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| (Image Source: Epic Games Store/Merge Games/Jankenteam) |
On November 1, 1986, Sega released the adventure platform game Alex Kidd In Miracle World which eventually gave birth to the Alex Kidd series. What was once the Japanese gaming publisher and developer's official mascot before the birth and rise of the world-renouned Sonic The Hedgehog has been a fan favorite in the late 80s and spawned several sequels and spin-offs for the Master System and the Sega Genesis. More than 30 years after the release of his very last game for the Genesis, the gaming world saw a rebirth of Alex Kidd for old and new generations of fans and gaming enthusiasts to enjoy, indulge and create new memories.
Merge Games was able to revitalize the Alex Kidd experience and gave rebirth to the game that started the franchise in conjunction with the six-person development team known as Jankenteam. What gave Jankenteam the impulse to collaborate with Merge and share its dream of remaking the game by rebuilding, recreating and modernizing a deluxe version while sticking faithfully to what made Alex Kidd a fan favorite for more than 30 years and beyond is Merge's successful distribution of the physical version of Streets of Rage 4 in collaboration with DotEmu. Following a visit to Sega’s HQ in Japan to license the long-dormant IP, Merge Games developed a complete strategy for full production, marketing and commercial success using the company’s deep expertise in creating bespoke routes to market, which put quality front and centre and exploited all available digital, retail and collectable opportunities.
The team was determined to faithfully include all the original content and levels and combined this with striking new art, improved boss fight systems and different modes. Extra levels were created to expand the lore of the original title to bring a fresh dimension to Alex Kidd in Miracle World. The game included a Retro Mode specifically to bring back the nostalgia from the Master System classic, allowing players to switch back to a recreated version of the original graphical style, to the new Boss Rush Mode which provides nonstop Rock Paper Scissors action, the DX version of Alex Kidd in Miracle World includes a wealth of extra content to expand on the original Master System version. Comprising an array of other updates such as improvements to combat, movement mechanics and new menu systems, Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX adds a new level of fluidity to the original classic.
Through Merge’s statistical analysis of the Alex Kidd franchise over the previous 30 years plus profound knowledge of current market trends, the developers were able to provide tailored international PR and marketing to support the game’s commercial release. Released worldwide on June 24, 2021 on current major gaming systems, Merge Games and Jankenteam's Alex Kidd In Miracle World DX is on track to break 200,000 units sold by Christmas and continues to tap into a niche market of passionate retro fans. “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," said Merge Games Managing Director Luke Keighran.
