Vs. Ice Climber (1984). Play online
Game Info
Not rated
- Platform
- Arcade
- Multiplayer Game Modes
- Cooperative
- Player Perspective
- Side view
- Developer Companies
- Nintendo R&D1
- Publishers
- Nintendo
- Release date
- 1 October 1984
Summary
VS. Ice Climber, the arcade entry in Nintendo’s Vs. series, adds several features missing from the NES version. An animated title screen and a stage‑select menu let you choose from an initial 24 mountains. Sixteen new peaks, occasional blizzards, gusty winds and extra vegetables broaden the playfield, while foes like a spear‑wielding purple bee and a giant butterfly replace familiar enemies. Bonus multiplier items also appear.
After clearing eight peaks, a Super Bonus Stage appears, challenging you to climb a high platform for a chance to catch the Condor. Completing the first set switches the color scheme and replaces the Condor with a butterfly for the next 24‑mountain cycle. Once those finish, the cycle returns to the original set, with the system tracking which hills belong to Ice Climbers or remain Topi‑territory.
Points earn for each ice brick broken, every Topi‑pushed icicle smashed, knocked‑out Nitpicker and collected vegetable, plus an extra bonus for scaling the Super Bonus platform and seizing the Condor. The arcade version also features diagonal‑moving cloud platforms and sudden gusts that can push you off course. Game Machine listed VS. Ice Climber as the eighth‑most‑successful table arcade unit in Japan’s April 1, 1985 ranking.
Storyline
Vs. Ice Climber on Arcade drops you into a chilly vertical trek with Popo and Nana, the Ice Climbers, who must scale 32 ice‑covered mountains. Their goal is to reclaim vegetables that a massive condor has stolen. The mountains scroll upward, forcing the duo to keep climbing while avoiding the bird’s attacks.
The game splits the ascent into two sections. The first 32 peaks are guarded by the giant condor, while the next 24 mountains swap the bird for an enormous butterfly that swoops across the icy slopes. Each creature presents its own pattern, keeping the climb fresh.
After clearing the regular stages, a bonus level appears. If you manage to reach the very top and jump to snatch the condor, the game awards an extra score boost.
Edited by Maya Carter
