[Hack] Alex Kidd 3: Curse in Miracle World (Sega Master System)
The History of Alex Kidd
Although it’s not recent news, we’d like to highlight this amazing Alex Kidd fan game that was released in 2020 by Yéti Bomar. It's worth remembering that before Sonic came along, Alex Kidd was Sega’s official mascot. His popularity grew significantly since his game was pre-installed in the 8-bit Sega console it was made for—the Master System 2.
6 Games and a Curious Origin
In addition to Alex Kidd in Miracle World, five more Alex Kidd games were released: Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars, Alex Kidd BMX Trial, Alex Kidd: High-Tech World, Alex Kidd in Shinobi World, and Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle (for the 16-bit Sega Genesis/Mega Drive). Additionally, few people know that Alex Kidd was originally intended to be a Dragon Ball game for the 8-bit system, but for unknown reasons, the project never moved forward and instead became the game we all know today.
Rediscovering Indie Talent and the Magic of ROM Hacks
Even though it was released five years ago, many retro gaming fans are only now discovering it and sharing their positive impressions. You can download the game from Yéti Bomar's page. While Sega never released a game called Alex Kidd 2, this ROM hack is named Alex Kidd 3 because there was already a previous ROM hack titled Alex Kidd in Miracle World 2. Back in 2012, Yéti Bomar began the game's extensive development, which originated in the well-known ROM hacking and homebrew development forum SMS Power, one of the most active communities for the system. Thanks to a development tool called KiddEd, an editor for Alex Kidd in Miracle World, Yéti started working on an unofficial new installment, completely modifying the original game—resulting in the title we’re discussing and loving today.
Alex Kidd DX or Alex Kidd 3? Why Not Both!
In 2021, Alex Kidd made a comeback with an official Sega-approved game: Alex Kidd DX, developed by the Spanish studio Jankenteam and published by Merge Games. It had a considerable difficulty level but left players with a great impression. So… why are we talking about Alex Kidd 3 instead of Alex Kidd DX? Maybe because Alex Kidd 3 has that "indie film" feel applied to video games. Maybe because of the dedication of its creator, who took on this project alone. Or perhaps because its visuals are so polished that it could easily be mistaken for an officially licensed product—just like what recently happened with Sonic Galactic.
Limited Edition and Artistic Design
The game also had a limited run of only 25 physical copies, which were distributed and sold through the game's forum thread on SMS Power. These copies featured a carefully crafted design, with covers resembling the ones from Japanese and Brazilian games (by Tec Toy, the company that held Sega's license in Brazil). YouTuber Arcademan helped the game's creator translate it into Spanish.
It was worth the wait to get a fully free final version of the patch (in IPS format, currently available in English and French) for the Alex Kidd in Miracle World ROM. Visually, the game is stunning and not without considerable difficulty, which might be a bit challenging for long-time Alex Kidd fans who are now in their 40s and have a few grey hairs, but who still carry the spirit of the child who learned to face the world using the ancient game technique of rock, paper, and scissors.
If you also want to support indie game development, we invite you to discover these fun games from Surre Games, which are sure to bring a smile (or even a laugh) to your face.
