It's hard not to feel for the Alex Kidd franchise. Once a primary Sega mascot, Alex Kidd had a number of fun platforming adventures while the company found its feet with the console market, before being unceremoniously forgotten by many thanks to a certain blue hedgehog called Sonic. Now, the character's debut is getting a re-launch as Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX, thanks to Merge Games and Jankenteam.
Alex Kidd in Miracle World was first released in 1986 for the Master System, and was seen as an attempt to be the company's answer to Mario. The titular hero is trying to save his kingdom from the nefarious Janken the Great, and bring peace back to the land. The game was a success, and a series of platform adventures followed, with the last Alex Kidd game being 1990's Alex Kidd in Shinobi World, although there has occasionally been a clamor for the Sega franchise to return.
One of the most striking updates in Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX is its visuals. Rather that sticking purely to the initial art style, or instead going for a smooth and clear vision akin to recent Rayman games, instead Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX is still mildly pixellated, but with smooth animation. There's also the option to play the game in 'classic' mode, which is a neat touch for fans of the original who may not fully get on board with the updates.
From a gameplay perspective, Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX sticks close to the original, including its somewhat unforgiving love of instant deaths. It's far from the most difficult of games from the era, and is nowhere near the level of such brutal experiences as Battletoads or Ghosts n' Goblins, but those expecting something as relaxing as Mario or Sonic games may be a little surprised. There is the option to turn on infinite lives, which is a nice level of flexibility for those who might appreciate it.
The gameplay isn't a perfect recreation of its source material, though. Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX's controls feel a little floaty at times, with the player not entirely feeling in control of their movements, while there are other bugbears such as the game respawning the player on top of enemies with very few invincibility frames. It does feel a little better when playing with retro visuals on, although this may be something of a placebo based around the player's expectations.
As Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX is a direct adaptation it means that the game generally follows the same structure as the original. However, there are some tweaks here and there, including the introduction of more NPCs within levels to talk to and get more context about the plot, which helps the story feel more well-rounded. Meanwhile there are some quality of life improvements, such as being able to access items without going into a menu, some extra levels here and there, and bonus modes unlocked after the game has been beaten.
Thankfully, this dedication to remain close to the character's debut means that the wonderful eccentricities of the original remain in place. Taking part in a game of rock, paper, scissors with a boss is definitely a strange feeling (and can be frustrating when you lose a life to chance), but it simply wouldn't be an Alex Kidd remake without it. Some may find that Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX doesn't push the boat out far enough, but purists will likely be happy.
Overall, Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX is a faithful adaptation that has been made with a lot of love. It's not perfect, as players may find the controls a little loose and the lack of change and additional features may make some question its worth, but it's nonetheless a good recreation of the fantastic Master System title.
Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX releases on 22 June 2021 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, and Nintendo Switch. Screen Rant was provided with a Switch download code for the purposes of this review.