Kid Icarus (1986)

It's not the first time I play this game, tried way way back and never liked it at all. I've spent the last few weeks trying to get to understand the game and why people loved, but I just can't.

The game is a Complete Flaw in it self. The bad controls and latency problem with this game has ruined the game completely for me. I got a different Cartridge because I thought it was a problem with mine, yet it was the same.

The only thing I appreciate about this game is the music. That alone makes this game worth 2 starts for me. Sorry I didn't like it as the rest.

This game surprised me. A mix of platforming, dungeon crawling, and shooting action, all hidden behind some brutally tough levels right at the start.

Thankfully, these first few levels are toned down in 3D Classics by the simple fix of changing the Reaper attack pattern. Other than that, the game's enemy placement and maps are entirely preserved, which is a good thing.

3D Classics also adds these wonderful backdrops, replacing the plain black of the original on NES. A very welcome change that adds so much life as you progress upward to skyworld.

My favorite aspect of this game is the somewhat backwards diffuculty curve, having Pit get beefed up as you go is very satisfying, and actually had me playing this game twice over to get the true waifu ending lol. Definitely check it out if you have a 3ds – just don't get discouraged by levels 1 and 2, and feel free to use online maps for dungeons.

When I was in Kindergarten I had a crush on this girl. I was very forward and asked if I could go over to her house and play. (I had massive Chad energy as a Kindergartner)

Anyway, I go over to her home and she shows me her NES. I had a Super Nintendo at home and had beaten Donkey Kong Country AND Super Mario World. I was pretty much a pro gamer so I figured I could destroy whatever game she put in the NES and she would fall in love with me no biggie.

She put in Kid Icarus, and the game annihilated me. I tried several times and lost over and over again. She would never love me. I suck at Kid Icarus.

About 15 years after that, I played Kid Icarus on my 3DS. While I did beat it, I realized something. While Kid Icarus has interesting ideas, it is mostly a testy, unfun, crunch of a game. I'm glad I didn't marry that girl. She has terrible taste in games.

PS- Kid Icarus: Uprising, against all odds, is excellent. Despite my hatred for the original, I would love to see the franchise continue- especially with Sakurai behind the wheel.

PPS- Later in high school, that girl was in the same group with me that went to the Sadie Hawkins dance. Our parents took pictures of us before the dance. I saw her mom. Her mom told me that she always thought I was a nice boy. I looked in her eyes, and I could tell she wished I had beaten Kid Icarus so her daughter would love me... Sorry lady! Blame Satoru Okada!

Ooo boy, that game was really tough but i finally beat it !... And i got the worst ending... Hurray...

You thought food was expensive irl ? Then you haven't been in Pit's world because the prices are THROUGH THE ROOF, can't an angel get his healing juice at a reasonable price ?!

Despite all of this, i really enjoyed this game ! I'm a sucker for Kid Icarus content, so i might be a teeny tiny bit biased...

3.3 out of 5, would get transformed into an eggplant again.

(Ps : I'm gonna try to get the good ending, i want that kiss gosh darn it !)

History:
Until recently, I had no history with Pit, then I played Of Myths and Monsters.

Expectations:
I want to be optimistic, I really do, but after spending time with Kid Icarus II, I'm a bit concerned. It's not that it's a bad game, it's just so... so... meh! That, and I've heard the first game, this game, actually plays WORSE than its sequel. That said, I'm going to try my best to enjoy it, and complete it, and I'm hoping that playing a version made for a full sized screen will be a bit more enjoyable.

Deep breaths...

Night 1-2:

I don't know what it is about the franchise, but my brain just cannot accept Kid Icarus. I understand the inverted difficulty curve, how it only gets easier as the game goes on, but the difficulty in the game is so arbitrary and un-fun, I'm just not at all compelled to press forward.

Press forward I did, however, and was punished even more poorly designed and unrewarding gameplay. . There's no way I can take another night of this series, and I think I'm going to give the reason its own post. Until then, I'm relieving my poor NES of Pit duty.

Conclusion:
I feel like this game is a nostalgia bomb for those who played it as a kid, and just a regular "bomb" bomb for the rest of us, or at least me. Aside from the admittedly amazing sound track, I don't see any reason to come back to this title outside of research purposes...

Play it Again?
<insert RBI Baseball joke here>

Personal Score:

1001 Games - #112

Pros: different types of platforming challenges (sidescrolling, vertical, or labyrinth), memorable music

Cons: unforgivingly difficult, shop costs too high, questionable graphics even for NES

Recommendation: a cult classic, I would recommend trying it out if you come across it. Why only 2 stars? It's hard to like something that you absolutely suck at! Don't be surprised if you can't make it through the Underworld stage.