The reveal of theNintendo Switch 2has proven that the console is a true upgrade from its predecessor. The power of the hardware used and its new features set theNintendo Switch 2apart from the original, marking the first step into the next generation of consoles for the company. Throughout the Switch 2’s lifespan, players will likely see many new first-party titles make use of the many features on display, as well as some older titles being revived to fit the Switch 2’s new capabilities.
Among the features introduced, there is one addition to the Joy-Con 2 that has many players excited, that being the mouse functionality.Using the Joy-Con 2 as a mousecould open the floodgates to a whole new range of experiences, crafted with innovated ideas players have already had a glimpse of from the gameplay ofDrag x Drive. However, there is one fan-favorite game that has been stuck on the Nintendo 3DS, and with this feature, the Switch 2 may have introduced the perfect opportunity for it to come back. This game is none other thanKid Icarus: Uprising.
Kid Icarus: Uprising Would Be Great for Switch 2
A Beloved Reboot of a Classic Series
Kid Icarus: Uprisingreleased in 2012, to the surprise of many. After the series laid dormant for over 20 years, it was revived for the 3DS by Masahiro Sakurai, with updated visuals and a new gameplay style to match the modern era. These changes resonated with fans, with many believing thatKid Icarus: Uprisingis one of the best 3DS games. However, other than characters from the series appearing inSuper Smash Bros., there has been little new content related to the series since.
Players have been patiently waiting for over a decade for the series to return once again, but there has been no official acknowledgment from Nintendo. For some time, there were rumors of aKid Icarus: UprisingSwitch remaster, but with support for the console ending soon, it is unlikely that this will be true. Yet, a remaster may still be able to happen on the Switch 2 instead. With its added capabilities over the original Switch, this may even be a better outcome for players.
Mouse Controls Could Revive the Kid Icarus Series
Kid Icarus: Uprisingreceived glowing reviews, praising everything from the writing to the new combat systems. The main point of contention for most players, though, was how the game controls. In particular, many foundKid Icarus: Uprising’s camera controls awkward, hindering what is otherwise considered to be an incredible addition to the 3DS library. If the game does receive a remaster for the Switch 2, the new hardware features of the console could remove this issue.
The stylus controls of the 3DS version could easily be translated into precise mouse movements, replacing the game’s major flaw with a more accurate and player-friendly control scheme. Though this could also be achieved with a classic twin-stick setup, someconsole games benefit from mouse controls, and where these benefits shine most are in shooters.Kid Icarus: Uprisinghas action elements, but players are mostly made to engage with the shooting mechanics throughout gameplay in both the grounded and aerial rail shooter sections. By switching from the uncomfortable touch-screen controls to the new mouse features of the Switch 2, a remake could rectify the game’s primary problem.
Since both Joy-Con 2s have this mouse feature, it is possible that a local co-op mode could be added. As long as both players have an additional controller for movement, or a potentialSwitch 2 keyboard peripheral, they would each have access to their own mouse from a single Switch 2 bundle.Kid Icarus: Uprisingestablished Dark Pit, also known as Pittoo, as a mirror of the game’s protagonist. With identical abilities, it would not be unreasonable for a co-op mode to be added, with either player controlling the light or dark version of Pit.
Other Switch 2 Features Could Elevate Kid Icarus
The single-player experience ofKid Icarus: Uprisingleft a major impression on players and is what made the game stand out as one of the system’s best games, but it was its multiplayer mode that gave the game real staying power and expanded the playtime of many fans. This mode was so popular thatKid Icarus: Uprisingtournamentswere held, and some players were still active online until the 3DS online features were shut down in April 2024. From recent Nintendo Directs and trailers, the Nintendo Switch 2 is seemingly prioritizing its online and multiplayer features. If aKid Icarusgame launches on this console, fans may be able to expect that it will benefit from these features too.
As well as online features,Kid Icarus: Uprising’s Together Mode also had local multiplayer options, meaning multiple players with the game could all play together without an internet connection. With a remaster, players may not even need individual cartridges, as theSwitch 2’s GameShare featurewould allow up to 4 local players to play together, even if only one owns the game. If a remake also includes a co-op feature for the single-player, it is possible that GameShare could be used here too, granting both players access to the game’s well-written story with only a single cartridge.
For many fans,Kid Icarus: Uprisingbeing limited to the now-unsupported Nintendo 3DS has been disappointing, with some desperate for a sequel or remake. Many believe that it deserves much more love, and with the Joy-Con 2’s new mouse features, this may be the gateway for the game to come back and iron out its problematic control scheme. The announcement ofKirby Air Ridershas proved that Masahiro Sakurai is willing to revisit beloved series from decades past, so it’s not impossible forKid Icarusto receive the same treatment. Fans have noticed thatSakurai may have been teasing a port ofKid Icarus: Uprising, and if these hints are true, it might not be long before players can take to the skies again in a remake.
