Kid Icarus - A Game That Doesn't Feel Real | NES & FDS (1986)

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  • Опубліковано 4 чер 2024
  • Retro Odyssey ep.016
    An IN-DEPTH review, analysis, and retrospective of Kid Icarus for the Nintendo Entertainment System and the Famicom Disk System.
    Kid Icarus's Japanese Name:
    (光神話 パルテナの鏡) Hikari Shinwa: Parutena no Kagami; "Light Myth: Palutena's Mirror")
    This is an exhaustive look at a game that if not for Smash Bros seems lost to time. In this video I'll cover everything in the game, the structure of the game, my personal experience, and how I feel it stacks up to its contemporaries from the context of a first-time player who didn't grow up with an NES.
    This one was particularly taxing to produce, but I really hope you enjoy it! 💗
    I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
    ---------------------------------
    ~ Kid Icarus: Angel Land Story ~
    ---------------------------------
    Title: Kid Icarus
    (Hikari Shinwa: Parutena no Kagami)
    ("Light Myth: Palutena's Mirror")
    Platform(s): Famicom Disk System, NES
    Release Date(s):
    JP: December 19th, 1986
    Europe: February 15th, 1987
    North America: July 1987
    Developer: Nintendo Research & Development 1
    Publisher: Nintendo
    Director: Satoru Okada
    Producer: Gunpei Yokoi
    Designers: Toru Osawa (Solo?), Yoshio Sakamoto
    Artists: Toru OsawaComposer: Hirokazu Tanaka
    Genre: Platformer / Action Adventure / Shooter
    ~ note: all gameplay footage for 𝑹𝒆𝒕𝒓𝒐 𝑶𝒅𝒚𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒚 is recorded using original hardware ~
    LINKS
    Music: outmind.bandcamp.com/
    Video About Development History I Mentioned: • How was Kid Icarus cre...
    Timestamps:
    0:00 - introduction
    1:03 - overview
    13:22 - items
    17:03 - enemies
    20:33 - stages & my experience
    30:17 - final thoughts
    Next up: Layla (レイラ)
    ~ if you would like to support the show: ko-fi.com/hprshredder/ ~
    #KidIcarus #NES #Nintendo
  • Ігри

КОМЕНТАРІ • 170

  • @Sakeenster
    @Sakeenster 2 роки тому +33

    “Awwww you poor guy. You really need to make some friends!” 😂 Palutena is such a savage

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  2 роки тому +11

      Some big Princess Bubblegum / Finn the Human vibes. I like Palutena more than PB though. PB is evil.

    • @Sakeenster
      @Sakeenster 2 роки тому +5

      Muchhh agreed ☺️

  • @tracyndiyob162
    @tracyndiyob162 2 роки тому +4

    happy 10th anniversary kid icarus uprising!!! :3

  • @RetroZoltan
    @RetroZoltan 2 роки тому +8

    Oddly enough I just had collections call me because I still owe hearts on my KI credit card.

  • @TheUnapologeticGeek
    @TheUnapologeticGeek Рік тому +4

    I remember when I first played this game. I found it so frustratingly obtuse and absurdly hard in the opening levels that I almost gave up on it, but when I got the hang of things and made it to the end, I felt like I was turning into a god! It’s a shame it never took off as a franchise like Metroid or Zelda.

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  Рік тому +4

      It feels a lot different than most of the other Nintendo published titles -- that is for sure. It took me a while to get the hang of things, too. But once it clicks it is a satisfying game to overcome.

  • @give_me_my_nick_back
    @give_me_my_nick_back Рік тому +15

    wow you deserve at least 10 or 100 times the subscribers you got with this high quality production

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  Рік тому +3

      Thank you so much, man, I really appreciate that.

  • @lostconciousness4255
    @lostconciousness4255 2 роки тому +5

    Kid Icarus was my fav NES game...the music is always what brings me back to it

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  2 роки тому +2

      It is haunting. Over a month later and I still catch myself humming the underworld theme.

    • @NesNyt
      @NesNyt Рік тому +1

      If I ever forgot kid Icarus' music, I'm obviously dead but that made life complete knowing I've experienced it

  • @GameDevJourney
    @GameDevJourney Рік тому +4

    How am I only finding this channel now? It is awesome, keep up the amazing work. Easter egg of Kid Icarus in the New Super Mario Movie too...

  • @Rockstago
    @Rockstago Рік тому +11

    - Just discovered your channel, I really like it. You really capture the feeling & experience of these old games, especially given the fact you didn't grow up playing these games like old people like me did. Keep these video's coming!

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  Рік тому +3

      Happy that you found it and that you get it! There are certainly more on the way. Zelda II is the next project I'm working on, and I was just wrapping up the NES version (I started with the FDS version). Thanks for the comment, I appreciate it.

  • @909crime
    @909crime Рік тому +7

    The mysterious-ness of this game is almost surreal, i love it so much

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  Рік тому +2

      Me too! I like remembering my time with it

    • @quadpad_music
      @quadpad_music Рік тому +2

      mysterious-nes *cues Sienfeld theme*

  • @LezardDesu
    @LezardDesu 2 роки тому +26

    These videos are always so well put together and fun to watch. Thank you so much for continuing to create them.

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  2 роки тому +6

      Thanks for continuing to watch. 🙂

  • @DannyDeVoid
    @DannyDeVoid 2 роки тому +14

    The original Black Box games were so simple yet fun! Compared to the later more complex titles (Mario 3, Ninja Gaiden etc) they almost feel like they are a gen behind, not that that's a bad thing it's just amazing how far developers have come on the same system.
    Awesome video btw, this one turned out nice 👏🏻

    • @itsasecrettoeverybody
      @itsasecrettoeverybody 2 роки тому +1

      It is almost kind of unfair to say it is the same system, yes it is the same system, but they used all sort of extra chips and mappers on the cartridge to allow this leap in development.

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  2 роки тому +4

      It is such a crazy system in terms of advancements and diversity of gameplay & genres. It is such a blast to finally experience these games for the first time. I’m stoked to continue seeing how they improve. This is my last 1986 title I believe. It’s on to 1987 after this.

    • @UMAMIMAMU
      @UMAMIMAMU 3 місяці тому +1

      Black box NES games are a *way* *of* *life* . (100% serious)

  • @thatguy1860
    @thatguy1860 Рік тому +5

    Top 3 nes along with the 2 zeldas. Never understood why it didn't get more attention.

    • @StrokedGT
      @StrokedGT 9 місяців тому +1

      Castlevania enters the chat.

  • @tokugawa7
    @tokugawa7 2 роки тому +12

    Best retro video game channel on UA-cam. Your reviews are excellent.

    • @tokugawa7
      @tokugawa7 2 роки тому +3

      Wow! Watched to the very end and kinda got pumped you thanked me lol. Love your videos. Recently got a cart of castlevania that I'm playing (all thanks to you). Hope you've been well and take care ~

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  2 роки тому +1

      I’m glad you’re still enjoying them! I felt bad you just barely missed the Zelda Game & Watch giveaway. But I like to say thank you to the people who keep coming back to watch more. I’ve been thinking about playing some Castlevania this weekend as well! I really can’t wait to play Simon’s Quest for the first time next season.

  • @RetroSho
    @RetroSho 2 роки тому +11

    Bro, these videos are amazing. Keep going! I completely understand how you feel on the "inverted curve" when it comes to UA-cam. 😂
    Kid Icarus is such a damn bizzare game for real. So much going on and it's all over the place. It's still crazy to imagine kids of 5-10 really grinded at this and beat it to completion.

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  2 роки тому +3

      Thank you, man. I really appreciate that. It really is difficult when you put so much effort into something and you want it to succeed but you kind of know UA-cam won’t be doing you any favors - so you consider promoting yourself, but then wonder if you’re somehow preventing UA-cam from doing it by doing that 🙃
      But it is a very strange game. And when looking up info I realized there was very little on UA-cam at least that really went into all of the mechanics. Sometimes I wonder if I should skip going over all the items and enemies; but I chapter the videos so people can skip through if they want to so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

  • @KristopherBaker
    @KristopherBaker 2 роки тому +7

    ICARUS FIGHTS MEDUSA ANGELS - Never Forget

  • @GoldenfoxxPrime
    @GoldenfoxxPrime 3 місяці тому +1

    Kid Icarus is one of my favorite NES games. I played through it over a three day period during AEA (back when spring break was just the teachers needing to go to conferences and get away from we noisy-ass kids for a week) in what I guess was '88. The music is pure nostalgia, especially the Underworld theme. To be fair, we needed the Fun Club Magazine to know what the hell was going on in those treasure rooms at that age, and the Credit Card was the best item in the game if you didn't know there was a hidden points system. I do remember it clicking the the more enemies I killed, the likelier it was a power up guy would show up toward the end of the level (though, the choice to put one of those rooms right at the start of the first level has baffled me for decades now). I've always felt it's a damn shame that Mario, Zelda, and Metroid get all these sequels, while poor Pit just seems to languish for no reason.
    Personally, I liked the labyrinths. After three stages of samey gameplay-ESPECIALLY early on, after the Underworld-having a switch-up of of both gameplay style and purpose was a welcome change. Could've been even MORE welcome if the non-dungeon stages were timed or something (and something about them, I just feel like they SHOULD be timed). But I always felt a sense of relief when I hit them. Like, an I-just-got-through-with-finals-and-now-I've-got-all-summer kind of relief. ... ...the Eggplant Wizards can fuck all the way off, though. Their friendship with King Hippo means nothing to me.

  • @ChohatsuSensei
    @ChohatsuSensei 2 роки тому +3

    I like the fact you list “haggling” as a gameplay feature :P

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  2 роки тому +1

      It feels worth mentioning as it’s a unique feature I hadn’t seen in any other NES title ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

  • @BelerenJace
    @BelerenJace 2 роки тому +3

    Mas, I discovered your channel today. I always miss channels that talk about retro games in a passionate and personal way. Super awesome

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  2 роки тому +2

      Glad you enjoyed it! Got a new video cooking that will hopefully be ready by Monday.

    • @BelerenJace
      @BelerenJace 2 роки тому +1

      @@HPRshredder I will definitely check it out and follow your channel ^_^

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  2 роки тому +1

      @@BelerenJace Thanks! I appreciate that!

  • @mr.g4990
    @mr.g4990 2 роки тому +5

    In-depth reviews like this are the ones I look for the most. I've seen dozens of hasty reviews and those oh-so-fashionable ratings where the tuber clearly played 5 minutes at most and feels entitled to slap his judgement for all to swallow. Looking at you, **** *****. This is especially true for retro games, and very clear to see if you know them well.
    Happy to say it doesn't happen here. Thanks for the review and for the mention.

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  2 роки тому +2

      I definitely take my time with them & I'm glad you keep coming back! I'd like to get more content out faster, but I definitely never want to be "hasty" lol

  • @itsasecrettoeverybody
    @itsasecrettoeverybody 2 роки тому +5

    By the way, I don't know if you tried something different but the parts with the triniton monitor felt even better this time. They bring me back to the 80s every time. The background colors variations are very pretty too, you didn't start it with this video, but you did some sort of effect on the colors this time, some sort of oversaturation that bled/reflected over the table that was very pretty.

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  2 роки тому +2

      I’ve been trying to get some shots extra close up with the camera lens and also playing with different colors and getting just more footage of it in general. It’s a unique aspect of the channel I think, and I like to lean into it.

    • @itsasecrettoeverybody
      @itsasecrettoeverybody 2 роки тому +1

      ​@@HPRshredder it is a very special detail that really makes a lot of difference.

  • @ZefTillDeath8878
    @ZefTillDeath8878 2 місяці тому +2

    This game was so close to being a timeless classic, leading to many more games in the franchise, but some things about it were just too frustrating to deal with it for me. It's probably the music that keeps my interest in this game after all these years.

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  2 місяці тому +1

      The music does have a special quality to it. Some haunting tracks.

  • @itsasecrettoeverybody
    @itsasecrettoeverybody 2 роки тому +4

    Only now I noticed I'm on the special thanks

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  2 роки тому +1

      Don’t worry, David! You’ve actually been in the past few special thanks. I know you’re a supporter. Those people didn’t give me money I just like to recognize the people who seem to get enjoyment out of these. 🙂

    • @itsasecrettoeverybody
      @itsasecrettoeverybody 2 роки тому +1

      ​@@HPRshredder ​I know, after I noticed, I got back and watched the older videos again. I became part of the history of the show

  • @bigdeagle1331
    @bigdeagle1331 5 місяців тому +1

    Back in 1987 this game and “Metroid “ were so different! I fell In Love with above said game!

  • @jssandler
    @jssandler 2 місяці тому +1

    Kid Icarus remains one of my favorite NES games. The graphics and sound aesthetics and the somewhat linear simplicity is a plus for me. Sort of like a Japanese tea ceremony, it doesn't try to do too much. And yet there's a feeling of exploring an abandoned mythical Greek environment - certainly not to the level of detail that today's games could achieve, but in a comical 8-bit self contained world, it works at some subconscious level. or maybe it's just because I was a kid myself when I first played it.

  • @WhiteInk47
    @WhiteInk47 Рік тому +5

    Dude, I’ve been binging your videos after being recommended the Metroid one, and I just thought to look at your views.
    Oh my god your channel is underrated. Your production and entertainment value with these videos is nuts, you deserve a lot more attention. I just assumed the views were fairly high given how good these are

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  Рік тому +3

      Thank you! I appreciate it. I'm pretty set on continuing to make them so it's nice that a few of my videos have been getting some more impressions lately. Metroid in particular.

  • @thewingedavenger1007
    @thewingedavenger1007 2 роки тому +4

    Great video and review! It's interesting to hear what effect these games have on people who have no nostalgia for them.

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  2 роки тому +2

      Thank you! I have a lot of fun going through these games and seeing how I actually feel about them for myself. I'm glad you got some enjoyment out of it.

  • @TheCrawl
    @TheCrawl 2 роки тому +7

    What a weird, fascinating game! I'm glad you gave it the Retro Odyssey treatment, I knew so little about it before now, and that surprises me. I can see how this game would go on to influence or inform other adventure games and action RPGs, but I never hear it in those conversations. I gotta give it a try soon, seems right in line with the idiosyncratic NES/Famicom games like Zelda II and Castlevania II that I love.

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  2 роки тому +3

      Man, I cannot tell you how stoked I am to play both Zelda II and Final Fantasy II

  • @letrickyboy6552
    @letrickyboy6552 2 роки тому +5

    Great video, I like that you play both the NES and Famicom version to see the difference. And yeah Kid icarus is quite unique and worth trying.

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  2 роки тому +2

      I’m glad you appreciate that! There are lots of differences in this one; but the core gameplay is basically the same. Most of the time I play both versions because I enjoy it and also with these games you don’t always get a feel for everything just by beating it once.

  • @songsan807
    @songsan807 2 місяці тому +1

    Growing up the only few nes games we got were Super Mario 1, Tag Team wrestling, and Punch Out. My more richer cousin would come over once a month to bring a new game that his parents would buy for him.
    So one month he brough over Zelda 1. The next month Metroid. And the following month Kid Icarus. Every time he brings them over we would play the whole weekend to beat it. The first 2 levels of Kid Icarus is what makes many kids rage quit. After you master those 2 levels it is a very enjoyable game.

  • @TonyStarkCLC
    @TonyStarkCLC 8 місяців тому +2

    Kid Icarus is still one of My favorite games on the NES/FCDS. It's weird, mystical, cool, and takes from several genres. And it has an awesome OST courtesy of Hirokazu Tanaka, the NES METROID composer. And I love it's difficult, because i love a good challenge. Not for everyone, though. But I loved it.
    Unfortunately, once you unlock the best ending, there's little incentive to return to it, save for speedrunning.

  • @ChohatsuSensei
    @ChohatsuSensei 2 роки тому +3

    Funny enough, I was just coming from Malstrom’s site today, and he posted an email from you where you talk about playing Kid Icarus, though I think the timing could merely be a coincidence.
    He says the same you did, that the difficulty is backwards, the hardest levels are 1st, then it gets easier as you play. Also says this game is truly unique, and there really is no game like it, even today.

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  2 роки тому

      Thanks for tipping me off to that! I still don’t know who sent my Zelda video to him last year but it definitely helped to motivate me to keep going. I hadn’t heard of him before that but now I check his blog about every week - sometimes more.
      That is interesting we have similar takeaways! But I cannot agree on Castlevania. Maybe I’m still in the honeymoon phase but I could play that game right now and have an excellent time. I love the first Castlevania. But, I haven’t played any others yet, so I can’t say if they totally overshadow it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ my hunch would be that it still has a lot of value though.

  • @baseballMMAgames
    @baseballMMAgames 7 місяців тому +1

    Really enjoying these! Grew up with these games, playing them with my grandfather. Thanks for the nostalgia.

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  7 місяців тому

      Glad you've been enjoying them!

  • @CerealCommander
    @CerealCommander 2 роки тому +4

    30:02 "alot of fun in smash or to smash" - mario kart 64 introduction
    great review. this level of detail doesn't seem real...really in-depth and love the vid.

  • @Clery75019
    @Clery75019 2 місяці тому +1

    Reverse difficulty is, pretty weirdly, something satisfying. Once you start getting weapons and extended life, you feel like you earned it, that you achieved something. And ultimately in the end, you feel very powerful. It's pretty similar to what we can experience in Zelda games actually.

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  2 місяці тому +1

      You know, that's pretty true. A lot of games are most difficult while you're still getting your bearings. And getting over the hump and realizing you're now at a point where you can beat the game usually feels good.

  • @CaptainMangles
    @CaptainMangles 2 роки тому +4

    Another instant classic video.
    Seeing the best ending is one of the reasons why I'm working out, so I can get a smooch from a goddess babe.

  • @NesNyt
    @NesNyt Рік тому +4

    If "KI" never was made indont think my life would never be the same. Its legendary and mesmerizing. You work your balls off escaping prison to go up to the overworld and as it gets easier as you rise up you earn your wings kick Medusas ass(eye) and marry palutena. Thank you Toru Osawa you the man

  • @itsasecrettoeverybody
    @itsasecrettoeverybody 2 роки тому +4

    Finally! I even got an youtube notification this time!

  • @Retrogameplayer8000
    @Retrogameplayer8000 3 місяці тому +2

    Last level music is iconic. Instantly puts my mind to 1987

  • @ZbigniewKusnierz
    @ZbigniewKusnierz 2 роки тому +3

    Did not expect to see DS2 DLC in this video!
    I don't really have much experience with the game but I have to agree about how this feels like it contains the voice of one person - a single person driving the vision of the game. I'm actually surprised how many systems the game has, it's a bit overwhelming to taking it all in. Definitely not something I would have expected from a first party Nintendo game on the NES.

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  2 роки тому +2

      I’m one of those people who really liked Dark Souls II + SotFS. Freeing the Sentinels just reminded me so much of those moments in the third part of the DLC. And you’re right that all the systems do make it seem a bit overwhelming. It’s why the first time just trying it out I felt like I was playing it wrong - and I kind of was!

    • @ZbigniewKusnierz
      @ZbigniewKusnierz 2 роки тому +1

      @@HPRshredder if you haven’t played the base DS2, I recommend it over SOTFS. I played the original release right before Elden Ring released and really found the enemy placement to be better paced.

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  2 роки тому

      @@ZbigniewKusnierz I actually played Dark Souls II on release as well! I would agree with you that some of the enemies had better placements. The one that stands out in my memory the most is the Heide Knight placement in the Forest of Fallen Giants. I played through the first version of the game and used a Mage character buffing the Moonlight Greatsword with Crystal Magic Weapon when that was still allowed. I didn’t end up getting the DLC until I re-bought the game on my old Xbox One though. I had played the base game on Xbox 360.
      Talking about this honestly has me wanting to play the game again. 🤔

  • @CarlMakesVideos
    @CarlMakesVideos 4 місяці тому

    This game has a special place in my heart. I think it was a Nintendo Power highlight article that brought it to my attention when I was a kid, and convinced me to grab it from the Wii Shop Channel. The inverse difficulty curve you describe was evident to my brother and I (I think we called it the same thing, or maybe a "difficulty cliff") as soon as we managed to beat the first dungeon level. I never knew about the hidden skill point system; I thought those empty chambers were just like that for no real reason, maybe just to highlight how desolate the underworld was. Good to know.

  • @Zeffarian
    @Zeffarian 2 роки тому +3

    Wow, what an in-depth review! I've never seen anyone talk about the NES Kid Icarus in such detail. Great job. You've got yourself a new subscriber.

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  2 роки тому +1

      Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for checking it out 🙂

  • @uffevonlauterbach
    @uffevonlauterbach 4 місяці тому +1

    Kid Icarus is definitely a strange game, and I really like it. It was the one game I really enjoyed playing when I was a kid. I don't know if I ever beat the game until later on when I was older, though. I can't remember. But I love this game.

  • @NesNyt
    @NesNyt Рік тому +2

    Toru osawa made a masterpiece. And yes the eggplant carried over from ice climber. U need the mod chip for your disc drive that converts kanji to english

  • @SpittedDusk
    @SpittedDusk 2 роки тому +3

    Love the fun and inventive enemy designs in this game!

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  2 роки тому +2

      The designs are really cool. And I should have mentioned it more in the video but Pit himself has a great sprite and is a lot of fun to control.

  • @zerobyte802
    @zerobyte802 5 місяців тому +1

    I love watching younger gamers who take the time to experience these old games more like I did / as they were intended. Obviously you can’t unsee the future of graphics and gameplay standards but your takes are very on point for such gaming experiences.
    I liked the fortresses more than you but that’s because they piqued my imagination. I saw them as mysterious places with some hidden history. I thought of them as captured places that were once beautiful and good.
    I always wondered which of the three treasures came from which fortress. I felt a bit ripped off that you didn’t get to use them until the last stage.
    Great video. Subbed!

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  5 місяців тому

      I like looking back on the fortresses. They certainly had a very cool aesthetic. I think at the time I was just pretty stressed in them. They do feel packed full of mystery. The whole game feels that way, really.
      Thanks for the comments! I appreciate them. Glad you're enjoying the videos~

  • @jamesgames4553
    @jamesgames4553 Рік тому +2

    Fantastic video, really captures the unique appeal of the game both today and relative to its peers in the 80s! Never really played the game until very recently despite having Arika’s 3D Classics version, and watching this video gave me a huge hankering to import a copy and play on FDS instead.
    What’s really interesting is the 3DS version, even the Japanese version set to original controls, isn’t all that accurate to the FDS version. Pit is a lot more responsive to control in that his turning circle is very fast. I was shocked! In the FDS original it’s like you’re moving on ice, gives the platforming and action an extra layer of difficulty.

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  Рік тому +1

      Are you talking about the 3DS Classics version that has the updated 3D backgrounds? I've been considering picking that up before the eShop closes. But thanks for the comment!

    • @jamesgames4553
      @jamesgames4553 Рік тому +2

      @@HPRshredder yep, that’s the one! It’s still well worth picking up as a curio, but I was surprised to find Arika’s conversion isn’t entirely accurate to the source.

  • @SiliconSlyWolf
    @SiliconSlyWolf 4 місяці тому

    This was one of the games that I felt determined as a kid to one day beat when I was older. Finally did one day. The big snag I recall was the third dungeon, the fact that the hospital placement vs. where the boss was and some annoying eggplant men that were more difficult to dodge.

  • @hawaiidkw1
    @hawaiidkw1 Рік тому

    Hi. You got recommended to me from the TASVideos Kid Icarus video, which I decided to rewatch today for some reason. 🙂
    Looking back on it, I really think that the biggest adjustment most of us had to make for this game was how completely, unapologetically *cute* it was. Seriously, the first time I heard the title music, it was as if someone had set off a cotton candy bomb in my brain. And it bombards you from beginning to end. The hero is an angel. The flunkies are little winged snakes and little frogs and little octopi. You get aided by a kindly god in a bedsheet and a nurse. Anyone who went from pretty much any other prominent NES platformer of the era (Super Mario Bros., Contra, Castlevania, Metroid, Ghosts 'n Goblins, Kid Niki) to this risked getting the bends.
    Regarding the inverse difficulty: Yes, it's true that the Underworld definitely qualifies as some of the most painful early levels in an NES game (although there's plenty of company... there's a reason it's called "Nintendo Hard", after all). But the later stages have their own massive headaches, such has the Plutons, who can literally erase hours of progress in an instant. And I *never* stopped sweating the Eggplant Wizards. They got so bad for me that I learned to _intentionally take damage_ just to avoid the wrath of the eggplants.
    So yeah, don't anyone ever tell me this "didn't feel real". The struggles I went through, the finagling with Game Genie codes (ha!) just to get some semblance of playability, oh yes, my friends, they were _all too_ real. It says something that I didn't consider this any fun at all until I manage to get an emulator with no damage _and_ rewind (because the former regrettably offers no protection against those ########## Plutons).

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  Рік тому +1

      When I say it "didn't feel real" I mean it occupies an odd space in gaming that doesn't feel directly comparable to any other game I've played. It feels both ahead of its time and out of time. It just has a very unique vibe to it. I'm not saying it wasn't challenging lol. Game was super hard. And yeah, the Plutons are scary. I got hit by them twice.

  • @Stout936
    @Stout936 Рік тому +1

    I should bump this game up in the queue of FDS games to try on my MiSTer. My earliest gaming was done on the Super Nintendo (born in 91), so I missed out on most of the NES library. I need to change that

  • @cashuuu
    @cashuuu 2 роки тому +3

    Great stuff as usual.

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  2 роки тому +1

      Glad you came back to check this out after Adventure Island! 🙂

  • @rustyshackelford3377
    @rustyshackelford3377 6 місяців тому

    Thank you for the original Japanese commercials for these games. They are always so so good.

  • @danluke426
    @danluke426 3 місяці тому

    These NES/FAM reviews are THE BEST on UA-cam, I am so glad you did a Kid Icarus review because honestly there are aspects of this game in particular that I knew you would research and analyze. Thank you!! Neeeeeed more!!!!!!! 🤘😎👍

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  3 місяці тому

      Thanks you, man, I appreciate that! And I'm glad you enjoyed this one. I wish we could get another Kid Icarus game that was more in the style of the old ones rather than a rail shooter.

  • @Exmotable
    @Exmotable 2 роки тому +5

    of course the day my internet goes out is the day this finally releases AAAAA but it's all good, it was worth the wait. kid icarus is one of those old famicom/nes games i wanna play through before i leave this mortal coil, and your coverage of the game definitely reinforced that lol. the stars wars-esque text scrawl of the story was pretty great, especially when it started used casual vernacular or whatever, i'm easily amused or something but that had me laughin it up.
    but yeah, good shit man. glad to see the video got to see the light of day, despite the unfortunate delays you had to deal with.

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  2 роки тому +3

      I’m glad you got the “joke” of just writing out whatever I was saying in the story segment lol. I’m glad you enjoyed it! I look forward to whenever you end up posting your next video. 🙂

    • @Exmotable
      @Exmotable 2 роки тому +2

      @@HPRshredder thanks man i appreciate the support! it probably won't be much longer, actually. the dumb fucker is finally uploaded, I'm just wanting to subtitle it before i make it live. it's almost an hour long and i'm really not proud of it, but i'm glad i finally got it done lol.

  • @cosmicfab7874
    @cosmicfab7874 Рік тому +2

    Just finished the game
    I must say that i wasnt expecting to love playing it as much as i did, it is just awesome for me, definitely one if not the best NES Game i have ever played, it's very good

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  Рік тому +2

      I'm glad you enjoyed it! I saw AVGN did a video on it recently and I've been wondering if it might inspire more people to give it a try.

    • @cosmicfab7874
      @cosmicfab7874 Рік тому +2

      @@HPRshredder he definitely played a part on it, but i already had interest in playing the 3 games in order, Glad i Started doing so

  • @Soberliving
    @Soberliving Місяць тому +1

    hey man I have seen this game many times but never had much interest, but once again your video has inspired me to buy it and play it! Thanks again buddy

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  Місяць тому

      I hope you have fun! It's a really interesting game. If you can make it past the first three stages in tact, you can definitely beat it.

  • @realsquirrelhours565
    @realsquirrelhours565 2 роки тому +2

    Kid Icarus is certainly a bizarre game and one I've meant to go back to because I did have a fun time playing it once I "got" the game. It was a much more difficult experience picking this game up rather than Metroid or Zelda and it's really a shame that the game has that backwards curve because the opening is just so offputting. It really masks the potential the game has going for it. I have to agree that the music and the backgrounds in this game are gorgeous in that primitive, early NES sort of way, which was a great reward to forcing through the underworld stages. The other thing that I wasn't too big on about this game were the dungeons because of the eggplant wizards. Having to constantly worry about them while working through what're already sprawling, difficult dungeons was not exactly a fun experience, but once you know the dungeons, you know them well. It's definitely a game you have to give time rather than just putting it off immediately because there are awesome concepts laden through out, but the execution, especially early on, just doesn't do them justice. I haven't really played a game like it before or since and it's still the game I have ever played.

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  2 роки тому +2

      Yes, I fully agree about the Fortress stages. I liked aspects of them as you did, but as a whole I found them less fun than the regular platforming stages. The Eggplant Wizards definitely cause anxiety, but it’s such a hilarious enemy and idea it makes it easier to accept. Idk what it is about eggplants and NES games. Adventure Island. Ice Climber. And now Kid Icarus. Why? And why are they typically bad guys? 🤨

    • @hawaiidkw1
      @hawaiidkw1 Рік тому +1

      Adventure Island was made by Hudson Soft, so it's not strictly a Nintendo thing. Probably just cultural.

  • @theholyghost
    @theholyghost 2 місяці тому

    This game was my jam back in the day.

  • @user-is4jf8yr4z
    @user-is4jf8yr4z 7 місяців тому +1

    Another hidden gem channel. 🙂👌

  • @Luchiop
    @Luchiop Рік тому +3

    Great content pal! here watching from Argentina! hoping to someday see you tackle my all time favorites like Solbrain and Dragon Quest 4! Have you played Archon? found about this one just recently and it looks so interesting!

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  Рік тому +1

      I haven’t heard of Solbrain or Archon until this comment but Dragon Quest 4 is on my list already. I’m actually playing through Dragon Quest 2 right now! Solbrain looks really interesting and I guess it’s based on the show? And Archnon seems like chess but with physical combat? I’ll have to look more into either!
      Glad you’re enjoying the videos! Thank you for the comment.

    • @Luchiop
      @Luchiop Рік тому +1

      @@HPRshredder Solbrain i think is shatterhand in the US, and Archin is exactly like you said, and when the units collide from dark and lightside, you fight in an arena, i think it's pretty cool cause it´s asymetric, both sides have their own units!

  • @SDLearmonth
    @SDLearmonth 2 роки тому +8

    Excellent video, production values, comfy factor high as always. Kid Icarus is a pretty odd game in Nintendo's history, a bit of a black sheep. There's also the Gameboy sequel which wasn't released in Japan, even more baffling to me. 🍆

  • @amirdejesus7077
    @amirdejesus7077 Рік тому +1

    You and Jeremy parish are the best of the best. Love ya !!

  • @Smalltummywonderful
    @Smalltummywonderful 9 місяців тому +1

    Definitely some great detail and review as you went through this and explained it. Great job and great video, but otherwise it must have been quite exhausting or pretty exhausting to go through play the Japanese version and then the American version. Hopefully that it was fun

  • @shane1489
    @shane1489 13 днів тому

    Ny Mom, Sister, and I would speed run this game back in 1989ish. I played it on emulator last year and struggled to get to the first dungeon.😂

  • @Jasiuuu
    @Jasiuuu Місяць тому +1

    Rewatchin this gem again lol

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  Місяць тому

      I appreciate it! Hope it was still good lol

  • @marcievania
    @marcievania Рік тому

    great video. i do wish you'd go over the updated releases some of these games get though. i understand getting the authentic retro experience is kinda the point, but this game has a 3DS port with some changes that would've been interesting for you to go over. i actually grew up playing that one

    • @marcievania
      @marcievania Рік тому

      kinda the same for metroid but zero mission is like a whole new game so that one's fine to skip over. still would've been cool to hear about in the video though

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  Рік тому +2

      I was actually talking about the 3D Classics version of Kid Icarus in the comments with someone else a few days ago. I think I'm going to pick it up because the backgrounds look so pretty. Only a few days left before the eShop closes RIP.

    • @marcievania
      @marcievania Рік тому +1

      it's really cool. also has 3D which i know most people don't care for but i think it gives 2D sprites a lot of additional visual appeal, i've never played shovel knight without it
      liking the videos btw, i first found you a few days ago by being the only zoomer that likes metroid 1. hope they catch more eyes soon. maybe a video where you do take a quick look at a bunch of updated ports or remakes of games you've already covered would be neat 🧐

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  Рік тому +1

      Yeah, I also always max out the 3D. I love the 3D effect. I have the Kirby game for NES on the 3DS and it does look incredibly sharp. I’m glad you’re enjoying these!

  • @SamusGunship
    @SamusGunship 4 місяці тому

    Great video. I do believe that you gave Kid Icarus a quite thorough effort to understand it. You say at the end, that sadly you did not connect with it, and I can understand that even though you did give it it's due effort to understand the game. You seem to understand it pretty well.
    I, for one, highly connect with Kid Icarus. It is one of my favorite video games ever, and certainly in my top 10 favorite NES games. It is absolutely a very unique and unusual game- there is no video game in existence that is anything like it.
    You mention that inverse difficulty curve. Kid Icarus is the most striking example of that, but almost all adventure NES games developed by Nintendo had such a difficulty curve if you think about it. Metroid started out hardest, and gets easier as you progress. The Legend of Zelda starts pretty hard and gets easier as you progress. Zelda II starts out hardest and gets easier as you progress. I absolutely love and agree with this strange difficulty curve in such games, and it is mostly Nintendo that would makes games with that type of curve. Though, there are some NES games by other developers such as Capcom and Konami that also have that interesting difficulty curve, particularly in adventure games where you can build up your character.
    Anyway, good review, as usual. I think you give each of these classic NES games their due. Based on your tastes, I actually think that you could eventually connect with Kid Icarus. I can report that it is very possible to love that game even more than you seem to right now. I actually love Kid Icarus even more than I did when I was a kid, because it deserves it.
    I'm waiting to see you give "Blaster Master" your level of attention and focus.

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  4 місяці тому +1

      I’m glad you have been enjoying the videos! I appreciate the effort you put into your comments. I think you might like my video on Hinotori if you haven’t checked that one out yet. Other than that, Kid Icarus ages pretty well in the mind. When I ranked it in the Retro Odyssey Recap video I placed it solidly in “A” Tier.

    • @SamusGunship
      @SamusGunship 4 місяці тому

      @@HPRshredder I haven't checked out your Hinotori video yet, but I will. I've never heard of that game before.
      But I have been watching all your other NES game videos, and I think you are right on the money with your opinion of every single one of them. I'm looking forward to more of them. In order to have a solid proper opinion on any of these games, one has to dive quite deep, as you have been doing.

  • @ptolemy3257
    @ptolemy3257 2 роки тому +4

    Great video, you got a new sub

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  2 роки тому +3

      Thanks for commenting -- I'm glad you found the video and liked it!

  • @timcheek84
    @timcheek84 Місяць тому +1

    I really like how you play on original hardware... In my mind, there's something more "authentic" about playing games on the Famicom vs. the NES. Maybe this is because of localization and translations, but I love the art in the manuals, and just seeing how the games were meant to be played.
    Do you speak/read Japanese?

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  Місяць тому

      I can read hiragana and katakana, and some kanji. I have about three semesters of Japanese under my belt, and I still practice, but I don't really "know" the language. I only know the basics and I have a very limited vocabulary. Most of these games are perfectly fine to play without understanding any at all though. Only RPGs really require a deeper understanding of it.

  • @Taldorin
    @Taldorin 2 роки тому +3

    I wonder how your opinion will change with time, for me it felt like a more refined game from metroids framework, less floaty. Just a bit short and sweet. I also did not know you had to kill 50 enemies to advance at the end or about the background score despite playing a lot of this!

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  2 роки тому +3

      My opinion will inevitably change the more games I play. I do think it’s interesting you find it more polished than Metroid. I feel like I’ve mostly heard the opposite. The movement and jumping are a little more controlled in this game though since in Metroid you have two different styles of jumps between the standing and running and they have different physics. So in-air you have more forgiving adjustments in Kid Icarus. Hmmm 🤔 I’m excited to do the second recap where I place all these games in the tier list. It’s going to be a lot harder.

    • @Taldorin
      @Taldorin 2 роки тому +3

      @@HPRshredder to explain myself yeah Metroid you had two kinds of jumps but it felt a lot more floaty and a little slidey like there was just a little ice on everything. I felt like i had a bit more control in kid icarus

  • @harriettubman2717
    @harriettubman2717 Рік тому +2

    What is that you have on top of the NES toploader at the beginning and end of the video?

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  Рік тому +2

      It’s actually the AV Famicom which looks like the toploader but without the bump by the cartridge slot. The reason I clarify is that what you see on top is the RAM adapter for the Famicom Disk System which doesn’t fit into the toploader but does fit the AV Famicom because it’s flush and bumpless. It’s basically the way you connect the FDS to the Famicom.

    • @harriettubman2717
      @harriettubman2717 Рік тому +2

      @@HPRshredder That explains why the console was flat on top like that. Thanks for clarifying, I'm new to your channel and really enjoying your videos!

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  Рік тому +2

      Thanks for the comment and glad you’re enjoying! Got a new one just around the corner. Should be done in 1-2 weeks.

  • @derrickbeaubearic4100
    @derrickbeaubearic4100 8 місяців тому +1

    Bravo! 👏

  • @Telecritter78
    @Telecritter78 5 місяців тому

    Wow, Japan had *way* better NES commercials than we did.

  • @itsasecrettoeverybody
    @itsasecrettoeverybody 2 роки тому +3

    Another very good and in deep review, you really grind those games like a machine before write those videos. XD
    I agree it is a very beautiful game, with cool concepts but kind hard to create a connection with it, Nintendo should give it a try and make a new game that explore those ideas better. With zelda going open world there is a void for a more traditional linear adventure game, a new reinterpretation of kid icarus could fit this void in a more action oriented way than the traditional zelda.

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  2 роки тому +2

      Honestly that’s a great point. With Zelda going back to its roots there is a hole for linear action adventure. Kid Icarus could fill that void perfectly. I wonder if they would feel like they had to do another game like Uprising or if they could let that go in favor of something more like the first two games.

  • @NESADDICT
    @NESADDICT 4 місяці тому

    This is a game I really want to beat eventually

  • @TANKTREAD
    @TANKTREAD 2 місяці тому

    What about Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters for the GameBoy?

  • @NesNyt
    @NesNyt Рік тому +2

    4 hours to beat. I speedun in in 36 minutes

  • @SaanMigwell
    @SaanMigwell 5 місяців тому

    The US version also has a performance metric. If you don't score enough points prior to the upgrade man, he won't have the upgrade for you.

  • @user-a5Bw9de
    @user-a5Bw9de 3 місяці тому

    Biggest gripe that I have with this game is that simply pressing down on D-pad shouldn't make you fall through a thin floor. Overall game design is nice.

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  3 місяці тому

      Yeah, it takes getting used to. I died a lot on the first three stages to that.

  • @dreamawake2670
    @dreamawake2670 7 місяців тому

    Need a new version of this AAA style

  • @jm505
    @jm505 10 місяців тому

    The Sacred Bow feels good but is actually quite a bummer in world 2, as the long range allows you to kill enemies that you otherwise couldn’t reach, leaving their hearts to expire (slowly) out if range without being obtainable. So I always got weapon that last.

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  10 місяців тому

      That’s a pretty excellent point about the range hurting you in some ways.

  • @andresortiz9558
    @andresortiz9558 2 роки тому +1

    I've always wanted to get into Kid Icarus, but I never got Uprising and I couldn't get into the NES version.

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  2 роки тому +2

      There’s always Smash ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ but these videos also aim to supplement the experience to an extent for those interested. It goes over all the mechanics and stages and content. I wanted to get into uprising but as a left-handed individual it wasn’t quite comfortable. The game is gorgeous though.

    • @andresortiz9558
      @andresortiz9558 2 роки тому

      @@HPRshredder I feel you on the left handed struggle

  • @gpweaver
    @gpweaver 8 місяців тому +1

    This is my favorite game, and I was so unhappy with the 3DS release. Kind of a disappointment.

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  8 місяців тому

      Huh, was it bad? I kind of regretted not picking it up before the eShop closed.

    • @gpweaver
      @gpweaver 8 місяців тому

      @@HPRshredder Not bad, but not a Kid Icarus game--it's basically a 3D rails shooter, not a platformer.

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  8 місяців тому +1

      @@gpweaver Ooooohhh, I thought you meant the 3D Classics port of the NES game. Yeah, Kid Icarus: Uprising is a lot different.

  • @patyos2
    @patyos2 3 місяці тому +1

    next do the 3DS game

  • @NesNyt
    @NesNyt 11 місяців тому

    See this is what gets me upset Nintendo was tasked with a challenge of making a video game that would accept cartridges and I tried to keep it under $100 but ended up coming in at just shy of $150 and here we are trying to use so-to-speak under-qualified technology to create new and unbelievable technology and that gets me to my point where if you noticed like you said the game has four different endings now they could program a person's game to reflect how they did based on the ending of the game but they can't fix stupid little things like game glitches and the like I can't understand how Nintendo pull off the best video game console of all time let alone Forge the paths of millions probably billions of children to become electronically savvy and the only thing that we can basically use as a trophy is a Japanese invention that no one in America helps create but Love's like a relative every single day of my life

  • @Tommi1981
    @Tommi1981 4 місяці тому

    Those yellow diskettes are hot

  • @NesNyt
    @NesNyt Рік тому +1

    I found it ....thanks for the link....not....either way are you aware or ever seen the first levels gods room with something in it? By gods room I mean the first door from the start screen. The code
    8uuuuu uuuuuu
    uuuuuu uuuuuu
    Beat the game unlimited life then goto first screen and enter gods room and see what's thetr

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  Рік тому +1

      Sorry I didn't see your comment requesting a link earlier. Your comments had been auto-flagged as "potentially spam" so I didn't see them until today.

    • @NesNyt
      @NesNyt Рік тому +1

      @@HPRshredder I would never spam a kid Icarus lover

  • @JCSuperstar777
    @JCSuperstar777 3 місяці тому

    This game seems like a hot mess (the video, of course, is excellent).

  • @joeboo8626
    @joeboo8626 Рік тому +1

    Finally beat Metroid yesterday after first playing it in 1989. Kid Icarus is the final NES classic title left for me to beat... but it's just too boring. The instant deaths from falls are cheap. Too much grinding as well.

    • @HPRshredder
      @HPRshredder  Рік тому +2

      Feel free to use this video to supplement the experience lol