Words by Anthony Kennedy
Kid Icarus: Uprising
Company: Nintendo
Console: Nintendo 3DS
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.0
Nintendo’s the greatest video game publisher ever. Need proof? They managed to resurrect one of its most beloved characters from the NES era. The result: arguably one of the best 3DS titles of the year. The announcement of a Kid Icarus reboot (hands up if you ever played the 8-bit NES version) has had diehard Nintendophiles salivating for the opportunity to put their 3DS to good use—taking control of the angelic hero, Pit, as he attempts to save ancient Greece from a reborn Madusa. We’re proud to say it’s an entry fans won’t be disappointed with.
Kid Icarus Uprising looks amazing. The top-notch animations easily match the Wii’s capabilities, as sprites and cut scenes shimmer on the 3DS screen. The boss battles are pretty challenging, but winnable, and as you continue advancing throughout the game, you’ll be rewarded with a number of upgrades (bows, claws, cannons, etc.). The six-player multiplayer mode is also pretty entertaining.
The lone complaint with Uprising is its gameplay mechanics. Nintendo provides an ass-backwards control set-up, forcing gamers to use the L button to fire. Yes, awkward, to say the least. Since the analog stick is located on the left side as well, it’s hard to clutch onto the 3DS and engage in fights. The publisher included a small stand to make gaming more accommodating, but it’s ultimately useless, as a flat surface is necessary to take full advantage of the accessory.
Why was it designed this was? Well, because many of Uprising’s controls are mapped to the stylus: aim, turn, dodge, camera, and item use. While this doesn’t affect the fast-paced air battles, it’s detrimental during the land portions.
Aside from its subpar control scheme, Nintendo’s developed a solid title. The AR integration is also pretty cool to indulge in, as the game comes bundled with six AR Idol cards, which showcase characters from the game fighting in augmented reality. Glad they found a way to take advantage of the portable’s 3D capabilities.
Kid Icarus Uprising is a prime example of what cool features the 3DS can do properly. After spending a few hours killing mythological monsters and soaring the clouds, fans of the original will be pleased with Pit’s latest outing.
Read up on our retrospect of the the classic NES version here. Pick up a copy of Kid Icarus Uprising at GameStop.
