The obvious choice

Nintendo UK is currently in the middle of a Kid Icarus: Uprising event tour, giving plucky gamers a chance to take on a 'battle squad' of professional gamers in multiplayer. Participants at the first event at HMV Oxford Circus in London received limited edition posters, while those who triumphed over the pros also won AR cards and eShop vouchers.

The next event takes place at HMV Reading Oracle this Saturday (5th May) between 12-4pm, and Nintendo has added an extra incentive. If you attend in Kid Icarus cosplay you'll automatically be entered into a prize draw to win a 3DS: while Pit will likely be popular, you could get creative with some paper-mache and attend as Medusa, if you really want to show off. If you fancy attending check out the press release below for full details on this and a Twitter competition.

Following the success of the first Kid Icarus: Uprising multiplayer event in London last Saturday, the Kid Icarus: Uprising Battle Squad returns this Saturday 5th May to HMV Reading Oracle, 12.00-16.00, giving fans the chance to battle it out against the experts.

Fans can take along their own Nintendo 3DS console or borrow one from the Squad, and should bring plenty of competitive spirit ready to choose their favourite weapon and get battling. The Squad is made up of different skill levels to allow for fair competition and includes a pro gamer to challenge even the most experienced Kid Icarus: Uprising players.

With £10 eShop vouchers up for grabs for anyone who successfully defeats the Battle Squad’s pro gamer, the challenge has officially been set!

Those who love to get in costume are also in for a treat with brand new exclusive prizes for fans who greet the Kid Icarus: Uprising Battle Squad dressed as Pit, Palutena, Medusa or any of the other characters in the game. Everyone who arrives in Kid Icarus: Uprising Cosplay will be entered into a special prize draw for a chance to win their very own Nintendo 3DS.

Everyone who takes part will earn a limited edition Kid Icarus: Uprising poster. If a player defeats the Squad and wins a battle, they will be able to take home an exclusive set of AR Cards to boost their collection. The Kid Icarus: Uprising AR Cards are highly sought after and only available at special Nintendo events – so get practising!

Nintendo is also launching a free prize draw via Twitter: all fans need to do is have their photo taken with the Squad in HMV and tweet it on the same day to @KidIcarusUK using the hashtag #KidIcarusBattleSquad to be in with a chance of winning* one of six £50 HMV vouchers. All Nintendo 3DS owners are encouraged to head down to the events and take their console to StreetPassTM with other fans.

A selection of all photos from the events will be uploaded onto the Nintendo 3DS Facebook page and for all the latest news about Kid Icarus: Uprising and the Battle Squad follow @KidIcarusUK.

The Kid Icarus: Uprising Battle Squad dates and locations:

hmv Reading Oracle – Saturday 5th May
hmv Birmingham Bullring – Saturday 12th May
hmv Brighton Churchill – Saturday 19th May