Software:Alex Kidd: High-Tech World

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Alex Kidd: High-Tech World
Developer(s)Sega
Publisher(s)Sega
Platform(s)Master System
Release
  • JP: July 19, 1987
  • NA: June 1989[1]
  • EU: October 1989
  • BR: September 1991
Genre(s)Action-adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

Alex Kidd: High Tech World is a side-scrolling action-adventure game released by Sega in 1989 for the Master System as part of the Alex Kidd series. It is a modified version of the 1987 Japanese Master System game Anmitsu Hime (あんみつ姫, "Princess Anmitsu"), which was based on a manga series of the same name.[2] The game combines adventure, platform, and puzzle-solving elements.[2]

The English version was not conceived as an Alex Kidd game in Japan and caused inconsistencies for the Alex Kidd storyline in the West. Other than Alex, none of the previously-established characters in the Alex Kidd-universe are in the game. Alex has a brother James in High-Tech World who is never mentioned elsewhere.

Plot

Alex Kidd is contacted by one of his friends, who tells him a new arcade, High Tech World, has opened in town. Alex has a map to its location, but it has been torn into eight pieces and is needed to find the arcade before it closes at 5:00 sharp. He solves puzzles, answers questions, runs errands and does housework to find the pieces. However, once he finds the pieces of the map, he learns that the front gates are shut, and thus is unable to leave. Using a hang-glider to leave the house he lands in the forest. On his way to the arcade, a clan of ninjas appear, who attempt to attack him. Upon fighting through the forest of ninjas, Alex finally makes it to the Arcade.

Gameplay

The object of the game is to get through four stages. Half the stages contain puzzles to progress and people to talk to, while the other two are linear levels with enemies along the way. There are a variety of ways to fail in the puzzle stages when Alex has some sort of accident or does something he should not.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
CVG76%[3][4]
EGM26/40[5]
Defunct GamesF[7]

The game received mixed reviews. Computer and Video Games said the fun "graphics, sound and gameplay conspire together to make an addictive game" but it was not "quite as good as" Miracle World.[3] Four reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game an overall score of 26 out of 40.[5] Mean Machines Sega rated the game 76%, praising the good graphics and sound, while stating that it did not offer anything better than the original.[6] Defunct Games rated it "F", describing the gameplay as "busywork" and akin to "a bunch of school tests".[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Sega Master System". Computer Entertainer: The Video Game Update 8 (4): 13. July 1989. https://retrocdn.net/images/4/4d/ComputerEntertainer_US_Vol.8_04.pdf#page=13. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Kurt Kalata, Alex Kidd: High Tech World, Hardcore Gaming 101
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Alex Kidd in High Tech Land". Computer and Video Games (Complete Guide to Consoles): 47. 16 October 1989. https://retrocdn.net/images/9/98/CompleteGuideToConsoles_UK_01.pdf. 
  4. ↑ "Guide: Sega". Computer and Video Games (Complete Guide to Consoles: Volume IV): 89–110. November 1990. https://archive.org/details/Complete_Guide_to_Consoles_Volume_IV_1990_EMAP_Publishing_GB/page/n88. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Electronic Gaming Reviews". Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM Media, LLC) (2): 14. July 1989. https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_02/page/n13. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Mean Machines Games Index". Mean Machines Sega (EMAP) (1): 132. October 1990. https://archive.org/details/mean-machines-sega-magazine-01/page/n131. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Lachel, Cyril (August 8, 2012). "Alex Kidd: High Tech World". http://www.defunctgames.com/review/1137/alex-kidd-high-tech-world. 
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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