Alex Kidd

Associated With

Sega - creator or operator

Defining Feature

Side-scrolling action built around punching, vehicles and rock-paper-scissors boss contests

Status

Reissued — original 1986 Sega Mark III game documented in Sega’s archive and included in a 2019 Sega Ages release

Overview

Sega released Alex Kidd in Miracle World for the Sega Mark III as a single-player action game on 1 November 1986.

Alex moved through colourful stages by running, jumping, swimming and punching enemies. Collected money bought items and vehicles, including a motorcycle and small helicopter.

Boss encounters could use rock-paper-scissors contests instead of conventional fights. The 2019 Sega Ages reissue returned the adventure with separate original and assisted modes.

Why It Mattered

The game gave Sega an early home-console mascot before Sonic arrived. Its mixture of platforming, vehicles, shops, swimming and unusual boss contests gave Alex Kidd a distinct structure that was revisited in the 2019 Sega Ages release.

Original Mark III Release

• The game was released for the Sega Mark III on 1 November 1986.
• Sega classifies it as a single-player action game.

Movement and Equipment

• Alex breaks blocks and defeats enemies with the game’s punching technique.
• The movement and stage mechanics also include swimming.
• Money collected in stages buys items and vehicles, including a motorcycle and small helicopter.

Boss Contests and Reissue

• Boss encounters include rock-paper-scissors contests where a loss ends the game.
• The 2019 Sega Ages release includes an original mode and a separate assisted mode.

Gallery