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Pit (Kid Icarus)

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Pit
Kid Icarus character
File:Pit render.png
Pit in Kid Icarus: Uprising
First appearanceKid Icarus (1986)
Created byToru Osawa[1]
Designed byToru Osawa
Voiced byENG: Alessandro Juliani (Captain N: The Game Master (1989))[2]
Lani Minella (Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008))[2]
Will Friedle (Mad (2010))[2]
Anthony Del Rio (2012—2018)[2][3]
Troy Lund (Kid Icarus: Uprising (2012))[2]
JP: Minami Takayama (2008—2018)[2]
In-universe information
SpeciesAngel[4]

Pit (Japanese: ピット, Hepburn: Pitto) is a character and protagonist of the Kid Icarus series created by Nintendo. Pit is a resident of Angel Land and is a member of the royal guard tasked with the responsibility of defeating the ultimate evil. Pit made his debut in the original Kid Icarus (1986), with the mission to rescue the Goddess of Light, Palutena. Since then, she has become an adviser for him.[5] Pit's other notable appearances include the Super Smash Bros. series, Captain N: The Game Master, WarioWare microgames, F1 Race, and Nintendo Entertainment System version of Tetris.[6][7][8]

History

Pit, a character in Kid Icarus, was created and designed by Japanese video game designer Toru Osawa. After studying arts and animation at Kyoto Seika University, Osawa was given the chance to create his own game,[a] which he developed single-handedly. The game's concept was inspired by Hiroji Kiyotake's athletic spirit and combined the "running and shooting" style of Metroid with Greek myths. Osawa's dark humor was evident in the bizarre characters and Pit's death cry, "I'm finished!".[1] Japanese video game designer, Masahiro Sakurai, gave Pit a major redesign in Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008).[9] Sakurai felt he would be a noteworthy character to be included in the game, commenting: "I felt like too much time had passed since then and that if I brought Pit to 'Smash Bros.' without any modifications, he wouldn't be popular, nor have the kind of impressive moves that he would need for 'Smash Bros'". Sakurai redesigned the character while thinking of how he would look after his disappearance from the Kid Icarus series for a long time. According to Sakurai, the reception to the character was well received.[10]

Origin

Among the first video games to draw inspiration from Greek mythology was Kid Icarus. The game's English title refers to Pit, who draws inspiration from Icarus. His name, which derives from Cupid, is another source of inspiration for him. Pit is called after Cupid, a Roman god who has a Greek counterpart named Eros, therefore the name Cupid is still a nod to Greek mythology.[11]

Appearances

Kid Icarus games

Pit made his first appearance in Kid Icarus (1986). In the game, Pit plays a role in rescuing the Goddess of Light, Palutena, from the clutches of the wicked Medusa. Pit escapes his Underworld prison and descends the steep cliffs, fending off the armies of Medusa's troops, including snakes and the deadly God of Death. Along the way, Pit overcomes Zeus' challenges and gains stronger weapons to combat the Underworld's hordes. In conclusion, once Pit had completed the stage, he would explore a gigantic stronghold filled with traps and puzzles.[1]

Pit returns in Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters (1991). A fortune-teller interprets Palutena's nightmare as a sign that the demon Orcos and his henchmen are about to invade. Pit, the commander of her army, is called by the goddess, who also orders him to report for special instruction that would enable him to use the three precious treasures of Angel Land. Palutena has these under the protection of three fortress guards to keep them secure from Orcos while Pit is on his mission. Pit receives the precious treasures from the goddess after he defeats the guards and completes his training.[12] After two decades of hiatus, Pit appears in Kid Icarus: Uprising (2012), where Pit is working with Palutena once again to defeat the returning Medusa and her unpleasant army.[5]

Other games

Besides his appearances in the Kid Icarus series, Pit has notably appeared in four Super Smash Bros. titles, including Super Smash Bros. Melee (2001) (as a trophy),[7] Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008),[13] Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U (2014),[14] and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018).[6][15] Pit made a cameo appearance in the Nintendo Entertainment System version of Tetris, in which he can be seen playing the violin.[16] He has been featured in several WarioWare microgames as well as F1 Race.[8]

Other media

Pit's first non-video game appearance was in GoGo Pit-Kun!, a manga based on the original Kid Icarus.[17] He has additionally appeared in an animated television series, Captain N: The Game Master,[b] although in the series he is never referred to as Pit but instead his "Kid Icarus" title. He also had difficulties speaking simple sentences and always ended the sentence with "-icus", for instance, "Hey there, Kevin-icus! Do you want to play some basketball-icus? Me and Mega Man totally love shooting hoops-icus".[7] The Mad animated television series features Pit along with other characters from different franchises in the episode "Diary of a Wimpy Kid Icarus".[18] In 2012, Nintendo collaborated with three anime studios to produce animated shorts based on Kid Icarus Uprising. A short created by Production I.G features Pit fighting with one of Medusa's minions.[19] Pit and his doppelgänger Dark Pit each have their own Amiibo figurines from the Super Smash Bros. series.[20][21]

Critical reception

Kyle Orland of Ars Technica criticized Pit's movements in Kid Icarus: Uprising but also praised his characterization, noting: "I especially liked Pit's characterization as the kind of dweeby, reluctant hero that I would have totally aspired to be up through the age of 15 or so. It's a child-friendly style that's not for everyone, but it made me grin quite a bit and even laugh out loud a few times".[22]

Savannah Malerba of The Odyssey Online considered Pit a male version of herself and found Pit's personality relatable to her, noting: "I am all of those things in about the same ways as Pit and Pit is a great character that I relate to because of that". Savannah also drew multiple sketches of Pit and Dark Pit alongside her own Pit-inspired character.[23]

Pit's determination received recognition from Marc Kaliroff of Goomba Stomp Magazine, despite the character being unable to fly. Pit's disability is one of his most important traits, according to Marc, who said of him: "Pit's disability is a shining factor of the character that is not only used to create five-minute cinematic rail-shooter scenarios each mission opens up to but it is also a legitimate reason to further define him as a hero. Despite his weakness, the hero is able to always overcome his problems and ultimately make the higher powers above him look weak. Pit is what every player dreams to be–the believer that can accomplish anything despite the presence of what is seemingly insurmountable odds".[24]

Digital Spy's Matthew Reynold considers Pit and Palutena's banter "a constant source of humor", while stating that it was well worth the wait for Pit's reappearance after a decades-long absence.[25]

In his review of Kid Icarus: Uprising, Jack Devries, a writer for IGN, criticized Pit's slowness in the game and said that Pit has a very birdlike feel to him, which makes him look weird.[26]

Jeff Cork of Game Informer initially had negative feelings towards Pit, but over time, he found himself warming up to him due to his "enthusiastic approach" and sense of humor.[27]

Andy Hoover of Nintendojo appreciated Pit's design in Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008), describing it as "colourful" and "lively".[28]

canonball, an author of The Fwoosh, in review of Pit's Kid Icarus: Uprising figma, expressed how the figma does not resemble Pit's original appearance from Kid Icarus and Pit looked more athletic instead. In accordance with canonball, they described the figma as better than the Link and Samus ones; they were "super impressed" by the figure; and they commented: "If you're even the most casual fan of Kid Icarus, then this Pit is an absolute must. It's a better figure than we could have ever hoped to get based on the character, and it holds its own in comparison to almost any other figure on the market today".[29]

Henry Gilbert of GamesRadar+ stated that Pit is no longer an innocent boy, as he was in previous games; in fact, he has a playful personality, and when it comes time to "kick ass", Pit is prepared for whatever comes his way.[5]

In 2012, Nintendo Blast featured Pit on the front cover of their book titled "Nintendo Blast Ano 3 Edições 25 a 36", written by Rafael Neves.[30]

Wired's Z specifically criticized Pit's voice and childish behavior in Kid Icarus: Uprising. Expressing their disappointment: "Admittedly I may be prejudiced, as a friend of mine was slated to be the voice of Pit before the team decided to "go another way", but the hammy voice acting is almost enough to offset an otherwise stirring soundtrack. Still, poor writing and juvenile overacting isn't the worst of the game's trespasses".[31]

Ozzie Mejia of Shacknews stated that Pit delivers some of the worst jokes that he has ever experienced in any video game, while comparing him to popsicle sticks.[32]

GameZone's Vito Gesualdi found similarities between Pit, The Legend of Zelda's Link, and American filmmaker Woody Allen, saying that "Pit is equal parts Link and Woody Allen, a handsome young warrior with all the self-confidence of our favorite neurotic Jew".[33]

Pit is a childhood hero of Jonas Mäki, an author of Gamereactor.[34]

Romendil of Jeuxvideo.com compliments Pit's courage, his skills using the bow to shoot arrows, and his personality overall.[35]

Notes

  1. ^ Known as Kid Icarus (1986).
  2. ^ Voiced by Alessandro Juliani.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c Monnens, Devin (March 19, 2012). "Making of a Myth: The Grueling Development of the Original Kid Icarus". Nintendo World Report. NINWR, LLC. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Pit Voices (Kid Icarus) - Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Inyxception Enterprises, Inc. Archived from the original on March 18, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  3. ^ Madden, Orla (March 3, 2013). "Interview: Meet Antony Del Rio - Voice Actor for Pit / Dark Pit". Nintendo Life. Hookshot Media. Archived from the original on June 2, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  4. ^ Boxer, Steve (March 23, 2012). "Kid Icarus: Uprising – review". The Guardian. Guardian News & Media Limited. Archived from the original on May 18, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Gilbert, Henry (March 17, 2012). "Kid Icarus essentials All the facts you should know before Pits return". GamesRadar+. Future Publishing Limited Quay House. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Mejia, Ozzie (December 19, 2018). "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Character Profiles: Pit". Shacknews. Gamerhub. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Lucas M. Thomas (January 27, 2011). "You Don't Know Kid Icarus". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on January 29, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Neves, Rafael; Estrella, Sérgio (January 22, 2018). Nintendo Blast Ano 3 - Coleção 2012 (in Portuguese). p. 9. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024 – via Google Books.
  9. ^ 稲元徹也 [Tetsuya Inamoto] (January 8, 2011). "プロジェクトソラの桜井政博氏が，新しいパルテナを解説！ニンテンドー3DSタイトル「新・光神話 パルテナの鏡」プレゼンテーションレポート" [Masahiro Sakurai of Project Sora explains the new Palutena! Nintendo 3DS title "New Light Mythology: Palutena's Mirror" presentation report]. 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). Aetas, Inc. Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  10. ^ Hawkins, Matthew (April 4, 2012). "Masahiro Sakurai on reviving gaming's past, and concerns for its future". NBCNews. NBCUniversal. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  11. ^ Williams, Caitlin (December 17, 2021). "Nintendo's Cult Classic Kid Icarus Turns 35". Goomba Stomp Magazine. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  12. ^ "The Tale of Kid Icarus". Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters Instruction Booklet. Nintendo of America. November 1991.
  13. ^ Buchanan, Levi (March 12, 2008). "'Super Smash Bros. Brawl' is a love letter to fans". NBCNews. NBCUniversal. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  14. ^ Karmali, Luke (September 11, 2014). "New Super Smash Bros. Characters Confirmed in Stream". IGN Africa. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  15. ^ Campbell, Evan (July 6, 2023). "Don't Expect A New Kid Icarus Game, Says Uprising And Smash Bros. Director". GameSpot. Fandom, Inc. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  16. ^ Adam (November 12, 2014). "Ten Interesting Link Links: Zelda Crossovers – Rice Digital". Rice Digital. Rice Digital Ltd. Archived from the original on December 4, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  17. ^ "GoGo Pit-Kun! Kid Icarus Manga 1987". April 17, 2020 – via Internet Archive.
  18. ^ "Diary of a Wimpy Kid Icarus". Mad. Season 3. Warner Bros. Animation. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024 – via Dailymotion.
  19. ^ Sahdev, Ishaan (March 7, 2012). "Kid Icarus: Uprising Animated Shorts Detailed". Siliconera. GAMURS Group. Archived from the original on May 16, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  20. ^ "Pit amiibo Figure by Nintendo - Super Smash Bros. Series". Nintendo. Nintendo of America Inc. Archived from the original on May 16, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  21. ^ "Dark Pit amiibo Figure by Nintendo - Super Smash Bros. Series". Nintendo. Nintendo of America Inc. Archived from the original on May 18, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  22. ^ Orland, Kyle (March 23, 2012). "Review: Kid Icarus: Uprising loses control of an otherwise enjoyable mythological romp". Ars Technica. Condé Nast. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  23. ^ Malerba, Savannah (November 21, 2017). "6 Reasons Why I Am Obsessed With "Kid Icarus Uprising"". The Odyssey Online. Odyssey Media Group, Inc. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  24. ^ Kaliroff, Marc (March 22, 2022). "Kid Icarus: Uprising's Story Soars High Above Nintendo's Other Narratives". Goomba Stomp Magazine. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  25. ^ Reynolds, Matthew (April 11, 2012). "'Kid Icarus: Uprising' review (3DS): Pit returns in all-new adventure". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  26. ^ Devries, Jack (January 19, 2011). "Kid Icarus Uprising Is Painfully Good". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on May 12, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  27. ^ Cork, Jeff (March 19, 2012). "Kid Icarus: Uprising - 3DS Review". Game Informer. GameSpot. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  28. ^ Hoover, Andy (June 24, 2010). "Welcome Back, Pit". Nintendojo. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  29. ^ canonball (May 18, 2013). "Figma – Pit (Kid Icarus: Uprising)". The Fwoosh. Fwoosh LLC. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  30. ^ Nintendo Blast Ano 3 Edições 25 a 36 [Nintendo Blast Year 3 Editions 25 to 36] (in Portuguese). Apple Inc. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  31. ^ Z (March 28, 2012). "Kid Icarus 3DS Flies High, Then Crashes". Wired. Condé Nast. Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  32. ^ Mejia, Ozzie (March 28, 2012). "Kid Icarus: Uprising review". Shacknews. Gamerhub. Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  33. ^ Gesualdi, Vito (May 4, 2012). "Kid Icarus: Uprising review". GameZone. Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  34. ^ Mäki, Jonas (March 23, 2012). "Kid Icarus: Uprising". Gamereactor. Gamez Publishing A/S. Archived from the original on May 16, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024. When my childhood hero returns after in a new adventure of his own after 25 long years there is little time to lose. The oversized box contains a stand that I've read is designed to make playing the game more ergonomic. But who has the time to bother with that sort of thing when Pit is finally back?
  35. ^ Romendil (March 21, 2012). "Kid Icarus Uprising". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Webedia. Archived from the original on May 16, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.

Further reading

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