Title: Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX Release Date: June 20th, 2021 Publisher: Merge Games Developers: Jankenteam, Merge Games Price: $29.99 or $34.99 (Switch) (Standard), $69.99 (Signature/Collector’s Edition) Review Copy provided: Yes Date Reviewed: June 22, 2021 (and as a team finished). Before we begin reviewing Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX... Let’s research the iconic hero’s history of what made this become a reality also. THE HISTORY OF AN ICONIC HEROInitially, Alex Kidd was in the works or before it happened: Alex Kidd in Miracle World originally started development in 1984 as a licensed crossover game based on the Dragon Ball manga series, which is wild. Sadly, during its development, the Dragon Ball license expired, and The Sega CEO named “Hayao Nakayama” ordered developers to start the game from scratch. Miracle World originally was made exclusively on Cartridges, then was later built into many editions of both the Master System and the Master System II power base systems, even enabling a play without using a game cartridge. From 1990 onwards, a slightly different version was integrated into the US, Australian and European versions of the Master System II with 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 on the integrated versions. The original version used button 2 to hit and button 1 to jump, as was changed these controls in the integrated version, which is a bit new. Alex Kidd in Miracle World was critically acclaimed since its release. In 1987, the French magazine named “Génération 4” gave the game a highly positive rating. In 1991, the 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." On a Computer and Video Games magazine in 1991, they described the Miracle World as "Sega's answer to Mario" and concluded that the "absorbing gameplay will have you glued to your screen for hours on end." Fun Fact!: Did you know after the release of Alex Kidd in Miracle World, a French pop-punk band named Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! Created a song named after this title on the initial release of their album called Something for Nothing. WHAT HAPPENED TO ALEX KIDD?During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Alex Kidd was initially the main competitor for Super Mario Bros. or Mario, which would serve as the company's mascot for half of Sega’s decade before being randomly replaced by Sonic the Hedgehog to be the main competitor for Mario. Alex Kidd in Miracle World also stands as one of the most famous Master System releases, being built into many Master System consoles during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Including few Master System games to have an official Korean translation for it. During the time Alex Kidd has had his games. Other titles were ported in Genesis/Mega Drive, Plug, and Played consoles like AtGames, TecToy in Brazil. It also was in Sega’s own Sega Genesis/Mega Drive mini console, Compilations like Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Collection, Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Classic, Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis/Mega Drive Collection and Vintage Collections, etc. I was even having Cameos in specific Sega titles and being a playable character in Sega Superstars Tennis, a racer in Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, and All-Stars Racing Transformed. Alex Kidd is even one of the several Sega and Capcom guest heroes recruited by Sonic the Hedgehog and Break Man to battle against Sigma in the World’s Unite crossover by Archie Comics. The crossover spanned Archie's Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic Universe, Sonic Boom, and Mega Man comic series. For quite a while, of seeing no new game of Alex Kidd, or is it? Merge Games revealed that Alex Kidd would return once again as a revisit to the first original game. “Alex Kidd in Miracle World” titled “Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX” being developed by Merge Games and Jankenteam, even with Merge Games publishing it, including new levels, alternate boss fights, and options for modern or retro-style graphics. "It's a world of miracles..."The main difference between the original of Miracle World is that the controls can feel quite awkward than the original, so it’s going to take some time to master, so don’t worry! Of course, you aren’t the only person to have a little problem, but it’s fun to explore the art in the game's worlds and locations. The art in this game is just lovely to seek, and being this enjoyable in the game. The game would send the vibes if Dig Dug got the remake treatment and others in the game style. Although it is heavily memorable to Sonic Mania, they’ve made it feel like a retro game but still feel new with additional changes. It also has an infinite life option in the game, although it can alter your chances of unlocking specific achievements in the game, so that’s a heads up, by the way! As mentioned before: The controls are pretty of target practice; with the right amount of patience, you can master Alex Kidd and what he wields against Janken’s Henchmen, just like blocks, enemies, etc. There are some secrets like the original had even placed the same way where it could give you lots of power mastering the locations in a form with the bonus levels, even items can be helpful to your journey. Also, with coins you collect by smashing certain blocks, the additional levels, changes to the game are just so interesting to add a challenge or modification to the original game on Master System. They have also added challenging achievements like finishing the entire game by not buying anything in the store, getting all collectibles referencing the Sega Genesis, Master Systems, etc. Strangely enough, there are some glitches in Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX, wherein the volcanic level. You may likely hit a particular area where the player would disappear, and the camera would move to the right, which can become fixed by restarting the game. Even with the ability to punch, even one wherein the Radaxian Castle, there is a random moment in a particular location. For example, you could clip up the wall to instant death while crawling/sliding under at a strange angle. I am hoping these glitches get fixed in an update. Adding an addition of switch into the original game and the remake/remaster, which is a feature is that if you want to visit the game with the old school look, do so. Likewise, if you wish to the newer art style, you can do that, even with the ancient and contemporary music in a press of a button. The story is about the same as the original, where 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 kidnapped his son. Alex Kidd yet realized he was the kidnapped son but to stop Janken and his henchmen, save the people and kingdom of Radaxian as it’s up to Alex to save the day as a prince. Even chatting to the NPC’s give in a nice take to the game so smoothly there with it’s an instant discussion between things even to add more of a story to the game which the original didn’t have as many of characters speaking unless it’s one of the henchmen or Janken himself, etc. Most importantly, the game’s relentless difficulty is something I dig, even if there are some times of needing that break from it. The infinite lives are something for players who can’t stand it; also, you can change the options of the diet Alex Kidd collects or eats as a break when beating a level like Onigiri, Hamburger, Spanish Omelette, and Fish & Chips. We initially did NOT purchase anything during this review or used infinite lives in the run until one of our save files got corrupted even though save we did enable the save cloud. Although it didn’t stop us from playing the game, we checked the other modes after finishing the game. Other methods you will unlock afterward, like Classic Mode and Boss Rush Mode, add a different taste to the game. Even with the feature of playing the Classic Master System game in a new hud and widescreen is just so lovely, making it easier to show comparisons with it so let’s discuss these modes after beating the game: Classic Mode is the original Master System game with a couple of tiny changes. These changes have the text font and the tentacles from the Octopus enemies in the water levels and section moving very smoothly. It does have a border that’s referencing the original Master System cartridge. Still, the title screen and map that show you in the next level are being presented in widescreen strangely, and the model looked like if you’re playing an emulated version with the original text, character speech, and pause screen. Still, it gives you a warning before starting you up by saying that classic mode only recreates the original Master System version. Boss Rush Mode is where you play Jan Ken Pon (or Rock Paper Scissors, if you like to call it). Against the henchmen. After completing Jan Ken Pon, you do get to fight them just like the primary campaign, although you, unfortunately, don’t fight the other bosses like Ox, Grizzly Bear, + Funky Monkey. I like that you get to fight in a show-like setting in front of the crowd referencing “Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle” on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, and in that game, you also play Jan Ken Pon except in bets to earn specific Items. VerdictAlex Kidd in a Miracle World is a very challenging and yet lovely artistic retro-bit-styled game. There are some hiccups, and that this game bringing an iconic hero’s classic game in the 80’s back is just a fantastic time to witness and play. This game is entirely remade from the ground up, with some excellent additions to the adventure. Even a redo to the Games Soundtrack is just an enjoyable soundtrack recreation. I say this game by Jankenteam, and Merge Games did a nice thing to bring back Alex Kidd with his first game. Quote: “An iconic hero returning in an definitive remake.” Rating: 8.0/10 Until then.. GAME ON! -Timothy Stambaugh (Timthegamer12/Tim) -Alexandre Elkhoury (Alex)
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