Play Ice Climber Online

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Cover art of Ice Climber

3.3 / 5

124 votes

Platform
NES
Genres
Action · Platformer
Player Perspective
Side view
Developers
Nintendo · Nintendo R&D1
Publishers
Nintendo
Release date
January 30, 1985

Summary

Ice Climber challenges you to smash through eight icy layers on each of 32 vertical mountains, all while wielding a simple wooden mallet. The goal is to chase down a giant condor that’s pilfered the climbers’ vegetables, with the peak bonus stage offering a frantic 40‑second sprint for extra lives—especially if you snag that elusive corn. Enemies range from the seal‑like Topi that patches holes in the floor, to the swooping Nitpicker that darts across multiple layers, and the sunglasses‑sporting White Bear that forces the screen upward if you linger too long. You can tackle the ascent solo as Popo in a blue parka or team up with Nana in pink, either cooperating to clear the ice or racing each other to the summit during the bonus round. Directed by Kenji Miki and programmed by Kazuaki Morita as a warm‑up before Super Mario Bros., Ice Climber debuted as an NES launch title, later resurfacing on multiple Nintendo consoles and even joining the Super Smash Bros. roster as the Ice Climbers.

Storyline

In the classic NES game Ice Climber, players control the duo Popo and Nana—known together as the Ice Climbers—as they ascend a series of 32 vertically scrolling, snow‑covered mountains. Their mission is to chase down a massive condor that has stolen their precious vegetables and retrieve the loot. Each mountain presents icy platforms and hidden hazards, requiring careful jumps and timed hammer swings. The goal is to reach the summit of every peak and reclaim the stolen produce.

Edited by Maya Carter

Game Videos

Game Screenshots

  • Screenshot 1 of Ice Climber
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Game Artworks

  • Artwork 1 of Ice Climber
  • Artwork 2 of Ice Climber
  • Artwork 3 of Ice Climber

Multiplayer

Game modes
Cooperative
Multiplayer setup
Split Screen

Alternative Titles

  • VS. Ice Climbers Alternative