Top 10 Videogame Snow Levels
List, Watchmojo, Top 10, Snow, Ice, Frozen, levels stages, Ice Cap Zone, Winter, Throat of the World, Skyrim, Majora's Mask, The Last of Us, Sonic The Hedgehog, Uncharted 2, Star Wars, Call of Duty, Modern Warfare 2, WMseries,
Script Written by Peter Sotiriou
Blizzards, avalanches, snowstorms & freezing temperatures, better get your coat on. Welcome to Watchmojo, and today we’re counting down the Top 10 Video Game Snow Levels.
For this list, we’ve chosen the most memorable levels, or sections of games that take place in snow and ice, focusing on the arctic elements. Since we’re looking at singular levels or sections, we’re excluding games that set their entire premises in a cold climate, so Metal Gear Solid, as fantastic as you are you’ll have to sit this one out.
#10: Heart of Ice
High atop the Himalaya Mountains rest these crumbling, icy ruins. Nathan Drake is tasked by the old German explorer, Karl Schäfer, to seek out the truth of his failed expedition. Accompanied by Tenzin, a Tibetan villager, Drake crosses the frosty caves, climbs the dangerous mountain and maneuvers himself around ancient mechanisms. Upon reaching the temple within and discovering the truth about Schäfer’s dead crew, as Nate and Tenzin have to fight off strange, Yeti-like snow monsters.
#9: Battle of Hoth
Taking place on the desolate planet blanketed by ice and snow, the Battle of Hoth is a legendary scene The Empire Strikes Back, and it’s beautifully recreated here. As the mercenary Dash Rendar, you get to take part in the battle. You’ll pilot a snowspeeder, taking out AT-STs and Imperial probes droids, and even knock over the giant AT-ATs using tow cables. It might not seem to be as desperate and hopeless as in the movie, but the authentic feel is unmistakable.
#8: Snow Go
The first of many snow-themed levels in the game, Snow Go has our favourite bandicoot crossing icy paths and snowy terrain, all the sound of Christmas bells. Introduced are the game’s skating mechanics used on the nitro-covered, icy patches. Crash will have to fend off arctic animals that serve as the level’s obstacles, with penguins and seals plaguing the route to reach the end.
#7: Snowhead Temple
The second dungeon in Majora’s Mask, this temple is located on the frosty and menacing Snowhead Mountain, at the top of an ice formation guarded by an invisible, giant, blizzard-blowing Goron. After you put him asleep using a lullaby, Link must traverse through the temple fighting off Freezards and Wolfos, breaking ice pillars in order to gain entrance to the dungeon’s boss, the bull-like mechanical monster Goht. Conveniently, you’ll also receive the Fire Arrows, which make short work of your many icy obstacles.
#6: Throat of the World
The highest mountain on the continent of Tamriel, the Throat of the World is a major landmark in Skyrim. With the Seven Thousand Steps to climb in order to reach High Hrothgar, home to the reclusive Greybeards, masters of The Voice, making it to the top is a literal pilgrimage…a pilgrimage with ice wraiths and Frost Trolls blocking the way. But it’s worth the climb. But don’t worry, it’s worth the climb. With aurora borealis in the night sky and snow at its peak that is said to never melt, the Throat of the World is a chilling marvel to behold.
#5: Surface
Set in the middle of Siberia, 007 investigates what those pesky Russians are up to. With two missions taking place in this sub-zero weather, you’ll have to power down the communications dish, penetrate the base, disable cameras, destroy a helicopter, and steal some building plans, all while eliminating those pesky Russian soldiers. But that last part is no chore at all, cause you’ve got the sniper rifle to help you out, a pretty sweet novelty back in 1997. It’s still best to take Ms. Moneypenny’s advice and dress warmly though, making sure to protect your extremities.
#4: Cliffhanger
As Roach, you must follow "Soap" MacTavish deep up the cliffs of the cold mountains of Kazakhstan in order to infiltrate a Russian airbase. Cliffhanger is appropriately named as you start off sidestepping on the narrowest of ledges, proceeding to climb an frozen wall with ice axes. From there you’ll pick off soldiers as you head towards the downed American satellite from which you must recover a module. There’s no room for guns blazing here, it’s best to adapt to your environment so you can sneak around the base with ease.
#3: Cool, Cool Mountain
With slippery conditions and snowy fun to be had, Cool, Cool Mountain is one of the finest levels in Super Mario 64. As everyone’s favourite plumber, you’ll slide down an icy trail within a cottage, save a baby penguin by bringing it back to its momma, guide a snowman’s body back to its head, blast off from a cannon and wall jump to a star, all the while fending off Mr. Blizzards and Spindrifts. Most importantly, you’ll get to race a giant penguin!
#2: Lakeside Resort
Playing as Ellie for a change, the Lakeside Resort offers one of the most emotional scenes in the game. Winter has come in this chapter of The Last of Us, as Ellie hunts for food in a snow-covered forest. She eventually meets with two strangers who chase her down to an abandoned resort where she is captured, but escapes into a snowstorm and ends up in a restaurant. All the while, Joel looks for his companion and eventually finds her mercilessly killing a man after she was almost raped. Chilling stuff, and the weather doesn’t even factor in.
Before we reveal our number one video game snow level, here’s a look at some of our Honourable Mentions:
Noveria
“Mass Effect” (2007)
Scene 3
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game” (1990)
Phendrana Drifts
“Metroid Prime” (2002)
Freezeezy Peak
“Banjo-Kazooie” (1998)
Stranded Ship
“Shovel Knight” (2014)
#1: Ice Cap Zone
What better way to start a level than with Sonic snowboarding down the mountain and into these frosty, labyrinthine caverns. In this frozen region, you’ll avoid ice spikes, cross snowy bridges and ride glacial boulders as you head towards the cold external weather. Topping it all off, one of the best boss fights with Dr. Robotnik is icing on this frosty cake. Oh and the amazing music for this stage was allegedly composed by Michael Jackson, what more do you need?
Do you agree with our picks? Let us know which video game snow levels gave you the most chills, and for more awesome Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com
Top 10 Video Game Snow Levels
Blizzards, avalanches, snowstorms & freezing temperatures, better get your coat on. Welcome to Watchmojo, and today we’re counting down the Top 10 Video Game Snow Levels.
For this list, we’ve chosen the most memorable levels, or sections of games that take place in snow and ice, focusing on the arctic elements. Since we’re looking at singular levels or sections, we’re excluding games that set their entire premises in a cold climate, so Metal Gear Solid, as fantastic as you are you’ll have to sit this one out.
#10: Heart of Ice
“Uncharted 2: Among Thieves” (2009)
High atop the Himalaya Mountains rest these crumbling, icy ruins. Nathan Drake is tasked by the old German explorer, Karl Schäfer, to seek out the truth of his failed expedition. Accompanied by Tenzin, a Tibetan villager, Drake crosses the frosty caves, climbs the dangerous mountain and maneuvers himself around ancient mechanisms. Upon reaching the temple within and discovering the truth about Schäfer’s dead crew, as Nate and Tenzin have to fight off strange, Yeti-like snow monsters.
#9: Battle of Hoth
“Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire” (1996)
Taking place on the desolate planet blanketed by ice and snow, the Battle of Hoth is a legendary scene The Empire Strikes Back, and it’s beautifully recreated here. As the mercenary Dash Rendar, you get to take part in the battle. You’ll pilot a snowspeeder, taking out AT-STs and Imperial probes droids, and even knock over the giant AT-ATs using tow cables. It might not seem to be as desperate and hopeless as in the movie, but the authentic feel is unmistakable.
#8: Snow Go
“Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back” (1997)
The first of many snow-themed levels in the game, Snow Go has our favourite bandicoot crossing icy paths and snowy terrain, all the sound of Christmas bells. Introduced are the game’s skating mechanics used on the nitro-covered, icy patches. Crash will have to fend off arctic animals that serve as the level’s obstacles, with penguins and seals plaguing the route to reach the end.
#7: Snowhead Temple
“The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask” (2000)
The second dungeon in Majora’s Mask, this temple is located on the frosty and menacing Snowhead Mountain, at the top of an ice formation guarded by an invisible, giant, blizzard-blowing Goron. After you put him asleep using a lullaby, Link must traverse through the temple fighting off Freezards and Wolfos, breaking ice pillars in order to gain entrance to the dungeon’s boss, the bull-like mechanical monster Goht. Conveniently, you’ll also receive the Fire Arrows, which make short work of your many icy obstacles.
#6: Throat of the World
“The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” (2011)
The highest mountain on the continent of Tamriel, the Throat of the World is a major landmark in Skyrim. With the Seven Thousand Steps to climb in order to reach High Hrothgar, home to the reclusive Greybeards, masters of The Voice, making it to the top is a literal pilgrimage…a pilgrimage with ice wraiths and Frost Trolls blocking the way. But it’s worth the climb. But don’t worry, it’s worth the climb. With aurora borealis in the night sky and snow at its peak that is said to never melt, the Throat of the World is a chilling marvel to behold.
#5: Surface
“Goldeneye 007” (1997)
Set in the middle of Siberia, 007 investigates what those pesky Russians are up to. With two missions taking place in this sub-zero weather, you’ll have to power down the communications dish, penetrate the base, disable cameras, destroy a helicopter, and steal some building plans, all while eliminating those pesky Russian soldiers. But that last part is no chore at all, cause you’ve got the sniper rifle to help you out, a pretty sweet novelty back in 1997. It’s still best to take Ms. Moneypenny’s advice and dress warmly though, making sure to protect your extremities.
#4: Cliffhanger
“Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” (2009)
As Roach, you must follow "Soap" MacTavish deep up the cliffs of the cold mountains of Kazakhstan in order to infiltrate a Russian airbase. Cliffhanger is appropriately named as you start off sidestepping on the narrowest of ledges, proceeding to climb an frozen wall with ice axes. From there you’ll pick off soldiers as you head towards the downed American satellite from which you must recover a module. There’s no room for guns blazing here, it’s best to adapt to your environment so you can sneak around the base with ease.
#3: Cool, Cool Mountain
“Super Mario 64” (1996)
With slippery conditions and snowy fun to be had, Cool, Cool Mountain is one of the finest levels in Super Mario 64. As everyone’s favourite plumber, you’ll slide down an icy trail within a cottage, save a baby penguin by bringing it back to its momma, guide a snowman’s body back to its head, blast off from a cannon and wall jump to a star, all the while fending off Mr. Blizzards and Spindrifts. Most importantly, you’ll get to race a giant penguin!
#2: Lakeside Resort
“The Last of Us” (2013)
Playing as Ellie for a change, the Lakeside Resort offers one of the most emotional scenes in the game. Winter has come in this chapter of The Last of Us, as Ellie hunts for food in a snow-covered forest. She eventually meets with two strangers who chase her down to an abandoned resort where she is captured, but escapes into a snowstorm and ends up in a restaurant. All the while, Joel looks for his companion and eventually finds her mercilessly killing a man after she was almost raped. Chilling stuff, and the weather doesn’t even factor in.
Before we reveal our number one video game snow level, here’s a look at some of our Honourable Mentions:
Noveria
“Mass Effect” (2007)
Scene 3
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game” (1990)
Phendrana Drifts
“Metroid Prime” (2002)
Freezeezy Peak
“Banjo-Kazooie” (1998)
Stranded Ship
“Shovel Knight” (2014)
#1: Ice Cap Zone
“Sonic the Hedgehog 3” (1994)
What better way to start a level than with Sonic snowboarding down the mountain and into these frosty, labyrinthine caverns. In this frozen region, you’ll avoid ice spikes, cross snowy bridges and ride glacial boulders as you head towards the cold external weather. Topping it all off, one of the best boss fights with Dr. Robotnik is icing on this frosty cake. Oh and the amazing music for this stage was allegedly composed by Michael Jackson, what more do you need?
Do you agree with our picks? Let us know which video game snow levels gave you the most chills, and for more awesome Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com
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