Nintendo's mountain climbers platformer. Hammer mechanic against enemies and blocks, vertical ascent. Simple but effective, enjoyable in co-op. A foundational Nintendo classic.
Your verdict
Category
Platformer4 players3+
Description
Platformer in which two mountain climbers scale icy mountains using hammers. Published by Nintendo, released in the USA in 1985. Two characters in side-scrolling view scaling ice formations with their hammers and bosses and enemies to avoid. NES port of Nintendo's Ice Climber arcade.
Ice Climber review
3/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Polished"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
Gameplay
"Solid"
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
Climbing a mountain by smashing the ice above you, hopping from platform to platform and snatching the vegetables at the top: the formula is simple, the challenge tasty. With two players, teamwork quickly turns to chaos as each accidentally gets in the other's way. Snappy, retro and fiercely convivial, a climbing classic that still makes you grit your teeth... with delight.
Ice Climber belongs to the founding wave of NES Black Box titles launched in 1985, a historical pedigree that drives its collecting appeal in this USA/Europe release. Popo and Nana's inclusion in Smash Bros sustained recognition far beyond the arcade port's quality. Sealed or complete Black Box copies from this first wave stay sought after for their foundational place in Nintendo's Western catalogue.
Is Ice Climber still worth playing in 2026?
A platformer from Nintendo, Ice Climber has two climbers scale icy mountains by smashing ice ceilings with a hammer, while dodging birds and seals. The vertical concept, the two player co op and the trap laden difficulty make it a home arcade classic, popular thanks to its presence in Super Smash Bros. The stiff jump handling has aged. For a fan of retro platforming or someone curious about Nintendo heritage, the title keeps a historical charm and a snappy challenge, especially in twos.
