If you had a Master System II back in the day, you already know this game intimately because it was built right into the console. No cartridge required, no blowing into contacts, just flip the switch and you were in. Alex Kidd was Sega’s original mascot, their weird, big-eared answer to Mario before a certain blue hedgehog came along. Instead of jumping on enemies, Alex throws hands. It is a quirky, colorful platformer that defined the early days of the SMS, and beating it is a rite of passage for any Sega kid.
The punching mechanic is not something you expect in a platformer, especially if you are used to Mario games. But it makes total sense. Sega was always trying to differentiate themselves from what Nintendo was doing, and having your hero break blocks and bust enemies with his fists set a completely different tone. Then you hit the boss fights, and the game goes completely off the rails. You fight the bosses by playing Rock-Paper-Scissors. When I started this game, I never thought I would be playing games of Rock-Paper-Scissors to save the kingdom. It was totally unexpected, but totally on point for how Sega did things in the 80s. It feels like pure luck at first, but it almost became predictable by the end. The second time I met the bosses, I didn’t lose a single match.
The vehicle sections are an absolute blast. I loved buying the helicopter and using it to blaze through a couple of levels. The motorcycle was also great, and I got lucky and flew through that level like nothing at all. The boat (or jetski, I can’t tell exactly which it was supposed to be) was a bit harder and I lost it pretty quick. I also have to give a shoutout to the shops. The store options added a bit of an RPG role to the game, letting you manage your money for gear and vehicles, which was pretty advanced for 1986.
The colors and levels were great. The graphics push the Master System to show off its color palette with vibrant, varied environments. From the watery caves to the mountain peaks, the game always looks distinct. The music is incredibly catchy too, even if it loops a bit too often. It has that upbeat, slightly off-kilter Sega charm that sticks in your head long after you power down the console.
I owned this game when I was younger and I really struggled with it. Coming back to it now, it was actually easier and a lot more fun than I remembered. It is difficult, but honestly, I found it easier than the original Super Mario Bros. When you finally beat Janken the Great, you get a classic text dump ending where peace is restored to Radaxian, his brother becomes king, and the crown turns the people back into humans. It even leaves you with a cliffhanger about Alex’s father, which is a great payoff for the era.
