Snow Bros. is a single-screen platformer developed by Toaplan and released in Japanese arcades in April 1990, with Romstar distributing it in North America. Two snowmen, Nick and Tom, cover enemies in snow and roll the snowballs into other enemies; collecting the letters S, N, O and W earns an extra life. The music was composed by Osamu Ōta. The game was so popular in South Korea that cabinets turned up even in family restaurants.
Home versions took different directions. Capcom published the NES version, ported by Soft House, as Snow Brothers in 1991, and the Game Boy got a single-player Snow Bros. Jr. The Mega Drive version from Tengen came out only in Japan, in 1993. Ocean planned conversions for the Amiga, Atari ST, C64, ZX Spectrum and Amstrad GX4000 in 1991, but none was officially released; the Amiga version leaked online in 2006.
The rights now belong to Tatsujin, founded in 2017 by former Toaplan employee Masahiro Yuge.12
Names and releases
| Region | Title on the box | Platform | Date | Publisher | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NA | Snow Bros. | Arcade | May 1990 | Romstar | 1 |
| NA | Snow BrothersPorted by Soft House; also Europe 1991 | NES | November 1991 | Capcom | 1 |
| JP | Snow Bros.Europe 1990 | Arcade | April 1990 | Toaplan | 1 |
| JP | Snow Bros. Jr.Snow Bros. Jr., single-player with 10 extra levels; NA January 1992 and EU 1992 by Capcom | Game Boy | May 24, 1991 | Naxat Soft | 1 |
| JP | スノーブラザースFamicom | NES | December 1991 | Toaplan | 1 |
| JP | スノーブラザーズMega Drive; Japan only; later on the Japanese/Asian Mega Drive Mini | Genesis | May 28, 1993 | Tengen | 1 |
| WW | Snow Bros.Enhanced mobile version; also Android | iOS | 2012 | ISAC Entertainment | 1 |
| WW | Toaplan Arcade 1Evercade cartridge compilation | Other | 2022 | — | 1 |
| WW | Snow Bros Classic CollectionSteam; developed with Headless Chicken Games | Windows | Feb 6, 2026 | Limited Run Games | 3 |
Also known as: スノーブラザーズ JP2スノーブラザース JP2Snow Brothers NA1Snow Bros. Jr. WW1スノーブラザーズJr. JP2
Box art by region
NA Snow Brothers 
JP スノーブラザース
Box art © its publishers, shown to identify each release. Scans: libretro-thumbnails.
Version differences
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ContentNES
The NES version adds an opening story in which King Scorch turns princes Nick and Tom into snowmen and captures the twin princesses Teri and Tina.1
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GameplayGame Boy
Snow Bros. Jr. on Game Boy is single-player only: one twin is kidnapped and the other has to rescue him. Paired bosses fight alone, and there are 10 extra levels.1
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ContentMega Drive
The Mega Drive version adds a new opening and 20 extra levels, and lets you switch to the princesses after the twins are kidnapped.1
Where to play legally today
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Steam Purchase
Snow Bros Classic Collection
Toaplan's Snow Bros.; the store page does not specify which original versions are included
Checked: 2026-10-133store.steampowered.com
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Steam Purchase
SNOW BROS. SPECIAL: ANNIVERSARY EDITION
Modern remake that also includes an Original Arcade Mode
Checked: 2026-10-134store.steampowered.com
Reception
The arcade game ranked 11th on the RePlay and Game Machine charts in June 1990. The ports were generally well reviewed, for example with 90% from CVG for the Game Boy version and 91/100 from Sega Force Mega for the Mega Drive version, and the arcade original has a cult following.1
In lists
Sources
Checked: 2026-10-13Text reviewed: 2026-10-13
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