Diving into the frosty escapades of Snow Bros. Wonderland
By Paul Hunter
The legendary arcade series Snow Bros. has made a triumphant return with Snow Bros. Wonderland, available now on PS5 (version reviewed), PS4, Nintendo Switch and Steam. Developed by Tatsujin Co., and published by Clear River Games, this title modernizes the arcade classic with new 3D environments and expanded gameplay.
The original Snow Bros., which debuted in 1990, captured the hearts of arcade enthusiasts with its charming snowmen twins Nick and Tom, and addictive snowball-throwing mechanics. Now, over 30 years later, the franchise has been revived, transporting you to a whimsical world filled with familiar faces and new challenges.
Whether you're a long-time fan eager to revisit the beloved Snow Bros. universe or a newcomer seeking a charming and accessible arcade-style adventure, Snow Bros. Wonderland is a game that delivers loads of frosty fun.
The story of Snow Bros. Wonderland returns us to the enchanting realm of Snow Land, which after ten years of peace now faces a new threat. The sons of the original Snow Bros., Nick Jr. and Tom Jr., must rise to the occasion and save their beloved homeland.
At the heart of the story lies the return of the malevolent King Atchich, who has once again set his sights on conquering the Snow Land. With his army of cold-blooded demonic minions, he has once again plungged the kingdom into a perpetual winter. I really enjoyed how the game explores the sons of the legendary Snow Bros., who must uncover the secrets of their parents' powers and harness them to continue the fight against the forces of evil. It's really moving seeing the young heroes strive to live up to the heroic deeds of their forebears.
The narrative also skillfully blends whimsical and lighthearted moments with darker, more ominous undertones. The charming character designs and vibrant, cartoon-inspired visuals create a sense of playfulness, while the looming threat of King Atchich and his minions adds a sense of tension and urgency to the proceedings. Furthermore, the narrative is peppered with references and nods to the original Snow Bros. games, which will pleasantly surprise long-time fans.
Snow Bros. Wonderland offers an arcade-style gameplay experience that blends fast action with a familiar snowball-throwing mechanic that has defined the series since its inception.
Gone are the 2D levels from the original game and in its place are gorgoes interconnected 3D environments. The levels are designed with a mix of horizontal and vertical spaces, challenging you to carefully aim your snowballs and strategize your movements to clear each area effectively. Like in the original game, pelting enemies with a barrage of icy projectiles will immobilize them, allowing you to then kick the snowballs around, using them to take out other foes. Some levels are like puzzles, tasking you with kicking snowballs along a golden path to take out as many enemies as possible.
While the original Snow Bros. was rooted in two-player co-operative gameplay, Wonderland ups the excitement with up to four players able to team up and tackle the adventure together. Having a full party is a delightful mix of chaos and coordination, as you and your friends work in tandem to freeze and kick your way through the hordes of enemies.
The game's progression system also offers strategic depth, with the ability to unlock and equip a wide range of power-ups and abilities. From increasing your snowball size to enhancing your movement speed, these upgrades allow you to tailor your playstyle to suit your preferences, adding a nice layer of customization to the experience.
While the core snowball shooting gameplay remains true to the series' roots, Snow Bros. Wonderland also introduces some new twists such as its branching path level design and hidden collectibles that encourages exploration and rewards you uncovering the Snow Land's secrets. Additionally, the game's boss battles stand out as particularly memorable, challenging you to employ your snowball-throwing skills in creative ways to overcome formidable foes.
Graphically, Snow Bros. Wonderland boasts a gorgeous 3D art style with vibrant snowy environments that are meticulously crafted and truly immerses you in the whimsical world of Snow Land.
The character designs are equally impressive, capturing the endearing and expressive young Snow Bros. protagonists. Nick Jr. and Tom Jr. look amazing in game, and their characters are really brought to life with the cinematic cutscenes that kick off the adventure.
Complementing the excellent visuals is the game's exceptional musical score, with its lively and upbeat soundtrack that perfectly captures the energetic and playful tone of a winter adventure. The familiar melodies from the original Snow Bros. games are transformed into the new compositions, creating a nostalgic audio experience. The sound effects are equally well-crafted, adding a layer of immersion to the gameplay. The satisfying crunch of the Snow Bros.' snowballs, the icy ambience of the frozen landscapes, and the dynamic effects during combat all contribute to the experience.
Final Score: 8/10 - Great
Developer: Tatsujin Co.
Publisher: Clear River Games
Genre: Action, Platformer
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
The legendary arcade series Snow Bros. has made a triumphant return with Snow Bros. Wonderland, available now on PS5 (version reviewed), PS4, Nintendo Switch and Steam. Developed by Tatsujin Co., and published by Clear River Games, this title modernizes the arcade classic with new 3D environments and expanded gameplay.
The original Snow Bros., which debuted in 1990, captured the hearts of arcade enthusiasts with its charming snowmen twins Nick and Tom, and addictive snowball-throwing mechanics. Now, over 30 years later, the franchise has been revived, transporting you to a whimsical world filled with familiar faces and new challenges.
Whether you're a long-time fan eager to revisit the beloved Snow Bros. universe or a newcomer seeking a charming and accessible arcade-style adventure, Snow Bros. Wonderland is a game that delivers loads of frosty fun.
The story of Snow Bros. Wonderland returns us to the enchanting realm of Snow Land, which after ten years of peace now faces a new threat. The sons of the original Snow Bros., Nick Jr. and Tom Jr., must rise to the occasion and save their beloved homeland.
At the heart of the story lies the return of the malevolent King Atchich, who has once again set his sights on conquering the Snow Land. With his army of cold-blooded demonic minions, he has once again plungged the kingdom into a perpetual winter. I really enjoyed how the game explores the sons of the legendary Snow Bros., who must uncover the secrets of their parents' powers and harness them to continue the fight against the forces of evil. It's really moving seeing the young heroes strive to live up to the heroic deeds of their forebears.
The narrative also skillfully blends whimsical and lighthearted moments with darker, more ominous undertones. The charming character designs and vibrant, cartoon-inspired visuals create a sense of playfulness, while the looming threat of King Atchich and his minions adds a sense of tension and urgency to the proceedings. Furthermore, the narrative is peppered with references and nods to the original Snow Bros. games, which will pleasantly surprise long-time fans.
Snow Bros. Wonderland offers an arcade-style gameplay experience that blends fast action with a familiar snowball-throwing mechanic that has defined the series since its inception.
Gone are the 2D levels from the original game and in its place are gorgoes interconnected 3D environments. The levels are designed with a mix of horizontal and vertical spaces, challenging you to carefully aim your snowballs and strategize your movements to clear each area effectively. Like in the original game, pelting enemies with a barrage of icy projectiles will immobilize them, allowing you to then kick the snowballs around, using them to take out other foes. Some levels are like puzzles, tasking you with kicking snowballs along a golden path to take out as many enemies as possible.
While the original Snow Bros. was rooted in two-player co-operative gameplay, Wonderland ups the excitement with up to four players able to team up and tackle the adventure together. Having a full party is a delightful mix of chaos and coordination, as you and your friends work in tandem to freeze and kick your way through the hordes of enemies.
The game's progression system also offers strategic depth, with the ability to unlock and equip a wide range of power-ups and abilities. From increasing your snowball size to enhancing your movement speed, these upgrades allow you to tailor your playstyle to suit your preferences, adding a nice layer of customization to the experience.
While the core snowball shooting gameplay remains true to the series' roots, Snow Bros. Wonderland also introduces some new twists such as its branching path level design and hidden collectibles that encourages exploration and rewards you uncovering the Snow Land's secrets. Additionally, the game's boss battles stand out as particularly memorable, challenging you to employ your snowball-throwing skills in creative ways to overcome formidable foes.
Graphically, Snow Bros. Wonderland boasts a gorgeous 3D art style with vibrant snowy environments that are meticulously crafted and truly immerses you in the whimsical world of Snow Land.
The character designs are equally impressive, capturing the endearing and expressive young Snow Bros. protagonists. Nick Jr. and Tom Jr. look amazing in game, and their characters are really brought to life with the cinematic cutscenes that kick off the adventure.
Complementing the excellent visuals is the game's exceptional musical score, with its lively and upbeat soundtrack that perfectly captures the energetic and playful tone of a winter adventure. The familiar melodies from the original Snow Bros. games are transformed into the new compositions, creating a nostalgic audio experience. The sound effects are equally well-crafted, adding a layer of immersion to the gameplay. The satisfying crunch of the Snow Bros.' snowballs, the icy ambience of the frozen landscapes, and the dynamic effects during combat all contribute to the experience.
The Verdict
Snow Bros. Wonderland is a charming blend of old school appeal and modernized gameplay. The 3D visuals look fantastic and the addition of four-player co-op makes for some frantic, fun-filled moments. The introduction of customisable abilities and power-ups adds even more depth and replayability. If you loved the original arcade game like me and crave more snowball smashing action, Wonderland was designed for you.Final Score: 8/10 - Great
Snow Bros. Wonderland details
Platform: PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PCDeveloper: Tatsujin Co.
Publisher: Clear River Games
Genre: Action, Platformer
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)
A key was provided by the publisher.