One Switch 2 Feature Could Inspire a Comeback for a Beloved…

The reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 has proven that the console is a true upgrade from its predecessor. The power of the hardware used and its new features set the Nintendo Switch 2 apart 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 mouse could open the floodgates to a whole new range of experiences, crafted with innovated ideas players have already had a glimpse of from the gameplay of Drag 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 than Kid Icarus: Uprising.

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By LB Beistad

Kid Icarus: Uprising Would Be Great for Switch 2

A Beloved Reboot of a Classic Series

Kid Icarus: Uprising released 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 that Kid Icarus: Uprising is one of the best 3DS games. However, other than characters from the series appearing in Super 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 a Kid Icarus: Uprising Switch 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: Uprising received 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 found Kid 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, some console games benefit from mouse controls, and where these benefits shine most are in shooters. Kid Icarus: Uprising has 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 potential Switch 2 keyboard peripheral, they would each have access to their own mouse from a single Switch 2 bundle. Kid Icarus: Uprising established 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 of Kid Icarus: Uprising left 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 that Kid Icarus: Uprising tournaments were 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 a Kid Icarus game 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 the Switch 2’s GameShare feature would 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: Uprising being 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 of Kirby Air Riders has proved that Masahiro Sakurai is willing to revisit beloved series from decades past, so it’s not impossible for Kid Icarus to receive the same treatment. Fans have noticed that Sakurai may have been teasing a port of Kid Icarus: Uprising, and if these hints are true, it might not be long before players can take to the skies again in a remake.

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