 3-3
End boss is "Robster" a giant lobster, which is obviously a parody Shinobi's of 4th level boss "Lobster".
AKiSW SMS Stage4 Part1.png Round 4-1
Take place in a ancient Japanese castle. Mostly a parody of Shinobi's final level.
AKiSW SMS Stage4 Part2.png Round 4-2
AKiSW SMS Stage4 Part3.png 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.

Critical Reception

See Physical Scans section 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.[1]

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.[2] 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!"[3]

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."[4]

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
92 №3, p83
90 №4, p90
90 №1, p52
92 №106, p88/89
50 №18, p37
91 №9, p92
90 №1, p132[5]
74 №3, p32/33
77
88 №10, p4/5
80 №23, p55
88 №1, p19[6]
91 2012/4/17
78 №14, p128
Sega Master System
 84
Based on
14 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
92
[7]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
90
[8]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK) PAL
90
[9]
Console XS (UK) PAL
85
[10]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
92
[11]
Excalibur (CZ)
50
[12]
Game Mania (UK)
90
[13]
Joystick (FR)
91
[14]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
90
[5]
Player One (FR)
74
[15]
Power Play (DE)
77
[16]
S: The Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
88
[17]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
75
[18]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
88
[6]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
85
[19]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US)
60
[20]
Zero (UK) PAL
78
[21]
Sega Master System
 82
Based on
17 reviews

Alex Kidd in Shinobi World

Master System, US
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Cover
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Cart
Alexkiddshinobiworld sms us manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, EU
6 Languages variant
Alexkiddshinobiworld sms eu cover.jpg
Cover
AKiSW EU cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, EU
8 Languages variant
AKiSW SMS EU Box 8L.jpg
Cover
Master System, BR (cardboard)
AKiSW SMS BR Box Cardboard.jpg
Cover
AlexKiddInShinobiWorld SMS BR Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, BR (clamshell)
Alexkiddshinobiworld sms br cover.jpg
Cover
AlexKiddInShinobiWorldSMSBRCartridge.jpg
Cart
AlexKiddInShinobiWorld SMS BR Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, CA
AlexKiddInShinobiWorldSMSCABack.jpg
Cover
Master System, AU
Booklet Manual
Alex Kidd in Shinobi World SMS AU Cover.JPG
Cover
Alex Kidd in Shinobi World SMS AU Cart Top.JPG
Alex Kidd in Shinobi World SMS AU Cart Back.JPGAlex Kidd in Shinobi World SMS AU Cart Front.JPG
Cart
Alex Kidd in Shinobi World (Booklet) SMS AU Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, AU
Fold-Out Manual
Alex Kidd in Shinobi World SMS AU Cover.JPG
Cover
Alex Kidd in Shinobi World SMS AU Cart Top.JPG
Alex Kidd in Shinobi World SMS AU Cart Back.JPGAlex Kidd in Shinobi World SMS AU Cart Front.JPG
Cart
Alex Kidd in Shinobi World (Fold-Out) SMS AU Manual.pdf
Manual

Photo Gallery

  • AU Set

  • AU Side

  • AU Back

  • AU Inside

  • AU Cart

  • AU Booklet Manual

  • AU Fold-Out Manual



Alex Kidd punching sprite Alex Kidd series of games
Sega Master System
 Alex Kidd in Miracle World (1986) | Alex Kidd BMX Trial (1987) | Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars (1988) | Alex Kidd: High-Tech World (1989) | Alex Kidd in Shinobi World (1990)
Arcade
 Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars (1986)
Sega Mega Drive
 Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle (1989)
Nintendo Switch
 Sega Ages Alex Kidd in Miracle World (2019) | Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX (2021)
Sony PlayStation 4
PlayStation 5
Xbox One
Steam
 Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX (2021)
Alex Kidd related media
Music
 Alex Kidd Complete Album (2009)
Other List of Alex Kidd merchandise
  1. ↑ https://archive.org/stream/computer-video-games-magazine-105/CVG105_Aug_1990#page/n91/mode/2up
  2. ↑ http://www.smspower.org/Reviews/AlexKiddInShinobiWorld-SMS-CVG-106
  3. ↑ http://www.smspower.org/Reviews/AlexKiddInShinobiWorld-SMS-CVGCompleteGuideToSega
  4. ↑ http://www.smspower.org/Reviews/AlexKiddInShinobiWorld-SMS-MeanMachinesSegaGamesIndex
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf, page 132 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf_p132" defined multiple times with different content
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 File:SegaPro UK 01.pdf, page 19 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 01.pdf_p19" defined multiple times with different content
  7. ↑ Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume III" (UK; 1990-08-xx), page 83
  8. ↑ Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 90
  9. ↑ The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 52
  10. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 137
  11. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "September 1990" (UK; 1990-08-16), page 88
  12. ↑ Excalibur, "" (CZ; 1993-09-10), page 33
  13. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 81
  14. ↑ Joystick, "Octobre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 92
  15. ↑ Player One, "Novembre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 32
  16. ↑ Power Play, "8/90" (DE; 1990-07-13), page 127
  17. ↑ S: The Sega Magazine, "September 1990" (UK; 1990-08-02), page 4
  18. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 55
  19. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 70
  20. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "September 1990" (US; 1990-0x-xx), page 86
  21. ↑ Zero, "December 1990" (UK; 1990-1x-xx), page 128
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