Ice Climber Classic NES

Nintendo is making a big impact with the revival of some of it's original hits for the Nintendo Entertainment System on the Game Boy.  And I for one couldn't be happier. While these 8-bit gems aren't much to look at by today's standard, there is something to be said about the golden age of home consoles.  While the games weren't super flashy, they hit the bull's-eye in terms of original fun and addictive gameplay. 

And while everyone is oh-so-excited about the return of Excitebike and Donkey Kong, one of the more endearing games is also making a comeback, that of course being Ice Climber.  The game actually makes no sense at all.  You play an Eskimo who has to make his way up a mountain in order to: A) Reach the top.  B) Reclaim the child some sort of pterodactyl has stolen.  C) Beat the snot out of strange creatures who like to fill in the holes you've made in the ice in order to climb onward and upward.  

The answer is D) All of the above.  

Not to be outdone, your busy little guy also scores points for picking up valuables, smacking birds with his ice axe and generally doing everything you should not do to Mother Nature when climbing up her backside.  

It's a simple yet addictive premise.  As you reach the top, you are advanced to the next mountain with the obstacles getting harder and harder to overcome.  Strange platforms force you to move in one direction or another, clouds float by that you are supposed to try and hitch a ride on.  It's all quite strange and doesn't seem to make any real sense and yet.. I find myself lying in bed at night, playing this accursed game because I have to get to that next mountain.  To me, that's the sign of a winner.  

8 bits does not buy you a lot of graphics and here is a clear example of that.  But for the drab colors that the game offers, it also reminds myself (and other long time gamers) of when this stuff was the cutting edge in games, when you called your buddy up and said "Dude, these graphics are totally wicked!"  And you meant every word of it.  First time players will certainly not be impressed, but those who play the game for more then 10 minutes will more then likely keep playing, back then GAMEPLAY was the attraction, not shading and rendering and sense of depth. 

I won't even bother with the audio, it really makes no difference in a title like this one.

Gameplay: 7.8
It's easy to play, but hard to get a real grip of.  The character can sure jump high, but he can't jump long, timing is critical in landing some of those jumps.  Practice makes perfect in this one.  Lots and lots of practice.  

Graphics: 6.2
It really does not look good, odd colors are used for this being a game revolving around ice.  The strange creatures certainly don't elicit any sort fear, but I guess geese don't look all that scary, but boy, make one of them mad and you'll be running.  

Sound: 4.8
Huh?  What?  I turned it down after three minutes, it does nothing to move the game along.  

Difficulty: Medium
Your little character will fall off that mountain many, many, many times before you make it to the end.  As a matter of fact, I don't know if there is an end , the game is quite long and some of those levels can be pretty darn tricky.  

Concept: 7.0
Back in the 80's, this was a very popular game, and what made it so popular was it's simplicity.  I guess at the time, this was a truly original idea.  Now it's something that 7 year olds are making in their spare time.  

Overall: 7.3
This one will be a popular title in Nintendo's marketing campaign.  I remembered it and so will a lot of other people.  And they will play till they can't climb any more.