Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters

Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters
Developer	Nintendo R&D1
Publisher	Nintendo
System	Game Boy, 3DS Virtual Console
Release Date	Game Boy US November 1991 EU May 21, 1992 3DS Virtual Console JP February 8, 2012
Gallery	GH Gallery

Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters is the sequel to the original Kid Icarus which was also the series' last game until its revival in the 2000s. The game was built off the Metroid II engine, similar to its predecessor working off of the Metroid engine. It was never released in Japan, even though the previous game had been, and the game itself was made in Japan. Like the Metroid series, the Kid Icarus series had enjoyed more popularity abroad than locally and was considered more of a cult hit.

Story

Long ago, in the days when Gods and Men lived in harmony, Palutena the leader of Angel Land summoned Pit to her palace. She had been having terrible dreams that foreboded the rise of the demon Orcos. This demon was so powerful that the soothsayer who spoke of it was stricken silent just by saying it.

In order to combat this demon, Palutena and Pit devised a mission that would prepare Pit to wear the Three Sacred Treasures necessary to defeat Orcos. He would start from the Underworld, pass through the Overworld, and continue up the Sky Palace until he had mastered all three treasures and conquered the fortress beasts that held them.

Gameplay

Due to being built on the Metroid II engine, the game feature similar gameplay. Because of this, both were the first in their respective series to feature battery saves in place of the old password system. In light of this, Kid Icarus II lacked the variety of game-enhancing passwords that the first game did.

As Pit progresses through the game, he is able to increase his power by defeating enemies and seeking out the god, Zeus. Through Zeus he can try and survive a flurry of Monoliths and earn three special tools that will increase his fighting prowess. He can also earn from Zeus arrows that will increase his power and life blocks, both of these depending on how many enemies he has slayed.

He can also shop at various stores to purchase items to help in his quest, such as chalices for health or the essential barrel to hold multiple chalices. If his special weapons are stolen, he can also buy them back at the Black Market, even if he has to put them on a Credit Card.

Legacy

The Kid Icarus series went twenty years without a sequel following this game's release, and the existence of this game was mostly glossed over during Icarus references in other games (such as WarioWare: Twisted!, which jokes about Kid Icarus having no sequels). However the changes in Pit's design in Myths and Monsters (the addition of laurels in his hair and blue eyes) were incorporated into his Super Smash Bros. Brawl appearance, although aside from that Myths and Monsters was ignored in Brawl''s trophy descriptions.

Ports and Remakes

• In 2012, it was released for download over the 3DS Virtual Console. It was released in Japan, which marked the first time the game was officially available there.

Sequels

Kid Icarus: Uprising was developed for release on the 3DS twenty years after Of Myths and Monsters was released. This game features a new gameplay style in addition to the 3D graphics.