Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle

Infobox VG
title=Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle


caption =
developer=Sega
publisher=Sega
designer=
engine=
released=
genre=Platform
series="Alex Kidd" series
modes=Single player
ratings=
platforms = Mega Drive/Genesis, Virtual Console
media=
requirements =
input=

"Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle " is a platform game for the Sega Genesis. It was first released in Japan as a launch title on the February 10 1989. The fifth game in the "Alex Kidd" series, "Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle" is the only Alex Kidd game to appear on a 16-bit sega console.

Gameplay

Alex lives on Planet Aries controlled by his brother, King Igul. After hearing a rumor that his long-lost father, King Thor, was is still alive on Planet Paperrock, Alex travels to the strange planet to search for him. "Enchanted Castle" returns to the original formula of "Alex Kidd in Miracle World".

It is a challenging game that requires different skills on each level. Gold boxes are found on each level which include either a necklace used for the janken, an extra life or bombs which will kill alex if they touch him. On the first two levels alex is able to go under ground and gather more money and gold boxes.

The player guides Alex through 11 stages by fighting and avoiding enemies and obstacles. Without any special items, Alex can jump, kick, crawl, or punch enemies, causing them to explode into gold coins, called Baums. New items and vehicles are gained by playing Janken (Rock, Paper, Scissors) in gambling houses, including a motorcycle, personal helicopter, pogo stick, and a wizard cane that allows Alex to float in the air for only a few seconds.

Alex has three lives in default mode, however in hard mode, Alex has one life, and in the easiest mode, Alex has five lives. One hit from any enemy causes Alex to die instantly.

List of items

The following is the list of items that can be obtained by Alex Kidd during his adventures:

* Magic Ring: Shoots a projectile at enemies
* Pogo Stick: Used to bounce and jump higher, useful for getting hard-to-reach boxes
* Motorbike: Runs over enemies in your path.
* Wizard Cane: Allows Alex to levitate. One time use only
* Helicopter: Can fly and shoot missiles.
* Cape: Temporary invincibility. One time use only
* Necklace: Janken mind read. Must be enabled before entering a Janken house.

The most useful items are the helicopter (that can fly by repeatedly pressing jump) and magic ring, both found on level 1. They must be won by beating the blue gorilla at Janken ("Rock Paper Scissors").

Regional variations

In the original Japanese version of the game, when Alex Kidd or his opponent loses a Rock Paper Scissors match, the loser's clothes disappear, leaving him with nothing but a fig leaf over his crotch; if a female loses, she has one covering her crotch, and two covering her breasts. In the Western versions, the loser is squashed beneath a heavy weight. Several levels were renamed for the Western release as well (For example, the Japanese versions first level is called "Bikini Town").

Because of the more sexual connotations of the Japanese version, it was rumored that "Sega Japan" was planning to promote "Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle" towards a more mature audience (Akin to RARE's Nintendo 64/Xbox title, Conker's Bad Fur Day released 12 years later).Or|date=June 2008

Re-releases

The game is also a part of the Sega Mega Drive Collection (known in America as the Sega Genesis Collection) for the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable (PSP) and also released on the Wii's Virtual Console on April 9, 2007 in North America and on May 4 of the same year in Europe.

The game is also available as a standalone unit on the Arcade Legends Sega Genesis Volume 2 Plug n' Play Joypad collection, released by Radica. As well as the Sega MegaDrive Handheld, a portable games system featuring 20 games.

External links

*moby game|id=/alex-kidd-in-the-enchanted-castle|name="Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle"
*GameFAQs|type=/console/genesis|num=586018|name="Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle"
* [http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php?id=19163&type=wmv/ ScrewAttack.com/GameTrailers.com's Humorous "Video Game Vault" video feature of the game.]