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(→‎Trivia: Popo and Nana are still acknowledged as names, more arbitrary trivia, and trivia better suited for the Ultimate page)
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|artist = Tadashi Sugiyama
|artist = Tadashi Sugiyama
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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 via 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''' ({{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 capacity in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', they made a cameo as a [[trophy]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'' before returning to a playable capacity in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''.
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]]''.


==Origin==
==Origin==
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{{Main|Ice Climbers (SSBU)}}
{{Main|Ice Climbers (SSBU)}}
[[File:Ice Climbers SSBU.png|thumb|The Ice Climbers, as they appear in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''.]]
[[File:Ice Climbers SSBU.png|thumb|The Ice Climbers, as they appear in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''.]]
The Ice Climbers return as playable characters in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''. They were formally announced alongside the rest of the cast via ''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.
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 toolkits.
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.


===Spirit===
===Spirit===
Line 163: Line 163:
*The Ice Climbers' [[Target Smash!|Target Test]] in ''Melee'' is heavily based on the gameplay of ''Ice Climber''.<ref name=NinPower/>
*The Ice Climbers' [[Target Smash!|Target Test]] in ''Melee'' is heavily based on the gameplay of ''Ice Climber''.<ref name=NinPower/>
*In the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series, the Ice Climbers are unaffected by icy [[terrain]]. However, in ''Ice Climber'', they are affected by ice.
*In the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series, the Ice Climbers are unaffected by icy [[terrain]]. However, in ''Ice Climber'', they are affected by ice.
**This is likely due to them gaining {{s|wikipedia|ice cleat}}s via their redesigns in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series.
**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 gameplay in ''Ultimate''.
*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''.
*The Ice Climbers are the only characters to appear in multiple ''Super Smash Bros.'' titles before being cut.
*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, [[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''.
**They 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.
**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.


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 19:51, December 10, 2021

For fighter info, see Ice Climbers (SSBM), Ice Climbers (SSBB), and Ice Climbers (SSBU).
"IC" redirects here. For the smasher, see Smasher:IC.
Ice Climbers
File:Ics.PNG
IceClimberSymbol.svg

The in-game sprites of Popo (left) and Nana (right) from Ice Climber.

Universe Ice Climber
Debut VS. Ice Climber (1984)
Smash Bros. appearances Melee
Brawl
SSB4
Ultimate
Most recent non-Smash appearance WarioWare: Get It Together! (2021, cameo)
Console/platform of origin Arcade
Species Human
Gender Male (Popo)
Female (Nana)
Place of origin Infinite Glacier
Designed by Tadashi Sugiyama
Voice actor Sanae Kobayashi

The Ice Climbers (アイスクライマー, Ice Climber) are the titular protagonists of the game Ice Climber. Individually, they are known as Popo (ポポ, Popo) and Nana (ナナ, 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 vegetable-stealing condor.

The Ice Climbers made their Super Smash Bros. 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.

Origin

Ice Climber was one of the first NES games that allowed for two people to play simultaneously. Its playable characters are a pair of mountaineers wearing color-coded parkas: a male in blue named Popo, and a female in pink named Nana.[1] Although hardware limitations originally limited them to simple 8-bit sprites, official artwork depicts them with chibi proportions.[2][3]

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 Topis and Polar Bears.[1] On the route to the mountaintop, they can gain bonus points by collecting vegetables that are stolen by a condor at the beginning of each level.[1] Ultimately, the Ice Climbers must catch the condor in order to proceed to the next mountain.[1]

Relationship between the Ice Climbers

Although Ice Climber did not give precise details about Popo and Nana, their subsequent appearances in the Super Smash Bros. 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."[4] Much like Sakurai's explanation, the Ice Climbers' 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.[1] Following this, Super Smash Bros. Brawl reaffirmed Sakurai's stance on the relationship both in-game and in supplemental material. The Ice Climbers' Smash Bros. DOJO!! page refers to them as friends in two instances while detailing their special moves.[5] In addition, Solid Snake's codec conversation regarding the Ice Climbers sees Mei Ling mention that Popo and Nana have a "blood bond", which is a long-standing custom practiced around the world that involves two unrelated people swearing loyalty to one another.

In Super Smash Bros.

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 for potential playable characters in a sequel.[6]

In Super Smash Bros. Melee

As playable characters

Main article: Ice Climbers (SSBM)
The Ice Climbers, as they appear in Super Smash Bros. Melee.

The Ice Climbers make their Super Smash Bros. series debut in Super Smash Bros. Melee as newcomers. 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, ice cleats, and more detailed parkas.

According to Masahiro Sakurai, the creator of the Super Smash Bros. series, he and the development team wished to include a character that originated on the Nintendo Entertainment System. However, Sakurai also stressed the importance of character selection additionally involving "things only that character can do".[4][7] In addition to the Ice Climbers, other candidates included the Balloon Fighter from Balloon Fight, the main character from Urban Champion, Bubbles from Clu Clu Land, and a biker from Excitebike.[4][8]

Ultimately, the Ice Climbers were selected; Sakurai explained that the other candidates failed in certain aspects in regard to feasibly becoming playable characters, whereas the Ice Climbers were selected because he and the development team were interested in using Ice Climber's simultaneous 2-player gameplay as the basis for the climbers' tag team playstyle.[4]

Like in Ice Climber, Popo is the leading climber by default; however, the Ice Climbers' third and fourth alternate costumes will instead make Nana the leading climber. While the Ice Climbers boast the seventh highest jump, they are burdened with slow air and falling speeds as a reference to Ice Climber.[4] Although they possess the second lowest traction, this also grants them the second longest ranged wavedash that, when coupled with the disjointed ranges of their mallets, grants the Ice Climbers a formidable approach.

Unlike the rest of the cast, the Ice Climbers feature the player controlling the leading climber, while the partner climber is controlled via artificial intelligence. Although the partner climber does not share the leader's damage meter, their CPU level scales with the amount of damage the leader has received.[9] These mechanics result in the Ice Climbers possessing an extremely high learning curve, as players must ensure the safety and proper utilization of not one, but two characters at the same time.

Although the Ice Climbers are 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.

Trophy

Main article: List of SSBM trophies (Ice Climber series)

Ice Climbers
That's Popo in the blue and Nana in the pink. These two stars of the game Ice Climber have scaled many an icy summit in their mountaineering careers. Back in their glory days, they chased eggplants, cucumbers, and other vegetables that inexplicably fell from frosty summits when a condor reigned supreme. They're rarely seen apart.

  • Ice Climber, 10/85 (NES)
  • Ice Climbers [Classic Mode] trophy

    Ice Climbers [Classic Mode] trophy

  • Ice Climbers [Ice Climbers, Adventure Mode] trophy

    Ice Climbers [Ice Climbers, Adventure Mode] trophy

  • Ice Climbers [Ice Climbers, All-Star Mode] trophy

    Ice Climbers [Ice Climbers, All-Star Mode] trophy

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl

As playable characters

Main article: Ice Climbers (SSBB)
The Ice Climbers, as they appear in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

The Ice Climbers appear 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 veterans, 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 freezes opponents.[5]

Although Brawl's game engine removed wavedashing 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 partner will be controlled by the player when the leader grabs an opponent.

This, coupled with the modifications to their back and down throws, result in the Ice Climbers being among the handful of characters capable of zero-to-death chain grabs. 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 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).

Trophy

The Ice Climbers' trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Ice Climbers
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.

NES: Ice Climber

Sticker

Name Game Effect Characters
Nana Ice Climber AttackSpecialsDirect+029Specials: Direct Attack +29 Ice ClimbersIce Climbers (SSBB)
Brawl Sticker Nana (Ice Climber).png
Nana
(Ice Climber)

In Super Smash Bros. 4

The Ice Climbers did not appear as playable characters in Super Smash Bros. 4. According to Masahiro Sakurai, the Ice Climbers were actually playable in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, but he and the development team were unable to make them function properly in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS because of the Nintendo 3DS' hardware limitations.[10] Sakurai also mentioned that the old age of the Ice Climbers' Melee frame data made it difficult to transfer said data to SSB4.[10]

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've been Wii U exclusive characters, Sakurai wanted the rosters to be identical for both games.[10] Altogether, these issues ultimately resulted in the Ice Climbers being cut as playable characters, and instead relegated to being a trophy.[10]

Trophy

Main article: List of SSB4 trophies (Others)
The Ice Climbers' trophy in Super Smash Bros. 4.
Ice Climbers
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!
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!
NES: Ice Climber (10/1985)

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

As playable characters

Main article: Ice Climbers (SSBU)
The Ice Climbers, as they appear in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

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.[11] Unlike their previous appearances, they are unlockable characters.

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 grabbing 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.

Spirit

  • 606. Ice Climbers

    606. Ice Climbers

Names in other languages

Ice Climbers

Language Name Meaning
Japan Japanese アイスクライマー, Ice Climber —
UK English Ice Climbers —
France French Ice Climbers —
Germany German Ice Climbers —
Spain Spanish Ice Climbers —
Italy Italian Ice Climbers —
China Chinese 翻越冰山者, Ice Climber Ice Mountaineers
South Korea Korean 얼음 타기, Ice Climber Ice Climbing
Netherlands Dutch Ice Climbers —
Russia Russian Альпинисты Alpinists
Portugal Portuguese Ice Climbers —

Popo and Nana

Language Name Meaning
Germany German Pèpè und Nana An edit, due to "Popo" meaning buttocks in German.
South Korea Korean 포포 와 나나 Popo and Nana
Russia Russian Попо и Нана Popo and Nana

Trivia

  • The Ice Climbers' Target Test in Melee is heavily based on the gameplay of Ice Climber.[1]
  • In the Super Smash Bros. series, the Ice Climbers are unaffected by icy terrain. However, in Ice Climber, they are affected by ice.
    • This is likely due to them gaining ice cleats 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.
  • 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.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Who are the Ice Climbers?" Nintendo Power, issue number 152, January 2002, pg. 24
  2. ^ Cool Box Art on Twitter: "Ice Climber / Arcade flyer / Nintendo / 1985"
  3. ^ Ice Climber (1985) cover art MobyGames
  4. ^ a b c d e News Flash! Smash Bros. Dojo: Ice Climbers Source Gaming - September 9, 2015
  5. ^ a b Smash Bros. DOJO!! - Ice Climbers
  6. ^ http://sourcegaming.info/2015/03/23/if-there-were-a-smash-2-poll/ If there was a Smash 2 Poll
  7. ^ https://sourcegaming.info/2015/09/26/sakurai-on-character-choices/ Sakurai On: Character Choices
  8. ^ Smash Reader Response Page 9: Meaning behind Smash Logo, Lip, Ice Climbers and Balloon Fight
  9. ^ Smashboards post detailing Nana's CPU level
  10. ^ a b c d "I Answer Some Questions" Sakurai Famitsu column vol. 461-464, on Ice Climbers, clones, and Smash Run
  11. ^ Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - E3 2018 - Nintendo Switch


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v • d • e
Ice Climber (universe) Ice Climber universe
Fighter Ice Climbers (SSBM · SSBB · SSBU)
Stages Icicle Mountain · Summit
Items Vegetables
Enemies Polar Bear · Topi
Other Condor
Trophies, Stickers and Spirits Trophies (SSBM · SSBB) · Stickers · Spirits
Music Brawl · Ultimate
Masterpiece Ice Climber
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