If there was difficulty settings, this 2D platform title would be a must play for the Nintendo Entertainment System.
In Kid Icarus, you play as a youthful angel named Pit. Your objective is to find the three sacred treasures that Medusa has stolen from the goddess of light in the kingdom of Angel Land. Weapons and other items, including keys and harps, are scattered throughout the current stage you are on.
The gameplay of this title is exploring the area by jumping place to place oddly moving upward to complete the stage, while avoiding enemies blocking your path. Kid Icarus offers quite a few winged serpents, one eyed flying creatures, toads, and many other opponents. Try your best to defeat them all with your trusty bow and arrow. You will receive hearts from the creatures that you can purchase items from a salesman with them which are too expensive. Your health is measured by endurance that is rather low at first and seems unable to increase back up when needed.
The controls of Kid Icarus are rather smooth and simple. The A button of the controller allows you to jump to platforms as the B button ables you to shoot arrows at your enemies. Pressing up on the control pad allows you to shoot an arrow upward while pressing down causes Pit to crouch.
Graphics of this 2D platformer title are quite colorful with a black background that makes the enemies stand out well.
The sounds of this title are delightful when you first begin to play but then become plain as the same tune is played throughout each stage.
Level designs for Kid Icarus have a variety in each stage with new elements such as icy platforms. The platforms from the left side connect to the right side platform which becomes frustrating at times throughout this title.
The Positives and Negatives of Kid Icarus
+ Great simple controls.
+ A variety of creatures to destroy.
- A rather poor soundtrack.
- Too difficult at times.
The new entry to this series named Kid Icarus Uprising is heading to Nintendo 3DS system next year. Although this title was poor start for young Pit, Uprising appears to be a large improvement in every way. I recommend downloading this as a virtual console title on the Nintendo Wii system if you want something challenging to play.
I gave Kid Icarus a solid 6.