Nintendo and GameStop reveal US Kid Icarus: Uprising multiplayer competition

With the release of Kid Icarus: Uprising less than a month away, fans will expect Nintendo to be drumming up publicity with a few events to capture the public, and media's, interest.

One such highlights the much-hyped multiplayer mode that will allow players to connect locally or online - a feature sorely missing from the previous generation of DS handhelds.

Linking up with US retailer GameStop, Nintendo has announced a special multiplayer tournament, being held at locations across the United States with the finals taking place in New York City (Broadway & 84th Street).

The locations and dates of the qualifying rounds are as follows:

San Francisco, CA - March 8th
Orlando, FL - March 11th
Los Angeles - March 15th
New York - March 22nd (finals)

At the time of writing, there have been no announcements of a European or Japanese tournament.

In addition to the chance to battle for Kid Icarus swag and an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City, players and spectators at the finals will be able to purchase a copy of the game a day early, a move sure to attract a good-sized crowd for publicity photos.

The tournament announcement is suspiciously quiet regarding whether the play will focus on the 3 vs. 3 Light versus Dark mode or if it will be a Free-for-All.

However, considering that three winners from each location will move onto the finals in New York, it is a fair bet that Nintendo will be choosing the 3 vs. 3 option.