When a beloved classic like Snow Bros. gets a modern reimagining, expectations can be dangerously high. I admit, when I first loaded this game onto my Nintendo Switch I asked very loudly and not at all in my head “What the F is this, I thought they were sending me Snow Bros. Wonderland?”.
Without seeing too much on the release I thought I’d be looking at a more retro-adjacent style game like the recent “Gimmik” titles.
However I’m glad I stuck with it, as what started out as a game that bared little to no resemblance to the one I loved as a kid, surprisinly and quickly turned into a title that had all the same qualities, just imagined in a new way.
Gameplay Mechanics
The core snowball-throwing action remains well intact. Players can freeze enemies into massive snowballs that cascade through levels like a frosty wrecking ball when given a trusty kick. The game brilliantly encourages score-chasing through its combo system, with each successfully launched snowball feeling immensely satisfying when you pull it off and disappointing when you completely miss every target on the screen.
My favourite part of the gameplay is that it’s not super button heavy, there are a few moves to remember but ultimately it was easy for a young kid to pick up and play quiet easilly without needing to remind them of what to do all the time. I really loved playing this with my daughters and I’ll talk more on that in a moment.
Level Design and Progression
Levels are cleverly designed as bite-sized puzzles, gradually increasing in complexity. What starts as a seemingly simple platformer evolves into a more nuanced experience, introducing switches, keys, portals and increasingly challenging enemy configurations. The game’s progression feels fairly organic, with each new world offering up a unique challenge to keep you engaged.
Multiplayer and Upgrades
This is how you need to play the game, as a single player game its fun enough but Snow Bros is “Bros.” as in more than one “Bro”!
The multiplayer is the real standout feature. with up to four-player co-op mode, adding insane chaotic fun to the snowball-fight mayhem. This is the moment I discovered that the game was more than I’d initially given it credit for, my kids giggled, I laughed, we all laughed and that is what a multiplayer video game is all about. That is the magic of the old retro arcade out the front of the fish n’ chip shop that just ate your 40 cents. Multiplayer co-op = Snow Bros.
Technical Considerations
Look, while not graphically revolutionary, I have to say that the game carries a really charming style that grew on me over time. The 3D isometric style does actually capture the playful spirit of the original games. Some camera angles and precision platforming can be slightly frustrating, but overall it’s no better or worse than any other title in the same genre for that.
Final Thought
Snow Bros. Wonderland was a shock to start with and a pleasant surprise in the end. It successfully transitions a classic arcade game into a more modern 3D realm and lets face it, it had to. The only place for the classic style of the game is on emulators and mobile devices. Snow Bros offers a fun, accessible platforming experience that appeals to both nostalgic fans and new players.
Price is where this game is a real winner, in Australia you can grab it for only $43. It is worth every penny of that and is more polished than a lot of $99 games I’ve played this year.
Available on PC, PlayStation, and Switch, it’s a welcome return for the Snow Bros. franchise.
