Sega Master System #1: Alex Kidd in Miracle World

Developer: Sega

Publisher: Sega

Release Date: December 1986

Get used to some dull cover art

 Alex Kidd in Miracle World has me entirely baffled. How was this a game I was ever able to finish? It is one of the most difficult and obtuse 8-bit platform games. It has few lives and no continues, completely random rock, paper, scissors bosses, and just plain difficult levels. I am also confused as to why it is one of the marquee games on the Master System. Is it really all that good? I have to say I was a bit skeptical diving back in over after beating it all those years ago. However, after a few minutes my skepticism went away and I was able to enjoy it for what it is. It’s one of the most exciting games on the whole system and despite its shortcomings one of the most fun games to play.

It has great screenshots. Doesn't that look fun? 

Right from the start Miracle World sets out to be different. The first level is a punishingly hard vertical scrolling level that turns into a horizontal water level. Luckily Alex Kidd is a good swimmer, and the water levels are all fun. Typically the flatter, horizontal second level would be the first. Instead that one gives you the opportunity to buy a motorcycle which makes it a fast-paced action level. Just by flipping those two levels and adding items shows just how risky this game is. No two levels play exactly the same and so it’s a game that never lets the player get too comfortable. It’s a master class in 8-bit platforming. Almost every style is represented which is impressive for a game from late 1986. It actually predates most of the games that it appears to be inspired by. It’s older than Super Mario Bros. 2 or Wonder Boy in Monster Land but it has elements from both of those games without even knowing it.

His head is scissors in case you were wondering

 Of course being from 1986 there are bound to be the typical mid-80s flaws. I have already talked a little bit about the unfair difficulty, but it bears repeating. This game is hard. Alex’s main attack is a short punch which extends about an inch in front of his body. As much fun as it is punching kindly forest creatures into submission it is definitely too short of an attack. I feel like I am going to get killed every time I punch at something, and it is a game with one hit deaths. It also has a very confusing puzzle that has to be solved to progress at the end of the game. The clues are easy to miss too so playing it in 2021 is probably going to involve some googling. Most infamously however is all the rock, paper, scissors you have to play to progress. Every couple of levels you will be in a life or death struggle against a worthy opponent. Luckily there is an item that shows what your opponent is going to throw, but it’s easy to miss. Also, why are the bosses defeated by a game of chance? That is completely insane. It gets even worse later when the opponents become sore losers and start to fight back. Seriously how did I ever beat this game?

I don't remember this at all. I'm not as good as I used to be and couldn't get all that far

 So Alex Kidd in Miracle World is both a great game and an unfair contest of frustration. It’s a tale of great level design and sometimes annoying gameplay. I definitely recommend this one for anyone interested in Master System. It is not the best action game on the system though. For one thing the SMS has more good games that it is given credit for. Alex Kidd was Sega’s early mascot so this game got a good amount of press. I think it gets a bit overrated because it’s one that people actually remember from back in the day. It was also bundled with consoles for a while which always helps. It’s not quite as good as NES Double Dragon so I am putting it at #24. It’s a solid first title, but it’s on a console that can, and did, do better.