Alex Kidd in Miracle World is a platform game for the 8-bit Sega Master System video game console. It was first released in Japan on November 1, 1986. It became arguably the most recognised game in the Alex Kidd series, partly due to it being built into most Master System consoles.
Gameplay
Throughout Alex Kidd in Miracle World, Alex Kidd faces many monsters through sixteen stages, plus the three henchmen of Janken the Great, before facing Janken.
His main ability is punching, which he can use to attack enemies and break open blocks to access new areas and collect money. Breaking or stepping on certain blocks releases an evil spirit that will try and kill Alex. Any money he collects can be used to purchase items such as motorbikes and helicopters. At the end of certain levels, Alex will have to face one of Janken's henchmen in a game of Janken (rock paper scissors).
Alex can take only one hit before he dies. Alex Kidd in Miracle World does not have a battery save option or password system, meaning that when all of Alex's lives run out the game is over. However, the game did have an un-documented continue feature, where the player could continue the game with three lives from the beginning of the level they died on, by holding the up direction and pressing button 2 eight times during the GAME OVER screen. This would cost the player 400 Baums (the in-game currency).
The game is notorious for its difficulty, and was built directly into the Sega Master System II, enabling play right out of the box without the need to plug in any cartridge.