Masahiro Sakurai is basically synonymous withSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate, with the developer working seemingly endlessly on the latest franchise entry, but fans know there is one other game he worked on that he has constantly referenced over the years:Kid Icarus: Uprising.In the past, Sakurai has implied that aKid Icarus: UprisingSwitch port or sequel would be difficult, but now the developer may be teasing it as a project in the works, possibly as a project between Bandai Namco and Nintendo.
It’s entirely possible players know ofPit fromSuper Smash Bros.and not his origins, but Pit comes from a franchise known asKid Icarus,which has only ever received three games:Kid Icarus(NES),Kid Icarus: of Myths and Monsters(Game Boy), andKid Icarus: Uprising(3DS). It is set in Angel Land, a word defined by Greek Mythology, and the franchise has long been considered a cult classic. Each title received some level of critical acclaim, if with a solid criticism or two likeUprising’s control scheme, but none have ever sold particularly well. But, as fans and even Sakurai have kept their eye on the franchise, many now think a Switch port ofKid Icarus: Uprisingcould be in the works.
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Sakurai discussed the Fiend’s Cauldron andKid Icarus: Uprisingas part of a recent video on his YouTube channel, where he discusses game development at large, and ended the recent video (seen below) by stating: “It sure would be nice to play Kid Icarus: Uprising on a home console. I wonder if someone out there will ever port it?” He smiles at the camera as the show comes to an end, and many believe this was his way of saying that it was finally being done.
This is also supported by some job listings about a collaborative project between Bandai and Nintendo discovered earlier this year. The job listings sought a visual artist and a few other positions for a “3D action game project,” related to Nintendo. Another listing would clarify this project as a remaster/remake, with Bandai looking for people to work on HD remastering of 3D backgrounds. At the time, many were quick to guess aKid Icarus: Uprisingport was in the works, but it would seem that these guesses now have some backing.
Of course, this could all just be wishful thinking on Sakurai and the internet’s behalf, and the projects may not be connected. At the same time, it would all be a huge coincidence for these dots to line up so well, if aKid Icarusport was not actually in development. After all, it is one of manyfranchises abandoned by Nintendofans would love to see more of. It could be soon, or it could still be some time, before fans learn the truth, but there is some hope to cling to no matter what.
