Alex Kidd in Miracle World

The Good
Super Mario Bros. is an obvious comparison, but Alex Kidd has a bit more depth i.e Alex receives directions from the friends and relatives he meets along the way, checks his path on a map and holds an inventory of magic items and vehicles. I also preferred punching blocks to head butting them. Having dialogue with bosses and beating them in games of "paper, rock, scissors" is an interesting touch too.

The Bad
While it was new and different at the time, it seems a little too cute and simple now. The game isn't exactly easy, but I'd say it's meant for children to play and master over a long period.

The Bottom Line
Better than Super Mario Bros., I reckon one of the best console games of its time and it's innovative. Maybe it wasn't made with adults in mind and doesn't quite stand the test of time like other games.

The Good
It is an excellent platform action game with the added feature of being able to purchase special items. And you get to play rock / paper / scissors.

The Bad
Everything is good. Except a basic complaint about several Sega Master System games that use the pause button. It's on the console itself. So to get the map and switch inventory items you have to be close enough to reach the console.

The Bottom Line
Think super mario bros. and add more modes and items and cool power ups. This is a must have game for anyone with a Sega Master System.

The Good
You get to punch a bat, a bull, a scorpion, & even a fish in the face! The FACE! Starting the game by going down instead of right or even up is great & fresh. The vehicles are awesome, the gameplay is awesome, the variety of items is awesome & fun. There is only one secret stage but the challenge to get to it is fun. The ending castle is very well laid out.

Graphics for 1986 are stunning & hold up perfect today. The title screen is awesome! Each Alex Kid game has Alex being able to walk behind things as a graphic bonus. Here he walks behind grass making it look tall. In Enchanted Castle he walks behind sand mounds to make him look like he's going through it & in Shinobi world he walks between alternating fore-ground/back-ground bamboo. Best of all here & in enchanted castle there are scorpions hidden in the grass/sand making use of this for gameplay. There is a plant jutting out of lava in one stage. It isn't a vine you can grab onto, it kills you. But it is a plant rising out of lava! So insane yet so awesome.

The Bad
The 1 hit death is the worst part of the game. You cannot have two of the same item. There is nothing in-game to tell you what the items do. The ending challenge is insane.

The Bottom Line
Difficult but one of the finest platformers ever made especially from around its release date. A worthy contender to Super Mario Bros. Super Mario Land's use of vehicles always felt like it borrowed from this.