Celebrating Alex Kidd’s 35th birthday Merge Games revealed how they revived the Sega classic platformer using their AAA indie publishing expertise. Alex Kidd first appeared in Alex Kidd in Miracle World on the Sega Master System on November 1, 1986.
Merge Games had caught Sega’s attention with the successful retail distribution of Streets of Rage 4. This release also encouraged the small developer team and Alex Kidd fans at Jankenteam to share their dream of remaking the game with Merge Games. Their idea was to recreate, rebuild, and modernize a deluxe version of the 2D platformer while staying true to what fans treasured about the game.
It was a pleasure to work with Sega and Jankenteam reviving this retro classic. The success of Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX has given Merge a blueprint in this niche, and we intend to continue to drive that objective and look at other potential franchises we can resurrect.
Luke Keighran, Managing Director, Merge Games
After a visit to Sega’s headquarters in Japan Merge Games, along with a license to the dormant IP, developed a strategy for production, marketing and commercial success using the company’s deep market expertise. This put quality at the forefront while taking advantage of all digital, retail, and collectable opportunities.
With such an undertaking for the remake the team was determined to include all the original content and levels. In addition they would combine the original with new art, improved boss fights systems and different modes. Extra levels were created that not only expanded the lore of the original, but also brought a fresh dimension to the title. Players who wanted the original could access that nostalgic feeling with Retro Mode switching back to a recreated version of the original graphical style.
A new Boss Rush Mode was included that provided nonstop action. All of this content plus an array of combat improvements, movement mechanics, and new menu systems lead to the creation of Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX. The updated remake hit market on June 24 of this year. According to Merge Games the title is on track to break 200,000 units sold by Christmas as it continues to tap into the retro market.
Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX is available on Windows PC through Steam for $19.99 USD. A demo is also available on the game’s Steam page. To celebrate the 35th year of Alex Kidd the game is available at a 35% off discount until November 8, 2021. Console gamers can find Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX on Xbox, PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch at various retailers and on the Merge Game’s website. For more information visit the game’s page on the publisher’s website here.
Merge Games (@MergeGamesLtd Twitter) is an independent game publisher and distributor based in Manchester, UK. The company publishes and distributes games for PC, console, and mobile devices worldwide. In addition, Merge Games specializes in publishing collectible games for retail and digital distribution for independent developers.
Jankenteam is a Spanish development team. The group consists of Programmer Daniel Parrado Ortega, Game Designer José Sanz, Art Director Héctor Toro, Producer Ramón Nafria and Audio Composer José Ramón “Bibiki” García.
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