Alex Kidd in Shinobi World

Alex Kidd in Shinobi World
Development staff
Developer(s)	Sega
Publisher(s)	Sega
Designer(s)	Yoshio Yoshida
Game overview
Series	Alex Kidd
Release date(s)	NA 1990 EU August 1990
Genre(s)	Platformer
Platform(s)	Master System Wii Virtual Console
Gameplay overview
Mode(s)	Single-player
Player(s)	1
Game order

Alex Kidd in Shinobi World is a platformer developed by Sega for the Master System in 1990.

Plot

After 10,000 years Hanzo, the dark ninja, has returned from his banishment. Finding his powers drained, he decides he needs to perform a ritual to restore himself to his former glory.

Alex Kidd, meanwhile was standing in a flower field with his girlfriend when Hanzo appeared from nowhere, snatched her and disappeared. Distraught and stunned afterwards, Alex was unsure how to save her until the White Ninja's spirit appeared before him.

The White Ninja reveals he was the one who defeated and banished Hanzo all those years ago.

Fusing with Alex, he bestows upon him his ninja powers and knowledge in order to let Alex rescue his girlfriend, prevent the ritual from happening and put a final end to Hanzo.

Gameplay

As the title suggests, Alex Kidd is essentially thrust into the hero's role in a Shinobi game.

Alex Kidd's abilities in this game are different from his other games as a result, besides jumping. Alex now swings a sword rather than punching, can throw kunai upon getting a power up, can spin around lamposts to turn himself into a spinning fireball capable of smashing through enemies and blocks and can even use ninja magic to transform himself into a spinning tornado.

Alex Kidd in Shinobi World contains four worlds known as 'Round's:

• Round 1: Kabuto (Boss: Kabuto)
• Round 2: Raid of the Helicopters (Boss: Heli)
• Round 3: The Jungle (Boss: Robster)
• Round 4: The Battle with the Dark Ninja (Boss: Hanzo)

Development

Shinobi Kid (original / working title)

In 2007, images and articles began to surface on the internet, that like Alex Kidd: High-Tech World, Alex Kidd was not originally intended to be the star of the game. Rather, the game was initially devised to be a cute parody of Shinobi, in a similar vein to Kid Dracula was to Castlevania, Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti was to Splatterhouse and Parodius was to Gradius.

Trivia

• Kabuto, the first boss was originally designed to look exactly like Nintendo's Mario in samurai gear, even unsubtly being called Mari-Oh until being changed to avoid copyright issues. He is also based off Ken-Oh, the first boss from Shinobi.
• Heli, the second boss (or bosses as it's many small helicopters) seem to be modelled after Opa-Opa. They are based off the Shinobi boss Black Turtle who fought Joe Musashi in an attack helicoptor.
• Robster, the third boss is based off the Shinobi boss Lobster, a samurai in red armour. Amusingly, Robster is an actual lobster, who upon defeat fries himself with butter.
• Hanzo, the final boss of the game is based off the Masked Ninja final boss from The Revenge of Shinobi. Hanzo wears a Hyottoko Mask, known for being a childish and comical character. When the mask is broken off his face, it's revealed Hanzo's face looks exactly the same underneath.
• Despite its Japanese feel and origin, Sega never released Alex Kidd in Shinobi World in Japan. This is the only Alex Kidd title to not be released in Japan, although High-Tech World wasn't originally an Alex Kidd title.
• Alex's girlfriend from this game appears in the Sega Ages art work as a scorecard girl. She's unlockable in Sega Ages: Columns 2 Jewel case.
• This was the last game in the Alex Kidd series until 2021's Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX.

Gallery

Gallery

Alex and his girlfriend on a date Suddenly she is kidnapped by Hanzo! The White Ninja arrives to embue Alex with their power Title sequence. Alex has grown a bit from the White Ninja's power Alex can turn himself into a fireball by spinning around poles Rather than shellcore fists, Alex uses a sword in this game Alex vs. Kabuto Alex can transform into a tornado at certain points Vs. Heli Vs. Robster. Those are lemon slices. Vs. Hanzo. The gold light is an invincible barrier. Alex must avoid being touched by it. Hanzo's face reveal as his mask crumbles...

External links

• Alex Kidd in Shinobi World at Alex Kidd Wiki
• Alex Kidd in Shinobi World at MobyGames
• Alex Kidd in Shinobi World at GameFAQs
• Alex Kidd in Shinobi World at Sega Retro
• Alex Kidd in Shinobi World at Sega-16
• Alex Kidd in Shinobi World at Hardcore Gaming 101