Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX

Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX is the perfect game for those who have loved the 1986 game and want to replay it with modern graphics. The others can ignore it.

Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX is a visually gorgeous upgrade to a very rose-tinted release. While the flaws of the original game remain laid bare, Jankenteam accentuates the positives, reimagining one of console gaming’s earliest universes with stunning artwork, great animation, and a sophisticated score. New players may struggle with some dated and baffling design choices, but those who hold tight the carefree afternoons of the Sega Master System will find a delightful trip down memory lane awaits.

Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX is a remake that looks great but, sadly, has not represented the triumphant return of this SEGA icon due to its multiple gameplay problems.

Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX is a faithful recreation of a classic Master System game. With that in mind, I would have much preferred an unfaithful recreation because Alex Kidd in Miracle World isn't exactly a shining example of an old-school 2D platformer.

35 years after its original release, 'Alex Kidd in Miracle World' is being re-released in a polished version that feels wonderfully nostalgic. Aside from some additional dialogue, levels and modified boss battles, it's still essentially the same game as it was in 1986. While we praise the way the player can now seamlessly switch between the new and original graphics, it feels like a missed opportunity not to change some of the basics. The controls are still as clunky as they were back then, and the unforgiving difficulty level still causes a lot of frustration today. Fortunately, there is the ability to use infinite lives, otherwise many controllers would perish.

Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX adds a modern sheen to a game very much of its time. The new look is fantastic and the soundtrack is splendid. Unfortunately, Alex's jumping and hit detection presents a game that is tough for me to tolerate. With some convenient touches, it might be an okay way to experience what remains a tough game rooted in decades' old design.

Alex Kidd in Miracle World is a good upgrade, with a loving nod to the Master System classic upgraded with terrific visuals and a wonderful soundtrack, but not much else has changed. It’s oddly easier to control when played in the original visuals mode, whilst new Alex feels somewhat floaty. Regardless, the ruthless difficulty – when not using infinite lives – will polarise modern gamers, and the padding to extend the game time feels like exactly that and little else.

Janken Team deserve a lot of credit for the incredible facelift they have given Alex Kidd In Miracle World. Whilst nostalgic players will certainly get a kick out of Alex Kidd In Miracle World DX, there's no getting away from the fact that the core gameplay hasn't aged well at all. Slippery controls and excessively punishing courses, as well as random death ghosts and chance rock, paper, scissors, victories make Alex Kidd In Miracle World a tedious endeavour that's far overshadowed by other contemporary and classic platformers. A charming inclusion for retro collectors, but otherwise not recommendable.

You are at least able to turn on Infinite Lives to make a playthrough more bearable – honestly, it must’ve been a miracle that we beat Miracle World back in the day. While some players may be charmed by the power of nostalgia, for others it’s a reminder why Sega sacked Alex as mascot. [Issue#4, p.77]

Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX places me in a bit of a difficult position. On the one hand, I feel fairly confident that fans of the original game will be able to come into this and receive a heaping helping of soul-warming nostalgia. The graphical updates are pleasing to the eye. The updated music may not always carry the game’s tone that it is playing over, but it still sounds great. And there are even a few added levels and slight tweaks to previously existing ones to surprise players. For those people, my numeric rating would be more likened to a 4 out of 5. However, for folks like myself that are experiencing this for the first time for any reason other than a history lesson will be confronted with annoying controls and a somewhat serviceable but unexciting adventure that, in this reviewer’s opinion, didn’t quite stand up to the test of time.