Eggplant Wizard Says: Good luck finding a nurse!
	Nurse Ratched Says: You know Pit, what worries me is how your mother is going to take this.
	Pit Says: P-p-please don't tell her. B-b-bent, c-can you h-h-help me?
	The Bent Kangaroo Says: Mmm....juicy....fruit.

What Kind Of Game Is This?

An innovative platformer released the same time as Metroid (and by the same company) that hasn't received quite the fanfare. You guide Pit (a boy with wings) through four worlds (some vertical, some horizontal) and three dungeons in order to defeat Medusa, who has taken over the world and captured Palutena, who is a little bit nicer and better looking.

How Is It Innovative?

Similar to Metroid, you strengthen Pit as you go along, here by both gaining experience and purchasing better weapons and defenses. You always have arrows (which you can upgrade), but can also get hammers, a rotating force field, medicine bottles, among other things. If you don't have enough money, you can also win a credit card in one of the side games! While the levels are linear, there are many optional strategies in completing the game.

Can He Fly With Those Wings?

No, he's just a boy, and can't reach the sun yet. But his wings allow him a decent vertical. Play control is excellent, essential considering the number of freefalls you'd be subjected to without it.

How Are The Level Designs?

Despite being linear, they are generally creative with dozens of colorful, distinct enemies, with their own patterns, strengths, and weaknesses. There are even thieves who will take treasures you've bought and sell them to the black market for outrageous prices! While the main levels are scrolling (without the ability to backtrack), the dungeons are more open, the path to the boss a puzzle in itself (with the possible aid of a map, just like in Zelda).

And How Bout Them Bosses?

Challenging, though once you learn the strategies involved, they become easier, though time consuming. The game's only major flaw is that the learning curve is backward, with the first few stages being the most difficult. Everything gets easier from there on out, mainly due to the upgrades Pit can make. Sadly, Medusa, the final boss, is insultingly easy, taking virtually no skill or thought whatsoever.

So Who Would You Recommend This To?

Everybody. It's easy enough to learn, with a lot of replay value. Not only are there multiple strategies involved in winning, there are several endings (though minor in their differences) depending on how well you play. And for those who don't want to play it all in one sitting (or simply are not good at platformers), there is a password system.

Links

Flying Omelette's Shrine
The Kid Icarus Coliseum

GameFAQs
Moby Games
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