Ice Climber is one of those NES classics that looks simple but gets surprisingly tricky. You play as Popo (blue parka) or Nana (pink parka), smashing your way up icy mountains with just a hammer—part tool, part weapon. The first few levels feel straightforward: chip through regular ice blocks, bonk a few yetis (or seals if you're playing the Japanese version), and hop between platforms. But then you hit the dark striped ice that slides you around uncontrollably, or those indestructible blocks that force you to rethink your path.

The real chaos starts when those wobbly cloud platforms come into play—timing jumps feels like gambling, especially in the bonus stage at the peak. You’ve got 40 seconds to grab your stolen veggies (mostly eggplants, for some reason) while dodging nothing but your own bad jumps. And if you’re fast enough, you might even hitch a ride on the condor’s talons for extra points. It’s janky, it’s unfair sometimes, but there’s something weirdly satisfying about finally nailing that perfect climb.