POSTED 29/3/12


KID ICARUS: UPRISING

Nintendo
3DS

Do you believe in heaven above, do you believe in love? Don't tell a lie, don't be false or untrue, it all comes back to you... OPEN FIRE!

We’ve waited 25 years, but finally Kid Icarus has progeny. The tale of angels and dark goddesses has evolved somewhat, too, which you’d hope considering the time between wing flaps. 2D platforming’s history, ditched in favour of a twin-styled 3D experience.

The first is angelic After Burneristic on-rails shootiness. Fly around on an otherwise pre-plotted trajectory, shooting shit. The second allows more explorational freedom, as you’re land-bound and hunting wascally beasties and, of course, treasure.

Now’s as good a time as any to mention the controls – they’re weird. Air stages are OK, although you clasp the entire 3DS heft in your left hand, using the sticky-stick to move and the left shoulder button to fire. Your reticule, meanwhile, is aimed via right-handed stylus wielding. Then you hit the ground, whereby the stylus changes direction, whilst you slam your poor sticky-stick for full-on assaulty-assaults. Other than causing serious lefthanded crampiness, the first bit’s easily sussed. The second? Well, it’s unnatural. We’re still baffled and otherwise flummoxed as to why the gargantuan Circle Pad Pro is supported, but just replicating the left stick to give mollydookers a chance – you can’t assign it otherwise. Madness!

As for the game, it’s a super-fun, endearing blast. You still collect hearts, and the array of other power-ups, combinable weaponry, collectibles and assorted bric-a-brac is boggling as you plough through bizarre-o henchmen of evil and the occasional boss of evil. Add Super Smash Bros-esque online or local multiplayer and there’s mucho content – even a plastic stand that doesn’t help comfort much, but is handy for AR card faffing.

Been singing ‘Send Me An Angel’ at Nintendo for 25 years? Well, you can shut the hell up now and get flapping!

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