Editing Kid Icarus

{{Short description|1986 video game}}
{{About|the video game|the video game series|Kid Icarus (series){{!}}''Kid Icarus'' (series)}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Kid Icarus
| image = Kid Icarus NES box art.png
| caption = North American box art
| developer = [[Nintendo Research & Development 1|Nintendo R&D1]] <br/> [[Tose (company)|Tose]]
| publisher = [[Nintendo]]
| director = [[Satoru Okada]]
| producer = [[Gunpei Yokoi]]
| designer = Toru Osawa <br /> [[Yoshio Sakamoto]]
| programmer = Yasu Shimokawa <br> Ichiro Takigawa
| composer = [[Hirokazu Tanaka]]
| artist = Toru Osawa <br/> [[Makoto Kano (video game designer)|Makoto Kano]]
| platforms = {{Unbulleted list|[[Famicom Disk System|Family Computer Disk System]]|[[Nintendo Entertainment System]]|[[Game Boy Advance]]|[[Nintendo 3DS]]<!--Do not list emulated releases such as Virtual Console-->}}
| series = ''[[Kid Icarus (series)|Kid Icarus]]''
| released = {{Unbulleted list|'''Family Computer Disk System'''|{{Video game release|JP|December 19, 1986}}|'''NES'''|{{Video game release|EU|February 15, 1987|NA|July 1987}}|'''Game Boy Advance'''{{Video game release|JP|August 10, 2004}}|'''Nintendo 3DS'''|{{Video game release|JP|January 18, 2012|EU|February 2, 2012|AU|April 12, 2012|NA|April 19, 2012}}<!-- Do not list emulated releases such as Virtual Console -->}}
| genre = [[Platform game|Platform]]
| engine = 
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
}}
'''''Kid Icarus'''''{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo|'''''Light Myth: Palutena's Mirror'''''|光神話 パルテナの鏡|Hikari Shinwa: Parutena no Kagami|lead=yes}}<!-- See [[WP:JFN]] -->.}} is a [[platform game|platform]] [[video game]] developed and published by [[Nintendo]] for the [[Famicom Disk System|Family Computer Disk System]] in Japan and the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] in Europe and North America. It was released in Japan in December 1986, in Europe in February 1987, and in North America in July.

The plot of ''Kid Icarus'' revolves around protagonist Pit's quest for three sacred treasures, which he must equip to rescue the [[Greek mythology|Greek]]-inspired fantasy world Angel Land and its ruler, the goddess Palutena. The player controls Pit through platform areas while fighting monsters and collecting items. The objective is to reach the end of the levels, and to find and defeat [[Boss (video games)|boss]] monsters that guard the three treasures. The game was developed by Nintendo's [[Nintendo Research & Development 1|Research and Development 1]] division with assistance with an external company (later identified to be Tose), which helped with testing.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Monnens |first1=Devin |title=Making of a Myth: The Grueling Development of the Original Kid Icarus |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/29565/making-of-a-myth-the-grueling-development-of-the-original-kid-icarus |website=Nintendo World Report |access-date=February 8, 2019 |date=March 19, 2012 |archive-date=April 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407035256/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/29565/making-of-a-myth-the-grueling-development-of-the-original-kid-icarus |url-status=live}}</ref> It was designed by Toru Osawa and [[Yoshio Sakamoto]], directed by [[Satoru Okada]], and produced by [[Gunpei Yokoi]].

''Kid Icarus'' had a mixed critical reception but became a [[cult classic]].<ref name="Metropulse Uprising">{{cite web|url=http://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/apr/25/kid-icarus-uprising-shows-what-3ds-can-really-do-f/ |title='Kid Icarus: Uprising' Shows What the 3DS Can Really Do. Finally. |work=METR |access-date=October 16, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103012539/http://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/apr/25/kid-icarus-uprising-shows-what-3ds-can-really-do-f/ |archive-date= January 3, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Cult of Games Review">{{cite web|url=http://www.cultofgames.com/kid-icarus-of-myths-and-monsters/|title=Kid Icarus Of Myths and Monsters|work=Cult of Games|access-date=October 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511104746/http://www.cultofgames.com/kid-icarus-of-myths-and-monsters/|archive-date=May 11, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="IGN Review">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/03/07/kid-icarus-review|title=Kid Icarus Review|work=IGN|date=7 March 2007|access-date=October 16, 2014|archive-date=26 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226072853/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/03/07/kid-icarus-review|url-status=live}}</ref> Reviewers praised its music and its mixture of gameplay elements from different [[Video game genre|genres]], but criticized its graphics and [[Nintendo hard|high difficulty level]]. It was included in several lists of the best games compiled by ''[[IGN]]'' and ''[[Nintendo Power]]''.

It was later re-released for the [[Game Boy Advance]] in Japan in 2004. It was released on the [[Wii]]'s [[Virtual Console]] in 2007 and the [[Wii U]]'s Virtual Console in 2013. A ''[[Nintendo 3D Classics|3D Classics]]'' [[Video game remake|remake]] was released in Japan in 2011 and in North America, Europe, and Australia in 2012. In 2016, ''Kid Icarus'' was included on the North American and PAL region releases of the [[NES Classic Edition]]. It was released on the [[Nintendo Classics]] service in 2019.

A sequel, ''[[Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters]]'', was released for the [[Game Boy]] in 1991. A third entry in the series, ''[[Kid Icarus: Uprising]]'', was released for the [[Nintendo 3DS]] in March 2012, after Pit's inclusion as a playable character in the 2008 game ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''.

==Gameplay==
[[File:Kid Icarus Sky World.png|thumb|left|Pit fights the monsters of the game with a bow and arrow. The player character's health and the number of hearts is displayed in the top-left corner of the screen. Doors in levels lead to different chambers, such as treasuries or item stores.|alt=A two-dimensional video game screenshot that shows a winged angel in combat with monsters. The scene takes place amidst Grecian temples above the clouds.]]

''Kid Icarus'' is a [[Side-scrolling video game#Scrolling platformers|side-scrolling platformer]] with [[Role-playing video game|role-playing]] elements.<ref name="igntop100nes"/> The player controls the protagonist Pit through [[2D computer graphics|two-dimensional]] levels, which contain monsters, obstacles and items.<ref name="gamespotreview"/><ref name="gamespy"/> Pit's primary weapon is a bow with an unlimited supply of arrows that can be upgraded with three collectable power items: the guard crystal shields Pit from enemies, the flaming arrows hit multiple targets, and the holly bow increases the range of the arrows.<ref name="gamespy"/><ref name="manualitems">{{cite book| title=Kid Icarus Instruction Booklet|section=Items That Will Make Pit a More Powerful Angel |pages=21–30|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|date=July 1987}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/vc_pk/vc_pk_04.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112044203/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/vc_pk/vc_pk_04.html |archive-date=January 12, 2012 |url-status=live |title=VC 光神話 パルテナの鏡 – アイテム紹介 |date=January 23, 2007 |language=ja |publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo Co., Ltd]] |access-date=July 4, 2011}}</ref> These upgrades will work only if Pit's health is high enough.<ref name="manualqa"/> The game keeps track of the player's score, and increases Pit's health bar at the end of a level if enough points were collected.<ref name="manualqa" /><ref>{{cite book |title=Kid Icarus Instruction Booklet|section=Basic Wisdom|pages=11–15|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|date=July 1987}}</ref>

Throughout the stages, the player may enter doors to access seven different types of chambers. Stores and black markets offer items in exchange for hearts, which are left behind by defeated monsters. Treasure chambers contain items, enemy nests give the player an opportunity to earn extra hearts, and hot springs restore Pit's health.<ref name="gamespy"/><ref name="manualitems"/><ref name="vcchambers">{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/vc_pk/vc_pk_05.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101107123330/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/vc_pk/vc_pk_05.html |archive-date=November 7, 2010 |url-status=live |title=VC 光神話 パルテナの鏡 – 部屋紹介 |date=January 23, 2007 |language=ja |publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo Co., Ltd]] |access-date=July 4, 2011}}</ref> In the god's chamber, the strength of Pit's bow and arrow may be increased depending on several factors, such as the number of enemies defeated and the amount of damage taken in battle.<ref name="manualitems"/><ref name="manualqa"/><ref name="vcchambers"/> In the training chamber, Pit will be awarded with one of the three power items if he passes a test of endurance.<ref name="gamespy"/><ref name="manualitems"/>

The game world is divided into three stages: the [[Greek underworld|Underworld]], the [[Overworld]] (Earth) and the Skyworld.<ref name="manualangelland">{{cite book |title=Kid Icarus Instruction Booklet |section=A Guide to Angel Land |pages=16–20 |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=July 1987}}</ref> Each stage encompasses three unidirectional area levels and a fortress.<ref name="manualangelland" /><ref name="ignnesreview" /><ref name="hg101">{{cite web |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/nes/icarus.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110912072230/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/nes/icarus.htm |archive-date=September 12, 2011 |url-status=live |title=Classic Review Archive – Kid Icarus |author=Kalata, Kurt |work=Hardcore Gaming 101 |access-date=July 7, 2011}}</ref> The areas of the Underworld and Skyworld stages have Pit climb to the top, while those of the surface world are side-scrolling levels. The fortresses at the end of the stages are labyrinths with non-scrolling rooms, in which the player must find and defeat a gatekeeper [[Boss (video games)|boss]].<ref name="gamespy"/> Within a fortress, Pit may buy a check sheet, pencil, and torch to guide him through the labyrinth.<ref name="manualitems"/> A single-use item, the hammer, can destroy stone statues, which frees a flying soldier called a Centurion that will aid the player in boss battles.<ref name="manualitems"/><ref>{{cite book|title=Kid Icarus Instruction Booklet|section=Introducing the Inhabitants in Angel Land|page=42|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|date=July 1987}}</ref> For each of the bosses destroyed, Pit receives one of three sacred treasures that are needed to access the fourth and final stage, the sky temple.<ref name="gamespy"/> This last portion abandons the platforming elements of the previous levels, and resembles a [[Side-scrolling video game#Side-scrolling shooters|scrolling shooter]].<ref name="gamespy" /><ref name="nindori"/>

==Plot==
The game is set in Angel Land, which is a fantasy world with a [[Greek mythology]] theme.<ref name="nindori"/><ref name="manualstory">{{cite book |title=Kid Icarus Instruction Booklet |section=The Tale of Kid Icarus|pages=3–8|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|date=July 1987}}</ref> Before the events of the game, Earth was ruled by Palutena (Goddess of Light) and [[Medusa]] (Goddess of Darkness). Palutena bestowed the people with light to make them happy. Medusa hated the humans, dried up their crop, and turned them to stone. Enraged by this, Palutena transformed Medusa into a monster and banished her to the [[Greek underworld|Underworld]]. Out of revenge, Medusa conspired with the monsters of the Underworld to take over Palutena's residence the Palace in the Sky.<ref name="manualstory"/> She launched a surprise attack, and stole the three sacred treasures — the Mirror Shield, the Light Arrows and the Wings of Pegasus — which deprived Palutena's army of its power. After her soldiers had been turned to stone by Medusa, Palutena was defeated in battle and imprisoned deep inside the Palace in the Sky.

With her last power, she sent a bow and arrow to the young angel Pit. He escapes from his prison in the Underworld and sets out to save Palutena and Angel Land.<ref name="manualstory"/><ref name="jpnstory">{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/vc_pk/vc_pk_02.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106033737/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/vc_pk/vc_pk_02.html |archive-date=November 6, 2010 |url-status=live |title=VC 光神話 パルテナの鏡 – ストーリー |date=January 23, 2007 |language=ja |publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo Co., Ltd]] |access-date=June 23, 2011}}</ref> Throughout the course of the story, Pit retrieves the three sacred treasures from the fortress gatekeepers at their respective fortresses in the Underworld, the Overworld, and the Skyworld.<ref name="manualangelland"/> Afterward, he equips himself with the treasures and storms the sky temple where he defeats Medusa and rescues Palutena.<ref name="gamespy"/> The game has five different endings;<ref name="takeontheneslibrary"/> depending on the player's performance, Palutena may present Pit with headgear or transform him into a full-grown angel.<ref name="gamespy"/><ref name="manualqa">{{cite book|title=Kid Icarus Instruction Booklet |section=Questions and Answers|pages=43–44|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|date= July 1987}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/281070/features/time-machine-kid-icarus/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118002612/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/281070/features/time-machine-kid-icarus/ |archive-date=January 18, 2012 |title=Time Machine: Kid Icarus |date=December 30, 2010 |work=[[ComputerAndVideoGames.com]] |publisher=[[Future Publishing Limited]] |access-date=July 3, 2011}}</ref> In the Japanese version, the best ending from the English version does not exist, and instead another bad ending is present.<ref name="takeontheneslibrary">{{cite web |title=#26 – Kid Icarus |url=http://takeontheneslibrary.com/finished/26-kid-icarus/ |website=Take on the NES Library |access-date=January 7, 2019 |date=September 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107181229/http://takeontheneslibrary.com/finished/26-kid-icarus/ |archive-date=January 7, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Development==
The game was designed at [[Nintendo]]'s [[Nintendo Research & Development 1|Research and Development 1]] (R&D1) division. It was developed for the [[Family Computer Disk System]] (FDS) because its [[floppy disk]], called Disk Card, has three times the storage capacity of the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Family Computer]]'s [[ROM cartridge|cartridges]] of the time. Combined with the possibility to [[Saved game|store the players' progress]], the Disk Card format enabled the developers to create a longer game with a more extensive game world. ''Kid Icarus'' was the debut of Toru Osawa (credited as Inusawa) as a video game designer, and he was the only staff member working on the game at the beginning of the project.<ref name="nindori">{{cite journal|journal=[[Nintendo Dream]] |script-title=ja:やればやるほどディスクシステムインタビュー(前編)|pages=96–103|date=August 6, 2004|issue=118 |language=ja|publisher=Mainichi Communications Inc.}}</ref> Originally he wanted to make an [[action game]] with [[Role-playing video game|role-playing]] elements, and wrote a story rooted in Greek mythology, which he had always been fond of.<ref name="nindori" /><ref name="staff">{{cite video game|title=Kid Icarus|developer=[[Nintendo|Nintendo Co., Ltd]]|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|date=July 1987|scene=staff credits}}</ref> He drew the [[pixel art]], and wrote the [[Specification (technical standard)#Program specification|technical specifications]], which were the basis for the playable prototype. After Nintendo's [[Action-adventure game|action-adventure]] ''[[Metroid (video game)|Metroid]]'' had been finished, more staff members were allotted to the development of ''Kid Icarus''.<ref name="nindori"/>

The game was directed by [[Satoru Okada]] (credited as S. Okada), and produced by the general manager of the R&D1 division, [[Gunpei Yokoi]] (credited as G. Yokoi). [[Hirokazu Tanaka]] (credited as Hip Tanaka) composed the music.<ref name="nindori"/><ref name="staff"/> [[Yoshio Sakamoto]] (credited as Shikao.S) joined the team upon return from his vacation after the completion of ''Metroid''. He streamlined the development process, and made many decisions that affected the design of ''Kid Icarus''. Several out-of-place elements were included in the game, such as credit cards, a wizard turning player character Pit into an [[eggplant]], and a large, moving nose that was meant to resemble composer Tanaka. Sakamoto attributed this unrestrained humor to the former personnel of the R&D1 division, which he referred to as "strange". Osawa said that he had originally tried to make ''Kid Icarus'' completely serious, but opted for a more humorous approach after objections from the team.<ref name="nindori"/>

To meet the projected release date of December 19, 1986, the staff members worked overtime and often stayed in the office at night. They used torn cardboard boxes as beds, and covered themselves in curtains to resist the low temperatures of the unheated development building. Eventually, ''Kid Icarus'' was finished and entered production a mere three days before the release date. Several ideas for additional stages had to be dropped because of these scheduling conflicts.<ref name="nindori"/>

==Release==
In February and July 1987, respectively, a cartridge-based version was published for the [[NES]] in Europe and North America.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/nes/action/kidicarus/similar.html?mode=versions |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731080141/http://www.gamespot.com/nes/action/kidicarus/similar.html?mode=versions |archive-date=July 31, 2012 |url-status=live |title=Kid Icarus Release |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive Inc]] |access-date=July 3, 2011}}</ref> For this release, the graphics of the ending were updated, and staff credits were added.<ref name="nindori"/> Unlike the Japanese version, which saves the player's progress on the Disk Card, the cartridge version uses a [[Password (video games)|password system]] to restore progress,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/vc_pk/vc_pk_03.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101108023852/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/vc_pk/vc_pk_03.html |archive-date=November 8, 2010 |url-status=live |title=VC 光神話 パルテナの鏡 – ゲームの進めかた |date=January 23, 2007 |language=ja |publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo Co., Ltd]] |access-date=June 23, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Kid Icarus Instruction Booklet |section=How to Start Playing Kid Icarus|pages=9–10|publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=July 1987}}</ref> an almost unprecedented feature.<ref name=EGM100>{{cite magazine |title=100 Best Games of All Time |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=100 |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=November 1997|page=136}} Note: Contrary to the title, the intro to the article (on page 100) explicitly states that the list covers console video games only, meaning PC games and arcade games were not eligible.</ref>

In August 2004, ''Kid Icarus'' was re-released in the ''[[List of Classic NES Series games|Famicom Mini Disk System Selection]]'' for the [[Game Boy Advance]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n08/fmk3/palutena/index.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081225082244/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n08/fmk3/palutena/index.html |archive-date=December 25, 2008|url-status=live|title=ファミコンミニ – 光神話 パルテナの鏡|date=July 2004 |publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo Co., Ltd]]|access-date=June 26, 2011}}</ref> It was released on the [[Wii]]'s [[Virtual Console]] on January 23, 2007, in Japan, on February 12 in North America, and on February 23 in Europe and Australia; it was released on the [[Wii U]]'s Virtual Console on August 14, 2013, in Japan, on July 11 in Europe and Australia, and on July 25 in North America. Passwords from the NES version do not work in the Virtual Console version.<ref name="ignvcreview">{{cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/770/770591p1.html|title=Kid Icarus VC Review |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090225194226/http://wii.ign.com/articles/770/770591p1.html |archive-date=February 25, 2009|url-status=dead|date=March 6, 2007|author=Thomas, Lucas M.|work=[[IGN]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment|access-date=June 26, 2011}}</ref> In 2016, the game was included on the North American and PAL region releases of the [[NES Classic Edition]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Jones|first1=Gary|title=NES Classic Edition: The final 30 games list revealed as Nintendo talk mini N64|url=http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/gaming/690813/NES-classic-Edition-games-confirmed-Nintendo-N64|access-date=August 9, 2016|date=July 19, 2016|archive-date=August 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812094021/http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/gaming/690813/NES-classic-Edition-games-confirmed-Nintendo-N64|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019, it was released on the [[Nintendo Classics]] service.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 6, 2019 |title=Kid Icarus and StarTropics headed to Nintendo Switch Online |language=en-gb |work=Eurogamer.net |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/kid-icarus-and-startropics-headed-to-nintendo-switch-online |access-date=June 25, 2022 |archive-date=June 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625044614/https://www.eurogamer.net/kid-icarus-and-startropics-headed-to-nintendo-switch-online |url-status=live}}</ref>

===''3D Classics''===
A ''[[Nintendo 3D Classics|3D Classics]]'' [[Video game remake|remake]] of ''Kid Icarus'' was published for the [[Nintendo 3DS]] handheld console. The remake features stereoscopic 3D along with updated graphics including backgrounds. It uses the save system instead of passwords. It has the Family Computer Disk System's extra sound channel for music and sound effects.

It became available on the Nintendo eShop on January 18, 2012, in Japan, on February 2 in Europe, on April 12 in Australia, and on April 19 in North America. It was available early for free via download code to users who registered two selected 3DS games with Nintendo in Japan, Europe, and Australia. In Japan, it was available to users who registered any two Nintendo 3DS games on [[Club Nintendo]] between October 1, 2011, and January 15, 2012, and became available for download starting on December 19, 2011;<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gantayat|first1=Anoop|title=Mario 3DS Systems: Closer Look|url=http://andriasang.com/comypu/|website=Andriasang.com|access-date=January 27, 2015|date=October 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210084248/http://andriasang.com/comypu/|archive-date=February 10, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> in Europe, it was available to users who registered any two of a selection of Nintendo 3DS games on Club Nintendo between November 1, 2011, and January 31, 2012,<ref>{{cite magazine|url= http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/33051/3d-classics-kid-icarus-will-be-free-in-uk/|title=3D Classics: Kid Icarus will be free in UK|magazine=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]]|date=December 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103150054/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/33051/3d-classics-kid-icarus-will-be-free-in-uk/|archive-date=November 3, 2014}}</ref> with the first batch of emails with codes being sent out on January 5, 2012;<ref>{{cite web|title=3D Classics: Kid Icarus Free Download Codes Are Being Sent Out From Nintendo|url=http://mynintendonews.com/2012/01/05/3d-classics-kid-icarus-free-download-codes-are-being-sent-out-from-nintendo/|website=My Nintendo News|access-date=January 27, 2015|date=January 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141001193546/http://mynintendonews.com/2012/01/05/3d-classics-kid-icarus-free-download-codes-are-being-sent-out-from-nintendo/|archive-date=October 1, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> in Australia, it was available to users who registered any two of a selection of Nintendo 3DS games on Club Nintendo between November 1, 2011, and March 31, 2012,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ly|first1=Hang-Veng|title=Club Nintendo Australia Offers 3D Classic: Kid Icarus For Free… with Purchase|url=http://www.esperino.com/club-nintendo-australia-offers-3d-classic-kid-icarus-for-free-with-purchase|website=Esperino.com|access-date=January 27, 2015|date=January 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125011353/http://www.esperino.com/club-nintendo-australia-offers-3d-classic-kid-icarus-for-free-with-purchase|archive-date=January 25, 2012|url-status=usurped}}</ref> with the first batch of emails with codes being sent out in January 2012.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}} In North America, download codes for the ''3D Classics'' version were given to customers who pre-ordered ''[[Kid Icarus: Uprising]]'' at select retailers when they picked up the game,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fletcher|first1=JC|title=3D Classics Kid Icarus is a pre-order bonus for Uprising|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/3d-classics-kid-icarus-is-a-pre-order-bonus-for-uprising/|website=Joystiq.com|access-date=January 27, 2015|date=January 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128182624/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/3d-classics-kid-icarus-is-a-pre-order-bonus-for-uprising/|archive-date=January 28, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> which was released on March 23, 2012,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Newton|first1=James|title=Kid Icarus: Uprising Out in North America on 23rd March|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2011/12/kid_icarus_uprising_out_in_north_america_on_23rd_march|website=Nintendo Life|access-date=January 27, 2015|date=December 14, 2011|archive-date=September 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926192528/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2011/12/kid_icarus_uprising_out_in_north_america_on_23rd_march|url-status=live}}</ref> allowing them to obtain the game early.

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| GSpot = 5.1<ref name="gamespotreview"/>
| IGN = 7.0<ref name="ignnesreview"/>
| ONM = 68%<ref name="nmsgi"/>
}}
By late 2003, 1.76 million copies of ''Kid Icarus'' had been sold worldwide, with a [[cult following]].<ref name="ignnesreview"/><ref>{{cite magazine| magazine=2004 CESA Games White Paper |date=December 31, 2003|title=Kid Icarus|pages=58–63|publisher=[[Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association]]}}</ref> It received mixed reviews from critics over the years. In October 1992, a staff writer of the UK publication ''[[Official Nintendo Magazine|Nintendo Magazine System]]'' said that it was "pretty good fun", but did not "compare too well" to other platform games, due in part to its "rather dated" graphics.<ref name="nmsgi">{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Official Nintendo Magazine|Nintendo Magazine System]]|title=8-Bit NES Game Index|page=106|issue=1 |date=October 1992|publisher=[[EMAP|EMAP Images Limited]]}}</ref> ''[[Retro Gamer]]'' magazine's Stuart Hunt called it an "unsung hero of the NES" that "looks and sounds pretty". He described the music as "sublime", and the enemy characters as "brilliantly drawn". Although he considered the blend of gameplay elements from different [[Video game genres|genres]] a success, he said that it suffered from "frustrating" design flaws, such as its [[Nintendo hard|high difficulty level]].<ref>{{cite magazine| magazine=[[Retro Gamer]]|title=Retro Revival – Kid Icarus: Almost the Pits|pages=88–90|author=Hunt, Stuart|issue=51|date=May 22, 2008|publisher=[[Imagine Publishing Ltd.]]}}</ref> Jeremy Parish of ''[[1Up.com]]'' disagreed with the game's status as an "unfairly forgotten masterpiece" among its substantial Internet following. He found it to be "underwhelming", "[[Software bug|buggy]]", and "pretty annoying", because of "shrill music, loose controls, and some weird design decisions". He said that the game was "[not] terrible, or even bad – just a little lacking". He recommended players to buy the Virtual Console version, if only because it allowed them to experience ''Kid Icarus'' "with a fresh perspective".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/news/retro-roundup-nestravaganza |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713070604/http://www.1up.com/news/retro-roundup-nestravaganza |archive-date=July 13, 2012 |url-status=dead |title=Retro Roundup 2/15: Kirby, Kid Icarus and Paperboy |author=Parish, Jeremy |date=February 15, 2007 |work=[[1UP.com]] |publisher=[[UGO Entertainment, Inc]] |access-date=July 6, 2011}}</ref>

''[[GameSpot]]''{{'}}s Frank Provo reviewed the Virtual Console version. He noted that the gameplay was "[not] the most unique blueprint for a video game", but that it had been "fairly fresh back in 1987". He considered the difficulty "excessive", and found certain areas to be designed to frustrate players. He said that the presentation had not aged well. Though favoring the Grecian scenery, he criticized the graphics for the small, bicolored, and barely animated sprites, the black backgrounds, and the absence of [[Parallax scrolling|multiple scrolling layers]]. He said the music was "nicely composed", but the sound effects were "all taps and thuds". He was dissatisfied with the [[Video game console emulator|emulation]], because the Virtual Console release preserves the slowdown problems of the NES, and removed its cheat codes. He warned potential buyers that they might appreciate ''Kid Icarus'' for its "straightforward gameplay and challenging level layouts", but might "find nothing special in the gameplay and recoil in horror at the unflinching difficulty".<ref name="gamespotreview">{{cite web | url= http://gamespot.com/wii/action/kidicarusnes/review.html | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090224003402/http://gamespot.com/wii/action/kidicarusnes/review.html | archive-date=February 24, 2009 | url-status=live | title=Kid Icarus Wii Review | date=February 16, 2007 | last=Provo | first=Frank | work=[[GameSpot]] | publisher=[[CBS Interactive Inc]] | access-date=April 7, 2010}}</ref> Lucas M. Thomas of ''[[IGN]]'' noted that the game design was "odd" and "not Nintendo's most focused". He said it had "[not] aged in as timeless a manner as many other first-party Nintendo games from the NES era", and described it as "one of those games that made a lot more sense back in the '80s, accompanied by a tips and tricks strategy sheet". He complimented the theme music, which he considered heroic and memorable.<ref name="ignnesreview">{{cite web |url=http://retro.ign.com/articles/884/884530p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703145241/http://retro.ign.com/articles/884/884530p1.html |archive-date=July 3, 2011 |url-status=dead |title=Kid Icarus Review |date=March 6, 2007 |author=Thomas, Lucas M. |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment |access-date=June 26, 2011}}</ref> In his review of the Virtual Console release, Thomas criticized the removal of cheat codes as "nonsensical". He found it to be "not an issue worthy of a prolonged rant", but said that "[Nintendo has] willfully edited its product, and damaged its nostalgic value in the process".<ref name="ignvcreview"/>

''Kid Icarus'' is ''IGN''{{'}}s 20th of the top 100 NES games and 84th of the top 100 games of all time.<ref name=igntop100nes>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/top-100-nes-games/20.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703072645/http://www.ign.com/top-100-nes-games/20.html |archive-date=July 3, 2011 |url-status=live |title=Top 100 NES Games – 20. Kid Icarus |date=October 2009 |last=Buchanan |first=Levi |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment|access-date=February 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://top100.ign.com/2003/81-90.html#84 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090120194002/http://top100.ign.com/2003/81-90.html#84 |archive-date=January 20, 2009 |url-status=dead |title=IGN's Top 100 Games of All Time: 81–90 |date=May 2003 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment |access-date=May 24, 2006 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> It is 34th on ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]''{{'}}s 1997 "100 Best Games of All Time", which said it "was one of the first big NES games to show that the system went way beyond offering the single-screen arcade-style experience".<ref name=EGM100/> In 2001 ''[[Game Informer]]'' ranked it the 83rd best game ever made. They claimed that despite its high level of difficulty and frustration, it was fun enough to be worth playing.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Game Informer's Top 100 Games Of All Time (Circa Issue 100) |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/11/16/game-informer-s-top-100-games-of-all-time-circa-issue-100.aspx |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |last=Cork |first=Jeff |date=November 16, 2009 |access-date=December 2, 2013 |archive-date=January 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119181519/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/11/16/game-informer-s-top-100-games-of-all-time-circa-issue-100.aspx |url-status=live}}</ref> The game was inducted into ''[[GameSpy]]''{{'}}s "Hall of Fame", and was voted 54th place in ''[[Nintendo Power]]''{{'}}s top 200 Nintendo games.<ref name="gamespy">{{cite web|url=http://gamespy.com/articles/488/488733p1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090506225922/http://gamespy.com/articles/488/488733p1.html|archive-date=May 6, 2009|url-status=dead|title=Hall of Fame: Kid Icarus|date=September 14, 2003|author=Cassidy, William|work=[[GameSpy]]|publisher=[[IGN|IGN Entertainment, Inc]]|access-date=May 24, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Nintendo Power]]|title=NP Top 200|issue=200|pages=58–66|date=February 2006|publisher=[[Nintendo]]}}</ref> ''Nintendo Power'' also listed it as the 20th best NES video game, and praised it for its "unique vertically scrolling stages, fun platforming, and infectious 8-bit tunes", but with "unmerciful difficulty".<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Nintendo Power]]|title=Top 20 Games For Each Nintendo System|date=August 2008|issue=231|page=71 |publisher=[[Future Publishing Limited]]}}</ref> ''[[Official Nintendo Magazine]]'' placed the game 67th on a list of greatest Nintendo games.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=7188 |title=100-81 ONM |magazine=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]] |access-date=September 9, 2022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223134327/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=7188 |archive-date=February 23, 2009}}</ref>

==Legacy==
===Sequels===
A [[Game Boy]] sequel to ''Kid Icarus'', titled ''[[Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters]]'', was released in North America in November 1991, and in Europe on May 21, 1992.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/gameslist/manuals/completeoldgameslist.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101221005937/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/gameslist/manuals/completeoldgameslist.pdf |archive-date=December 21, 2010 |url-status=dead |title=Classic System Games: Complete List |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |access-date=July 5, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071024182928/http://www.nintendo.fi/?file=73 |archive-date=October 24, 2007|title=Game Boy Pelilista|language=fi|publisher=[[Nintendo of Europe]]; Amo Oy|url=http://www.nintendo.fi/?file=73}}</ref> It was developed by [[Nintendo]] and [[Tose (company)|Tose]], and largely adopts the gameplay mechanics of its predecessor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.creators-station.jp/interview2/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919073649/http://www.creators-station.jp/interview2/index.html |archive-date=September 19, 2011 |url-status=dead |title=Interview Series 2 – 戦場よりIを込めて |work=Creators Station |publisher=Fellows |access-date=June 25, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite video |title=Retronauts Episode 96 |url=http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/podcast.the1upnetwork.com/flat/Retronauts/R071710.mp3 |format=mp3 |people=Parish, Jeremy; Barnholt, Ray; Cifaldi, Frank; Kohler, Chris |date=July 17, 2010 |time=75:20 |publisher=[[UGO Entertainment, Inc]]; Podtrac, Inc. |access-date=July 6, 2011}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> ''Of Myths and Monsters'' remained the last installment in the series for over 20 years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5585249/the-new-kid-icarus-may-explore-another-dimension-multiplayer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100715065549/http://kotaku.com/5585249/the-new-kid-icarus-may-explore-another-dimension-multiplayer |archive-date=July 15, 2010 |url-status=live |title=The New Kid Icarus May Explore Another Dimension: Multiplayer |date=July 12, 2010 |author=McWhertor, Michael |work=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[Gawker Media]] |access-date=July 5, 2011}}</ref>

In 2008, a 3D ''Kid Icarus'' game for the [[Wii]] was allegedly in development by the German American studio [[Factor 5]],<ref name="ignkiwii">{{cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/935/935460p1.html |title=Reboot: Kid Icarus Wii |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522022950/http://wii.ign.com/articles/935/935460p1.html |archive-date=May 22, 2009 |url-status=dead |date=December 3, 2008 |author=Casamassina, Matt |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment |access-date=July 5, 2011 |author-link=Matt Casamassina}}</ref> but was in production without the approval of Nintendo, and Factor 5 canceled multiple projects following the closure of its American branch in early 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://games.ign.com/articles/995/995409p2.html |title=Life Support: Games in Danger |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808003442/http://games.ign.com/articles/995/995409p2.html |archive-date=August 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |date=March 30, 2011 |author=Geddes, Ryan |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment|access-date=July 5, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/982/982870p1.html |title=Factor 5 Shuts Down |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090517075535/http://wii.ign.com/articles/982/982870p1.html |archive-date=May 17, 2009 |url-status=dead |date=May 14, 2009 |author=Casamassina, Matt |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment|access-date=July 5, 2011 |author-link=Matt Casamassina}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.factor5.de/index.php?page=chome |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719002753/http://www.factor5.de/index.php?page=chome |archive-date=July 19, 2011 |url-status=live |title=History |publisher=[[Factor 5|Factor 5 GmbH]] |access-date=July 5, 2011}}</ref> In a 2010 interview, [[Yoshio Sakamoto]] was asked about a ''Kid Icarus'' game for the Wii, to which he replied that he was not aware of any plans to revive the franchise.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5491419/nintendo-would-happily-make-kid-icarus-wii |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815084318/http://kotaku.com/5491419/nintendo-would-happily-make-kid-icarus-wii |archive-date=August 15, 2011 |url-status=live |title=Nintendo Would "Happily" Make Kid Icarus Wii |date=March 11, 2010 |author=Crecente, Brian |work=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[Gawker Media]] |access-date=July 6, 2011 |author-link=Brian Crecente}}</ref> A new series entry for the [[Nintendo 3DS]], ''[[Kid Icarus: Uprising]]'', was eventually released in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/06/16/project_sora_kid_icarus/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110108184515/http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/06/16/project_sora_kid_icarus/ |archive-date=January 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |title=Project Sora Brings Kid Icarus to 3DS |author=Gantayat, Anoop |date=June 16, 2010 |publisher=Andriasang |access-date=July 6, 2011}}</ref> The game is a [[third-person shooter]], and was developed by [[Project Sora]], the company of ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' designer [[Masahiro Sakurai]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/news/making-kid-icarus-uprising |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211192445/http://www.1up.com/news/making-kid-icarus-uprising |archive-date=February 11, 2012 |url-status=dead |title=More on The Making of Kid Icarus: Uprising |date=July 14, 2010 |author=Gifford, Kevin |work=[[1UP.com]] |publisher=[[UGO Entertainment, Inc]] |access-date=July 6, 2011}}</ref>

===Other appearances===
Pit is a recurring character named "Kid Icarus" in the American animated television series ''[[Captain N: The Game Master]]'', and made [[cameo appearance]]s in Nintendo games such as ''[[Tetris (NES video game)|Tetris]]'', ''[[F-1 Race]]'', and the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/114/1146239p1.html |title=You Don't Know Kid Icarus |date=January 26, 2011 |author=Thomas, Lucas M. |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment|access-date=July 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110705183311/http://wii.ign.com/articles/114/1146239p1.html |archive-date=July 5, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |title=Memorial to Captain N: Kid Icarus |date=June 2008 |author=Reiley, Sean Patrick |page=91 |issue=229 |publisher=[[Ziff Davis Media Inc.]]|author-link=Seanbaby}}</ref><ref name="ignkiwii" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/709/709266p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410141807/http://wii.ign.com/articles/709/709266p1.html |archive-date=April 10, 2009 |url-status=dead |title=Smash Bros. Profile: Pit |date=May 18, 2006 |author=Casamassina, Matt |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment|access-date=July 5, 2011 |author-link=Matt Casamassina}}</ref>

In May 2011, independent developer Flip Industries released ''Super Kid Icarus'', an unofficial [[Adobe Flash|Flash]] game with a SNES style.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.flipindustries.tk/games/superkidicarus/ |title=Super Kid Icarus |date=May 2011 |author=Flip Industries |access-date=March 25, 2016 |archive-date=May 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512193105/http://flipindustries.tk/games/superkidicarus/ |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/fan-made-super-kid-icarus-imagines-pit-snes/ |title=Fan-made Super Kid Icarus imagines Pit on SNES |date=June 23, 2012 |last=Goulter |first=Tom |work=[[GamesRadar]] |access-date=December 3, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019081509/http://www.gamesradar.com/fan-made-super-kid-icarus-imagines-pit-snes/ |archive-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref>

In ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]'', [[Mario]] is seen playing ''Kid Icarus'' in his room shortly after an argument with his family.

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal bar|Video games|1980s}}
* {{MobyGames|id=/kid-icarus}}
* [https://www.nintendo.com/jp/famicom/software/fmc-ptm/index.html ''Kid Icarus''] on the [[Famicom]] 40th Anniversary page {{in lang|ja}}

{{Kid Icarus}}
{{Nintendo franchises}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Kid Icarus]]
[[Category:1986 video games]]
[[Category:Famicom Disk System games]]
[[Category:Game Boy Advance games]]
[[Category:Nintendo 3DS eShop games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Research & Development 1 games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Classics games]]
[[Category:Side-scrolling platformers]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Video games about angels]]
[[Category:Video games about shapeshifting]]
[[Category:Video games designed by Yoshio Sakamoto]]
[[Category:Video games directed by Satoru Okada]]
[[Category:Video games produced by Gunpei Yokoi]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Hirokazu Tanaka]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Wii]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Wii U]]