Play Alex Kidd – High-Tech World (USA, Europe)
Alex Kidd: High-Tech World (USA, Europe) – A Curious Chapter in Sega’s Classic Franchise
Before Sonic the Hedgehog became Sega’s blue mascot, Alex Kidd was the face of the company. Introduced in 1986, Alex Kidd starred in a series of platform games on the Sega Master System. While Alex Kidd in Miracle World was the most well-known and loved entry, other titles in the series varied greatly in gameplay and tone. One of the most unusual and often overlooked is Alex Kidd: High-Tech World, released in 1989 in North America and Europe for the Sega Master System.
Despite bearing the Alex Kidd name, High-Tech World is a curious title with a mixed identity, blending platforming, puzzle-solving, and text adventure-style gameplay. It’s often remembered as the most divergent and arguably strangest game in the Alex Kidd series.
Origins and Background
What many fans don’t realize is that Alex Kidd: High-Tech World is not originally an Alex Kidd game at all. The game was originally released in Japan as “Anmitsu Hime”, a licensed title based on a manga and anime about a young princess. When brought to the West, Sega repurposed it by swapping out the original characters with those from the Alex Kidd universe. This localization decision led to some odd storytelling choices and a game that feels only loosely connected to the rest of the franchise.
Plot
In Alex Kidd: High-Tech World, Alex discovers a flyer for a new arcade called “High-Tech World” and decides he must get there before it closes. The catch? He doesn’t know the address, and the flyer is torn into eight pieces, which are scattered throughout his house. To reach the arcade, Alex must explore his mansion, solve puzzles, complete fetch quests, and finally venture through a dangerous forest filled with ninjas.
It’s a bizarre and humorous plot with very low stakes compared to saving kingdoms or defeating villains—as seen in other Alex Kidd games.
Gameplay
The gameplay is split into two main segments:
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Adventure segments – Players navigate Alex through his house, talking to NPCs, solving riddles, collecting items, and making choices that can abruptly end the game. Yes, bad decisions can lead to instant failure, which was a staple of some early adventure games.
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Platforming segments – Once outside the house, Alex must survive a traditional side-scrolling action sequence where he fights off ninjas using kicks and projectiles.
These two very different styles make High-Tech World feel disjointed. The adventure sections resemble point-and-click logic puzzles (without a mouse), while the platforming feels like classic Alex Kidd—but only briefly.
Reception and Legacy
Alex Kidd: High-Tech World received mixed reviews upon release. Some players appreciated its quirky humor and unique structure, but many were confused by the strange story, abrupt game-over screens, and the limited actual action gameplay. Fans expecting a platform-heavy experience like Miracle World were often disappointed.
Over time, it has developed a cult following for its sheer oddity and for being a relic of a time when localization often meant completely rebranding a game to suit different markets.
Final Thoughts
Alex Kidd: High-Tech World is one of the most unusual entries in Sega’s early catalog. As a mash-up of a Japanese manga-based game and an established Sega franchise, it stands out for both its bold experimentation and awkward execution. While not the strongest title in the Alex Kidd series, it remains a fascinating piece of 8-bit history, worth exploring for anyone curious about how localization shaped the games of the late ’80s.
Whether you love it, hate it, or just want to experience something truly different, High-Tech World is a game that’s difficult to forget once you’ve played it.
