Mission in Snowdriftland was originally released as an online Flash game in 2006. The game was playable on Nintendo’s website as an interactive Advent Calendar leading up to 12/25/06. This release is a remaster of that original experience. The game is a straightforward but charming platformer. The story in the game sees the protagonist, Chubby the snowman reflecting on the bad roles he’s been cast into as a video game character. So when the evil penguin, El Pix, steals artifacts from the Video Game World, Chubby uses it as an opportunity to prove he’s more than just a bad guy. It’s now up to Chubby to prove his worth by retrieving the artifacts from the treacherous Snowdriftland.
While this narrative is simple, it serves its purpose well; providing a lighthearted context for this classic platforming adventure. What sets it apart is its unique history as an online advent calendar; each of the 24 levels was originally released one per day in December. While the remaster allows you to play the entire game at once. The story is a short and sweet romp, perfectly fitting for a holiday-themed adventure and a refreshing take on the platforming genre.
The gameplay of Mission in Snowdriftland is a tight and challenging 2D platforming experience that will feel immediately familiar to fans of retro classics. You can run, jump, and “bop” on enemies to defeat them and gain extra height. However, the game’s challenge comes from its precise level design and unforgiving mechanics. Chubby’s momentum builds as you run, similar to classic Sonic or Mario games. This can make a simple jump from a standing position challenging, yet difficult.
If you’re used to platforming game that offer mid-level checkpoints, you won’t find them here. This means that a single death means starting the entire level over. This may be frustrating to some, but you do have hearts that give you multiple hits before you lose a life. Unless of course you fall down a pit or end up in water. Yes, Chubby the snowman will die if he lands in water. My guess would be that the water is so warm, that it melts poor Chubby instantly.
Not having mid-level checkpoints might not be ideal, the levels are generally short and starting over should a life be lost, isn’t too bad. The biggest challenge of this game lies in collecting all 24 snowflakes scattered throughout each level. The snowflakes are often hidden in hard-to-reach, secret areas. Finding all 576 snowflakes is a massive undertaking, but it unlocks a special bonus level that puts your skills to the ultimate test. With four distinct worlds, each with its own mini-boss and environmental gimmicks, the game provides a solid amount of content and a satisfying loop of mastering difficult jumps and finding every last secret.
Visually, Mission in Snowdriftland is a beautiful showcase of modern pixel art. While the original was a Flash game, the remaster is a vibrant and colorful experience that feels fresh and new. The game uses a classic 16-bit style, with each of the four worlds—Lake, Forest, Mountain, and Cave—having a unique and memorable visual theme. The levels are filled with charming, well-animated sprites, from Chubby himself to the quirky enemies and mini-bosses. The art style is a perfect fit for the game’s lighthearted, wintery tone. Backgrounds are lovingly detailed with a mix of snowy landscapes, icy caves, and lush forests.
The game runs smoothly, with a consistent frame rate that ensures the precise platforming feels responsive and fair. Given the game is running on the Switch 1, I was kind of surprised at how fluid and fast the movement was. I am very happy that it runs as fast and fluid as it does on the original Switch. Its commitment to a clean and retro-inspired aesthetic is a great strength, proving that you don’t need cutting-edge graphics to create a visually appealing and immersive experience.
The sound design in Mission in Snowdriftland complements its cheerful atmosphere with a fantastic retro soundtrack. Music in this game is a collection of catchy chiptune tracks with a mix of bells and other instruments that perfectly capture the holiday spirit. The songs are upbeat and memorable, providing a great backdrop for the platforming action. While some tracks are on the shorter side, they loop seamlessly and are a key part of the game’s identity. I am sure you’re thinking that the short looping of music would be repetitive and a bit annoying.
Well because the levels are rather short, the looping music isn’t much of an issue. In fact, it’s quite a cheerful and delightful soundtrack that fits the game like a glove. The sound effects are equally well-crafted, with satisfying boops and boinks for jumping on enemies and collecting items. The audio perfectly aligns with the game’s fun and lighthearted tone, enhancing the feeling of a classic, nostalgic platformer; while at the same time feeling quite modern.
Mission in Snowdriftland is a charming and challenging platformer that successfully captures the idea that a limited time interactive game can be preserved. What was once a timed interactive event that could have been lost to time is not only preserved, but remastered.
Its simple but effective story, combined with its punishing but rewarding gameplay, makes for a deeply satisfying experience. While the lack of checkpoints and the momentum-based movement might be a bit frustrating for casual players, it is precisely these elements that will appeal to fans of old-school platformers. The game’s stunning pixel art and catchy soundtrack create a world that is a joy to traverse. The high-stakes challenge of collecting all the snowflakes and the solid content of its 24 levels make it a game that is easy to recommend for fans of the genre. Mission in Snowdriftland is a perfect example of how a simple concept can be executed with great skill and polish, offering a must-play adventure for anyone looking for a fun and demanding platforming experience!
Disclaimer: A review key was provided
In addition to writing articles, Ryan Byers also creates content for his YouTube channel called "Obscure Games and Consoles", collects video games, and dabbles in video game development.