Why Kid Icarus: Uprising is the best handheld game I've ever played: A Review

I could have written this review a long time ago, but I was too busy playing the game to do so. Even after beating Kid Icarus: Uprising I can't get enough of it. It is, without a doubt, the best handheld game I've ever played.

Kid Icarus: Uprising is an action/shooting game for the Nintendo 3DS. It stars the angel Pit, who must defeat the evil Medusa by the command of the Goddess of Light, Palutena. The story progresses in chapters, with each chapter consisting (more or less) of an air battle, a land battle, and a boss battle. And, of course, it all plays out in stereoscopic 3-D. 3-D or no, however, the graphics in this game are impressive to say the least. The 3-D is good too, though the nature of the game's control scheme (more on that later) makes it tough to maintain the 3-D sweet spot, so I find myself playing without it more often than not. The story and gameplay in Kid Icarus: Uprising is augmented by one of the best soundtracks I've ever heard. The music is fused with irresistible energy that complements the fast-paced nature of the game.

Never have I been more impressed with voice acting in a Nintendo game than while playing Kid Icarus: Uprising. The game features an enormous variety of characters, all of them appealing in one way or another and with the excellent voice work they deserve. The bulk of the game's dialogue occurs in the thick of battle. This execution of storyline is interesting. Yes, it can distract from the gameplay, and the gameplay can distract from it. But I've never encountered anything like it, and I've really enjoyed the freshness of it.

The control scheme in Kid Icarus: Uprising is wonderful and awful all at once. The player moves Pit with the control pad, aims his weapon with the touch screen, and shoots with the "L" button. It's a tough interface to get used to, but with a little practice can be used with relative ease. It's a control scheme unlike any other, so the unique feel is compelling to me. However, even after many, many hours of play time, I still don't feel entirely comfortable with the controls; they are a tad awkward and cumbersome, especially during land combat.

Kid Icarus: Uprising has massive amounts of content that can keep a gamer engaged long after the credits roll. The game features no shortage of weapon types, for one: each type has a distinct feel, and the different brands within each type ensure that one can never get bored trying out new weapon after new weapon. Multiplayer, AR idol cards, "treasure hunts", and so forth add more layers of depth that give this game an impressive replay value.

Conclusion
Kid Icarus: Uprising rises above other handheld experiences to compete with the best in console gaming, if you ask me. The game is presented with polished graphics, surprisingly awesome voice work, and incredible music. Though the control scheme is quite awkward, it does feel fresh and original. A massive amount of features and modes rounds out an overall amazing game. If you own a 3DS, give this game what it deserves: a purchase.