The 80s and 90s with Sega were a turbulent time, complete with an intense rivalry with Nintendo and a need to compete with the tour-de-force that is the Mighty Mario. It’s well known that Sonic was the key competition, but what of the earlier mascot, Alex Kidd?
Sonic might have had speed and attitude, but really Alex Kidd was the far better character, and we’ll prove it to you with five ways that Alex Kidd was better than Sonic the Hedgehog.
[1] He is the son of a King
Right out of the gate with possibly the biggest selling point for Sega’s first mascot, but rather than being some anthropomorphic peasant like Sonic, Alex Kidd is the son of King Sander Radaxian (also known as King Thunder for some reason in the manual).
Also, and spoilers for the ending of Alex Kidd in Miracle World here, but upon beating the Janken in his first game, he becomes Defender of the City. This allows his brother to become the king of Radaxia instead, so he can continue to search for the former king.
[2] He has the Peticopter
That’s right, Alex Kidd has a helicopter that he can use in some levels that is pedal-powered. Take that in for a moment. It’s a bicycle, but in the sky. Not only is this an awesome feature, but it doubles up as technology that is completely out of place in this gameworld.
This vehicle is found alongside the equally odd speedboat and motorbike, but there’s just something so gratifying about the Peticopter you can’t get from Sonic. The only downside to this is that the music during these segments is horribly addicting, it simply cannot be unheard.
[3] His adventure was far more challenging
It was so easy to die in Alex Kidd in Miracle World. Between the slow-flying pterodactyls and
