Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters Game by Nintendo Reviewed by Adrock gbcam@hotmail.com Size: 512 kilobits Save: Battery, 1 slot Released: 1991 Works with: Any Game Boy **************************************************************************** Opening Snide Remarks: When I originally bought this game, at about age 8, I had to trade it off. The play was overly challenging and hard to catch on to. Now that I come back to it about 6 years later, it all makes sense. This is a good game for fans of Zelda and Metroid, because it has elements of both. **************************************************************************** Gameplay Descripion: Remember Captain N? This is that little angel guy that was always following him around. His name is Pit. He must retrieve three sacred treasures from the Greek-esque Angel Land. I've never played the NES game, but it must be somewhat based on that game. (The NES game was called simply Kid Icarus.) Suprisingly, this game uses a 1 slot battery instead of a password. The NES version used passwords (I read up on it), and the original Metroid did too. But this game has improvised on that standard. Play is similar to Metroid, but there are elements of Zelda shining through, like an item shop, bats, rooms with people giving you one-sentence advice (exp. Zelda 1) and hearts (in this game they are money.) You can go left and right in the stage but you'll always end up where you came from... The main idea is to go up. You may need to move left and right to get to some of the platforms and doors. Evenutually you will reach the exit, and you can save. You are allowed to save at the end of each level only. The doors lead to sub-rooms that may reveal treasure rooms, shops, advice rooms, rooms full of bats (booby-trap rooms), or the way out of the level. An unsung classic. Maybe flying around in a toga with a bow and arrow isn't most player's idea of a fun game. People judge a title by it's cover, and Nintendo knows that. Kids see a game with a gold box and a sword (Zelda), and they rush to get it. They see a game with a gross alien and a heavily-armored hero (Metroid), and they reserve it post-haste. But they see a little angel guy that looks like the remains of a college frat-party, and they glance over it. That's why I think this game didn't sell that well. Liked: An awesome game from Nintendo with a little bit of everything for everyone. Hated: You probably won't find it, because it didn't sell that well. Look in used games stores, and your friends' collections (where I found mine for the 2nd time.) Too bad there wasn't too much appeal to gamers on the box. **************************************************************************** Graphics Description: The graphics look OK. Cool looking enemies. The intro screen will remind you so much of Zelda 1 it's scary. Nice detail. Liked: Good detail and enemies. Hated: It's a first-gen game. It's not eye-popping or anything. **************************************************************************** Sound/Music Description: The songs weren't awe-inspiring, but they were fit. I thought maybe that they could of been a little darker to set the mood. But hey, this is Angel Land. The sound FX take a lot of stuff from the NES Zelda games. Liked: Music is fitting. Hated: What a happy tune to hear while I get whacked upside the head by a flying human skull! Super! La dee dah dee dah! **************************************************************************** Play Control/Game Design: It feels like they took the Metroid engine and just changed the look of all the characters. It plays very much like Metroid, and it's almost scary. Liked: OK controls like Metroid 1. Hated: Some jumps are tough. **************************************************************************** Improve: Get a new advertising campaign. Kid Icarus DX? More battery slots, better level design, more options, and a more open enviromentfor play. RIYL: Metroid, Metroid 2, Zelda. **************************************************************************** Final Words: If you find this game, good for you. Buy it. Get used to the feel of the game before you let go of it. You will find that it is a game that Nintendo put a good amount of work into. If you can't find it, e-mail nintendo@nintendo.com and tell them to re-release it so you can get a chance to play it. **************************************************************************** Score Gameplay: **** Graphics: **** Sound/Music: *** Play Control/Game Design: **** Personal Opinion: **** Total: 19 out of 25 Final Score: %76 **************************************************************************** Currently Known Codes: None.