10 Worst Snow Levels In Video Games

It seems logical that games are more enjoyable when there’s no liquid water involved, such as in the case of snow or ice, doesn’t it?

In many video games, snowy or icy stages can be equally frustrating compared to water levels, typically due to distinct challenges.

Regardless of whether it’s a slick floor that complicates movement or precise control, or annoying adversaries that shove you into big snow drifts, these environments could hardly be described as “Enchanted Winter Scenes.

Just as water levels are a traditional aspect in the spectrum of elemental level designs, frosty levels can be considered equally persistent. As we continue to create themed levels, it’s likely that we’ll encounter these frosty stages more frequently.

10. Freezeezy Peak

Banjo-Kazooie

Have you ever experienced getting hit at the back of your head with a snowball while you were carefully carrying out a task such as cleaning gutters on a ladder during the cold winter season?

If you’ve been there before, it means you’ve encountered the distinctive existential exasperation that characterizes Freezeezy Peak in Banjo-Kazooie.

The annoying aspect of this particular level is the pesky Sir Slushes – they’re snowmen wearing top hats who love pelting Banjo with snowballs every time he walks past them.

To vanquish them, it’s essential that Kazooie uses her precise Beak Bomb aerial attack. However, if not aimed correctly at their hat, Banjo will lose momentum and often fall from flight, typically plummeting into the frigid waters beneath.

That being said, keep in mind that there’s always a chance someone might throw a snowball at you while you’re aiming, potentially disrupting your shot.

9. Snowman’s Land

Super Mario 64

In the game Super Mario 64, there are two winter-themed stages: Cool, Cool Mountain and Snowman’s Land. Although Cool, Cool Mountain has its fair share of penguin-related mischief, Snowman’s Land is generally considered more troublesome.

To earn the level’s initial Star, ascend the colossal snowman situated centrally. The journey up isn’t too difficult, but the real hassle begins when you reach his face.

Without any specific cause, the snowman develops intense dislike towards Mario and tries to eliminate him with a strong wind. To remain secure, one must follow a waddling penguin that moves back and forth, though not always at regular intervals.

Step a little out of line, and you’re sent flying off to climb the whole snowman again.

8. Ice Palace

The Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The Past

In many Legend of Zelda games, you’ll find dungeons themed around elements. However, it’s worth noting that one of the earliest games to introduce this concept was A Link to the Past.

Among all such dungeons, the standout (and sometimes frustrating) one is the Ice Palace, which mirrors Lake Hylia in the Dark World.

Or:

Of all similar dungeons, the Ice Palace, a reflection of Lake Hylia in the Dark World, is the most memorable (and occasionally vexing).

The character in question isn’t the most agile player in this game, and adding slippery surfaces only makes movement chaotic and challenging, resembling an intense, vexing dance routine like the Charleston.

Fortunately, not every level within the dungeon is frozen, but numerous icy adversaries could cause trouble if you don’t maintain a full charge on your magic gauge for the Fire Rod.

7. The Quadrangle

Catherine

Has it ever occurred to you to ice skate without shoes on? I’m certain that it’s never crossed your mind because doing so would be incredibly unsafe for several reasons.

Regrettably, Vincent, the main character portrayed by Catherine, encounters just that challenge on the fifth floor of the puzzle tower during his dreams.

On this stage, known as The Quadrangle, you’ll encounter one particularly frustrating type of game block: Ice Blocks.

Every time Vincent lands on an ice block, he’ll start to glide without control and continue doing so until he encounters a non-ice surface. Moreover, it’s impossible for him to grip or hold onto the edge of an ice block should he fall from its side.

It only takes one bad step to immediately fall to your death.

6. Candice’s Gym

Pokemon Diamond & Pearl

Pokemon enthusiasts often ponder if Gym Leaders have to prepare their unique tricks each day prior to starting their work.

In such a scenario, it’s unfortunate for Candice, the gym leader at Snowpoint Gym in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl.

The Gym consists of a four-floor ice rink with an occasional ball of snow scattered here and there.

Apart from defeating all of Candice’s trainers, you must navigate the rink by moving in a straight line, eliminating the snowballs along the way, eventually advancing towards Candice while shifting sideways.

To overcome Candice’s trainers is just one aspect; another crucial task is to skate straight lines across the ice, knocking out snowballs as you go, ultimately progressing up towards Candice by wiggling your position.

Maybe she has her Abomasnow carry her over everything during working hours…

5. Crystal Palace

Paper Mario

Architecture built from ice can be remarkably robust and awe-inspiring, even reaching grand structures like an imposing mountain palace, it seems.

In the game Paper Mario, the Ice Palace serves as the location where the final Star Spirit resides. Although visually stunning, moving around within this palace can be quite a challenge, to express it politely.

In this palace, reflections serve as a consistent motif, prompting you to unravel thought-provoking riddles whose answers can be glimpsed in mirrors.

The location is known for hosting tenacious adversaries like White Clubbas and Duplighosts in the game. Interestingly, these Duplighosts provide amusing moments when trying to spot the differences alongside your companions.

4. Ice Mountain And SnowHorn Wastes

Star Fox Adventures

Although Fox McCloud is a fox, it doesn’t necessarily mean he enjoys playing in snowdrifts as a regular fox might be shown doing on YouTube videos.

For instance, the journey he took through Ice Mountain and the nearby Snowhorn Wastes in Star Fox Adventures was far from enjoyable.

Immediately upon reaching the mountain, Fox finds himself thrust into a high-speed snowmobile race with the SharpClaws, where defeating their vehicles won’t guarantee victory.

In the frigid expanse known as the SnowHorn Wastes, Fox must navigate a cluster of Frost Weeds towards the tusked mammoth entangled beneath an icy plateau, amid constant pestering from SharpClaws. The task is awkward, but essential for Fox’s survival and the mammoth’s rescue.

3. Bear It

Crash Bandicoot 2

Just a heads-up, smaller creatures typically don’t enjoy it when larger ones hop unexpectedly on their backs.

It seems we’re not entirely thrilled about Crash Bandicoot performing jumps onto and rides on Polar, the polar bear, in his second installment of the game.

As a gamer, I find that the initial Polar stage, “Bear It,” propels me at an overly brisk pace and demands rapid, consecutive split-second decisions for numerous jumps in succession. Animal cruelty aside, it’s quite intense!

Any interaction with any dangerous stage results in immediate demise, as there’s no Aku Aku character available in this level to provide assistance.

2. Ice Man’s Stage

Mega Man

In the course of the initial Mega Man game, various conventions and benchmarks were established for the series, some with positive outcomes and others less so, as it progressed.

For example, Ice Man’s level includes some annoying elements such as treacherous ice surfaces and unstoppable penguins gliding past, yet these are minor compared to other difficulties.

The Ice Man’s level introduces two persistent gameplay frustrations that are prevalent throughout the Mega Man series: vanishing platforms and the Foot Holder enemies.

These are blocks that periodically show up and vanish at certain timeframes, frequently positioned above instant-death spikes. To clear them, one often needs precise and carefully timed jumps.

These are robot platforms that float and require you to leap over them to traverse wide chasms. As you do so, they fire at you and appear to move erratically in various directions and heights.

1. Cavern Of Ice

Final Fantasy

Given the high frequency of battles against enemies in the original Final Fantasy, any dungeon feature that makes you explore for a prolonged period without good reason is frustrating by nature.

In the vast Ice Cavern, you’ll find yourself constantly navigating from one crack to another due to its broken and fragmented flooring.

Or:

The Ice Cavern has a maze-like floor, with numerous cracks that will require you to move back and forth throughout the cavern.

Walk on a broken tile, and chances are you’ll end up tumbling onto the floor below, possibly landing somewhere you’d prefer to avoid.

As a passionate adventurer, I wouldn’t want you to overlook the intricate floor puzzles, but do remember that this labyrinth houses formidable foes such as Cockatrices and Dark Wizards. These creatures can swiftly end your party’s journey with lethal spells like Stone and Death, respectively, so always be prepared!

2025-02-21 18:10