Blast from the past with a fresh coat of snow and new challenges
By Paul Hunter
The hit '90s arcade game Snow Bros. 2 is back, turned into a modern-day snowball fight absolutely worth jumping back into. Snow Bros. 2 Special isn’t just a revival—it’s a full-on frosty reunion. Developed by CRT Games and published by Clear River Games, this reimagined version of the 1994 arcade sequel continues the snowball-slinging legacy with a blend of old-school charm and new additions.
You take control of the Snow Brothers or one of their elemental-powered pals as they plough through chilly stages filled with bouncing enemies, tricky platforms, and chaotic boss encounters. It's a familiar loop for those who remember the arcade days, but the addition of new modes and full four-player support gives it a breath of fresh air. Whether you’re jumping into the arcade version or the upgraded remaster, the game delivers frosty fun across both local and online sessions.
The return of this icy franchise is all about simplicity, challenge, and the joy of tossing oversized snowballs at everything in sight. Let's take a close look at this updated remaster!
Snow Bros. 2 Special sticks to a straight-ahead plot: Attsu the Great King has invaded Weather World and kidnapped Princess Pudding to break the seal of Great Demon King Atchich and resurrect him. With the princess in peril, it’s up to a group of frosty heroes to save her. The goal is simple, but the setup gives just enough purpose to keep the action moving.
You can choose from four original characters—Nick, Tom, Roy, and Richard—each with their own flair. You’ll notice differences depending on who you pick, primarily unique elemental powers they wield, which gives each run a slightly different feel. As you progress, you’ll rescue new allies and unlock more faces, including some surprisingly strange ones. The baby-faced character in the select screen might raise an eyebrow at first, but once you’re bouncing through the levels, you'll quick learn to appreciate the game's weirdness.
You won’t find cutscenes or elaborate dialogue, but this lighthearted setup is enough to get you primed for a frantic snowball fight. That’s all an arcade game really needs.
Tossing snowballs and watching enemies tumble never gets old. Snow Bros. 2 Special takes its arcade roots and builds on them with just the right amount of modern flair. The core loop is straightforward—you turn enemies into rolling snowballs and launch them into others for chain reactions. It’s easy to pick up but tough to master, especially level formations start getting tricky.
Each level moves fast, and the challenge ramps up steadily. You’re constantly dodging enemies, bouncing off platforms, and grabbing power-ups that increase speed or improve your snowball reach. The controls feel sharp on the Nintendo Switch's Joy-Cons.
You can play solo or with up to three others, either locally or online. I hopped into a four-player match and it turned into snowball chaos—in the best way possible. Communication helps, but sometimes the game’s unpredictability is what makes it so much fun. Getting flattened by your friend’s snowball? Hilarious. Accidentally clearing a whole screen in one shot? Even better.
New modes also change the tempo. For starters, you can play the main campaign with refreshed graphics and new playable characters, but the original 1994 experience is also present for purists that enjoy the original's charm. There's also Time Attack that challenges you to complete levels under pressure, while Sky Run shifts the perspective to 1000-metre vertical climbs. Survival Mode ups the ante with the goal to see how long you can last against endless waves of enemies, while Boss Rush challenges you to take on a series of bosses back-to-back. Finally, Monster Challenge turns the tables by letting you control enemy characters, offering a completely fresh perspective on the action. Each mode gives you something new, which mixes things up and adds to the overall replay value.
Boss fights are quite a spectacle with impressive variety. Whether you're battling an evil slot machine or throwing snowballs at a silly bunny clown, each boss is unique and memorable.
All in all, Snow Bros. 2 Special offers more than just a straightforward arcade experience. The developers have packed in a variety of modes, giving you multiple reasons to keep coming back for more, whether you’re in it for high scores, competitive play, or just a bit of fun with friends.
In terms of presentation, Snow Bros. 2 Special strikes a great balance between nostalgia and modern updates.
The remastered graphics stand out, especially for those used to the pixelated visuals of the original. The levels look brighter, with more detail in the backgrounds and smoother animations for the characters. You can tell the developers put effort into making sure the remastered edition holds up to the standards of today while staying true to the original art style.
Performance-wise, the game mostly runs at a consistent frame rate, although if you're playing online with four players, movement can occasionally dip when the action heats up. The visuals remain sharp, and there are no noticeable frame drops, which is essential for keeping the gameplay flowing during hectic battles and boss fights. The game feels as responsive as it looks, with quick load times that ensure you’re never left waiting long before jumping back into action.
While the game’s audio certainly delivers the right tone with quirky, cheerful music that keeps the atmosphere lighthearted and fun, just as you'd expect from a classic arcade game. The sound effects, while simple, do a good job of heightening the action, whether it's the snowball attacks, enemy sounds, or boss roars that all contribute to the overall energy of the game.
Ultimately, the presentation does a wonderful job of evoking the spirit of the original while giving it a modern polish. Whether you're revisiting the arcade classic or experiencing it for the first time, it’s hard not to appreciate how the game looks and sounds. There's a genuine sense of care in how the visuals and audio are handled, which helps maintain the game’s charm.
Final Score: 7.5/10 - Good
Developer: CRT Games
Publisher: Clear River Games
Genre: Action, Arcade, Casual
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
The hit '90s arcade game Snow Bros. 2 is back, turned into a modern-day snowball fight absolutely worth jumping back into. Snow Bros. 2 Special isn’t just a revival—it’s a full-on frosty reunion. Developed by CRT Games and published by Clear River Games, this reimagined version of the 1994 arcade sequel continues the snowball-slinging legacy with a blend of old-school charm and new additions.
You take control of the Snow Brothers or one of their elemental-powered pals as they plough through chilly stages filled with bouncing enemies, tricky platforms, and chaotic boss encounters. It's a familiar loop for those who remember the arcade days, but the addition of new modes and full four-player support gives it a breath of fresh air. Whether you’re jumping into the arcade version or the upgraded remaster, the game delivers frosty fun across both local and online sessions.
The return of this icy franchise is all about simplicity, challenge, and the joy of tossing oversized snowballs at everything in sight. Let's take a close look at this updated remaster!
Snow Bros. 2 Special sticks to a straight-ahead plot: Attsu the Great King has invaded Weather World and kidnapped Princess Pudding to break the seal of Great Demon King Atchich and resurrect him. With the princess in peril, it’s up to a group of frosty heroes to save her. The goal is simple, but the setup gives just enough purpose to keep the action moving.
You can choose from four original characters—Nick, Tom, Roy, and Richard—each with their own flair. You’ll notice differences depending on who you pick, primarily unique elemental powers they wield, which gives each run a slightly different feel. As you progress, you’ll rescue new allies and unlock more faces, including some surprisingly strange ones. The baby-faced character in the select screen might raise an eyebrow at first, but once you’re bouncing through the levels, you'll quick learn to appreciate the game's weirdness.
You won’t find cutscenes or elaborate dialogue, but this lighthearted setup is enough to get you primed for a frantic snowball fight. That’s all an arcade game really needs.
Tossing snowballs and watching enemies tumble never gets old. Snow Bros. 2 Special takes its arcade roots and builds on them with just the right amount of modern flair. The core loop is straightforward—you turn enemies into rolling snowballs and launch them into others for chain reactions. It’s easy to pick up but tough to master, especially level formations start getting tricky.
Each level moves fast, and the challenge ramps up steadily. You’re constantly dodging enemies, bouncing off platforms, and grabbing power-ups that increase speed or improve your snowball reach. The controls feel sharp on the Nintendo Switch's Joy-Cons.
You can play solo or with up to three others, either locally or online. I hopped into a four-player match and it turned into snowball chaos—in the best way possible. Communication helps, but sometimes the game’s unpredictability is what makes it so much fun. Getting flattened by your friend’s snowball? Hilarious. Accidentally clearing a whole screen in one shot? Even better.
New modes also change the tempo. For starters, you can play the main campaign with refreshed graphics and new playable characters, but the original 1994 experience is also present for purists that enjoy the original's charm. There's also Time Attack that challenges you to complete levels under pressure, while Sky Run shifts the perspective to 1000-metre vertical climbs. Survival Mode ups the ante with the goal to see how long you can last against endless waves of enemies, while Boss Rush challenges you to take on a series of bosses back-to-back. Finally, Monster Challenge turns the tables by letting you control enemy characters, offering a completely fresh perspective on the action. Each mode gives you something new, which mixes things up and adds to the overall replay value.
Boss fights are quite a spectacle with impressive variety. Whether you're battling an evil slot machine or throwing snowballs at a silly bunny clown, each boss is unique and memorable.
All in all, Snow Bros. 2 Special offers more than just a straightforward arcade experience. The developers have packed in a variety of modes, giving you multiple reasons to keep coming back for more, whether you’re in it for high scores, competitive play, or just a bit of fun with friends.
In terms of presentation, Snow Bros. 2 Special strikes a great balance between nostalgia and modern updates.
The remastered graphics stand out, especially for those used to the pixelated visuals of the original. The levels look brighter, with more detail in the backgrounds and smoother animations for the characters. You can tell the developers put effort into making sure the remastered edition holds up to the standards of today while staying true to the original art style.
Performance-wise, the game mostly runs at a consistent frame rate, although if you're playing online with four players, movement can occasionally dip when the action heats up. The visuals remain sharp, and there are no noticeable frame drops, which is essential for keeping the gameplay flowing during hectic battles and boss fights. The game feels as responsive as it looks, with quick load times that ensure you’re never left waiting long before jumping back into action.
While the game’s audio certainly delivers the right tone with quirky, cheerful music that keeps the atmosphere lighthearted and fun, just as you'd expect from a classic arcade game. The sound effects, while simple, do a good job of heightening the action, whether it's the snowball attacks, enemy sounds, or boss roars that all contribute to the overall energy of the game.
Ultimately, the presentation does a wonderful job of evoking the spirit of the original while giving it a modern polish. Whether you're revisiting the arcade classic or experiencing it for the first time, it’s hard not to appreciate how the game looks and sounds. There's a genuine sense of care in how the visuals and audio are handled, which helps maintain the game’s charm.
The Verdict
Snow Bros. 2 Special successfully blends nostalgia with modern upgrades, offering a fun, fast-paced arcade experience. The core gameplay remains simple yet satisfying, with new modes like Survival and Sky Run adding variety. Four-player co-op, both locally and online, enhances the experience, making it perfect for sharing with friends. The remaster improves visuals while maintaining the charm of the original, and the audio fits the quirky atmosphere. While it sticks to a familiar formula, it’s one that still works well, providing an enjoyable throwback for fans of the series and newcomers alike.Final Score: 7.5/10 - Good
Snow Bros. 2 Special details
Platform: Nintendo SwitchDeveloper: CRT Games
Publisher: Clear River Games
Genre: Action, Arcade, Casual
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
A key was provided by the publisher.