Snow Bros., developed by Toaplan, brought its own frosty twist to the action-puzzler genre: enemies are rolled into giant snowballs and chaotically launched through the level. The result? Fast-paced, addictive gameplay with a high “just one more round!” factor.
Story
Nick and Tom are two brave prince brothers who one day fall victim to an attack by the evil King Scorch (King Artich). Invading their kingdom, Scorch transforms Nick and Tom into snowmen to prevent them from saving their homeland. But that’s not all—he also kidnaps the two princesses, Puripuri and Puchipuchi, imprisoning them in his dark castle towers. From that moment on, the frosty adventure begins: Nick and Tom must fight their way through 50 monster-filled stages to defeat Scorch and reclaim their original human forms.
Gameplay
The controls in Snow Bros. are simple and precise – and that’s essential, as speed and timing are key. Players run across platforms, jump with precision, and fire snowballs at enemies. Hits gradually freeze them, and with enough snow, they transform into massive snowballs that can be rolled through the level, taking other enemies with them. This creates a wonderfully satisfying gameplay experience, especially when a well-placed snowball triggers a chain reaction, clearing the entire screen. The stages are cleverly designed, featuring obstacles, strategically positioned enemies, and platforms that demand precise jumping.
Power Ups
| Sprite | Name | |
|---|---|---|
 | Red Potion | Increase the speed. |
 | Blue Potion | Makes snowballs roll further. |
 | Yellow Potion | Makes snowballs more powerful. |
 | Green Potion | Inflates the character and makes them invincible for a short time. |
Graphics and Sound
The game features a charming cartoon style that perfectly complements its humorous gameplay. Exaggerated animations, particularly the moments when enemies become snowballs and are hurled through the level, deliver a satisfying sense of impact.The enemy designs are creative and varied, and even the bosses have that distinct Toaplan charm, reminiscent of the developer’s other titles.
Catchy and seamless, the music perfectly captures the early ’90s arcade soundtrack vibe. Each stage loop is upbeat and memorable, though it can become a bit repetitive over time. Sound effects—especially the satisfying ‘pop’ of the snowballs—further enhance the overall enjoyment.
Difficulty
Snow Bros. starts off relatively easy but quickly ramps up in difficulty. Enemies become smarter, move faster, and attack more aggressively. There’s also a time pressure: if you linger too long in a level, a flying skull-faced monster appears and relentlessly hunts you down. The boss fights offer a fun change of pace, often requiring skillful dodging and strategic snowball management. Overall, the game is fair, but it gets pretty challenging toward the end—just what you’d expect from a classic arcade title.
Multiplayer
Co-op play is where Snow Bros. truly shines! Much like Bubble Bobble, teaming up with a partner doubles the fun and maximizes the on-screen chaos. The ability to push snowballs toward each other leads to hilarious moments, creating unexpected strategies (or disasters). On the flip side, multiplayer can get pretty frantic—a rogue snowball can easily mess up your partner’s plans. But it’s exactly this kind of “friendly” sabotage that makes the game even more entertaining.
