The NES Series:

Ice Climber

"So, you were one of the newcomers for Smash Four, huh?"

"Y-yes, ma'am," Villager shivered, accepting the warm cocoa from Nana.

"H-he was a big hit this year," Olimar added, accepting his cocoa and wrapping the fur blanket closer around him. "He saved the multiverse and everything."

Villager blushed and looked down. "I only landed the final blow."

"Yeah, I heard about that," Nana said. "I always said that metal cap was creepy."

She took a sip of her cocoa and sat down beside the fire. "Sorry Popo and I couldn't make it this year, but we were . . . otherwise engaged. Did you hear we got married earlier this year?"

"Yeah, I got the invitation," Olimar said. "I would have come, but the boss had me working overtime making a third game."

"Hmm, a third game," Nana mused dreamily. "Must be nice."

They heard some shuffling outside the igloo and a disheveled Popo crawled in with a bag full of vegetables. "I'm back," he said, standing. His parka was torn and covered in garbage.

"Sweetie, what happened?" Nana said, rushing to his side. "Was it the nitpickers? Come here and let me clean you up."

"It's okay, Honeypie," Popo said, pulling off his parka. "The nitpickers were fine. It was just PETA after me for clubbing seals again."

"I told you to take the American side of the mountains, Snookums. They won't come after you for hitting Topis."

"But the vegetables on the Japanese side taste better, Snuggly-bear," Popo complained.

Olimar looked at Villager. "I suddenly remembered why their absence didn't bother me this year."

Popo and Nana wrapped their arms around each other and rubbed noses, whispering things to each other that probably would have made Villager and Olimar gag on their cocoa. They pulled apart and Nana led her husband to the fire and wrapped him in a blanket. "Now, you just sit here, sweetie, and I'll take care of the vegetables."

As she was making sure her husband was snug, she absently reached out and pulled Olimar's cocoa out of his hands and gave it to Popo.

"Hey," Olimar said.

Nana got up and lifted the bag of vegetables. "Huh," she said, "kind of light this time."

Popo sheepishly took a sip from his cup. "I only made it to level five today," he said. "PETA ambushed me and trapped me on the bottom level. Then a Polar Bear showed up and, well, you know."

Nana crossed her arms. "Now, that's just awful," she said. She dropped the bag and crossed the igloo to grab her parka. "I'm gonna give them a piece of my mind. No one treats my snuggly-bear that way."

"But honey, it's almost nightfall out there now," Popo said.

Nana picked up her hammer. "So what? I'm going to be the scariest thing on the mountain tonight."

She ducked through the doorway and out into the cold. Popo glanced at his visitors before getting up, putting on his parka again, and going after her.

Olimar and Villager looked at each other. "So, um," Olimar said. "Are there any other characters from this game to invite."

"Nope, just them," Villager said. "Unless we wanted to invite a Polar Bear or a Topi."

"So, probably not. What's our next game?"

Villager pulled out his list. "Um, Kung Fu," he said.

"Works for me." Olimar got up and tossed his blanket into the corner. "Let's get out of here."