kid-icarus posts (Subscribe to this feed)

Factor 5 shuts down US operations

by Alexander Sliwinski { May 14th 2009 at 1:15PM }

Factor 5 officially announced the closure of its US operations recently, concluding a story that feels like it's been just out of reach for half a year. The developer had been having some rough times since the poignant failure of Lair. Following that, there was its falling out with Brash Entertainment (which led to layoffs), leaks of the Superman and Kid Icarus games, and, obviously, the closure of the studio.

The bright side on this really dark tale is that Achim Moller, CEO of Factor 5 Germany, states the company has "partnered with both old and new friends in the industry who will reveal our upcoming projects over the next months." With E3 visible in the smog-filled distance, perhaps we'll learn what the German-based developer is up to soon.

[Via Kotaku, Siliconera]

Reggie promises a better E3 from Nintendo this year ... again

by Ben Gilbert { Apr 14th 2009 at 10:44AM }

Fresh off the announcement of The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks at GDC 2009, Nintendo of America head honcho Reggie Fils-Aime had some interesting things to say about Nintendo's plans for this year's E3. "From Nintendo's perspective, we always go into E3 with a very high bar wanting to satisfy not only the core fans but also ourselves," he told GameTrailers TV, teasing the reveal of a release date for the upcoming Zelda. "We haven't announced a launch date -- maybe we'll do that at E3."

So, conclusive evidence of a brand new Kid Icarus game? Not quite. Though Keighley hammered "the Regginator" for details on what exactly Nintendo would be bringing to the "glamour and sizzle" fest of this year's E3, the exec kept mum, saying, "Everyone wants to know what we're going to announce at E3 and my answer is, come to E3 and you'll see." Guess we're waiting 'til June 2 like everyone else.

[Via Play.tm]

Rumor: Early Factor 5 Kid Icarus model flies out

by JC Fletcher { Feb 1st 2009 at 8:00PM }

Early last year, we saw some potential concept art for a Wii Kid Icarus update from developer Factor 5. Today, NeoGAFfer Shiggy posted what may be an early character render from "late 2007/early 2008." We've included the original Famicom Disk System version's character art for comparison.

This is about as tenuous a rumor as there could possibly be because: A) We don't know if the Factor 5 Kid Icarus game was ever real. B) We don't know if this image or the previous concept art was actually from that hypothetical game. C) Even if it was real at some point, the game is most certainly dead now, due to the state of Factor 5.

We don't want to cast aspersions on Factor 5. They are responsible for true classics like the Turrican series, as well as recent favorites like the Rogue Squadron games. But we won't lament the early demise of this (probably fake) interpretation of Pit. After all, he's got Solid Snake hair circa-Metal Gear Solid and he's wearing a sort of Ryu Hayabusa ninja outfit. We could only imagine this game's story involving Pit getting infected with a techno-organic super-virus codenamed E.G.G.P.L.A.N.T.

Top 5: Infections

by Kaes Delgrego { Dec 1st 2008 at 11:00AM }

After visiting friends and relatives this Thanksgiving, I was left with something special inside. Was it fond memories? Was it a deeper connection with those who I love? Was it several containers of leftovers? Sure, I received a fair share of those, but the most significant thing I received this Thanksgiving was the flu.

I should have known. At least five different folks I saw over the course of the day claimed to be recovering from some form of the dreaded virus. Sure enough, by Friday evening I was sweating and freezing at once, aching all over, and debating on which end to point at the toilet (too much?).

Whenever I get sick, I tend to feel very isolated. While everyone else was out enjoying their four-day weekend, I was tethered to the bed. But it didn't take long for me to realize that I'm certainly not alone. Everyone gets sick sooner or later, and no one is truly immune. In fact, even our video game counterparts have their fair share of sicknesses that affect their goals. And thankfully, just like said counterparts, the infections are usually brief. Here's our Top 5 sicknesses to avoid.

NEXT >>

The Top 5 is a weekly feature that provides us with a forum to share our opinions on various aspects of the video game culture, and provides you with a forum to tell us how wrong we are. To further voice your opinions, submit a vote in the Wii Fanboy Poll, and take part in the daily discussions of Wii Warm Up.

Virtually Overlooked: Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters

by JC Fletcher { Oct 16th 2008 at 4:30PM }

IGN's Matt Casamassina couldn't stop hinting at a new Kid Icarus game before this year's E3. Even after Nintendo's presentation came and went, Kid Icarus-free, the rumors and Casamassina's insistence had us convinced that Nintendo was just going to spring it on us at any moment; an announcement would come over the loudspeaker on the show floor or something.

In the absence of a new Wii Kid Icarus sequel, I'd be happy to play the other Kid Icarus sequel, Of Myths and Monsters, released on the Game Boy in 1991. As a bonus, it's guaranteed not to be a terrible 3D reimagining.

Continued →

E308: Kid Icarus flies away from the show

by Phil Larsen { Jul 15th 2008 at 11:30AM }

After confirming Kid Icarus for the Wii, Matt Cassassminasiissanisina from IGN has made a wee comment that's sure to disappoint gamers around the globe: "Uh-oh. Looks like we're going to have to wait a little longer than E3 to see the kid fly again. Not too long, though, hopefully."

Well, at least we won't waste our time during the Nintendo press conference hoping and praying for a Kid Icarus showing. Instead, we can focus on filling up the remaining spaces on our lovely E3 Bingo cards.

Nintendo E3 2008 press conference: Let's play bingo

by Ross Miller { Jul 11th 2008 at 11:00AM }


DS Lite redesign	Mega Man 9	That pesky storage problem	More Mario sports	DLC
A new Wii peripheral	Link returns	Even more Fit	What comes after FFIV?	Pikmin, baby, yeah!
Dragon Quest IX	Layton sequels	Fanboys love Reggie	New Wii colors	Balance Board games
Guitar Hero for everyone	More language trainers	Chrono Trigger	Pokémon Platinum	DS Novel to US
Wii Music	Captain Rainbow	Spore Creatures	Animal Crossing Wii	Kid Icarus

In anticipation of next week's E3 Media and Business Summit, we've prepared bingo cards for each of the big press conferences, filled with some likely (and some not-so-likely) predictions for what each of the big three console makers intends to announce at arguably the biggest trade shows of the year.

Today's card is for Nintendo (special thanks to Wii and DS Fanboy). Our fingers are crossed twice over (trust us, it's painful) for the no-brainer Pikmin sequel. Click on each of the slides above for more information about our predictions. The folks at NWF and DSF got a little carried away, so check out their full predictions (Wii, DS).

Nintendo's E3 2008 press conference begins Tuesday, July 15, at 9:00am PT (that's 12:00 pm Joystiq Time / ET). As always, we'll be liveblogging the event, so you can play along in real-time with us. (Also: check out all our press conference bingo cards, including some for Microsoft and Sony!)

Download a copy (PNG file) and play along!

Rumor: UGO-owned E3.net lists Kid Icarus, Alan Wake, HL2: Episode 3

by Ross Miller { Jun 27th 2008 at 6:00PM }

Did you hear Alan Wake was confirmed to be shown at E3? How about Kid Icarus Wii? Half-Life 2 Episode 3? Doom 4? All these games have been listed on E3.net under the E3 Games tab. There's just one problem ... E3.net isn't the official E3 page. (If you're curious, here's the official site.)

Take note of the top banner, the bottom collection of links and all the latest news posts: yep, it's an UGO site. We've put in a call to their PR to see if there's any affiliation with the media summit, but that said, we doubt Microsoft, Nintendo, Valve or id Software would ever let these high-profile games be revealed so unceremoniously. Chalk this up as wishful thinking in the meantime.

Pit is back, in plush form

by Chris Greenhough { May 20th 2008 at 8:45AM }

Judging by her gallery, DeviantARTist VioletLunchell seems to specialize in these chibi-style plushes, and her latest piece of work, this Pit plushie, will resonate with anyone who found themselves turned off by the recent batch of alleged concept art for the alleged Wii game.

The artist herself confesses to "[not knowing] anything about video games," but she's done a fairly awesome job here -- this blogger would love one of these to place next to his numerous Pikmin plushes, but sadly this was a one-off commission piece. Probably a good thing, really. There comes a time when a man of 28 really has enough plushes.

[Thanks, YaYaLuvsCupcakes!]

Being the soft, sensitive types that we are, we love our plushes here at Wii Fanboy. Nothing is exempt from our plushie love -- and that includes Metroids, Chocobos, Rabbids, and the Wii itself. We even adore the ugly and gruesome ones.

Today in Joystiq: May 19, 2008

by Ross Miller { May 19th 2008 at 11:59PM }

Sure, this Pit plushie is adorable, but it has Mako eyes, and we're afraid the negative effects Mr. Kid Icarus has had from flying too close to Shinra. (Thanks, YaYaLuvsCupcakes) Check out the highlights for today:

Joystiquery
Joystiq FAQ: All about the AMD Game! Program
The Joystiq Free Game Club: Sonny
Joystiq primer: Age of Conan

News
Age of Conan collector's edition is all sold out
Critter Round Up and Star Soldier R hit WiiWare today
EA extends Take-Two purchase offer deadline a third time
New games this week: Wii Fit edition
Tiga: Georgia incentives highlight UK game devs need tax breaks
EA knocks Activision/Vivendi for leaving ESA
Skykid swoops onto Virtual Console
Haze says no to HD, yes to HDD
Metal Gear Solid 4 not the last 'Metal Gear'
Nintendo bans Hitler from Mario Kart Wii
'Virtual Iraq' treats PTSD with modded Full Spectrum Warrior
South Korean president gifted with mother of pearl Xbox 360
Haze dating game video makes us uncomfortable
How to share user generated content in Blast Works

Rumors & Speculation
'Skate' bored? EA teases Skate 2 gameplay twist

Culture & Community
BioShock 'pimp supreme' Ken Levine to keynote PAX 2008
Ninjas keeping Sega employees quiet
You too can buy Drake's gun from Uncharted
Texas Governor Rick Perry keynoting E3
2008 E3 exhibitor list released

Rumor: Kid Icarus Wii details, concept art revealed

by Griffin McElroy { May 11th 2008 at 5:00PM }

For a game that hasn't even been formally announced, there sure seems to be a lot of information circulating about the Wiicreation of the celestial NES action-platformer, Kid Icarus. For instance, Kombo.com (not to be confused with Zombo.com) recently posted a veritable cornucopia of concept art for the rumored title, as well as some heretofore unannounced deets. Apparently, Pit has been "cursed for thousands of years for a crime" and has become a fallen angel -- those mature themes seem to resonate through the conceptual drawings, available on Kombo's site.

We're not sure if this new media is legit, but Kombo did break the rumor that Factor 5 was working on an Icarus title in late January. Perhaps they do indeed have an inside source -- though it's just as likely that their early plot details could have rolled off their own forked tongues. Check out the images, and judge for yourself.

Kid Icarus to smolder with generic rage?

by JC Fletcher { May 9th 2008 at 2:15PM }

Kombo has posted a gallery of what they say is early concept art for Factor 5's Kid Icarus game. The styles vary from fantasy cover art to Bruce Timm-style minimalism, but they all have one thing in common: Pit is a troubled young man. This fits with the proposed game pitch, in which Pit is "cursed for thousands of years and becomes a fallen angel." He bears a tattoo on his arm that details his crime. Awesome.

We hope this is fake, or not what Factor 5 (or whoever the real developer is) goes with. It's not even a matter of nostalgia: we need more weird flying platformers about eggplant wizards and fewer games about brooding antiheroes. We don't need Man Icarus.

[Via NeoGAF]

IGN pretty much confirms Kid Icarus

by Chris Greenhough { May 8th 2008 at 5:00PM }

There's a big game coming for the Wii this holiday -- we know this because Reggie said so -- and IGN's Matt ~~Cassa~~ ~~Casamasi~~ C. has virtually confirmed what most had anticipated: it's Kid Icarus. Speaking on IGN's most recent Nintendo Voice Chat podcast, Casamassina blurted: "Of course [Nintendo is] going to have some E3 surprises. You know, Kid Icarus, for crying out loud, how many times do we have to say Kid Icarus? Kid Icarus is coming for crying out loud."

So there you go -- can't say we're hugely surprised to hear of Pit's return, but that doesn't mean we're looking forward to it any less. Casamassina refused to reveal who was behind it, but we hear the folks at Retro are currently kicking back and taking a break from the Metroid universe ... *

* Wanton speculation.

[Via Joystiq]

Kid Icarus on Wii indirectly revealed by IGN

by Justin McElroy { May 8th 2008 at 12:29PM }

When fans debate which of their plentiful wells Nintendo will be returning to for their next big title, Kid Icarus is always a popular suspicion. Now, IGN's Matt Casamassina has basically confirmed that it's on the way to Wii. On episode 7 of the IGN Nintendo Voice Chat podcast Casamassina says, "Of course [Nintendo is] going to have some E3 surprises. You know, Kid Icarus, for crying out loud, how many times do we have to say Kid Icarus? Kid Icarus is coming for crying out loud." When a co-host asks if he wants to reveal the developer he responds "I think we've confirmed it a billion times but no, I'm not going to say it officially."

Adding more fuel to the fire on this week's show Casamassina said "Kid Icarus, that's another one that I'm really anticipating just because I love the franchise and I'm sure that the developer will make a really pretty game." It looks like we'll have to wait for July to hear anything official from Nintendo but, if Casamassina is to be believed (we've asked him for further clarification), a Wii version of Kid Icarus seems to be all but a done deal.

[Thanks to Jeff for the heads up.]

For awesome NES mods, just add legends

by Chris Greenhough { Apr 21st 2008 at 10:30PM }

Thanks to its largely flat surface, the NES doubles up as an ideal canvas for those wishing to spruce up their consoles with a custom paint job. Of course, you also need artistic ability, which is where we fail hideously, and eBay user hellokitty11111111111 (yes) excels.

Well, "excels" most of the time, anyway. The quality of these mods does vary a little -- we're not big fans of the Kid Icarus design -- but we do absolutely love the Earthbound, Super Mario Bros. 3, and (highly topical) River City Ransom examples. Are they worth (up to) $149.99, though? At a stretch, we'd be tempted. There's more past the break, complete with auction links.

Continued →