Ice Climbers
- This article is about the recurring duo in the Super Smash Bros. series. For the WarioWare: D.I.Y. microgame, see Ice Climbers (microgame).
- "Ice Climber" redirects here. For the microgame from WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!, see Ice Climber (WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!). For the microgame from WarioWare: Twisted!, see Ice Climber (WarioWare: Twisted!).
- "Popo" redirects here. For the enemy in Super Mario Sunshine, see Poink.
Template:Character-infobox Template:Quote2 The Ice Climbers, named Ice Climber in Japan, are a pair consisting of a little boy named Popo and a little girl named Nana, who originate from the NES game Ice Climber. Though they have only had one single game of their own, aside from VS. Ice Climber, they have made frequent crossover appearances in other Nintendo games, including Game & Watch Gallery 4, WarioWare: Twisted!, WarioWare: Touched!, Tetris DS, a mention in Game & Watch Gallery 3, and another appearance in NES Remix. Both Ice Climbers are playable fighters in Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
History
Super Smash Bros. series
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Template:Main-external The Ice Climbers appear as a new, playable default character in Super Smash Bros. Melee. The two are unique, as they fight as a team, but act as two separate characters. Depending on the alternate costume, the player can control either Popo or Nana, while the other is a computer player that copies their inputs and returns to the player when they are separated. The Ice Climbers attack simultaneously, and as they are two characters the player can grab two opponents and hold two items at once. If the second climber is KO'd, the leading one can still fight, but their attacks are not as powerful as they would be if both are present. However, if the player-controlled climber is KO'd, they are both sent back to the respawn platform. Also unique to the Ice Climbers is that they have normal traction on slippery ground.
Their neutral special move is Ice Shot, which sends out icicles toward the opponents. Their side special is Squall Hammer, in which the climbers spin around with their hammers. Their down special move is Blizzard, which has Popo and Nana send out a blast of cold air. Their up special move is Belay, in which one of the climbers throws the others into the air with a rope to pull the other up.
Both Popo and Nana are voiced by Sanae Kobayashi.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Template:Main-external The Ice Climbers return to the series in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, retaining their moveset and attributes from Super Smash Bros. Melee. However, both Ice Climbers are able to grab a ledge at the same time; in the previous game, the other climber cannot grab on if one is already on the ledge. Their Final Smash is Iceberg, in which they create a large iceberg in the middle of the stage.
The Subspace Emissary
The Ice Climbers were first seen climbing up the Glacial Peak, completely oblivious to the shootout between the Great Fox and the Battleship Halberd. However, they do see Meta Knight climbing past them, trying to get to the Halberd. The Ice Climbers see this as a challenge, and race him to the top, managing to reach it first. However, they discover the Aura Pokémon Lucario up there, who challenges Meta Knight. Popo and Nana could only watch. Just after the battle, the Halberd rams the Great Fox into the mountain. While Meta Knight and Lucario take this chance to get inside the Halberd, the Ice Climbers fall into the Canyon, where they find themselves with Marth, Lucas, the Pokémon Trainer, and Ike. The Subspace Army attacks them all, but they are saved by Mario, Link, Yoshi, Kirby, and Pit. The Ice Climbers eventually go to Subspace with all of the heroes, where they all get turned into trophies by Tabuu. Fortunately, Kirby is then revived by a badge created by King Dedede, so he saves Popo and Nana along with some other characters. The entire team then goes after Tabuu.
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U
The Ice Climbers do not return as playable characters in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, making them the only playable characters in the entire series that have been playable in more than one game before being cut. The director of the games, Masahiro Sakurai, has stated this is because they were unable to run smoothly on the 3DS version of the game, and that while the Ice Climbers were running perfectly in the Wii U version, they were cut as they were unlikely to get a new game and Sakurai didn’t want the Wii U version to have an exclusive character. Instead, they appear as a trophy in both versions of the game; the trophy is a random unlockable in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS; to unlock the trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, the player has to KO his/her rival four times in a single Rival Smash match. Icicle Mountain's theme from Super Smash Bros. Melee and Ice Climbers' theme from Super Smash Bros. Brawl returns in the Wii U version as alternate themes for the Wrecking Crew stage, despite the characters being cut.
On a side note, the Polar Bears from their series appear as enemies in the 3DS-exclusive game mode, Smash Run.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Template:Main-external The Ice Climbers, alongside all Super Smash Bros. series veterans, return as unlockable playable fighters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. They received many aesthetic changes, such as Nana being more expressive when Popo grabs an opponent, or vice-versa. The Ice Climbers also have 8 costumes, like all other characters in the game. On a side note, the Ice Climbers' victory theme has been shortened compared to Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
The Ice Climbers retain their Final Smash from Super Smash Bros. Brawl, though it functions slightly differently.
Classic Mode route
| Duos for Days | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round | Opponent(s) | Stage | Song | |
| 1 | Link, Zelda | Great Plateau Tower | Main Theme - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | |
| 2 | Ryu, Ken | Suzaku Castle | Ryu Stage | |
| 3 | Villager, Isabelle | Smashville | Title Theme - Animal Crossing: Wild World (Brawl) | |
| 4 | Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong | Jungle Japes | Jungle Level (Melee) | |
| 5 | Palutena, Pit | Palutena's Temple | Title Theme - Kid Icarus | |
| 6 | Mario, Peach | Princess Peach's Castle | Main Theme - New Super Mario Bros. | |
| Final | Master Hand, Crazy Hand | Final Destination | Master Hand / Crazy Hand | |
Special moves
Ice Shot
Template:Main-external Ice Shot is the Ice Climbers' standard special move. Two small chunks of ice appear, and the Ice Climbers hit it along the ground, hurting anyone it happens to hit. It deals approximately 5-8% damage. In the case of Popo/Nana being the only Ice Climber active, only one small chunk of ice appears. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the Ice Climbers take damage from their own Ice Shots if reflected back at them.
- Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | アイスショット[?] Aisu Shotto |
Ice Shot |
Ice Shot in Super Smash Bros. Melee
Squall Hammer
Template:Main-external Squall Hammer is the Ice Climbers' side special move. Popo and Nana spin forward with their mallets held out in the direction the Control Stick is tilted. It deals approximately 7-19% damage. The attack is less effective if only one Ice Climber is in battle. In Super Smash Bros. Melee, Popo and Nana use only their left hands to swing the mallets, as opposed to Super Smash Bros. Brawl, where they use both of their hands to swing their mallets.
- Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | トルネードハンマー[?] Torunēdo Hanmā |
Tornado Hammer |
Squall Hammer in Super Smash Bros. Melee
Squall Hammer in Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Belay
Template:Main-external Belay is the Ice Climbers' up special move. Popo/Nana throws their partner up into the air, allowing them to use a belay to pull themselves upwards. It is also able to damage anyone who gets in the way of the attack. The attack is far less effective if only Popo/Nana is in the battle, where the solo Ice Climber performs only a little hop, and has no effect when used on the ground. Both Ice Climbers are put into a helpless state once the move finishes.
- Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ゴムジャンプ[?] Gomu Janpu |
Elastic Jump |
Belay in Super Smash Bros. Melee
Blizzard
Template:Main-external Blizzard is the Ice Climbers' down special move. When used, a small blizzard comes out of both of the Ice Climbers' hands; if two Ice Climbers are present, the player Ice Climber faces forward while the CPU partner faces back, making the Blizzard cover both sides. If used in the air, Popo and Nana both fire the blizzard in the same direction as the player Ice Climber. It usually deals around 5-13% damage. However, if the Ice Climber partner has been defeated, Popo/Nana can shoot only one blizzard. The attack can briefly freeze an opponent if the opponent has high enough damage.
- Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ブリザード[?] Burizādo |
Blizzard |
Final Smash
Iceberg
Template:Main-external Template:Quote2 Iceberg is the Ice Climbers' Final Smash. Once the Ice Climbers break the Smash Ball and the move is activated, the two high-five each other and a giant iceberg appears from below, taking up a large amount of space on stages. This not only freezes any platform in the surrounding area, but also damages any opposing player who touches the iceberg, doing a heavy amount of damage and sometimes freezing them. The attack can also be done with only one Ice Climber, and if done by one Ice Climber, the solo Ice Climber raises their hammer to call the iceberg. Players can attack the iceberg to shrink it, though the iceberg shrinks completely after a period of time.
In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the Final Smash is slightly different. The iceberg now revolves, and no longer freezes opponents, instead only damaging them. The condor flies overhead, which the Ice Climbers can grab as it flies back and forth above the stage. The Polar Bear from Ice Climber can also be seen teetering on the side of the iceberg.
- Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | アイスバーグ[?] Aisubāgu |
Iceberg |
WarioWare series
Popo makes a number of appearances in the WarioWare series in microgames based on Ice Climber. The player controls Popo in the Ice Climber microgame in WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! and WarioWare Gold, the Ice Climber microgame in WarioWare: Twisted!, and the Ice Climbers microgame in WarioWare: D.I.Y. In WarioWare: Touched!, Popo appears as the sprite in the third level of 8-Bit Hero. In WarioWare: Get It Together!, he makes a cameo in the Ice Climber microgame, where he is seen hanging onto the Condor.
Super Mario Maker
The Ice Climbers appear as one of the add-on Mystery Mushroom costumes that are unlocked after completing an Event Course titled "Popo & Nana's Climbing Challenge" in Super Mario Maker. Their animations and sound effects are taken directly from their original game.
Profiles and statistics
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Trophies
| Name | Image | First Game/Move | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ice Climbers (Classic) |
|
Ice Climber 10/85 |
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 Climbers [Smash] (Adventure) |
|
 : Ice ShotSmash B: Squall Hammer |
This unique twosome fights together as a team. Your score will not be affected if the CPU-controlled character is KO's, 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. |
| Ice Climbers [Smash] (All-Star) |
|
Up & : Belay Down & B: Blizzard |
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. |
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Snake's codec
- Snake: So those two are the Ice Climbers, huh?
- Mei Ling: Snake, have you ever heard of a "blood bond"?
- Snake: Sure.
- Mei Ling: It refers to a bond between two people that's so strong they'd die for each other. The Ice Climbers have conquered frozen glaciers and dangerous mountaintops together. I think they've formed a bond that we can't even fathom.
- Snake: I dunno. Seems to me they'd get in each other's way fighting to see who gets to the top first.
- Mei Ling: Snake, in China they say, "Though brothers may quarrel at home, outside they defend each other from slight."
- Snake: Is that really a Chinese proverb?
- Mei Ling: Even though they may get in each other's way occasionally, they'll pull together in times of need. They're an inseparable team, Snake. Don't underestimate them!
Trophies
| Name | Image | Game | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ice Climbers | 
|
NES Ice Climber | 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. |
| Iceberg | 
|
Wii Super Smash Bros. Brawl | The Ice Climbers' Final Smash. This giant ice mountain appears in the middle of a stage--it's incredibly slippery, so it's hard to control yourself when traversing it. In addition to being slick, this ice is also COLD, so opponents will take damage just from touching it. Attack the ice, and it will take damage and slowly shrink. Is it actually useful? That's a mystery. |
Sticker
| Image | Game | Effect |
|---|---|---|
|
Ice Climber | [Specials: Direct] - Attack +29 Usable by: Ice Climbers |
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U trophy
| Name | 3DS Image | Wii U Image | Appears in | NTSC-U Description | PAL Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ice Climbers | 
|
|
NES Ice Climber (10/1985) | 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! | 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! |
Blue indicates exclusive to the Wii U version.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Palutena's Guidance
- Pit: Two of them? That's cheating!
- Palutena: Say hello to the Ice Climbers. They haven't always had the best cooperation, but their teamwork seems pretty solid now.
- Pit: OK, sure, but...What about the fact that there are two of them?! Didn't they get kicked out of Smash for illegal teaming?
- Palutena: Well they're back now, so I'm pretty sure it's allowed. I mean, you could pair up with Dark Pit if you wanted to.
- Pit and Dark Pit: Never!
- Palutena: Your physical powers are equally matched. It's a perfect fit, really.
- Pit: That IS true.
- Dark Pit: Hmm...
- Palutena: Now then, which one of you is the leader?
- Pit: Definitely me!
- Dark Pit: No way. I'm the leader.
- Viridi: Oh yeah. They make a perfect team.
- Palutena: In any case, when fighting the Ice Climbers, defeat Nana first to isolate Popo. Try to separate them!
Super Smash Blog bio
"Back in the battle after a ten-year absence! There are two of them, so does that make them twice as strong as other fighters?"
amiibo
- That's Popo in the blue and Nana in the pink. These two stars of the Ice Climber™ game 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.
Audio samples
 Super Smash Bros. Brawl - Popo performing Ice Shot. (Sanae Kobayashi, 2008) | File info |
| Super Smash Bros. Brawl - Nana performing Ice Shot. (Sanae Kobayashi, 2008) | File info |
Name in other languages
Ice Climbers
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | アイスクライマー[?] Aisu Kuraimā |
Ice Climber | |
| Chinese | 雪人兄弟 Xuěrén Xiōngdì 翻越冰山者 (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate) Fānyuè Bīngshān Zhě[?] |
Snowman Brothers Ice Mountaineers |
|
| Korean | 얼음 타기[?] Eol'eum Tagi |
Ice Climbing (mistranslation of "Ice Climbers") | |
| Russian | Альпинисты[?] Al'pinisty |
Alpinists |
Popo and Nana
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ポポとナナ[?] Popo to Nana |
Popo and Nana | |
| Chinese | 波波和娜娜[?] Bōbō hé Nànà |
Popo and Nana | |
| Dutch | Popo en Nana[?] | Popo and Nana | |
| German | Pepe und Nana[?] | Popo and Nana | |
| Korean | 포포 와 나나[?] Popo wa Nana |
Popo and Nana | |
| Russian | Попо и Нана[?] Popo i Nana |
Popo and Nana | |
| Spanish | Popo y Nana[?] | Popo and Nana |
Trivia
- In the German version, Popo was renamed to "Pepe" due to "Popo" meaning "buttocks" in German.
- The Ice Climbers' Chinese name literally translates to "Snowman Brothers," despite the fact that Nana is female.
- The Ice Climbers' losing/"No Contest" animation shows Popo and Nana crying rather than clapping, a reference to their "No Bonus" animation from Ice Climber.
- Humans
- Children
- Characters from other Nintendo games
- Ice Climber
- Unlockable characters
- Super Smash Bros. amiibo line
- Super Smash Bros. Brawl fighters
- Super Smash Bros. Brawl stickers
- Super Smash Bros. Brawl trophies
- Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS trophies
- Super Smash Bros. for Wii U trophies
- Super Smash Bros. Melee fighters
- Super Smash Bros. Melee trophies
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate fighters
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate spirits
