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The beautiful snow level in Metroid Prime has inspired me and brought back many memories of snow levels in past games.
What are your favorite snow levels?
I'm sure I'm forgetting a ton but some of mine off the top of my head are: the running slope part in Strider and the snowy parts of Super Ghouls N Ghosts and Sonic 3.
By FAR - Super Mario Bros. 3 - The first world...
I absolutely love the part where you slide down that slope, taking out a bunch of those beetle things...
And the rest is pretty nifty, too.
Hehe... great topic!
I'll throw out the Battle of Hoth in Rogue Leader. I can never play that level too many times.
Mmm..Ice Cap zone from Sonic 3, definetly. The snow boarding intro was awesome, the music was memorable (One of my favorite video game tunes) and the layout was very nice. I also loved the little touches like the patches of snow getting kicked up when you spin dashed in them. Too good :)
Hrm.. very nice topic. :)
I am sure that a lot of great snow levels will get overlooked. I can't think of anything better than Sonic offhand, but I'll keep thinking. :)
Well, NightFire has a very nice looking Snow level in the beginning of the game. Snow covered mountains, snow falling slowly, done very nicely.
Burnout 2 has a very cool Mountain Snow Race.
Basically any. I have a soft spot for ice levels, dunno why. I always like them, whatever game they're in.
They also often have sweet music; Prime does, Donkey Kong Country did also...
Hmm. One favorite. Maybe the snow area in Secret of Mana? I was playing that in the winter with some friends, hot cocoa and a warm blanket. Good memories.
Definitely. Ice Cap in Sonic Adventure was fun, too. Well, everything but humping those icicles...Quote:
Originally posted by Sl1p
Mmm..Ice Cap zone from Sonic 3, definetly. The snow boarding intro was awesome, the music was memorable (One of my favorite video game tunes) and the layout was very nice. I also loved the little touches like the patches of snow getting kicked up when you spin dashed in them. Too good :)
Let's not forget about the ULTIMATE snow level, Christmas NiGHTS...
...okay, and the normal NiGHTS had a cool snow level anyway. Board the Snow Train!
Heh. I felt that way when playing Tales of Destiny.Quote:
Hmm. One favorite. Maybe the snow area in Secret of Mana? I was playing that in the winter with some friends, hot cocoa and a warm blanket. Good memories.
The Phendaren Plains (or whatever) in Metroid Prime are definitely at the top, and brought up the same sort of snow-related nostalgia...
I remember Donkey Kong Country having a pretty cool "ice caves" level, replete with sparkly crystal effects... Halo's ice levels were pretty slick too, amazing really. I think Metroid has it beat on an atmospheric level though (the music in this game really helps). -as a side note: Does anyone ever feel lonely playing Metroid games? Something about them always give me this odd, vacuous feeling.
Anyway. ActRaiser2 had a nice snow level, and Dead or Alive 3 has both an awesome snowy forest (destroying VF4's and TTT), as well as a stalactite filled ice cave. Hmm...most other's I can think of just have the "slippery" factor...nothing too exciting.
Maximo (loved the pirates, too!) and the snow arena in Virtua Fighter 4 come immediately to mind.
I feel that way myself. No matter the game or genre, my favourite levels or regions in games is almost always the snow/ice ones! :)Quote:
Originally posted by Victrix
Basically any. I have a soft spot for ice levels, dunno why. I always like them, whatever game they're in.
I do know why though: I feel the same way in real life. :)
Gah! You read my mind, you did, sir.Quote:
Originally posted by sleeveboy
Maximo (loved the pirates, too!) and the snow arena in Virtua Fighter 4 come immediately to mind.
I'd also like to place a rousing vote for the Vaitaku fortress level in Mark of Kri.
The Prime Drifts level is sublime indeed.
I liked being in the snowy area in Magic Night Rayearth on Saturn. It felt very still and cold and brittle, while the insides of houses felt warm, which is pretty much my ideal of winter. :) I have fond memories of walking around in snowy villages in Daggerfall. Ice Cap Zone in Sonic 3 was nice, too. I liked the snowy victorian city in Star Ocean 2.
Aggh, my memory's failing me...I know I've been in other nice snowy areas...mostly in RPGs. Snowy/icy areas in platformers tend to irritate me with their (usually) slippery physics. World 3 from Super Mario Bros. 2, a pox upon thee!
My younger brother has fond memories of playing MGS for the first time in winter of '98, as it was snowing outside while he played, and of course, MGS is a very snowy game. :)
Edit: Oh, now I remember! I loved it during winter in the original Harvest Moon. The music was perfect, as was the way the scenery all changed.
Sonic 3's Ice Cap Zone. I also love the music from that area and loved seeing Sonic snowboading down that slope.
NiGHTS Into Dreams...' snow level... forgetting the title of the level, but the one where they play "Take the Snow Train."
VF4's snow arena is sweet, as is/was the one in DOA2. Man, I remember the first time I saw the DOA2 snow level. XD
Shenmue I's snowy days bring back pleasurable memories. When will that Nozomi put on a pair of pants and a jacket? :P
Tons of others come to the tip of my tongue, but no further... maybe I'll think of them later. Nice topic.
Even though it was a very short part I liked the snow cliffs in Strider, especially when you are running down the steep hill with the explosions going off :)
Yoshi's Island and Halo come immediately to mind. Secret of Mana had a nice ice level with some wonderful music too, as I remember.
Victrix makes a good point about the music. Snow levels often have some of the best. And I love everyone's examples.
http://home-1.tiscali.nl/~kkettele/images/drakan7.jpg
Hey:
One big snow level: Metal Gear Solid.
Another solid snow level is the one from Gunspike, where the boss fight is a high-speed battle down the slope.
-Technosphile
That snow town in FF7 was awesome. Super Mario 64's mountain/snow level. Metroid Prime's is amazing. Banjo Kazooie.
I love them all, really.
Weird, I also have a soft spot for snow zones.
I like the arctic level in the original Tekken, mainly because of the music. Back then the snow effect was neat to look at too, though.
Star Parodia for the Duo has a good snow level, complete with an evil snowman boss.
The DKC levels were also nice, both aurally and visually... probably the best parts of a rather lame game.
And yeah, gotta give props to Strider's downhill jaunt. Hate the game, love that sequence. There's something magical about it.
Ya wacky Canadian! ;)Quote:
Originally posted by sggg
I feel that way myself. No matter the game or genre, my favourite levels or regions in games is almost always the snow/ice ones! :)
I do know why though: I feel the same way in real life. :)
Although I like most snow levels, I'm with those who voted MGS1. After playing that game for a few days, I felt as if I'd been there in that arctic base. Very involving.
An honorable mention goes to the snow area (can't remember its real name right now) that's in Star Fox Adventures.
I pretty much totally agree. Snow levels and such are always my favorite in any game I play.Quote:
Originally posted by Victrix
Basically any. I have a soft spot for ice levels, dunno why. I always like them, whatever game they're in.
They also often have sweet music; Prime does, Donkey Kong Country did also...
Hmm. One favorite. Maybe the snow area in Secret of Mana? I was playing that in the winter with some friends, hot cocoa and a warm blanket. Good memories.
Oh and...Icewind Dale. :D
The Super Mario Bros. snow levels are classics. The one from the Genny version of Beauty and the Beast is also a classic since the snow is PINK.
i remember the snow level in the original contra (NES)..
nice music.. :)
I'm suprised that nobody has said Klonoa 2 yet ^_^ that snowboard level with the cute japanese girls singing...best snow level ever
no one liked the snow level.. in xmen 2.. for genesis.. that one was great too.. lets not forget SmB.. ice, snow levels..
oh yah.. no love for Megaman Icelevels.. witht he snow blwoing.. those are always great..
Agh! Icewind Dale! How could I forget that?! I just finished it and its (much better) expansion a couple of months ago. Wonderful snowy towns, mountains, and other environments. I need to get going on the sequel...
Strider, Megaman 8, and Jumping Flash- all had great snow levels.
Naglfar's Pit #1 in Gunvalkyrie.:evil:
Snow levels are awesome..now Caves..I hate caves
Nights had a bitchin' snow level.
I'm not a big snow level fan - give me a forest or a lava world instead, any day. Something about the slippery control and all the white just bores me, although I do like snow IRL.
That said, I really enjoyed the snowy mountain area in Majora's Mask. It was a blast rolling down the hills and melting things - and it really felt cold!
I'm enjoying the Drifts, but I was disappointed that Samus doesn't leave footprints (or a trail, when rolled up). Can't have everything, I suppose.
:sweat: Aww!, why'd ya have to go and mention Metroid Prime?!:(Quote:
Originally posted by NeoZeedeater
The beautiful snow level in Metroid Prime has inspired me and brought back many memories of snow levels in past games.
I was trying to avoid all mention of that game and ignore the fact that I'm not going to get to play it for another month or so. A kick-ass snow level gettin' me reved for Prime even more.
**must not think of Metroid**
..anyway
impressionable snow levels that came to mind are the ice stage in Thunder Force III, and especially the snow stage in Panzer Dragoon Zwei (lv. 5 or 6?). The snow/ice levels in the Mario series will always be my most favorite of all.
'hmmm, how bout best snow levels in driving games?
I've gotta think about this one..
did RadMobile have a snow level?
Toejam & Earl 3 has cool snow levels
but there is nothing cooler then taking the snow train in Nights!
Too bad it sounds like a bad drug reference. XD
Is that really a snow level, though? I thought those were dragonfly creatures.Quote:
Originally posted by Schlep
Naglfar's Pit #1 in Gunvalkyrie.:evil:
Regardless, Naglfar's Pit #1 still wins the award for Coolest Videogame Level Ever.
No One Lives Forever's last levels were set in Siberia, and they were as brilliant as the rest of the game. The helicopter shootout on the ski lift was especially tight and well-done. You also rode a snowmobile and had to get out to snipe enemies from afar, all that good stuff. NOLF2 has a Siberia level early on but its unfortunately not as tight as the first game's, but its still okay.
I was thinking the same thing when typing it Chakan :jest:
Mario 64. Penguin race! waa-hoo!
Speaking of 'flies...Vagrant Story's Snowfly Forest was the best not-really-a-snow-level snow level I've ever played. :)
*swoons whenever someone mentions Vagrant Story*
Even though the design of that Zelda-style "endless labyrinth" was annoying, I almost didn't mind because it was so, so beautiful.
I really need to play through VS again.
Vagrant Story is indeed beautiful. Like Metroid and PSO, I love the whole enclosed-space dungeon thing. Although in real life, I would die from claustrophobia.
Ahh... this thread reminds me of my two Christmas games. Basically, whenever Christmas time starts coming around I always get the biggest urge to play two games: Parasite Eve and Shenmue.
Only this year I get to follow up my run through Shenmue with its fantastic sequel.
Final Fantasy VII's Icicle Lodge and surrounding areas (the snowboarding, Gaia's Cliff) takes it for me.
SaGa Frontier II had a similar area to icicle lodge and an ice mountain. A shame this game is nearly unplayable, it has some of the best areas.
Ristar's snow stages are the best for 2D games. It even has a friggin' snowball fight. How cool is that.
Banjo-Kazooie's snow stage (Freezeasy Peak?) was really fun.
I'm all about Strider's snow level... the real Strider, not that NES imposter. ;)
Ice Cap Zone.
Ice Cap Zone in Sonic 3 and the snow level in Ristar (even though it frequently crashes for me).
The cool snow levels in Blacthorne comes to mind.Also the ice areas in Maximo.
F-Zero had some cool levels with ice in them. That count?
Likewise. It's espically helped by the fact that it's accompanied by some of the best "snow level" music ever.Quote:
I'm all about Strider's snow level...
I liked the snow level in Goldeneye. The music and the soldiers in the snow cabins really added to the atmosphere.
I also add my nomination to the 5th level of Super Ghouls n Ghosts.
Arc the Lad in the beginning had a nice snow scene intro, and Ice Climbers has lots of snow :D
I am also a fan of Rimururu's snowy background in Samurai Shodown III.
I almost forgot about Valkyrie Profile's snow intro, now that was some nice 2D snow :)
I was waiting for someone to mention this...it stands as my favorite snow level right now. Of course, I'm still at the Caverns in MP, so that may change soon. Nice topic.Quote:
Originally posted by burgundy
That said, I really enjoyed the snowy mountain area in Majora's Mask. It was a blast rolling down the hills and melting things - and it really felt cold!
Icecap Zone, Sonic 3
Level 5: Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts - wonderful snow level, with great snow music.
NightS: Frozen Bell
ALL of Christmas NightS
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance - the Ice Caverns in Particular
Halo's snowy parts were nice.
and well, i liked the Erasmus' snowy mountain area and Brauggi's area in Hero's Quest 1: So you want to be a hero? but more for the memories then the actual setting i guess, i would have to play it again. (i am speaking of the prettiness of the Remake of the game btw [Quest for Glory])
SSX Tricky: Untracked, calming and oodles of fun to just play around in.
SSX: i think Snowdream was nice, cant recall, but i remember a level with snow at night, with the lights reflecting off the snow.
Secret of Mana had a gorgeous snow level as well. brain overload. snow levels make bad games good.
have to sleep, there will be more to come i think.
How'd I forget this? I was all excited that I finally had the chance to play the games, and this impressed me even more.Quote:
Originally posted by Werewolf Arc the Lad in the beginning had a nice snow scene intro, and Ice Climbers has lots of snow
You beat me too it, that music has the power to heal wounds.Quote:
Ristar's snow stages are the best for 2D games. It even has a friggin' snowball fight. How cool is that.
Ice Cap Zone, Sonic 3
Narshe - Final Fantasy 3/6 :)
Night's Christmas ;)
I liked SA1's sonw stage, Halo's 5th level was perhaps the best the game had to offer. Konami's Tiny Toon game on Genesis had a good snow level too.
ºTracer
Beautiful. I was thinking of that very same location. I also love the ice levels in Donkey Kong Country and the Wintry Forest in Secret of Mana.Quote:
Narshe - Final Fantasy 3/6
A few other pics:
Snowfield Cave (Final Fantasy Adventure)
Arctic Caverns (Battletoads)
Dark World - Level 5 (Zelda: Link to the Past)
I'm suprised no one has mentioned Frappe Snowland or Sherbert Land from Mario Kart 64.
Level 3 from Ninja Gaiden was pretty damn cool.
Final Fantasy VII, Mega Bomberman, Sonic Adventure, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Super Mario Bros 2, Super Mario Bros 3 and Thunder Force IV all had fairly cool ice-ridden levels.
Some not yet mentioned-
Strider 2 snow level, with penguins too!
Vector Man ice levels, complete with melting ice.
Contra SS, its a small sequence, but nice.
and my favorite goes to Earthworm Jim, snowman fight in hell :lol:
How about Two Crude? Your characters enter the stage singing "Jingle Bells", and then you beat the shit out of waves of enemies until you reach the boss. A drug crazed mutant Santa Clause who throw needles at you, while saying "Ho! Ho! Ho!"
Ingenious.
Thank you for your inspiration!Quote:
Originally posted by burgundy
I'm not a big snow level fan - give me a forest or a lava world instead, any day. Something about the slippery control and all the white just bores me, although I do like snow IRL.
Any takers for Sasquatch's stage in the Vampire games? (I like the first one, myself)
Super Ghouls N Ghosts takes the title.
Metal Slug- Stage 3
Strider- Level 2
Strider 2- Level 3 (Research facility)
Grid Seeker: Project Stormhammer- Stage 2 (Northern base)
Forgotten Worlds- Miasma (Ice Man's stage)
Power Drift (there are a few tracks with snowy backgrounds)
I have no idea why this is my favorite, but whenever I think snow boards, I think 8 bit NES Contra.
Oooh, with the snowmobiles and all!
I really should have put the frost plains from Secret of Mana, even the song is good. (BTW OC Remix has an EXCELLENT remix here. Solemn and what have you. http://remix.overclocked.org/detailm...mixid=OCR00588 )
LOL snow levels are my favorite types of levels. It's just something about snow that makes a level that much better. I'd have to say my favorite are the two from Mario 64. They were cooooooool.
Drat, beaten to it, should've posted earlier :)Quote:
Originally posted by Chux
Narshe - Final Fantasy 3/6 :)
Yep, that's why I always look forward to them too. Couple of all-time faves (that I can remember) - Strider, Actraiser, Skies of Arcadia, 7th Saga, Destiny of an Emperor (you get Ma Chao!), and Ninja Gaiden. Oh yeah, no music, but I dig that huge snow level in Halo - vehicles, long range sniping, corridors, it's got it all.Quote:
Originally posted by Victrix
Basically any. I have a soft spot for ice levels, dunno why. I always like them, whatever game they're in.
They also often have sweet music
Hey, someone else has a favorable memory of 7th Saga. Did you ever complete the game with one or all of the characters?
Yeah, I won it with Lejes. That game was awesome, even if it was muthasuckin' hard. The ending totally sucked too, which was a huge letdown considering the rest of the story was decent. Still, the battle system was always tense (especially when you fought the other main characters) and the graphics and soundtrack were second to none. I'd love to get my hands on the sequel some day.
The ending sucked is a gigantic understatement for a game that damn hard. And the sad part is, it was harder for me to beat the enemies in the last dungeon then to kill the last boss.
Oh, crap! You mean the one with the Wahoo Stomp! I completely forgot! Great level! The creepy museum after it was cool too!Quote:
Originally posted by maruchan
no one liked the snow level.. in xmen 2.. for genesis.. that one was great too.. lets not forget SmB.. ice, snow levels..
oh yah.. no love for Megaman Icelevels.. witht he snow blwoing.. those are always great..
Wafu!
Damn.. Narshe in FF3 and Ristar.. Odd that I forgot these.
ºTracer
How did I forget FF6? That opening sequence with the three MagiTek's marching to Narshe was breathtaking.