Stepping away from the bright lights of the NES, Pit took his wings to the portable realm with Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters on the Nintendo Game Boy. Released in 1991, this sequel often gets overshadowed by its groundbreaking predecessor and the much later Uprising, but it offered a unique take on Angel Land's hero for a generation of handheld gamers.
This wasn't just a simple port; Of Myths and Monsters was a brand-new adventure, building upon the foundations of the original while making some crucial adjustments for the Game Boy platform. It tasked Pit, fresh from his victory over Medusa, with training under Palutena's guidance to face a new threat: the demon Orcos, who planned to invade Angel Land. Pit's mission? To retrieve the sacred treasures once more.
Revisiting Angel Land on the Go: Gameplay & Differences
If you played the original Kid Icarus, jumping into Of Myths and Monsters feels immediately familiar, yet subtly different. Pit still navigates vertical and horizontal scrolling levels, shooting his bow at mythological creatures. However, the Game Boy iteration introduced some welcome quality-of-life changes that made the journey perhaps a little less punishing.
One of the most significant improvements was the inclusion of a battery backup save feature. Gone were the cryptic, frustrating password screens of the NES game! Finishing a level meant saving your progress, a huge relief for gaming on the go.
The level design also saw tweaks. While still featuring vertical climbs and horizontal stages, the Game Boy game allowed for more free-roaming exploration within levels, letting you backtrack to find hidden areas or shops, unlike the often-forced vertical progression of the original.
Difficulty was another point of adjustment. While still challenging, Of Myths and Monsters is generally considered less brutally difficult than the NES game. Enemies might be a touch more forgiving, and the overall pace felt better suited for handheld play.
- Platform: Nintendo Game Boy
- Release Year: 1991
- Genre: Platform Shooter
- Key Improvement: Battery Save! (No more passwords)
- Level Structure: More free-roaming within stages
You'd still find familiar elements like shops to buy items (mallets, hearts, healing water) and training chambers to power up Pit. The core loop of collecting hearts (currency) and defeating enemies remained central.
Pit's Journey: Story and World
The narrative in Of Myths and Monsters is straightforward, typical of action games from this era. Pit needs to train, collect the sacred treasures (Arrow of Light, Crystal Mirror, Wings of Pegasus), and defeat the big bad, Orcos. The story mostly unfolds through the game's manual and brief intro/outro sequences.
The world is populated with classic Kid Icarus enemies and bosses, drawing heavily from Greek mythology but with that distinct Nintendo twist. While some names are direct translations, others, like the two-headed dog boss Twinbellows (instead of Cerberus or Orthrus), showcase the unique naming conventions the series sometimes employs.
Speaking of names, did you know Pit's Japanese name is Pitto? Many believe this is a shortened version of "Kyūpitto," the Japanese pronunciation of Cupid. This makes a lot of sense given Pit's appearance as a winged youth and the original game's use of heart-tipped arrows and hearts as currency! It's a fun bit of lore hidden by translation.
A Game Boy Gem? Graphics, Sound, and Feel
Visually, Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters is a product of its time and platform. The graphics are clear and functional black and white sprites. While perhaps not pushing the Game Boy's limits compared to later titles, the characters and enemies are recognizable, and the bosses are generally well-drawn.
The soundtrack features themes similar to the original, adapted for the Game Boy's sound chip. Some found the tunes a bit quirky or repetitive, but they certainly contribute to the game's distinct atmosphere.
Overall, the game feels responsive to play. Pit's movement and shooting are smooth, which is essential for a platformer. It successfully translated the core Kid Icarus experience to a portable format, making it accessible for quick play sessions thanks to that glorious save feature.
Why It's Worth Remembering (or Replaying)
Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters might not have reached the legendary status of the NES original or the modern popularity of Uprising, but it's a solid, enjoyable sequel that deserves its place in the series' history. It took the core gameplay, smoothed out some of the rougher edges (looking at you, passwords!), and delivered a fun, challenging adventure perfectly suited for Nintendo's dominant handheld.
For retro gamers who love the original Kid Icarus or simply appreciate classic Game Boy titles, Of Myths and Monsters is a worthy addition to your played list. It's a piece of Nintendo history that shows the evolution of a beloved franchise.
Quick Q&A
Q: Is Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters a sequel? A: Yes, it's a direct sequel to the original Kid Icarus released on the NES.
Q: Is it harder than the first Kid Icarus? A: Generally, no. It's considered less difficult than the famously challenging NES game, partly due to gameplay tweaks and the save feature.
Q: Does the Game Boy version have a save feature? A: Absolutely! One of its biggest improvements over the NES game is the battery backup save, replacing the old password system.
Q: Who is the main villain? A: The main antagonist Pit faces in this adventure is the demon Orcos.
