Radaxian Castle (ラダクシャン城), also known as Radactian Castle, is the eighth level from Alex Kidd in Miracle World. It is the castle of King Thunder and Prince Egle, located beyond Bingoo Lowland and the forests of Radaxian.
Background[]
The Radaxian Castle was inhabited by the royal family, including Alex Kidd, until the disappearance of King Thunder. Alex's twin brother, Egle, took control of the crown of Radaxian until the prince was overthrown and taken prisoner by the Tyrant, Janken the Great. The castle is now inhabited by Monster Birds, Monster Frogs and the Stone-headed henchman, Gooseka. Alex must infiltrate the castle, save his brother, and retake the castle, thus continuing his hunt for the Gold Crown.
Layout[]
The Radaxian Castle is the largest stage so far, and by far the most complex. Only the Janken's Castle (later in the game) is more expansive.
Unlike previous levels, which are all horizontal- or vertical-scrolling, this stage scrolls in all four directions and can be traversed in all directions. Alex must travel through almost all rooms in order to complete the level.
Walkthrough[]
Alex enters the first room through the main gate (from the left) and is immediately greeted by falling spikes. He has two choices here: If quick, Alex can run underneath the spikes before they fall, but make sure to jump over the pink skull box to prevent the appearance of Ghosts. If the timing isn't quick enough, back out of the room to the left side, and the screen will load from scratch when re-entering the room. Alternatively, the player can wait until the spikes have fallen, and jump between them. Then follow the ladder up to the next room.
The second room contains a Derobat and a Flame, along with two large block structures in "T" and "A" shapes. The flame shouldn't cause a problem, but the bat might. Firstly, jump and punch out the right hand side of the "A", and jump onto the middle shelf of it. Then knock out the other side and destroy the top-rightmost block of the "T". Jump up here, being careful not to hit the bat, and up the ladder.
The third room consists of a stepped walkway with two gaps halfway along, a Kaerun jumping on one of the blocks, and spikes top and bottom. Alex must climb the steps, jump the gaps (punching the frog while airborne), and exit to the right of the screen.
The fourth room contains three exits, excluding the entrance. A path to the right leads to a tricky route to an Extra Life, jumping over two Flames. A pit in the centre of the floor leads to the room with the Personal Letter to the Kingdom of Nibana, however it is recommended to pick this up later from a different route. To the bottom right, past two bats and a Sasori is the best route. Go that way, avoiding the bat, and punch out the blocks along the bottom. Go down the ladder to the next room (Note: it is not possible to return this way).
Down the ladder leads to a room with lots of blocks to the right, two pink skull boxes, a Flame and a scorpion. Be cautious going left, as the ground will disappear from beneath Alex's feet. Instead, go top right, through the breakable blocks and into the next room. Through another large array of breakable blocks will lead to a ladder - be careful of the bat. Down the ladder is a "?" box containing a Ghost. Up the ladder is the room containing Egle.
In the jail, where Egle is being held prisoner, is a selection of pink boxes with symbols on them (Fish, Waves, Star). Climb up and punch the Fish, then the Waves. This will release Egle, who will instruct Alex to collect the Personal Letter and proceed to the Kingdom of Nibana to find the Moonlight Stone Medallion. Following this, go back down the ladder and across to the left, back the previous way. This time, on reaching the room with the two pink skull boxes, go down the ladder at the bottom.
Now Alex is in a room with three moving Flames. Simply jump from ledge to ledge and exit to the left. This leads to another room with Flames, but this time with ladders. Climb and jump between ladders to reach the top-right corner ladder. Climb up and into the room with the letter. Then climb the steps to retrieve the letter and exit the way you came in.
This time, head for the down-ladder at the bottom-left. Climb down into the next room. Head right, and drop down through the gaps in the blocks. The player can go left here by sliding under the bottom-left-most block, but the next room only contains a Telepathy Ball which the player should already have from Mt. Kave. Head right from here.
The next room contains three spike blocks and a pink skull block. Run under the spikes, jump over the skull and quickly break the blocks to the right to continue. If too slow, the player will have to go back a room, and then try again. Exit this room to the right.
This room contains three moving Flames. With careful timing, Alex can evade the three Flames and reach the ladder at the top. Don't attempt to jump over the last Flame. Simply stay close enough to make it up the ladder before it gets Alex. The up-ladder leads to the second battle with Gooseka the Slippery.
BGM[]
The background music here is significantly darker than the previous levels. The slow, heavy music has a spooky, sinister sound to it, which gives an old, haunted image of the castle. This music is later reused for the Janken Fortress.
Notes[]
It is possible to complete this level without rescuing Egle. However, doing so will not award the letter, meaning Alex will be unable to acquire the Hirotta Stone in the Nibana Kingdom, making it more difficult to get the Crown at the end of the game.
Other appearances[]
Radaxian Castle appears as the finish point from Alex Kidd BMX Trial, with Queen Patricia, Prince Egle, and Princess Lora seeing Alex's arrival.