[Game
Paks that have "cool" winter-based stages.]
Publisher:
Hudson Soft
Genre:
Action
Released:
September 1988, February 1991, September 1992, Famicom
The
Adventure Island series is like no other on the NES in
that it really stuck to one set formula and never strayed away.
There had to be Higgins, of course, and his axe/boomerang; then
introduced in II came the addition of rideable dinosaurs; and
ultimately the same repeating courses: tropics, volcano/fire,
and ice. This methodical pattern continued over and over and over
again... spanning four titles for the NES and Family Computer.
It didn't matter whether you popped in the original or one of
the sequels; you knew exactly what to expect from an Adventure
Island game. If that formulaic display is a good thing or
not; I'll leave up to you.
For
all of our served purposes, this senseless repetition makes Adventure
Island 1-4 (note: the fourth installment was never released
in the US, only in Japan) the ideal place to begin coverage
of one-stage ice areas on the NES. Here's where you can find the
ice levels in all four games:
Adventure
Island: Area 1-Round 3; Adventure Island II: Level
4; Adventure Island III: Area 6; Adventure Island IV:
Part 4
(Hint:
Enter Right, Left, Right, A, B, A, B at the title screen for stage
select. This code works for both Adventure Island 1 and
2. For Adventure Island 3: press Down, Up, Left, Right,
B, A, B, A instead.)
Adventure
Island II (left) // Adventure Island III (right)
Adventure
Island II (left) // Adventure Island III (right)
Publisher:
JVC
Genre:
Action
Released:
March 1992
The
first NES Starwars game sucked. Nobody in their right mind
can dispute that. I held high hopes for its sequel--based on my
favorite film of the Lucas trilogy, Empire Strikes Back--that
it would perform much better. And well, it does and it doesn't.
Overall it's a big step forward, though.
The
Hoth level was hands down the biggest "no-brainer" for
me to include in this section of winter levels. This part of the
game is broken down into three different scenes in which you play
through.
Luke Skywalker, mounted atop a taun taun, as he goes out to report
back on a landed meteor (a disguised imperial probe droid) is the
first of the triumvirate. This beginning stage mostly takes place
inside of an ice cavern brimming with those annoying flying droids.
I had a hell of a time beating it mostly because of the jumping.
(Luke can hold down for higher jumps; something that took me a
long time to figure out.) At the end of the scene you'll meet
the pesky imperial probe droid gathering information to Darth.
The
second scene tries to duplicate what may possibly be the most
famous of Star Wars moments--the battle against the Imperial
Walkers approaching the rebel ice base. Luke is somewhat equipped
for the ride, carrying five harpoons that equal sudden destruction
of a walker. You'll have to take the other five walkers down by
firing at their legs. Also important to note: if your snow speeder
is hit enough times, you'll wind up on foot. There you'll have
to take out the approaching storm troopers and find another ship
to aboard. Take all walkers down before they reach the base.
Finally
the third scene of the Hoth area takes place inside of the rebel
base. Imperial troops and AT-ATs have invaded and Luke must fight
to rescue the trapped Leia inside.
A
small side-note: What the heck is with Darth Vader's supposed
"breathing" patterns? He sounds more like he's sipping
a Diet Coke out of a straw or something. Ahhhh refreshing taste!
LISTEN
TO THE .MP3 SOUNDFILE OF DARTH VADER
Quick
Picks (Sponsored by Drugged
up Polar Bear):
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Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtles II
Publisher:
Ultra Soft
Genre:
Arcade
Released:
December 1990
Bogus
alert, dudes! Shredhead unleashed a blizzard in NYC and
it's Springtime! This was always one of my favorite
stages in TMNT2 as a kid. Konami made this level
for the console version exclusive, which means arcade goers
never had the chance to kick butt in the snow. Some highlights:
Robots disguised as snowmen, snow foot soldiers, and still--snowy
advertisements of Pizza Hut. Cowabunga!
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Mega
Man 2
Publisher:
Capcom
Genre:
Action
Released:
December 1987
Don't
you just love Iceman's "ho!" position at the stage
intro? You know with a name like "Iceman" there's
bound to be some serious chilling action around the corner.
Helicopter-beak
penguins. Enough is said.
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Super
Mario Bros. 3
Publisher:
Nintendo
Genre:
Action
Released:
February 1990
If one single thing could define the wintry awe and appeal
in NES video games, World
6's overworld map music is it. Listen! Play! Feeeel!
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Duck
Tales
Publisher:
Capcom
Genre:
Action
Released:
September 1989
Arguably
the best Disney game for the NES, Duck Tales also
has another thing going for it--one wicked winter stage.
Taking place in the Himalayas, Scrooge McDuck searches for
his lost treasure and rescues a caveman named Bubba.
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Felix
the Cat
Publisher:
Hudson Soft
Genre:
Action
Released:
October 1985
Felix
has many things going for it: excellent graphics, hysterical
game-play, and some really fine moments of enjoyment. Fortunately
you now have an excuse to replay it to play through the
great snowy stage.
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Flintstones
2: Surprise at Dino Peak
Publisher:
Taito
Genre:
Action
Released:
August 1994
I'm
coming out of my shell here by admitting I'm not a fan of
either Flintstones games for the NES. They just never
clicked with me. However, Flintstones 2: Surprise at
Dinosaur Peak has one bad-ass (good) mini-game that's
more fun than both games' best moments combined!
You
have the chance to encounter another caveman ("enemy")
in Bedrock once you beat the initial first stage. He'll challenge
Fred and Barney to a quick game of ice hockey. The
object to win is timing your shot to the opening and closing
intervals of the opponent's dinosaur net. Control and everything
else is spot-on. Taito should've based the entire game on
it!
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The
Little Mermaid
Publisher:
Capcom
Genre:
Action
Released:
July 1991
Sebastian
tells Ariel in a cut-scene that Ursula has cast a spell
freezing the oceans! This 'trademark Capcom' stage is
a great example of an winter environment done right. The
walrus boss at the end is susceptible to seashells.
Despite
the title's relatively childish exterior, The Little
Mermaid happens to be one of my cherished favorites.
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Zoda's Revenge: StarTropics II
Publisher:
Nintendo
Genre:
Action/RPG
Released:
March 1994
StarTropics rules. For some reason or another I seem
to never get the opportunity to say these words enough on
this site. Thankfully I can again! The introductory level
of StarTropics II seems to have an uncanny sense of this
season. A monster called "Yum-Yum" snatched little
cavemen tykes and is preparing a buffet. Mike to the rescue!
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Yo!
Noid
Publisher:
Capcom
Genre:
Action
Released:
November 1990
Last
but certainly not least is Yo! Noid's second area
depicting an ice rink. Homebound for drugged up polar bear!
Remember parents he's available for birthday parties too!
"GAB-GAB-GAGARAGBAGA"
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