System: Sega Master System
Release date: 1986
Punch your way through a proper colourful adventure with Alex Kidd in Miracle World on the Sega Master System, the 1986 platformer that gave Sega its first real mascot hero and gave Mario a decent run for his money. As the big-eared, fist-swinging Alex Kidd, you’re tasked with saving the land of Miracle World from the evil King Radaxian while punching blocks, riding vehicles and occasionally settling boss fights with a cheeky game of rock-paper-scissors. Bundled with loads of Master Systems back in the day, this was many kids’ introduction to Sega. In 2025, does this oddball classic still hold up as a fun romp, or has time finally caught up with our big-eared mate?
Gameplay: Punch, Platform, and Play Rock Paper Scissors
Alex Kidd in Miracle World is a side-scrolling platformer with a few quirks that make it stand out. You guide Alex through forests, mountains, caves and underwater sections, punching enemies and breakable blocks to progress. Unlike Mario, Alex doesn’t jump on heads – he throws a short-range punch instead, which gives the game a distinct close-quarters feel and makes positioning pretty important.
Along the way you’ll collect coins to spend in shops on useful items like power-ups, health restorers and even a motorbike, a pedal-powered helicopter and a speedboat for some variety. These vehicle sections are a highlight, completely changing the pace and adding a nice bit of variety to the standard platforming.
The boss fights, however, are where things get properly memorable – and divisive. Instead of a traditional scrap, many end with a game of rock-paper-scissors. Win and you progress, lose and you lose a life. It’s bold, daft and very much of its time.
The paper over the rock? It’s the one bit that still winds people up today. Getting to a tough boss only to lose because the game decided to throw scissors when you needed rock can feel incredibly cheap, especially late in the game when lives are low. Combined with some instant-death hazards and the occasional fiddly section, it can turn a fun run into a frustrating one rather quickly. Not the fairest way to end a level, if we’re honest.
Still, when you’re flying through the levels, smashing blocks and collecting goodies, it’s hard not to crack a smile.
Graphics: Bright Colours and Bold Character
For 1986, Alex Kidd looks cracking on the Master System. The colours are bright and punchy, easily beating many of its 8-bit rivals. Alex himself has loads of personality – those massive ears, expressive face and chunky animations give him real cartoon charm. Levels are nicely varied too, moving from lush forests to deserts, castles and underwater zones, each with their own look and feel.
Enemies are memorable and bosses are pleasingly large and imposing. While it’s clearly limited hardware, everything is clear and colourful, making it an inviting game to pick up and play even now.
Sound: Catchy Tunes with Sega Swagger
The music is properly upbeat and catchy, with cheerful melodies that stick in your head. Each area has its own theme and they suit the adventurous feel nicely. Sound effects are solid too – punches land with a satisfying thump, blocks smash nicely, and the vehicle sections have a good sense of speed. It’s not the most complex audio on the system, but it fits the game perfectly and still sounds cheerful today.
Replayability: A World Worth Revisiting
There’s decent reason to come back. Learning the best routes, finding all the hidden shops and mastering the vehicle sections gives you plenty to improve on. Once you know where the good power-ups are, runs become much smoother and more enjoyable. It’s short enough for a quick playthrough but satisfying enough that many people still return to it for nostalgia’s sake.
The Retro Looney Verdict
Alex Kidd in Miracle World on the Sega Master System is a charming and characterful platformer that still brings a smile nearly forty years later. Its colourful worlds, fun vehicle sections and big-eared hero give it a personality that’s hard not to like. Yes, the rock-paper-scissors bosses can be annoying and some bits feel a bit rough by modern standards, but that’s all part of its 8-bit charm. A proper Sega classic that deserves its place in the Master System hall of fame. Still worth a few rounds in 2025.
