Could this be the "big game" Nintendo will announce at E3 this year? An IGN podcast published on Monday says maybe while confirming that an Icarus sequel is in development.

At the 12:42 mark of the Nintendo Voice Chat: Episode 1, IGN editor Matt Casamassina said, "We do know that game exists," referring to the rumored return of Kid Icarus on Wii. Previously, Cassamassina assured fans the game would "absolutely" arrive in 2008.

Last week, Nintendo president Reggie Fils-Aime promised "a big game" that would be revealed at this year's E3. "All I can tell you is what we announce during E3 is gonna be fantastic," he told Game Trailers TV. "The gamer is gonna be excited, and the expanded audience is gonna be excited."

In 2007, IGN's Cassamassina spread internet rumors of an unreleased Halo DS game, which he later confirmed in a video amid widespread doubt.

Kid Icarus (1987 for NES) is widely regarded as one of the greatest games of all time. The game successfully combines elements of Nintendo's three biggest franchises -- Zelda, Mario, and Metroid -- in that lead character Pit can "jump like Mario, collect items like Link, and shoot enemies like Samus." Pit (pictured) was most recently featured in Super Smash Bros. Brawl for Wii.

Sounds good if its true. The cutscenes in Brawl of Pit looked amazing and I can only imagine what a developer like Retro can do with it.

i hope it does come this year...im curious to see how they could make it work in 3D for all we kno it might be another metroid prime

thats all good, but does Kid icarus still have a following today..

I mean is it even "important" in todays gaming world

I'd buy it. :D

It's basically going to be like a new IP at this point, though it gets a bit of added exposure from being in Brawl and having the original on the VC I suppose.

The Smash factor will be big for KI. Frankly, I think a big part of Metroid Prime's success was due to the exposure Samus got in the Smash games, and that the series may have been ended after Super Metroid if people weren't so excited about her presence alongside Mario and crew. The game also probably made it easier for Nintendo to establish Fire Emblem in the U.S. Really, KI will have no troubles getting a couple million sales, at least in its first trip back to the limelight.

Though to say it's going to be the biggest Nintendo game this year...

Awesome. Kid Icarus is great. Wonder if this one will be hard as hell too.

this was already posted

I hope its some kind of 3rd person shoot adventure platform game.

Basically take Zelda's bow training type of shooting w/ Metroid's powerups w/ Mario's platforming and you got yourself one hell of a game.

Then add online battle modes and BAM!!!! Multi-platinum seller.