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[1]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Master System
US
$29.9529.95[2] 7044
Sega Master System
EU
7044
Sega Master System
DE
DM 100100 7044
Sega Master System
PT
Sega Master System
UK
£29.9929.99[4][5] 7044
Sega Master System
GR
Sega Master System
AU
FALE05SEC
Sega Master System
CA
Sega Master System
BR
Wii Virtual Console
US
500pts500[7]
ESRB: Everyone
Wii Virtual Console
EU
500pts500[8]
Wii Virtual Console
AU
500pts500[10]
OFLC: General (G)

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 known as Shinobi Kid during development[11] (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, with 1 assigned for attacking and 2 for jumping, 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.

Rounds

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.

History

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


Magazine articles

Main article: Alex Kidd in Shinobi World/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

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Print advert in Sega Visions (US) #2: "October/November 1990" (1990-xx-xx)
also published in:
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Print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #107: "October 1990" (1990-09-16)
also published in:
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Print advert in Sega Power (UK) #13: "December 1990" (1990-11-01)
also published in:
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Photo gallery

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
92 №3, p83
90 [20]
90 [21]
92 [22]
50 [23]
90 [24]
91 [25]
90 [26]
74 [27]
77
88 [28]
80 [29]
88 [30]
78 [31]
Sega Master System
84
Based on
14 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
92
[32]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
90
[20]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK) PAL
90
[21]
Console XS (UK) PAL
85
[33]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
92
[34]
Excalibur (CZ)
50
[35]
Game Mania (UK)
90
[24]
Joystick (FR)
91
[25]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
90
[26]
Player One (FR)
74
[36]
Power Play (DE)
77
[37]
S: The Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
88
[38]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
75
[29]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
88
[30]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
85
[39]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US)
60
[2]
Zero (UK) PAL
78
[31]
Sega Master System
82
Based on
17 reviews

Alex Kidd in Shinobi World

Master System, US
AlexKiddInShinobiWorld-SMS-US.jpg
Cover
AKiSW US cart.jpg
Cart
Alexkiddshinobiworld sms us manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, EU
6 Languages variant
Alexkiddshinobiworld sms eu cover.jpg
Cover
AKiSW EU cart.jpg
Cart
Alex Kidd in Shinobi World (6 Languages) SMS EU Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, EU
8 Languages variant
AKiSW SMS EU Box 8L.jpg
Cover
Master System, FR (Blister pack)
AKiSW SMS FR blister back.jpgAKiSW SMS FR blister front.jpg
Cover
Master System, BX
AKiSW SMS BX Box Front.jpg
Cover
Master System, PT
AKiSW SMS PT cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, GR
<div style="margin:auto; max-width:Expression error: Unexpected < operator.px"> 320x120px
Cover
Master System, GR
8 Languages variant
<div style="margin:auto; max-width:Expression error: Unexpected < operator.px"> 320x120px
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

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 d2417ed7
MD5 d62b631506913712a2103f54912458a5
SHA-1 e7c7c24e208afb986ab389883f98a1b5a8249fea
256kB Cartridge (EU/US)

External links

  • Nintendo catalogue pages: US, UK, AU

References

  1. File:Alexkiddshinobiworld sms eu cover.jpg
  2. 2.0 2.1 VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "September 1990" (US; 1990-0x-xx), page 86
  3. Computer & Video Games, "August 1990" (UK; 1990-07-16), page 93
  4. Raze, "September 1991" (UK; 1991-07-25), page 76
  5. Computer & Video Games, "October 1990" (UK; 1990-09-16), page 116
  6. Player One, "Novembre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 33
  7. 7.0 7.1 http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/LsnQt1IWMHnxeKT6jAhxdAIRP9d_xkar (Wayback Machine: 2010-11-22 22:46)
  8. 8.0 8.1 http://www.nintendolife.com:80/games/mastersystem/alex_kidd_in_shinobi_world (Wayback Machine: 2017-05-15 03:32)
  9. https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Virtual-Console-Wii-/Alex-Kidd-in-Shinobi-World--276170.html (archive.today)
  10. http://www.nintendo.com.au/index.php?action=catalogue&prodcat_id=42&prod_id=20073&pageID=4 (Wayback Machine: 2012-03-28 01:38)
  11. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "April 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 78
  12. GamePro, "January 1991" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 44
  13. GamePro, "March 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 22
  14. Computer & Video Games, "November 1990" (UK; 1990-10-16), page 58
  15. ACE, "November 1990" (UK; 1990-10-xx), page 92
  16. Computer & Video Games, "December 1990" (UK; 1990-11-16), page 168
  17. ACE, "December 1990" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 102
  18. Sega Power, "January 1991" (UK; 1990-12-06), page 2
  19. Computer & Video Games, "January 1991" (UK; 1990-12-15), page 98
  20. 20.0 20.1 Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 90
  21. 21.0 21.1 The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 52
  22. Computer & Video Games, "September 1990" (UK; 1990-08-16), page 88/89 (88)
  23. Excalibur, "" (CZ; 1993-09-10), page 37
  24. 24.0 24.1 Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 81
  25. 25.0 25.1 Joystick, "Octobre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 92
  26. 26.0 26.1 Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 132
  27. Player One, "Novembre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 32/33 (32)
  28. S: The Sega Magazine, "September 1990" (UK; 1990-08-02), page 4/5 (4)
  29. 29.0 29.1 Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 55
  30. 30.0 30.1 Sega Pro, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-xx-xx), page 19
  31. 31.0 31.1 Zero, "December 1990" (UK; 1990-1x-xx), page 128
  32. Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume III" (UK; 1990-08-xx), page 83
  33. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 137
  34. Computer & Video Games, "September 1990" (UK; 1990-08-16), page 88
  35. Excalibur, "" (CZ; 1993-09-10), page 33
  36. Player One, "Novembre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 32
  37. Power Play, "8/90" (DE; 1990-07-13), page 127
  38. S: The Sega Magazine, "September 1990" (UK; 1990-08-02), page 4
  39. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 70



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