Alex Kidd: High-Tech World

Alex Kidd: High-Tech World is a side-scrolling platform video game for the Sega Master System, and part of the Alex Kidd series. It is a modified version of the Japanese Master System game Anmitsu Hime: From Amakara Castle, which was based on a Japanese television series called Anmitsu Hime.

Alterations made to the English version included altered sprites, English text and a different storyline. Because the game wasn't conceived as an Alex Kidd game in Japan, these alterations caused inconsistencies for the Alex Kidd storyline in the West, such as an appearance of Alex's father in the very beginning of the game, even though his father was missing in Alex Kidd in Miracle World, until being found at the end of Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle. Furthermore, while a large variety of characters exist in the game, none of the previously established characters in the Alex Kidd universe are anywhere to be found, nor do any of the characters in this game appear in any of the others in the series. Even the setting doesn't appear to be Radaxian as the castle is now a feudal Japanese castle instead of the more western castle seen in Miracle World or the BMX Trial titles.

Alex also has a brother by the name of James in High-Tech World whom is never mentioned in any other games in the series. (Though it possibly could be his brother from Miracle World, Igul incorrectly named.)

Plot
Alex Kidd is contacted by one of his friends, who tells him a new arcade has opened in town.

Alex has a map to its location, but it has been torn into eight pieces, and is needed to find the arcade before it closes at 5:00 sharp. He solves puzzles, answers questions, runs errands and does housework to find the pieces. After that, he must find another way to leave the house, as the front gate is shut.

When Alex finds the map and leaves his house, ninjas appear, who attempt to kill him. After this brief combat encounter, Alex must find a travel pass to get past the guard guarding the check point.

If he manages this, Alex is then proceeded to be attacked by more ninjas as well as flying squirrels, snakes and cats before finally making it to Hi-Tech World arcades where he plays Out Run.

Gameplay
The majority of the gameplay involves walking and talking to individuals, trying to solve puzzles not unlike a point and click adventure. There are two brief periods where Alex must fight ninjas in the woods by throwing shurikens to defeat them and gain money in order to be used in the next scene. Much like most Alex Kidd games, Alex dies in a single hit but this time round there's no additional lives. Instead a password system is put in place.

This game also has a variety of bizarre game over scenarios including:


 * Alex taking the burnt paper from James
 * Alex falling down a flight of broken stairs
 * Alex turning on a broken computer and being electrocuted
 * Alex putting on a suit of armor that is too heavy to move in
 * Alex gorging himself on hot dogs until he passes out
 * Alex being captured by the guard for talking to him three times in a row
 * Alex picking up a book on printing passes and being arrested upon being searched
 * Alex picking up a gun and being arrested upon being searched