This year looks promising for Nintendo, particularly for the Metroid franchise. With the recent unveiling of the much-anticipated Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, alongside the anticipated launch of the Switch 2 in 2025, the momentum for Nintendo has never been stronger. However, amidst this excitement, another iconic series that deserves recognition is Kid Icarus.
Kid Icarus shares a unique connection with the Metroid franchise, especially considering their roles in establishing Nintendo’s foothold in the Western gaming market during the third generation of consoles. Both franchises originated on the Famicom Disk System, serving as pioneering titles that demonstrated new technological capabilities, eventually transitioning to the NES in North America. The legacy of Kid Icarus is evident, notably with its impact on both the NES and 3DS platforms. Despite its historical significance, it’s surprising that Nintendo has not revisited this beloved franchise—now could be the ideal moment for a resurgence.
Kid Icarus: Uprising Is a Cult Classic Deserving of a Sequel
Originally released in 1987, Kid Icarus marked a significant advancement in action platformers, benefiting from technological strides similarly to other Nintendo classics such as Metroid and The Legend of Zelda. After the franchise’s debut on the Famicom Disk System, a sequel titled Of Myths and Monsters was released exclusively for the Game Boy in 1991. However, it wasn’t until the release of Kid Icarus: Uprising in 2012 that fans finally received the fully-fledged sequel they had long awaited. Despite its success, a follow-up has yet to materialize.
Kid Icarus: Uprising has earned a dedicated fanbase and holds the esteemed title of being the 19th game ever to receive a perfect score of 40/40 from the esteemed Japanese publication Famitsu. Its contributions to cementing the 3DS’s success, alongside titles like Fire Emblem: Awakening, resulted in impressive sales figures, with over a million copies flying off the shelves shortly after launch. Given its role in bolstering Nintendo’s reputation in the 2010s and the caliber of its development team—including renowned director Masahiro Sakurai and composer Yasunori Mitsuda—a sequel to Kid Icarus: Uprising is long overdue.
Pit’s Enduring Popularity Lays the Groundwork for a Series Revival
Masahiro Sakurai’s commitment to incorporating Pit in every Smash Bros. installment highlights the character’s significance to Nintendo’s portfolio. His involvement in the creation of Kid Icarus: Uprising has significantly influenced subsequent Smash Bros. games, marking Uprising as an important aspect of the 3DS library. While not the most frequently chosen character in Smash Bros. Ultimate, Pit’s consistent representation showcases his enduring popularity, indicating a viability for a standalone game.
As anticipation builds for the Switch 2’s 2025 launch, Nintendo stands on the cusp of an incredibly promising year. The assurance of backward compatibility means thousands of existing Switch titles will be available on the new system at launch, coupled with the introduction of fresh, original IPs. Therefore, with its extended absence from the gaming scene, Kid Icarus has a prime opportunity to capitalize on Nintendo’s revitalized momentum.
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