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The professional portfolio of former Sonic Team head Yuji Naka boasts some astounding
accomplishments for a university dropout. After working myriad oddjobs before applying
to become an assistant at Sega, he went on to develop Phantasy Star and became the lead
developer for Sonic the Hedgehog games. Thus, Sega burst onto the scene and achieved the
credit it earns today. But before these successes came games like Alex Kidd in the Enchanted
Castle, a creative, Japanified platformer that served as Sega's cover boy before speedy
blue hedgehogs and Alis Landale. Alex Kidd is an elfish looking fellow whose father King
Thor has been kidnapped. The monkey boy takes it upon himself to rescue him by punching,
kicking, and rock paper scissoring his way through Paperock Planet to the Enchanted Castle.
In fact, rock paper scissors, or Janken, is a very important element of Alex Kidd's adventure.
Win against your opponent and you'll receive a special item, from pogo sticks that will
heighten your jump ability to a wristband that allows Al to do his best Guile impression.
Make no mistake, however, this game is extremely difficult at times. Your jumps are floaty
and your movement slippery, not to mention your attacks are limited in range and the
collision detection can be the reason for many a frustrating death, making me ever more
thankful for Sonic and his rings. I really want to like Alex Kidd, but there are too
many reasons present in Enchanted Castle for his eventual demise after this title. Losing
money (and getting smushed) after losing in Janken leads you to wonder why there is no
test of skill instead. Still, this is one of Yuji Naka's most important works, and for
the conscientious gaming historian, Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle is a must play. Own
it on Steam's Sega Genesis Classic Collection, but don't reach for Sonic the Hedgehog too
quickly.