Kid Icarus: Uprising review

Kid Icarus: Uprising is the most unusual game here and the most expensive. Nintendo's page credits Masahiro Sakurai, creator of Kirby and Super Smash Bros., and his studio Project Sora. Pit, an angel, battles Medusa and her Underworld Army in the air and on land, mixing flight, shooting and melee. The control scheme uses the Circle Pad in the left hand and the stylus in the right, and every copy came with a stand to hold the 3DS on a flat surface; the Circle Pad Pro offers a left-handed layout. There are 9 weapon categories, and the Fiend's Cauldron lets you bet hearts to set the Intensity anywhere from 0.0 to 9.0 per chapter for better rewards. Nintendo lists 1 to 6 players. DKOldies lists a used cartridge at $92.99 before sales, and the controls are demanding, so it ranks tenth.

Who it is for

Collectors and action fans who want a unique 3DS exclusive

Price

Used 3DS cartridge from $92.99 at DKOldies (regular price, before sales).

Original price: $92.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• Mix of flight, shooting and melee combat from Project Sora
• Circle Pad plus stylus control scheme, with a stand included with every copy
• 9 weapon categories, from Bows to Claws
• Fiend's Cauldron sets Intensity from 0.0 to 9.0 per chapter
• Circle Pad Pro support offers a left-handed control option

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Fiend's Cauldron lets each player tune difficulty in 0.1 steps
• Strength: Large weapon collection adds replay value
• Strength: Up to 6 players, per Nintendo's listing
• Weakness: Highest used price on this list at $92.99
• Weakness: Stylus and Circle Pad controls take time to learn
• Weakness: Loose cartridges may lack the stand that came in the box

Key facts

• Publisher: Nintendo
• Developer: Project Sora Co., Ltd.
• EU release: March 23, 2012
• Players: 1 to 6
• Age rating: PEGI 12

Where it ranks

Kid Icarus: Uprising is No. 10 in our Best 3DS Games of All Time verdict.