View Full Version : Super Mario Bros. vs. Alex Kidd in Miracle World
Ok, first off, SMB came out in 1985, and AK came out in late 1986 (1987 in the US). But let's pretend that they came out at the same time (to avoid the arguement that SMB is more original and groundbreaking). Also, put aside all the magic and memories that SMB got, and how it is probably the most memoriable game of all-time.
Now, with that aside, which is the better game? I'm going to go with AK. I believe it is more challenging, has better graphics, and the worlds are less repetitive. The only negitive thing about AK is the paper/scissers/stone gets old after a while. Thoughts? Please, put your bias aside folks, and rate the GAMES only, not the popularity, your memories, or classicness.
grolt
06-30-2008, 04:27 PM
Another vote for the Kidd. I've stated my case before, but the graphics are far better, there's more variety with all the power-ups and the music I enjoy more than all the iconic SMB stuff.
Another vote for the Kidd. I've stated my case before, but the graphics are far better, there's more variety with all the power-ups and the music I enjoy more than all the iconic SMB stuff.
Exactly. AKIMW is one of the most under-rated games of all-time. I put it in the top-10 video games in history, and I've been playing games since '79.
The only game more under-rated is Ys: Book I and II for the Turbo-Grafx CD-ROM.
Crazy Climber
06-30-2008, 04:59 PM
They cancel each other out, both great choices. Alex Kidd MW is very underated though, too bad Lost Stars sucked sooo bad.
Gentlegamer
06-30-2008, 07:01 PM
all the magic and memories that SMB got, and how it is probably the most memoriable game of all-time.You just answered your own poll better than anyone.
You just answered your own poll better than anyone.
No I didn't, we're rating GAME ONLY. Please, all of you guys, put your predjudices aside and just rate the games. Had the NES been a flop and the SMS been a huge success, we might be seeing Alex Kidd rated #1 in EGM's all-time lists. If you still think SMB is the better game, by all means I'll respect your opinion 100%.
BydoEmpire
06-30-2008, 08:54 PM
I had to vote "too close to call." I really loved both games. I had an NES and liked it, but when I played Alex Kidd at a friend's house, I knew I had to get an SMS as well. It was a blast. SMB is a little more polished and solid overall, but Alex Kidd has a quirky charm, and more variety.
I think a lot of the people here who voted for SMB ignored my OP and are voting for it because they know it more and it's more of a classic. I have a hard time believing anyone can truely believe it's a better game.
gummo
06-30-2008, 10:59 PM
Then why ask the question if you won't believe the answer?
thom_m
06-30-2008, 11:07 PM
I actually played AKIMW BEFORE I played SMB, because the Master System came out first here in Brazil and, as you already know, was VERY popular here. Alex Kidd was as "iconic" as Mario here for a long time.
Still, I never liked it that much - and loved SMB when I first played it. It's not something I can explain, I guess; I think SMB is more...direct. Simpler, but not in a bad way. I get more fun out of it.
Then why ask the question if you won't believe the answer?
I can take the answer if you truely like the GAME better. The question basicly says:
"Let's go back to the mid 80's. You get two games you never seen or heard of before. After playing both, which do you like better?"
However, a lot of people here are ignoring that, and picking SMB because they're more familiar with it, and it's more classic. That I'm sure of.
I actually played AKIMW BEFORE I played SMB, because the Master System came out first here in Brazil and, as you already know, was VERY popular here. Alex Kidd was as "iconic" as Mario here for a long time.
Still, I never liked it that much - and loved SMB when I first played it. It's not something I can explain, I guess; I think SMB is more...direct. Simpler, but not in a bad way. I get more fun out of it.
Hey, that's an honest answer, and I respect that. Game for game, you prefer SMB better.
j_factor
07-01-2008, 12:42 AM
I was one of the few little tykes with a Master System (in the US!), and Alex Kidd in Miracle World was one of my first games. However, I have to barely give the nod to Super Mario Bros. Alex Kidd is way better in terms of graphics, music (IMO), and less repetitive levels (at least visually). But Super Mario Bros. is pretty much perfect in terms of level design and enemy placement. And I find the controls slightly more responsive and the jump physics slightly better.
I grew up with both a NES and SMS, so it's pretty easy for me to come to a decision. I chose Super Mario Bros, while Alex Kidd was (and still is) my favorite game for SMS, Super Mario Bros is just the better game in my eyes. The controls were a lot better, the game play was smoother and the warp zones helped add replay value since you could skip to the end of the game if you desired.
Again I loved Alex Kidd, I loved how weird the game was (rock paper scissors boss fights!) and it will always remain a childhood favorite, but SMB is just the better game in my eyes.
swlovinist
07-01-2008, 01:07 AM
I am a huge Sega fan, but I have to admit that Alex Kidd in Miracle World in my opionion is a good game, but not on the level of SMB. To me SMB is a much more fluid and fast game, one that can be played in shorter bursts. While I like Alex Kidd, It for me is a more methodical game, one that has to be enjoyed in longer periods of time. I for one think that while the game is good, it is definately in a different league of gaming that is not for everyone. I always didnt get the mascot Alex Kidd...to me he looks like a bad Plannet of the Apes reject.
SpyHunter
07-01-2008, 07:11 AM
I can take the answer if you truely like the GAME better. The question basicly says:
"Let's go back to the mid 80's. You get two games you never seen or heard of before. After playing both, which do you like better?"
However, a lot of people here are ignoring that, and picking SMB because they're more familiar with it, and it's more classic. That I'm sure of.
Lets see, you ask a question and when you don't get the answer you are looking for, you accuse everyone of basically being too stupid to judge for themselves?
I like SMB better. The controls are much better and the game is just more fun to play. I like AK, just not as much as SMB.
Tony Lama
07-01-2008, 09:50 AM
This is an interesting question. Back in the eighties the only system I had was an NES. Super Mario Bros. was one of the titles I used to pull out to support my console's superiority against my SMS friends. I'll admit, it is hard for me to put nostalgia aside when asked this question. But I'll try.
23 odd years later, I now own both systems and collect games for each console. I've played through Alex Kidd and give it kudos, but I still feel Super Mario to be the better game. As said before in this thread, SMB is a little more "direct" and paced a bit better than the methodical Alex Kidd. And that is why I choose SMB. I like that style of game play better.
I know this is a bit off topic, but if you throw WONDERBOY in the mix you've got a whole new ball game. That title in my opinion goes toe to toe with SMB and destroys HUDSON'S ADVENTURE ISLAND!
Gentlegamer
07-01-2008, 09:53 AM
No I didn't, we're rating GAME ONLY. Please, all of you guys, put your predjudices aside and just rate the games. Had the NES been a flop and the SMS been a huge success, we might be seeing Alex Kidd rated #1 in EGM's all-time lists. If you still think SMB is the better game, by all means I'll respect your opinion 100%.That's just it, NES wasn't a flop, largely because of how ALL TIME GREAT Super Mario Bros. is.
Since you pretty much created this poll/thread to crow about how much better you think Alex Kidd is, you're the one that needs to put aside "prejudice."
Zebbe
07-01-2008, 12:18 PM
I choose Alex Kidd. It is more varied, has better gameplay and the music isn't as annoying to me.
TwinChargers
07-01-2008, 02:03 PM
Please, all of you guys, put your predjudices aside and just rate the games. If you still think SMB is the better game, by all means I'll respect your opinion 100%.
I think a lot of the people here who voted for SMB ignored my OP and are voting for it because they know it more and it's more of a classic. I have a hard time believing anyone can truely believe it's a better game.
Look, I honestly voted that I haven't played enough of AK to make the call. It doesn't matter to me much though cause it appears that you are a lying hypocrite anyways.
Lets see, you ask a question and when you don't get the answer you are looking for, you accuse everyone of basically being too stupid to judge for themselves?
I like SMB better. The controls are much better and the game is just more fun to play. I like AK, just not as much as SMB.
I would never call anyone stupid for something like this. I only said what I said because one several posts up picked SMS because of the memories and classicnes. I wasn't being rude at all, I just reminded him it was game-for-game, that's all.
This is an interesting question. Back in the eighties the only system I had was an NES. Super Mario Bros. was one of the titles I used to pull out to support my console's superiority against my SMS friends. I'll admit, it is hard for me to put nostalgia aside when asked this question. But I'll try.
23 odd years later, I now own both systems and collect games for each console. I've played through Alex Kidd and give it kudos, but I still feel Super Mario to be the better game. As said before in this thread, SMB is a little more "direct" and paced a bit better than the methodical Alex Kidd. And that is why I choose SMB. I like that style of game play better.
I know this is a bit off topic, but if you throw WONDERBOY in the mix you've got a whole new ball game. That title in my opinion goes toe to toe with SMB and destroys HUDSON'S ADVENTURE ISLAND!
See, I like that the least of the three games, although it's still a very good game. Does Wonderboy have an ending BTW? Can't remember...
That's just it, NES wasn't a flop, largely because of how ALL TIME GREAT Super Mario Bros. is.
Since you pretty much created this poll/thread to crow about how much better you think Alex Kidd is, you're the one that needs to put aside "prejudice."
I had both the NES and SMS, and loved both games, I just put AK as the better, more adult game with more variaty, better music, challenge, and better ending. No predudices, I love them both, and actually played SMB before AK.
Look, I honestly voted that I haven't played enough of AK to make the call. It doesn't matter to me much though cause it appears that you are a lying hypocrite anyways.
Things aren't always how they appear. Like I said, if anybody has played the hell out of both games (as did I) and prefers SMB as the better game, by all means that's cool. After all, some people still say SMB 2 US is the best, and Zelda 2 the best Zelda, heh. I disagree with those by a mile, but to each their own, no flaming because they don't agree.
SpyHunter
07-01-2008, 06:21 PM
I would never call anyone stupid for something like this. I only said what I said because one several posts up picked SMS because of the memories and classicnes. I wasn't being rude at all, I just reminded him it was game-for-game, that's all.
I wasn't trying to be rude either, although my post did come out that way and I apologize for that.
It just seems that you aren't willing to accept that most folks like SMB better than AK.
Maybe I am biased because I played SMB back when it came out and didn't play AK until a few years ago. Its awful hard to judge games like that, but I still play SMB and hardly ever play AK anymore. I think that says a lot. :)
j_factor
07-01-2008, 06:37 PM
I know this is a bit off topic, but if you throw WONDERBOY in the mix you've got a whole new ball game. That title in my opinion goes toe to toe with SMB and destroys HUDSON'S ADVENTURE ISLAND!
Uh, what? Wonderboy and Adventure Island are the same game.
Gentlegamer
07-01-2008, 11:12 PM
I just put AK as the . . . more adult game Explain this.
grolt
07-01-2008, 11:12 PM
Maybe I am biased because I played SMB back when it came out and didn't play AK until a few years ago. Its awful hard to judge games like that, but I still play SMB and hardly ever play AK anymore. I think that says a lot. :)
I am in the same boat, having played through every Mario countless times as a kid and only to finally play Alex Kidd for the first time last year. In many ways that made me appreciate it even more, since I came in with expectations for another SMB variant, but was surprised at the depth, creativity and overall uniqueness of the game. Considering there are so many SMB clones out there, this was really refreshing. Just the idea that money could be used other than just for point acquisition was a real nice change (and something the later Wonder Boy games really perfected). SMB does have tighter control and better collision detection though, I'll give it that, but otherwise I think AKIMW is every bit the better game.
If you look at how Nintendo evolved the franchise proper with SMB 3, you can see they definitely amalgamated a lot of the Kidd's pioneering concepts (menu accessible power-ups, flight power-ups, odds matches with all the mini-games, a visual map of the outer world, etc.) to their generic formula. There's no question SMB 3 is a better game than the first, and I'd argue it is largely because of the influence of Alex Kidd.
grolt
07-01-2008, 11:15 PM
Explain this.
Since I never saw any porn cut scenes, I'd imagine he means more sophisticated in that to get full use out of it you need to be able to activate power-ups from a menu, read to be able to understand the Jenkin matches and have a keener eye because of the smaller sprites and the larger tiered environments. The first Mario is pick up and play all the way, no explanation required.
Rob2600
07-02-2008, 12:18 AM
some people still say SMB 2 US is the best ... I disagree
Super Mario Bros. 2 (U.S.A.) is my favorite out of the original trilogy. :) Super Mario Bros. is my second favorite.
Super Mario Bros. 3 is good too, but it takes too long to complete in one sitting without warping and gets ridiculously difficult toward the end. If Nintendo had included a save feature, I would've enjoyed it much more.
Exactly. AKIMW is one of the most under-rated games of all-time. I put it in the top-10 video games in history, and I've been playing games since '79.
The only game more under-rated is Ys: Book I and II for the Turbo-Grafx CD-ROM.
You just named 2 of the greatest games of all time.
Another underrated is Wonderboy 3 Dragon's Trap/Monster World 2 for SMS.
Damn that was good back at the time!
SpyHunter
07-02-2008, 06:46 AM
Super Mario Bros. 2 (U.S.A.) is my favorite out of the original trilogy. :) Super Mario Bros. is my second favorite.
Super Mario Bros. 3 is good too, but it takes too long to complete in one sitting without warping and gets ridiculously difficult toward the end. If Nintendo had included a save feature, I would've enjoyed it much more.
Well, you can play the version on Mario All-Stars, which adds a battery save. :)
ShinobiMan
07-02-2008, 11:26 AM
A very hard choice to make. They are both so special to me. In the end, they are both fabulous games that are pretty much on the same level of excellence. SMB started it for me, but AKMW started a different thing for me.
Great topic.
I wasn't trying to be rude either, although my post did come out that way and I apologize for that.
It just seems that you aren't willing to accept that most folks like SMB better than AK.
Maybe I am biased because I played SMB back when it came out and didn't play AK until a few years ago. Its awful hard to judge games like that, but I still play SMB and hardly ever play AK anymore. I think that says a lot. :)
It's all good. :) Did you ever beat AK? When I first got the game, I was an 8th grader in late Spring, 1987. My friends would come over and we would play for hours. Game was quite challenging. Around the same time, we were playing a lot of Wonderboy. AK was my favorite game by far on the SMS, until Phantasy Star game out. :)
Explain this.
Since I never saw any porn cut scenes, I'd imagine he means more sophisticated in that to get full use out of it you need to be able to activate power-ups from a menu, read to be able to understand the Jenkin matches and have a keener eye because of the smaller sprites and the larger tiered environments. The first Mario is pick up and play all the way, no explanation required.
Couldn't have said it better myself. A 3 year old can pick up and play SMB. A 3 year old is going to have a damn hard time getting very far in AK.
I am in the same boat, having played through every Mario countless times as a kid and only to finally play Alex Kidd for the first time last year. In many ways that made me appreciate it even more, since I came in with expectations for another SMB variant, but was surprised at the depth, creativity and overall uniqueness of the game. Considering there are so many SMB clones out there, this was really refreshing. Just the idea that money could be used other than just for point acquisition was a real nice change (and something the later Wonder Boy games really perfected). SMB does have tighter control and better collision detection though, I'll give it that, but otherwise I think AKIMW is every bit the better game.
If you look at how Nintendo evolved the franchise proper with SMB 3, you can see they definitely amalgamated a lot of the Kidd's pioneering concepts (menu accessible power-ups, flight power-ups, odds matches with all the mini-games, a visual map of the outer world, etc.) to their generic formula. There's no question SMB 3 is a better game than the first, and I'd argue it is largely because of the influence of Alex Kidd.
So true. If only Sega had evolved the series so a future AK game could have been like SMB 3.AK: The Lost Stars wasn't anything like the first, and not really a good game. However, I did like AK: High Tech World a lot. Never did play AK In Shinobo World though. But, I loved AK: Enchanted Castle on the Genesis. Sega was wrong to have dropped him in favor of that stupid hedgehog. I'll never forgive Sega for this.
Super Mario Bros. 2 (U.S.A.) is my favorite out of the original trilogy. :) Super Mario Bros. is my second favorite.
Super Mario Bros. 3 is good too, but it takes too long to complete in one sitting without warping and gets ridiculously difficult toward the end. If Nintendo had included a save feature, I would've enjoyed it much more.
I always though part 4, SMW on the SNES was the best 2D Mario, but it appears SMB3 fans are the majority.
You just named 2 of the greatest games of all time.
Another underrated is Wonderboy 3 Dragon's Trap/Monster World 2 for SMS.
Damn that was good back at the time!
Ys: Book I and II is the greatest game I ever played in my nearly 30 years of gaming, and one day I'll create a thread about how under-rated it is.
Sadly, I never played Woderboy 3. I heard great things about it though.
Sweater Fish Deluxe
07-02-2008, 02:30 PM
I agree with swlovinist that Super Mario and Alex Kidd are fundamentally different types of platformers. That doesn't mean that you can't compare them to one another, of course, but I think any judgement is tentative. Because they're so different, sometimes I'll prefer one and sometimes the other. Just depends on what kind of game I want to play.
Most of the time, though, I definitely prefer Super Mario Bros. As others have said, it has much more fluid and fast-paced gameplay. In fact, it's so fluid and fast-paced that it almost descends to the level of instinct. That's great and it's what I'm always seeking out in a video game.
Alex Kidd's gameplay never gets to that level of intuitiveness because its gameplay is just much more complicated and precise. Sometimes that's the kind of gameplay I'm looking for, though, and then Miracle World is my preferred game.
As for Wonder Boy (which I agree is a lot better on the SMS than Adventure Island on the NES), that's definitely a more similar style of gameplay to SMB, but if anything it's a little too fast-paced. It often ends up feeling frantic and out of control. Sometimes I like that, too, though.
...word is bondage...
SpyHunter
07-02-2008, 06:09 PM
It's all good. :) Did you ever beat AK?
No, that game gets very hard and at my age I don't have the patience anymore. LOL
Sadly, I never played Woderboy 3. I heard great things about it though.
You really should if you get the chance, one of my all time favs. You could also try Dragon's Curse for the TG-16, its basically the same game with better graphics.
Gentlegamer
07-02-2008, 07:05 PM
Couldn't have said it better myself. A 3 year old can pick up and play SMB. A 3 year old is going to have a damn hard time getting very far in AK.Another point in Super Mario Bros. favor as the better game, in my opinion.
grolt
07-02-2008, 07:16 PM
So true. If only Sega had evolved the series so a future AK game could have been like SMB 3.AK: The Lost Stars wasn't anything like the first, and not really a good game. However, I did like AK: High Tech World a lot. Never did play AK In Shinobo World though. But, I loved AK: Enchanted Castle on the Genesis. Sega was wrong to have dropped him in favor of that stupid hedgehog. I'll never forgive Sega for this.
It can be frustrating because SEGA never tried to go down the same path as the first AK, always bending the genre for future installments. Still, while I do wish for a straight on AKIMW follow up, I really do appreciate all the inventiveness that went into the other games. THE LOST STARS gets a bad rap because people were expecting another AKIMW, but really, it plays like WONDER BOY on psychedelics. I think the colors, large sprites, and uniqueness of worlds is some of the best on 8-bit. HIGH-TECH WORLD is a real lark - there'll never be another game like it (unless you count the Japanese game it's reprogrammed from). Any game that has an actual multiple choice test in the middle of it is one that earns my respect. SHINOBI WORLD is actually a really polished and addicting platformer. The short length is the only detriment to an otherwise awesome game.
And you haven't played WONDER BOY III? Forget about AKIMW and snap that one up immediately. It gets my vote for best 8-bit game. The thought and design that went into that one still amazes me.
Rob2600
07-02-2008, 11:03 PM
I always though part 4, SMW on the SNES was the best 2D Mario, but it appears SMB3 fans are the majority.
I know many people believe Super Mario Bros. 3 is the greatest action/platforming video game of all time, but I have more fun playing Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 2 (U.S.A.), and Super Mario World.
Wraith Storm
07-03-2008, 07:12 AM
If you look at how Nintendo evolved the franchise proper with SMB 3, you can see they definitely amalgamated a lot of the Kidd's pioneering concepts (menu accessible power-ups, flight power-ups, odds matches with all the mini-games, a visual map of the outer world, etc.) to their generic formula. There's no question SMB 3 is a better game than the first, and I'd argue it is largely because of the influence of Alex Kidd.
WOW! Your really on to something there Grolt. I never really thought of it like that but you certainly do have a point.
Tony Lama
07-04-2008, 04:11 AM
Uh, what? Wonderboy and Adventure Island are the same game.
True, both games are essentially the same because they have the same levels (more or less). But WONDERBOY on the Sega Master System is worlds better in terms of graphics and superior background music. Hudson had to compose different theme music which pales in comparison to the Wonderboy theme. These differences make WONDERBOY a MUCH better experience for me. Also, c'mon ... Master Higgins is no Wonderboy!
treismac
05-04-2012, 03:10 PM
I haven't played Alex Kidd in Miracle World. Let me "fix" this and then return to this thread...
djshok
05-04-2012, 03:35 PM
Oh gawd, Super Mario BY FAR. There is no Alex Kid game that comes even close in quality. And I'm saying that as a Sega fanboy (see avatar). Alex Kid is a horrible character, and his games suck. How Sega ever thought he was a good choice for a mascot is beyond me.
wiggyx
05-04-2012, 04:16 PM
Puttin our personal biases aside is like a judge telling the jury in a criminal case to "ignore that last statement". It's sort of impossible to do so completely in either instance.
SMB was the first game that I personally owned. Lots of memories. It's an amazing game.
I didn't own AK:MW until I was much older, so I don't have any warm fuzzier for it. I really liked playing it, but by the time I picked it up the PS1 and N64 were sucking up most of my gaming time.
I can't say with 100% certainty which is the "better" game. I really feel that both were great titles worthy of their place in the canon of excellent, iconic and influential games. It's too bad that the Master System didn't receive much love here in the US. It was a powerful machine for its time.
Puttin our personal biases aside is like a judge telling the jury in a criminal case to "ignore that last statement". It's sort of impossible to do so completely in either instance.
SMB was the first game that I personally owned. Lots of memories. It's an amazing game.
I didn't own AK:MW until I was much older, so I don't have any warm fuzzier for it. I really liked playing it, but by the time I picked it up the PS1 and N64 were sucking up most of my gaming time.
I can't say with 100% certainty which is the "better" game. I really feel that both were great titles worthy of their place in the canon of excellent, iconic and influential games. It's too bad that the Master System didn't receive much love here in the US. It was a powerful machine for its time.
It's all a matter of person taste I guess. I owned SMB first two, but only about 5 months before I got a SMS and Alex Kidd. From the moment I played AK until this very day, I have always liked it far better. I'll lay this one down, I know I'm in the minority here. :)
treismac
05-04-2012, 04:40 PM
True, both games [Adventure Island & Wonderboy] are essentially the same because they have the same levels (more or less). But WONDERBOY on the Sega Master System is worlds better in terms of graphics and superior background music. Hudson had to compose different theme music which pales in comparison to the Wonderboy theme. These differences make WONDERBOY a MUCH better experience for me.
I can understand your preference for Wonderboy over Adventure Island. I can. However, the following comment blows my mind:
Also, c'mon ... Master Higgins is no Wonderboy!
You, sir, could not be more wrong. Master Higgins has a million times (give or take a hundred thousand or so) the character of Wonderboy. Might I ask you which Japanese video game legend Wonderboy was based on? While you're pondering this in vain, let me tell you who he wasn't based on: Takahashi Meijin (http://www.kirainet.com/english/takahashi-meijin-%E9%AB%98%E6%A9%8B%E5%90%8D%E4%BA%BA/), that's who! That's because Master Higgins is the video game avatar for the legendary Master of 16 Shots. So, what I am assuming that you meant to write was that, " Wonderboy is no Master Higgins," right? ;)
All Hudson/Master Higgins fanboying aside, wiggyx is right about the impossibility of setting bias or nostalgia aside in judging the merits of a retro video game- especially as pertains to Super Mario. With that said, Alex Kidd wasn't doing much of anything for me when I gave it a spin a few minutes ago. Maybe the game picks up as you play it, but the whole jump n' punch boxes and enemies thing was underwhelming the living daylights outta me. There are times that I don't "get" a game, but I can see how others could. This ain't one of those times.
Oh gawd, Super Mario BY FAR. There is no Alex Kid game that comes even close in quality. And I'm saying that as a Sega fanboy (see avatar). Alex Kid is a horrible character, and his games suck. How Sega ever thought he was a good choice for a mascot is beyond me.
I feel the same way about Sonic. I'll take Opa-Opa, Wonder Boy, or Alex Kidd any day over him. I don't just not like Sonic, I loath him. I place him at the turning point as to when Sega went commercial and went bad.
treismac
05-04-2012, 06:25 PM
I feel the same way about Sonic. I'll take Opa-Opa, Wonder Boy, or Alex Kidd any day over him. I don't just not like Sonic, I loath him. I place him at the turning point as to when Sega went commercial and went bad.
Is it the Sonic games themselves or the image/marketing/spirit that accompanied Sonic's reign as Sega's mascot that you loathe? To be honest, it is hard for me to separate Sonic from Sega, even though I was very aware of pre-Sonic Sega back in the days of the 2600. Like it or not, he has become the embodiment of Sega's rise and fall in video games (at least in North America).
o.pwuaioc
05-04-2012, 07:26 PM
Add me to the list of SMB fans. I like AKMW, but I don't have to play rock paper scissors to beat SMB.
sheath
05-04-2012, 11:22 PM
I played Super Mario Bros first, my family had a couple of different 2600s up until that point, and I was about as interested in playing those games as Super Mario Bros. I bought a Master System first because of its Arcade adaptations, and bought Wonderboy back in the day as my Mario Bros fix. Wonderboy's somewhat slippery movement controls never quite clicked with me and I moved on to what I consider better games in Quartet, Zillion, Shinobi and others.
I only ever actually played Alex Kidd when emulation took off in the late 90s, and only owned it once I recollected the Master System and started picking up games. I instantly saw it as a much more evolved game than Super Mario Bros, more directly comparable to Mario 3 in gameplay complexity. I like the gameplay diversity better in Alex Kidd, but would rather play a dozen or so other games before it or Super Mario Bros ever comes to mind.
I'm not sure where that places me on the poll, because I haven't finished Alex Kidd, and I'm pretty sure I've only finished Super Mario Bros once way back when I was eleven years old. So I don't know if Alex Kidd hits a stride in later levels or just offers more of the same from what the first few offer (like Super Mario Bros). I guess I'll call them equal.
Also, at the OP, Alex Kidd and the Master System and Super Mario Bros and the NES were released nation wide in the US in 1986. I just don't know how far each penetrated into various chains and electronics shops, journalist histories make it seem like the NES was huge, but that happened later.
Black_Tiger
05-08-2012, 12:24 PM
Alex Kidd in Miracle World.
The gameplay is solid, the variety is huge, the aesthetics are fantastic, it's more fun in the long run and the cheap parts aren't much worse than the cheap parts in SMB.
I feel the same way about Sonic. I'll take Opa-Opa, Wonder Boy, or Alex Kidd any day over him. I don't just not like Sonic, I loath him. I place him at the turning point as to when Sega went commercial and went bad.
I also prefer those characters, but don't hate Sonic or Mario. I think that Opa Opa is probably the coolest game character ever imagined.
WelcomeToTheNextLevel
05-25-2023, 05:16 AM
I'm going with Alex Kidd on this one, if we're just comparing Miracle World vs. SMB 1. It would be a different story if it were Miracle World vs. SMB 3.
Miracle World, for one, has better graphics. SMB 1's graphics look quite blocky, Miracle World's are more natural looking. Miracle World also has better presentation. SMB 1 feels too much like a piece of software in its presentation. Miracle World has more varied gameplay with the buggy and peticopter levels, as well as a currency and item system.
Dare I say that competition with Miracle World was one of the things that made Nintendo further improve on the Mario games. I