Editing Ice Climbers

{{forfighter|SSBM=y|SSBB=y|SSBU=y}}

|image = [[File:Ice Climbers.PNG|270px]]

|caption = [[File:IceClimberSymbol.svg|50px|class=invert-dark]]

The in-game sprites of Popo (left) and Nana (right) from ''{{b|Ice Climber|game}}''.

|firstgame = ''[[wikipedia:Ice Climber|Vs. Ice Climber]]'' (1984)

|lastappearance= ''{{s|mariowiki|Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition}}'' (2024)

|console = Arcade

|voiceactor = {{iw|wikipedia|Sanae Kobayashi}}

|artist = {{iw|wikipedia|Tadashi Sugiyama}}

The '''Ice Climbers''' ({{ja|アイスクライマー|Aisu Kuraimā}}, ''Ice Climber'') are the titular protagonists of the game ''{{B|Ice Climber|game}}''. Individually, they are known as '''Popo''' ({{ja|ポポ|Popo}}, ''Popo'') and '''Nana''' ({{ja|ナナ|Nana}}, ''Nana''), and are differentiated from each other primarily by the color of their parkas. Fittingly, the Ice Climbers seek to scale various mountains, yet must also avoid various obstacles and enemies en route to each summit. In order to successfully accomplish each level, they must catch a [[Vegetables (Ice Climber)|vegetable]]-stealing [[condor]].

The Ice Climbers made their ''{{b|Super Smash Bros.|series}}'' series debut in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''. Although they returned in that role in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', they made a cameo as a [[trophy]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'' before returning to a playable role in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''.

The Ice Climbers both wield wooden mallets, which they use to break ice layers in order to further ascend each mountain and to protect themselves by striking icicles or enemies like [[Topi]]s and [[Polar Bear]]s.<ref name=NinPower/> On the route to the mountaintop, they can gain bonus points by collecting {{b|vegetables|Ice Climber}} that are stolen by a [[condor]] at the beginning of each level.<ref name=NinPower/> Ultimately, the Ice Climbers must catch the condor in order to proceed to the next mountain.<ref name=NinPower/>

Although ''Ice Climber'' did not give precise details about Popo and Nana, their subsequent appearances in the ''{{b|Super Smash Bros.|series}}'' series have somewhat elaborated on their relationship. Initially, two specific instances in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' hinted at them being in a romantic relationship. Firstly, the [[opening movie]] features Popo and Nana high-fiving each other, with a small heart emerging from where their hands meet. Secondly, the Japanese title of [[Event 21: Ice Breaker]] roughly translates to "Those Who Interfere People's Romance".

However, a subsequent translation of the Ice Climbers' [[Smabura-Ken]] page revealed that ''Super Smash Bros.'' series creator [[Masahiro Sakurai]] confirmed that their relationship is platonic by saying, "By the way, Popo and Nana are a childhood friends-like boy-and-girl pair. The "more than friends, but less than lovers" kind."<ref name=IciesMelee/> Much like Sakurai's explanation, the Ice Climbers' {{SSBM|Classic Mode}} [[trophy]] in ''Melee'' forgoes any romantic undertones, and instead simply mentions that "they're rarely seen apart."

Despite Sakurai's aforementioned explanation, issue 152 of ''Nintendo Power'' seemingly lost his comment in translation and instead referred to Popo and Nana as siblings.<ref name=NinPower>[https://archive.org/stream/NintendoPower1988-2004/Nintendo%20Power%20Issue%20152%20%28January%202002%29#page/n25/mode/2up "Who are the Ice Climbers?" ''Nintendo Power'', issue number 152, January 2002, pg. 24]</ref> Following this, ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' reaffirmed Sakurai's stance on the relationship both in-game and in supplemental material. The Ice Climbers' {{SSBB|Smash Bros. DOJO!!}} page refers to them as friends in two instances while detailing their special moves.<ref name=IciesBrawl>[https://www.smashbros.com/wii/en_uk/characters/iceclimbers.html Smash Bros. DOJO!! - Ice Climbers]</ref> In addition, [[Solid Snake]]'s [[Codec Conversations#Ice Climbers|codec conversation regarding the Ice Climbers]] sees [[Mei Ling]] mention that Popo and Nana have a "[[wikipedia:Blood brother|blood bond]]", which is a long-standing custom practiced around the world that involves two unrelated people swearing loyalty to one another.

Although the Ice Climbers do not make any sort of appearance in ''Super Smash Bros.'', the game's Japanese website included them in a poll to gauge interest in potential playable characters for a sequel.<ref>http://sourcegaming.info/2015/03/23/if-there-were-a-smash-2-poll/

The Ice Climbers make their ''Super Smash Bros.'' series debut in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' as [[newcomer]]s. They share a single spot on the roster despite consisting of two characters and would be the first characters in the series to establish this format. Due to appearing in 3D for the first time, the Ice Climbers' designs were modified accordingly: they retained their chibi aesthetic from ''Ice Climber''{{'}}s official artwork, yet also gained distinct hairstyles in order to further differentiate them, alongside gloves, {{s|wikipedia|ice cleat}}s, and more detailed parkas.

Sakurai On: Character Choices</ref> In addition to the Ice Climbers, other candidates included the [[Balloon Fighter]] from {{uv|Balloon Fight}}, the main character from {{uvm|Urban Champion}}, {{h2|List of SSBM trophies (Others)|Bubbles}} from {{uv|Clu Clu Land}}, and a biker from ''{{h2|List of SSBM trophies (Others)|Excitebike}}''.<ref name=IciesMelee/><ref>[https://sourcegaming.info/2015/03/30/smash-reader-response-page-9-meaning-behind-smash-logo-lip-ice-climbers-and-balloon-fight/ Smash Reader Response Page 9: Meaning behind Smash Logo, Lip, Ice Climbers and Balloon Fight]</ref>

Although the Ice Climbers are [[Technical skill|technically]] demanding and require astute micromanaging, their tag team mechanics also grant them an exclusive [[advanced technique]] known as [[desyncing]]. Thanks to the vast utility provided by desyncing, as well as the considerable offensive potential provided by [[wobbling]] (another exclusive advanced technique that is derived from desyncing), the Ice Climbers are currently ranked 8th out of 26 on the [[tier list]]. This places them in the B+ tier and posits them as high-tier characters.

===Trophies===

Like other playable characters, the Ice Climbers have three trophies - a normal trophy won by beating the {{SSBM|Classic Mode}} with the Ice Climbers on any difficulty, and "Smash Red" and "Smash Blue" trophies are acquired by beating the Adventure and All-Star modes, respectively.

|image=Ice Climber Trophy Melee.png

|game=Melee

 

|name=Ice Climbers

|image=Ice Climber Trophy (Smash).png

|desc=This unique twosome fights together as a team. Your score will not be affected if the CPU-controlled character is KO'd, but a lone Ice Climber won't be able to use teamwork moves, which will make for a tough and frantic solo fight. The Ice Shot fires mini-glaciers out of their hammers, while Squall Hammer is at its strongest when Nana and Popo combine their strength.

 

|image=Ice Climber Trophy (Smash 2).png

|mode=All Star

|desc-ntsc=The colors of the Ice Climbers' parkas denotes who's in the lead: Nana's in pink or orange, while Popo's in green or blue. Their hairstyles are also slightly different. Belay allows them to cover great distances, but doesn't give foes the chance to target their landing. Blizzard is best used in close quarters; in the fray, Nana and Popo will sometimes freeze opponents.

|desc-pal=The colors of the Ice Climbers' parkas denotes who's in the lead: Nana's in red or orange, while Popo's in green or purple. Their hairstyles are also slightly different. Belay allows them to cover great distances, but doesn't give foes the chance to target their landing. Blizzard is best used in close quarters; in the fray, Nana and Popo will sometimes freeze opponents.

[[File:Ice Climbers SSBB.jpg|thumb|200px|The Ice Climbers, as they appear in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''.]]

The Ice Climbers return in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'' as starter characters. As in ''Melee'', players can still choose between Popo or Nana as the leader of the duo, depending on which costume is chosen. Like their fellow [[veteran]]s, the Ice Climbers now have a [[Final Smash]]; in their case, it is [[Iceberg]], which fittingly consists of a large iceberg that occupies a large portion of the screen and inflicts damage and/or [[freeze]]s opponents.<ref name=IciesBrawl/>

Although ''Brawl''{{'}}s game engine removed [[wavedash]]ing and [[wobbling]], the Ice Climbers were nevertheless buffed in the transition to ''Brawl''. Compared to their appearance in ''Melee'', the partner climber's AI is smarter while separated from the leader. Most notably, the player will control the partner when the leader grabs an opponent.

This, coupled with the modifications to their back and down throws, results in the Ice Climbers being among the handful of characters capable of [[zero-to-death]] [[chain grab]]s. On a similar note, the Ice Climbers' recovery has improved: [[Belay]] now functions as a [[tether recovery]], and both climbers can now hang on an edge at the same time.

Due to the combination of their buffs and largely retained strengths, the Ice Climbers are currently ranked 2nd out of 38 on the [[tier list]]. In addition to positioning them as top-tier characters, this makes the Ice Climbers and {{SSBB|Meta Knight}} the only characters who are the sole occupants of their own respective tiers (S for the Ice Climbers and SS for Meta Knight).

{{main|List of SSBB trophies (Ice Climber series)}}

{{Trophy

|name=Ice Climbers

|image=Ice Climbers - Brawl Trophy.png

|desc=The one in blue is Popo, and the one in pink is Nana. They use their incredible jumping powers and hammers to break blocks and climb to the summit. They grab veggies, and if they can catch the condor at the end, they conquer the mountain. Other than breaking blocks, their hammers are good for sending foes flying, climbing down from blocks, and destroying icicles.

|gamelist={{Trophy games|console1=NES|game1=Ice Climber}}

}}

! Fighter(s)

| {{SortKey|AttackSpecialsDirect+029}}[[File:SpecialsDirect.png|16px|link=Specials: Direct]] Attack +29

| {{StickerHead|Ice Climbers}}

The Ice Climbers did not return as playable characters in ''Super Smash Bros. 4'', but were playable during the development of {{forwiiu}}.<ref name=IciesCut>[https://sourcegaming.info/2015/07/09/i-answer-some-questions-sakurai-famitsu-column-vol-461-464/ "I Answer Some Questions" Sakurai Famitsu column vol. 461-464, on Ice Climbers, clones, and Smash Run]</ref> According to [[Masahiro Sakurai]], their removal was the result of requiring "significant processing power" to control in {{for3ds}}, adding that the 3DS was already being pushed to its limits and that he "couldn’t get them to work no matter how hard [he] tried."<ref name=IciesCut/> Possible solutions were attempted, such as removing joints from their model, as well as certain effects such as gravity, though these did not yield results.<ref name=IciesCut/>

Aside from functionality, Sakurai stated that the Ice Climbers were lower priority inclusions, due to them being an example of characters whose home series had little to no possibility of having a new installment. While they could have been Wii U-exclusive characters, Sakurai wanted the rosters to be identical for both games.<ref name=IciesCut/> These issues ultimately resulted in the Ice Climbers being cut as playable characters and instead relegated to being a [[trophy]].<ref name=IciesCut/>

|name=Ice Climbers

|image-3ds=IceClimbersTrophy3DS.png

|desc-ntsc=This pair of adventurers starred in an action game released in 1985. Popo wears blue, and Nana wears red. The goal of their adventure was to reach the top of the mountain, collecting vegetables and defeating animals along the way. Grabbing the condor earned them a nice bonus too!

|desc-pal=Popo (in blue) and Nana (in pink) are the daring adventurers from the two-player platformer Ice Climber, released in Europe in 1986. In that game, your goal is to head up a mountain, breaking blocks and taking out pesky critters along the way. When you get to the top, you can collect veg and grab on to the condor to get bonus points! Nice!

|gamelist-ntsc={{Trophy games|console1=NES|game1=Ice Climber|release1=10/1985}}

|gamelist-pal={{Trophy games|console1=NES|game1=Ice Climber|release1=09/1986}}

}}

The Ice Climbers return as playable characters in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''. They were formally announced alongside the rest of the cast within ''Ultimate''{{'}}s E3 2018 trailer on June 12th, 2018.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L93H7YC-83o Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - E3 2018 - Nintendo Switch]</ref> Unlike their previous appearances, they are [[unlockable character]]s.

Although the Ice Climbers are still capable of [[desyncing]], the technique itself is more difficult to perform because of changes to the partner climber's [[artificial intelligence]] brought about at launch and via game updates. This is further compounded by the loss of [[chain grab]]bing as of ''SSB4'' and the partner climber no longer being capable of attacking when the leader has or is grabbed. As a result, more creative techniques are required in order to fully utilize their gameplay.

|deM=An edit, due to "Popo" meaning buttocks in German.

*The Ice Climbers' [[Target Smash!|Target Test]] in ''Melee'' is heavily based on the gameplay of ''Ice Climber''.<ref name=NinPower/>

**This is likely due to them gaining {{s|wikipedia|ice cleat}}s from their redesigns in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series.

*In both ''Melee'' and ''Brawl'', the Ice Climbers appear to be left-handed, as they wield their hammers using their left hands. Although they appear to be left-handed in their ''Ultimate'' artwork, they are actually ambidextrous during regular gameplay in ''Ultimate''.

**This is an oddity among one-handed weapon fighters in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series, who will keep their weapon in the same hand and have their back face the screen in a certain direction to keep attacks similar in both directions. This also resembles the sprites common in NES era games where left and right sprites were the same images flipped, thus making the characters switch hands.

*The Ice Climbers are the only characters to appear in multiple ''Super Smash Bros.'' installments before being cut.

**The Ice Climbers, [[Lucas]], and [[Pokémon Trainer]] are the only starter characters to be cut in any game, although Lucas would return in ''Smash 4'' through DLC. The three of them are also the only cut veterans who have trophies in ''SSB4'' that use their models from ''Brawl''.

**The Ice Climbers and [[Solid Snake]] are the only characters from single-character universes to be absent for a game before returning to the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series.