Kid Icarus world order, fortress bosses and Medusa
Follow the climb from the Underworld to the Palace in the Sky.
Edition covered
Original NES game, first released on Famicom Disk System in 1986 and on NES in 1987. This guide uses the NES rules, not the altered 3D Classics release or Uprising.
Learn the world’s scrolling style
The Underworld and Skyworld emphasize upward travel. The Overworld uses horizontal movement, so its hazards need a different rhythm.
| World | Structure | Boss |
|---|---|---|
| Underworld | Vertical stages and fortress | Twinbellows |
| Overworld | Horizontal stages and fortress | Hewdraw |
| Skyworld | Vertical stages and fortress | Pandora |
| Palace in the Sky | Flying final stage | Medusa |
Finish each fortress before advancing
Twinbellows, Hewdraw and Pandora guard the first three world endings. The maze and the boss are separate tests of preparation.
| Object or target | Role | Gameplay connection |
|---|---|---|
| Mirror Shield | Sacred Treasure | Protection in the final stage |
| Arrow of Light | Sacred Treasure | Final-stage offense |
| Wings of Pegasus | Sacred Treasure | Flight |
| Medusa’s eye | Final weak point | Aim attacks precisely |
Recover the three Sacred Treasures
The fortress victories supply the equipment needed for the final palace. The last stage changes into a flying shooter.
Aim the final attack at Medusa’s eye
Use the Sacred Treasures during the final encounter. Maintain position and watch projectiles instead of approaching it like an ordinary platform-stage enemy.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Nintendo NES manual | www.nintendo.co.jp |
| Original-game reference | www.kidicaruswiki.org |
| Nintendo release overview | www.nintendo.com |
| Detailed topic reference | www.kidicaruswiki.org |