8 Best Snow Levels In Video Games

Key Takeaways

Star Wars Battlefront’s Hoth maps offer epic sci-fi battles in snowy environments.
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess features Snowpeak Ruins, a frozen manor dungeon.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Cliffhanger mission has players infiltrating a Russian airbase in snowy Kazakhstan.

As someone who has spent countless hours navigating virtual winter landscapes, I can attest that these snow-filled chapters are nothing short of captivating. The Last of Us Part 1, with its chilling cold and treacherous terrain, perfectly encapsulates the struggle for survival in a post-apocalyptic world. The thick snow and biting wind serve not only as an environmental hazard but also as a strategic tool for Ellie to use against her captors.

For years now, I’ve noticed how video games delve into a diverse range of environments and climates. Among my favorite settings are those that transform the landscape into a frosty paradise, blanketed with heavy drifts of snow, accompanied by soft melodies and cool tones.

Multiple video games have created their own snow-themed stages, ranging from timeless Nintendo games where players traverse snowy peaks that evoke nostalgia to more modern titles boasting stunning graphics that reveal the intricacies of winter landscapes. Regardless of whether they’re old or new, these snow levels undoubtedly stand out as the most impressive in video game history.

8 Hoth Maps – Star Wars Battlefront

Epic Sci-fi Battles In The Snow

Among various multiplayer games, some feature characters engaged in combat on frost-laden terrains. Hiding behind snowdrifts can sometimes mean the difference between life and death for these digital warriors. Incorporating a sci-fi element into wintry landscapes, the game Star Wars Battlefront offers several maps where the rebels and the empire clash in the icy realm of the planet Hoth. This game’s maps don’t just encompass the planet’s exterior but also venture indoors, transporting players into iconic film locations, immersing them in the Star Wars universe as they brave through the unforgiving snowy environments.

7 Snowpeak Ruins – The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess

A Frozen Manor On A Chilling Mountain

In the annals of video game history, Snowpeak Ruins from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess stands out as one of the most memorable snowy levels. Given that it’s a frozen-over manor once inhabited by a pair of Yetis, it’s not hard to understand why it’s so chilly inside this dilapidated mansion.

In varying conditions, certain areas inside the Snowpeak Ruins require Link to move icy blocks or transform into Wolf Link to tunnel through the snow, thereby revealing hidden chambers within these ruins.

6 IceCap Zone – Sonic The Hedgehog 3

Breaking Ice Blocks To Use The Springs And Switches

In my experience, zipping around as Sonic the Hedgehog isn’t any less exhilarating when he faces icy blocks and deep snow drifts. Even in “Sonic the Hedgehog 3”, this speedy blue character can effortlessly dash through these obstacles. One particularly memorable snow level from this third installment of the series is the IceCap Zone, which has left a lasting impression on players, not just for its stunning visuals but also for its unique challenges.

Despite appearing very blue, there are subtle environmental changes for attentive players as they dash about, shattering ice blocks to reach necessary springs and switches. The action begins on a snowboarding slope, swiftly transitioning into an icy cave-like setting, which is mirrored in the ground beneath the player’s feet.

5 Chapter 7 – Paper Mario

A Winter Wonderland With A Crystal Palace

The distinctive art style of the game “Paper Mario” has consistently evolved as the series has grown, and it was in the original “Paper Mario” title for the Nintendo 64 that our hero first embarked on an adventure through a frosty winter landscape in Chapter 7 of the RPG.

Ever since Chapter 7 in the initial Paper Mario proved a hit, the Italian Plumber along with his comrades have consistently made their way back to the Crystal Palace and its surrounding snowy landscapes in games like Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. Here, the player is tasked with saving the day yet again.

4 Lakeside Resort – The Last Of Us

Winter Has Arrived, Adding To The Intense Chapter

Visiting a lakeside resort might seem idyllic and picturesque, but when winter arrives in a world dominated by the undead, the snow loses its charm. Yet, one cannot ignore the captivating beauty of The Last of Us, particularly The Last of Us Part 1, which made the winter sequence of this action-adventure game even more enchanting.

In this chilling section, the heavy snowfall and frigid temperatures amplify the intensity, as Ellie gets abducted by a band of cannibals. To outwit her tormentors and survive, she cleverly exploits the weather’s challenges while battling for her life in this unforgiving frostbite-inducing landscape. Meanwhile, Joel is on the hunt for Ellie.

3 Cliffhanger – Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)

Infiltrating A Russian Airbase In A Snow Storm

In shooter games such as the popular “Call of Duty” series, players often overlook many chapter locations. However, one memorable mission that fans of the early “Modern Warfare” installments might recall is the “Cliffhanger” from the original “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2”. In this mission, the player and character Soap are assigned to infiltrate a Russian airbase amidst the severe cold and snowy conditions of Kazakhstan.

Under the disguise of heavy blizzard, players stealthily execute the Russians within the airbase and search for a satellite-derived module. This thrilling operation in Modern Warfare culminates with the player escaping on a snowmobile down a mountain after retrieving the valuable data.

2 Snow Globe – It Takes Two

Plenty Of Beauty To Explore And Winter Activities To Take Part In

In one of the most extraordinary winter-themed chapters, the story It Takes Two transports characters Cody and May into a magical snow globe. This enchanting journey aims to reinforce their bond and revive memories of joyful times they once shared together. Immersed in this picturesque winter landscape, they are reminded of their vacation amidst the snow-capped mountains.

Beyond just evoking memories of a winter vacation, this stage offers numerous winter-themed activities for players to engage in. As they delve into the snowy scene, they may stumble upon opportunities to glide over an icy lake or engage in a playful snowball battle with a companion.

1 Cool, Cool Mountain – Super Mario 64

A Classic Winter Level Filled With Penguin Pals

Players unfamiliar with the game, Mario 64, are probably still familiar with these snowy stages thanks to a well-known video showing Mario tossing a baby penguin off a mountain. That specific scene is derived from a player’s exploration of this iconic snow level in the classic Mario title.

In order to discover the different stars required to progress through other stages, the player, assuming the role of Mario, should traverse the snow-capped mountains and adjacent icy landscapes. A notable feature is a massive ice slide where players compete to slide swiftly, gathering as many coins en route while carefully avoiding any accidental falls.

2024-10-06 20:06