Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters

Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters is a sequel to the original NES game and returns players to the role of the angel Pit, who once again sets out to fight the forces of evil with a bow and arrow, this time in a story loosely following on from the previous adventure. The game combines vertical and horizontal platforming levels, collecting hearts to upgrade weapons and health, and battles with monsters inspired by Greek mythology, carrying on the distinctive atmosphere of the first installment. Besides Pit himself, the player encounters other figures from Greek mythology in some passages, who help flesh out the game's varied world.

Compared to its predecessor, the game streamlines the level structure and slightly softens some of the frustrating elements of the NES version, but it remains demanding and requires precise shooting as well as careful timing of jumps over chasms. Pit also has to deal with a limited flight ability, so falls into the depths are among the most common causes of losing a life. The graphics on the monochrome display rely on striking, finely drawn backgrounds of temples and caves that evoke the mythological setting well even without color. The angelic ability of brief flight combines with classic jumping across the levels, giving the game a distinctive feel of movement that sets it apart from typical Game Boy platformers. The music continues the series' melodic motifs and rounds out the adventurous, slightly mysterious atmosphere of the whole game and its more demanding passages.

Reception at launch was mixed to positive — players welcomed the return of a beloved character, though the game never reached the cult status of the original home-console title. From a genre perspective, it's interesting for how it combines action platforming with a structure of gradual character upgrades through purchased items, foreshadowing later genre trends. Today it's regarded as an interesting, lesser-known offshoot of the Kid Icarus series, appreciated mainly by fans of Nintendo classics willing to try its more demanding, less forgiving sides as well.

Why play it: For fans of Nintendo classics willing to try a more demanding, less forgiving offshoot of the series, one that combines action platforming with a character-upgrade system that foreshadows later genre trends.