Alex Kidd in Miracle World

From Sega Retro

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Alex Kidd in Miracle World Title.png

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

















Release Date RRP Code
Wii Virtual Console
JP ▼ 		500pts500
Wii Virtual Console
US ▼ 		500pts500
Wii Virtual Console
EU ▼ 		500pts500
CERO
Missing Parameter!

Alex Kidd in Miracle World (アレックスキッドのミラクルワールド) is a video game released in 1986 by Sega for the Sega Master System console. It is the first of several games in the Alex Kidd series, starring a character which would serve as the company's mascot for half a decade before being replaced by Sonic the Hedgehog.

Alex Kidd in Miracle World stands as one of the more popular Master System releases, having been built into many Master System consoles during the late 1980s and early 1990s. It is also one of the few Master System games to have an official Korean translation. Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle may be considered a direct sequel to this game, as it continues the story of Alex's search for his father, King Sander (a.k.a. King Thunder).

The game has since been re-released for the Wii's Virtual Console service.

Gameplay

Alex Kidd is a platform game which bears a superficial resemblance to Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. You play as Alex, the eponymous character who lives on the planet Aries, who is an expert in the martial art of Shellcore, which enables him to break certain blocks and enemies by punching them. These blocks typically contain money, which can be spent on power-ups and extra lives in shops, however some blocks also contain power-ups, or ghosts which follow Alex until he puts enough distance between them.

In some levels, you will be able to use vehicles to assist your progress - the Sukopako Motorcycle, the Peticopter (a pedal-powered helicopter equipped with missiles) and the Suisui Boat. Throughout the game you learn that Alex is a prince of the royal family, who has been usurped by a tyrant named Janken. Your goal is to free the captured royals, and defeat Janken and his henchmen in games of rock-paper-scissors followed by traditional boss fights. In addition, you must collect a series of treasures which will help you bring peace to the kingdom of Radaxian and restore the citizens who were turned into stone.

Enemies

{{{imagewidths}}} Monster Bird
Monster Bird is the first enemy you see in the game. It can only fly horizontally offering very little danger.
Killing it grants you 200 points.
{{{imagewidths}}} Monster Frog
It jumps vertically on the same block, being about as easy as Monster Bird. You face Monster Frog for the first time at the second half of Mt. Eternal.
Killing it grants you 200 points.
{{{imagewidths}}} Scorpion
Another common enemy, first seen at the second half of Mt. Eternal, Scorpion can only walk horizontally being an easy target.
Killing it grants you 200 points.
{{{imagewidths}}} Small Poisonous Fish
Its first appearance is in Mt. Eternal, at the undersea part of the first half. Like Monster Bird and Scorpion, it only moves horizontally.
Killing it grants you 200 points.
{{{imagewidths}}} Flying Fish
Flying Fish is first seen at the second part of The Island of St. Nurari . It comes from the bottom of the screen, jumping out of the water in a curved movement.
Killing it grants you 200 points.
{{{imagewidths}}} Rolling Rock
Rolling Rock is first seen at the first half of Mt. Kave, and only moves horizontally.
Killing it grants you 200 points.
{{{imagewidths}}} Bat
Also found for the first time in Mt. Kave, just a little ahead of Rolling Rock, Bat flies horizontally, moving a little up and down at the same time.
Killing it grants you 400 points.
{{{imagewidths}}} Monkey
Monkey is first seen at The Blakwoods. It sits on the higher branches of trees, flinging green fruits at you.
Killing it grants you 400 points.
{{{imagewidths}}} Hopper
First seen at the second part of The Village of Namui, it moves horizontally while hopping, as the name implies. Unlike most monsters, Hopper can fall into deadly spots, such as lava.
Killing it grants you 400 points.
{{{imagewidths}}} Killer Fish
Killer Fish moves horizontally and go up and down at the same time, being sort of challenging for beginners. It is first featured at the second half of Mt. Eternal.
Killing it grants you 400 points.
{{{imagewidths}}} Sea Horse
Sea Horse can move to any directions and its main characteristic is the way it tries to avoid you. First seen in Lake Fathom.
Killing it grants you 400 points.
{{{imagewidths}}} Merman
Like Small Poisonous Fish, Merman is first seen at the undersea part of Mt. Eternal. It moves vertically and occasionally releases deadly bubbles.
Killing it grants you 600 points.
{{{imagewidths}}} Ox
Ox is a charging bull miniboss, found at the end of The Village of Namui. It initially moves very slowly, but becomes faster after each time you hit it.
Killing it grants you 600 points.
{{{imagewidths}}} Grizzly Bear
Grizzly Bear is a sword-wielding bear miniboss found at The Blakwoods.
Killing it grants you 800 points.
{{{imagewidths}}} Rice Ball
The manual lists it as an enemy although it is an item, which is found at the end of each part of each level and appears after a boss gets beaten.
Taking it grants you 1,000 points.
{{{imagewidths}}} Octopus
Octopus has a long tentacle, composed of eight destructible parts. It is first found in Lake Fathom.
Killing it grants you 4,200 points.

Bosses

{{{imagewidths}}} Gooseka The Slippery
Gooseka, named "Stone Head" in the English version of the game, is the third henchman of Janken The Great. He represents the "stone" of the janken game and is first seen at the end of Mr. Eternal.
Beating him grants you 2,000 points.
{{{imagewidths}}} Chokkinna The Sly
Chokkinna, named "Scissors Head" in the English version of the game, is the second henchman of Janken The Great. He represents the "scissors" of the janken game and is first seen in Mt. Kave.
Beating him grants you 2,000 points.
{{{imagewidths}}} Parplin The Pursuer
Parplin, named "Paper Head" in the English version of the game, is the first henchman of Janken The Great. He represents the "paper" of the janken game and is first seen in Bingoo Lowland.
Beating him grants you 2,000 points.
{{{imagewidths}}} Janken The Great
Janken The Great is an expert at the game of janken, and the emperor of the planet Janbarik. His plan is to take over the city of Radaxian. You face him in Cragg Lake, as the final the boss, although the game does not end after his defeat.
Beating him grants you 10,000 points.

Levels

AKiMW Mt Eternal.png Mt. Eternal
Second half of this level includes a shop where you buy your first Motorcycle.
AKiMW Lake Fathom.png Lake Fathom
A hidden area can be found under one of the octopuses.
AKiMW St Nurari.png The Island of St. Nurari
First Peticopter level.
AKiMW Village of Namui.png The Village of Namui
The boss for this level is a charging bull
AKiMW Mt Kave.png Mt. Kave
Collect an item which allows you to read opponents' thoughts in janken matches.
AKiMW Blakwoods.png The Blakwoods
Lots of tricky jumps over spike traps and a sword-wielding bear for a boss.
AKiMW Bingoo Lowland.png Bingoo Lowland
Has clouds that shoot columns of lightning.
AKiMW Radaxian Castle.png The Radaxian Castle
Rescue Alex's brother at the end of this maze-like castle.
AKiMW City of Radaxian.png The City of Radaxian
AKiMW Nibana.png The Kingdom of Nibana
AKiMW Janken.png Janken
Fight Janken at the end of a long and difficult castle.
AKiMW Cragg Lake.png Cragg Lake
Enter the correct sequence in the cavern under the lake to receive the final item and complete the game.

Version Differences

  • The first release of this game had the actions of buttons 1 and 2 swapped around. It was later changed with its Master System II inclusion to better correlate with other games out at the time.
  • In the Japanese release, Alex collects a rice ball to complete a level and is seen eating it on the following map screen. This was changed to a hamburger in western releases, since rice balls are a food particular to Japan only.

Reception

See Physical Scans section for review scores

Critical Reception

The game has been critically acclaimed since its release. In 1987, the French magazine Génération 4 gave the game ratings of 96% for graphics and 85% for sound, with an overall score of 99%.[1] In 1989, British magazine Computer and Video Games gave it a score of 87%.[2] Later, in 1991, they gave it ratings of 84% for graphics, 78% for sound, 86% for playability, and 85% for lastability, with an overall score of 86%. They described the game as "Sega's answer to Mario" and a "madcap platform romp through a multitude" of side-scrolling levels "with hidden bonuses and screens," a "wacky" minigame based on rock-paper-scissors, and "absolutely hilarous gags," concluding that the "absorbing gameplay will have you glued to your screen for hours on end."[3]

The November 1991 issue of Sega Pro magazine gave the game a 95% score, stating that it is the "first" and "ultimately the best" of "the Alex Kidd adventures." They concluded 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." [4] The October 1992 issue of Mean Machines Sega gave it an 86% score, stating that it is "the first" in the Alex Kidd series "and it's still one of the best." They criticized the graphics for being not "so hot" but praised the "blend of platforming and puzzles" which "work well" and concluded that it is an "entertaining platform romp." [5]

Retrospective Reception

The game has an average press score of 9 out of 10 on GameStats, based on 6 professional reviews, making it the highest-scoring game for the Master System.[6]

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."[7] IGN also gave the Wii Virtual Console release a score of 9 out of 10.[8]

The review website Honest Gamers awarded the title a 9 out of 10, complimenting its "inimitable" music, "innovative" use of different items, and balanced level of difficulty.[9]

Legacy

The French pop punk band Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! have a song named after the game on the initial release of their album Something for Nothing.

Production Credits

By: Kotaro, Yoko Matilda, Rie Wakashimazu, Papa Kouichi, Toku, Bully Kaori, Bullied Toshi

Based on other known roles, a more detailed credit list would be as follows:
Planner: Kotaro
Art Designer: Yoko Matilda, Rie Wakashimazu
Programmer: Papa Kouichi
Sound: Toku
Special Thanks: Bully Kaori, Bullied Toshi

Artwork

  • Alex

  • Janken

  • Janken's lieutenants

  • Saint Nurari

  • Egle

  • Princess Lora

  • Alex Kidd

  • Grizzly Bear

  • Alex Kidd

  • King Thunder

  • Saint Nurari

  • Patricia

  • Agle

  • High Stone

  • Princess Lora

  • Janken The Great

  • Parplin

  • Chokkinna

  • Gooseka

  • Guy

  • Ox

  • Alex Kidd

  • Octopus

  • Scorpion

  • Monster Frog

  • Flying Fish

  • Flame

  • Bat

  • Monster Bird

  • Monkey

  • Merman

  • Sea Horse

  • Hopper

  • Rolling Rock

  • Killer Fish

  • Small Poisonous Fish

  • Items 01

  • Items 02

  • Items 03

  • IMap

  • Montage

  • US Cover

  • Logo

Hints

  • SMS US Hints (Version 1 Color Scan)

  • SMS US Hints (Version 1 B\W Scan)

  • SMS US Hints (Version 2 Color Scan)

  • SMS US Hints (Version 2 B\W Scan)

  • SMS US Hints (Version 3 Color Scan)

  • SMS US Hints (Version 3 B\W Scan)

  • SMS US Hints (Version 4 Color Scan)

  • SMS US Hints (Version 4 B\W Scan)

  • SMS US Hints (Version 5)

Physical Scans

Master System Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
78
87 №1, p47
86 №4, p90
86 №1, p52
83 №13, p90/91[10]
84 September 9, 2006
91 Defunct Games
52 №16, p31
93 4 April 2006
90 21/06/2008
99 №1, p21
80 April 1986
90 January 25, 2008
85 19/01/2010
86 №1, p132[5]
93 №10, p24
80 №23, p55
95 №1, p19[4]
65 №50
60
91 04/08/2006
Sega Master System
 84
Based on
21 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
65
[11]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
87
[12]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
86
[13]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK) PAL
86
[14]
Computer Action (DK)
50
[15]
Console Mania (IT)
83
[10]
Console XS (UK) PAL
90
[16]
Excalibur (CZ)
52
[17]
Game Mania (UK)
86
[18]
Happy Computer (DE)
80
[19]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
86
[5]
S: The Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
93
[20]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
75
[21]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
95
[22]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
90
[23]
Software Gids (NL)
80
[24]
Tilt (FR)
65
[25]
Sega Master System
 79
Based on
17 reviews

Alex Kidd in Miracle World

Master System, US
AKiddInMiracleWorld ms us cover.jpg
Cover
AKiddInMiracleWorld ms us-eu cart.jpg
Cart
Alexkiddmiracleworld sms us manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, US
"SM" variant
AKiMW US sm cover.jpg
Cover
Alexkiddmiracleworld sms us manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, US
rerelease
AKiMW US rerelease cover.jpg
Cover
AlexKiddInMiracleWorldSMSUSMaualRerelease.pdf
Manual
Master System, EU
AKiddInMiracleWorld ms eu cover.jpg
Cover
AKiddInMiracleWorld ms us-eu cart.jpg
Cart
AlexKiddInMiracleWorldSMSEUManual.pdf
Manual
Master System, EU
"no limits" variant
AKiMW EU nolimits cover.jpg
Cover
AlexKiddInMiracleWorldSMSEUManual.pdf
Manual
Master System, JP
AKiMW SMS JP Box Back.jpgNospine.pngAKiddInMiracleWorld ms jp cover.jpg
Cover
AlexKiddMW SMS JP Cart.jpg
Cart
AlexKiddInMiracleWorldSMSJPManual.pdf
Manual
Master System, BR (Older)
AKiddInMiracleWorld ms sa cover.jpg
Cover
AKiMW SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart
AlexKiddInMiracleWorldSMSBrManual.pdf
Manual
Master System, BR (Newer)
AKiMW SMS BR Box Alt.jpg
Cover
AKiMW SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart
AKiMW SMS BR Manual Alt.pdf
Manual
Master System, BR
Master System Super Compact Built-In

AKiMW SMS BR Manual BuiltIn.pdf
Manual
Master System, BR
Master System III Compact Built-In

AKiMW SMS BR Manual BuiltIn Alt.pdf
Manual
Master System, AR
Master System III Compact Built-In

AlexKiddInMiracleWorldSMSARManual.pdf
Manual
Master System, TW
AlexKiddInMiracleWorld SMS TW backcover.jpgNospine.pngAlexKiddInMiracleWorld SMS TW cover.jpg
Cover
AlexKiddInMiracleWorld SMS TW cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, DE
AlexKiddMW SMS DE Box.jpg
Cover
Master System, KR
AKiMW SMS KR Gamboy cover.jpg
Cover
AKiMW SMS KR Cart Top.jpg
AKiMW SMS KR Cart Back.jpgAKiMW SMS KR Gamboy cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, SE

Virtual Console Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
90 June 23, 2008
Nintendo Wii
 90
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Nintendo Wii
 N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Alex Kidd in Miracle World


External Links



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. ↑ [ ]
  2. ↑ [Computer and Video Games, Complete Guide to Consoles, issue 1, Winter 1989, p. 47 Computer and Video Games, Complete Guide to Consoles, issue 1, Winter 1989, p. 47]
  3. ↑ http://www.smspower.org/Reviews/AlexKiddInMiracleWorld-SMS-CVGCompleteGuideToSega
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 File:Segapro UK 01.pdf, page 19
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf, page 132 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf_p132" defined multiple times with different content
  6. ↑ http://www.gamestats.com/objects/006/006046/
  7. ↑ http://retro.ign.com/articles/845/845102p1.html
  8. ↑ http://wii.ign.com/articles/883/883403p1.html
  9. ↑ http://www.honestgamers.com/reviews/1755.html
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 File:ConsoleMania IT 013.pdf, page 90 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ConsoleMania IT 013.pdf_p90" defined multiple times with different content
  11. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "August/September 1987" (DE; 1987-07-27), page 12
  12. ↑ Complete Guide to Consoles, "" (UK; 1989-10-16), page 47
  13. ↑ Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 90
  14. ↑ The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 52
  15. ↑ Computer Action, "Juli/August 89" (DK; 1989-0x-xx), page 35
  16. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 137
  17. ↑ Excalibur, "" (CZ; 1993-04-10), page 31
  18. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 81
  19. ↑ Happy Computer, "Sonderheft #21: (4. Spiele-Sonderheft)" (DE; 1987-1x-xx), page 107
  20. ↑ S: The Sega Magazine, "September 1990" (UK; 1990-08-02), page 24
  21. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 55
  22. ↑ Sega Pro, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-xx-xx), page 19
  23. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 70
  24. ↑ Software Gids, "Mei/Juni 1990" (NL; 1990-05-xx), page 38
  25. ↑ Tilt, "Janvier 1988" (FR; 198x-xx-xx), page 64
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