Mark your calendars, because on Monday, 19th December, another classic NES game has an anniversary. In 2016 there have been a long list of games that turned 30, including the likes of The Legend of Zelda, Dragon Quest and Metroid. But the year isn't over just yet and there is still one more game on the list - Kid Icarus, originally released in Japan on 19th December, 1986.
There haven't been as many games in the series as other Nintendo franchises, In fact, there's only been three, but as of late Pit, the main character of the Kid Icarus series, has enjoyed some popularity. There was his inclusion as a playable character in the last few Smash Bros. games, as well as his own 3DS outing, Kid Icarus: Uprising along with reissues of the original game as well.
That original game almost never got out the door, as the man behind the game, named Toru Osawa, went through a lot of difficulties in getting the game finished. Most notably, he was left to work on it alone in the summer of 1986, while the staff who had made Metroid took a vacation after the project was completed. He spent his nights at Nintendo, working on the game in almost every waking moment until his 16th December deadline.
Kid Icarus is notable for being a really tough game to play. It is action based, like Super Mario Bros., but mixes in shooting elements from Metroid and levelling up with items like in The Legend of Zelda as well. What you might not know is that there is an experience point system at work in the game, you just can't see it. Once you learn how to master that system, the gameplay gets a little more balanced.
The trademark of the Kid Icarus series is the extensive use of Greek mythology and imagery. The original game is based loosely on the the myths of Icarus and Perseus. Icarus' tale involves him falling from the sky after flying too close to the sun with hand crafted wings. Perseus was able to behead Medusa by using a mirrored shield to avoid looking at her directly, and therefore not be cursed and turn to stone.
While these are well known myths and visible on the surface, there is even more hiding in the game as there are also things taken from Japanese mythology and culture. For example, the God of Poverty who hides in the game's treasure rooms, is an actual Japanese deity who has a real shrine dedicated to him in Nagano Japan. The hot springs and three Sacred Treasures are also taken from Japanese culture, as they are the name for the Imperial Regalia of the Emperor and the royal family of Japan.
To learn more about the development, gameplay and mythology behind Kid Icarus, take a look at the video below. It's a long one, so you might want to cook up some eggplant to eat while you watch and celebrate another Nintendo anniversary. Happy Birthday Pit!
If you liked this video and article be sure to check out Gaijillionaire's Club for more things retro, Nintendo and Japan.
Comments 37
Would really love a Switch follow-up to Uprising.
What will Nintendo do to celebrate this milestone?
@SLIGEACH_EIRE Say happy birthday Samus?
I didn't even know he existed until he was put in brawl.
"If you liked this video"
What video?
Sorry, I've added the video now.
@jwfurness especially since the 3ds controls are terrible
@ThomasBW84 Ah, there it is!
@ThanosReXXX Yes, my text to remind myself to put the video in wasn't as entertaining as the real thing.
I loved the 3d classic of Kid Icarus, never played the original on the NES but the 3d Classics reissue is phenomenal. I loved every minute of it. Better than the original Metroid IMO.
Really loved this game when it originally released... it can start no other way than a love/hate relationship, however, as it is one of the least accessible Nintendo games ever released.
The first set of levels is Nintendo-hard and then in a dizzying labyrinth you meet the insta-rage-inducing egg-plant wizard! That's just the first world...
As the article suggests, with some grinding you can get upgrades early on that make the rest of the game more manageable and more fun, however.
Kid Icarus Uprising is also quite great except I already don't like using the tiny 3DS, and then using it with a stylus to aim... well, the game still shines through and is a blast. Would always have been much better as a console game on a big screen however, so I'm with @jwfurness on the hopes for a new Uprising on Switch.
Someone should update the 5-year old image of Link celebrating his birthday while Samus is in her own party with a third picture where you can see Pit's grave.
Kid Icarus is still one of my favourite franchises but I'm losing my sanity hoping for another entry to the series. All three Kid Icarus games are gold and deserve a new successor.
@Setery10 Yes, HD Uprising with traditional style controls and the same quality voice-acting.
In fact, I could see another 3rd person Kid Icarus game working really well with Splatoon controls.
"Mark your calendars"
Would be glad to do so if there was a new game coming, but I'm pretty sure that's not the case.
If it ain't Mario or Zelda then Nintendo don't care.
Uprising is still my favorite game, period. Pit is my baby. I too would love a new Uprising sequel, or even just a fancy upgraded switch port.
I've still yet to finish the original, though. I need to get on that...But old nes games and me don't mix well.
I do have an original five screw copy of it(and the original booklet, no original box however), though no working nes to play it on. I hope to pick one up eventually. It would be awesome if the first time I beat the game is on the original copy.
Happy 30th too Pit.
I love Kid Icarus, even though I probably shouldn't. It's a shame that 30th anniversary means no new games, no new merchandise, just kind of an eh. Poor Pit. This series could really be something if Nintendo bothered.
@jwfurness Same here. Or even just Uprising HD with improved controls .
@SLIGEACH_EIRE 10% Discount on Uprising in exchange for 500 Gold MyNintendo coins.
Uprising is amazing and re-newed my interest in video games after the whole wii thing. Probably my favorite game of all time.
I'M FINISHED!
Thanks for posting the retrospective, Kid Icarus is one of my childhood favorites.
@jwfurness I don't see how Splatoon controls would work with Kid Icarus Uprising without lowering the speed of the game. You can't aim as fast as a stylus with a stick. Kid Icarus Uprising is a real game designer's game with original controls and the game modeled around them. It should be more recognized as the masterpiece it is and a true heir of the arcade era from the 90's when the controls were simple and the games were fast. It was a fresh game in a modern industry where the gameplays are so standardized and key people are scriptwriters and art directors, not game designers.
@bitleman @jwfurness Have either of you guys seen that part in the BotW E3 trailer where Link shoots a bow at a buck? THAT is what I thought of when you said "Splatoon controls." Splatoon being one of my favorite games, I think, if they could control the framerate, that it would work great. Just if you used the gamepad or the Joycon-thingy-with-the-screen.
Happy birthday Kid Icarus! I've never played the first two games, but Uprising was downright amazing! Hoping for a Switch sequel someday!
This just makes me want more Kid Icarus games... Nintendo?
I guess it's a classic in that it's old.
@Setery10
No kidding. They're fine in the air, but on the ground they're awful!
I want the 3d Classic version, but with my luck it will go on sale so I'll wait and see.
@Tempestryke That's partly why I made this video and article. So we can have something!
@Action51 Thanks mine too. I'll just keep doing the work Nintendo should be doing.
@Gaijillionaire
True.
@RealPoketendoNL
You should. They're good and charming in a very strange and aggravating kind of way.
@Gaijillionaire
Just got done watching. It was a good video thanks gajillionaire.
@bitleman I guess I was mainly thinking of the land-based missions with Splatoon controls since they were so much slower. The flight missions could be really cool with pointer controls.
Tap here to load 37 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...