Note: This was a blog post that I put into drafts a bit over a year ago (just as an idea, with no details), but life happened and I’m here, a year later, finally completing it. For this post, I did concentrate on specific areas or levels of a game. Some games were ignored here only because such large sections of them include a snowy environment, and I wanted to be able to narrow down specific levels, worlds, or smaller areas for this post. Also, I have not yet played Horizon: Zero Dawn, otherwise I suspect it would be on this list.


Honorable Mention: Ice Country (Secret of Mana), Siberius (Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando), VEGA Central Processing (Doom), Ice Cap Zone (Sonic the Hedgehog 3), Snow Barrel Blast (Donkey Kong Country), Himalayas (Ducktales), Glitterglaze Glacier (Yooka-Laylee)


8. World 6 (Super Mario Brothers 3)(Tie)
Everything about World 6 in Mario 3 speaks to the winter/snow theme. From the obvious design of the world and the levels to the music, which somehow manages to sound like winter. World 6 also includes the rare Tanooki Suit, which was such a thrill to find when I was a kid. I believe Mario 3 and Mega Man 2 were also probably my first introduction to ice physics in a game. My wife and I were recently playing through Mario 3 and experienced multiple near panic attacks thanks to this world. In spite of that, it’s still very fun and a very memorable piece of Super Mario Brothers 3.

















8. Ice Man (Mega Man: The Wily Wars)(Tie)
I’ve singled out the Wily Wars version of Ice Man because, much like World 6 above, everything about the level exudes cold and winter. The NES version does this pretty well, but the graphical upgrades in the Wily Wars really allows this level to shine. The backgrounds add the bitterly cold feel and, again like World 6, the music manages to feel appropriate for the level. Add in the underwater sections as well as the cave backgrounds and everything about Ice Man’s level leaves you cold in the best way.

















7. Cool Cool Mountain (Super Mario 64)(Tie)
I kept going back and forth between this and Snowman’s Land, and finally settled on this just because it’s a much larger level and includes the always fun penguin race (along with the ability to drop the baby penguin off the side of the stage…which I’m fairly certain we all did). The stars in this level are very varied, which makes revisiting it for each one a bit of a different experience every time, even if it is the same level. This is also the first fully 3-D snow level I ever experienced, and that gives it a special place in my heart.

















7. Freezeezy Peak (Banjo-Kazooie)(Tie)
Freezeezy Peak is everything that makes Banjo-Kazooie such a joy to play, placed in a snowy environment. It could be argued that this a Christmas themed world given the presence of a large Christmas Tree, but Christmas is in winter, so I’ll take it. Freezeezy Peak, like most worlds in Banjo Kazooie, is just a ton of fun to play, with plenty of humor and numerous hidden items.

















6. Surface I & II (Goldeneye)
There are a handful of games that I came back to over and over again in my youth, and Goldeneye was one of those. While I played the entire game multiple times, the Surface levels were always a favorite. The levels, taking place in the same spot, are open and allow you to progress through them using a variety of strategies. Whether you prefer to use stealth and snipe at enemies or go in guns blazing, it is up to you. The snow covered landscape provides plenty of cover, letting you take enemies by surprise should you choose to do so. It is a great set of levels in a fantastic game.



















5. Northwall (Actraiser)
Northwall is one of the last areas you visit in Actraiser. Being located in the northern area of the continent, it is snow covered, and it’s up to you to purge the land of both demons and snow. After completing the first side-scrolling area, you have to use your miracles to clear the land of snow, block by block. Each area of Actraiser has it’s own quirks, but Northwall is a personal favorite. There’s something very satisfying about clearing the land block by block and then watching the citizens populate the newly available land.

















4. Narshe (Final Fantasy VI)
As the opening location of Final Fantasy VI, Narshe sets the mood for the first half of Final Fantasy VI. Covered in snow and featuring a steampunk aesthetic, Narshe is where we are introduced to Terra Branford and given our first bits of plot in regards to the empire’s goals, the triad war, and the existence of the magical beings known as Espers. The time spent in Narshe may seem less important as the game progresses, but the location sets up the rest of game, both visually and tonally, and it does so beautifully.



















3. Snowpeak Ruins (The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess)
An aspect of Twilight Princess that I find so appealing is that many of the temples are seamlessly built into the land (I didn’t even realize that Arbiter’s Grounds was a temple until I found a map for it). The best example of this is Snowpeak Ruins. At first, I thought I was exploring an old house. Much like Arbiter’s Grounds, it took me finding dungeon items before it clicked with me that that was what I was currently exploring. That aside, the puzzles utilize the winter setting to great effect. The area around the temple is also interesting to explore, and the snow boarding section is surprisingly fun (given how easily the inclusion of such a feature could have gone off the rails). All in all, it remains one of my favorite sections of any Zelda game.



















2. Valak Mountain (Xenoblade Chronicles)
Valak Mountain, located on the Bionis, is the largest explorable area in Xenoblade Chronicles. It is covered in snow and crystal formations, and contains ruins of the High Entia. At night, the trees glow yellow and project a beam of light into the sky. In the lore of the game, Valak Mountain was not always so cold, but is so now due to the movement of the Bionis. Valak Mountain is home to the Sealed Tower, an important landmark whose significance is only fully explained late game (and which I’m not willing to spoil here). The narrative of Xenoblade Chronicles is extremely important to the game, and the Sealed Tower is pivotal to the plot. Aside from this, it also home to the two strongest super-bosses in teh game (optional, thankfully). Valak Mountain also makes an appearance in Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed. It is a beautiful area that begs to be fully explored.



















1. Phendrana Drifts (Metroid Prime)
Few moments in gaming have struck me the way emerging into the Phendrana Drifts of Metroid Prime struck me. Initially, you arrive in Phendrana via an elevator and have to travel through a cave before the area opens up before you. Filled with icicles and snow, and a musical theme to match the visuals, Phendrana is a gorgeous area filled with dangerous enemies and multiple puzzles. Yet the area is so intriguing, you feel compelled to press on, in spite of the dangers. In this vein, Phendrana is home to the terrifying Sheegoth enemy, which begins as a boss and then likes to surprise you as a common enemy in a couple of areas later on, and Thardus, one of the most interesting bosses in the game. Metroid Prime is a top 2 game of all time for me, and the Phendrana Drifts remain my favorite area in the game to explore.