Overview
Climb the mountain. Break the ice. Ice Climber scrolled vertically as players hammered through ice platforms from below, racing upward while avoiding polar bears, birds, and the ever-present danger of falling off the bottom of the screen. Two-player cooperative mode let Popo and Nana climb together—or sabotage each other.
Fast facts
- Developer: Nintendo R&D1.
- Players: One or two simultaneous.
- Characters: Popo (blue), Nana (pink).
- Smash Bros: Playable fighters.
Gameplay mechanics
| Action |
Function |
| Jump |
Reach higher platforms |
| Hammer |
Break ice blocks above |
| Grab |
Catch vegetables |
| Climb |
Ascend through levels |
Level structure
| Phase |
Objective |
| Mountain |
Climb 8 floors |
| Bonus |
Collect vegetables, catch condor |
| Condor |
Grab for bonus points |
Enemies
| Enemy |
Behaviour |
| Topi |
Seal/yeti, repairs ice |
| Nitpicker |
Bird, flies horizontally |
| Polar Bear |
Forces screen scroll |
| Icicle |
Falls from above |
Cooperative dynamics
| Aspect |
Effect |
| Simultaneous play |
Both climb together |
| Screen scroll |
Bottom player at risk |
| Competition |
Race for vegetables |
| Sabotage |
Can strand partner |
| Feature |
Detail |
| Breakable ice |
Hammer from below |
| Cloud platforms |
Pass through |
| Moving platforms |
Horizontal movement |
| Falling hazard |
Screen bottom = death |
Bonus stage
| Element |
Points |
| Vegetables |
Eggplant, carrot, etc. |
| Condor |
Grab for bonus |
| Time limit |
40 seconds |
Cultural impact
| Appearance |
Context |
| Super Smash Bros. Melee |
Playable fighters |
| Smash Bros. series |
Recurring characters |
| Retro recognition |
NES nostalgia |
See also