Summary

Release Year: 1994
Genres: Fighting, Hack and slash/Beat ’em up
Platforms: Arcade, Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Developers: Rare
Publishers: Electronic Arts, Tradewest Inc

Battletoads (1994): The Ultimate Guide to the Classic Beat ‘Em Up

Introduction

Battletoads is a side-scrolling beat ’em up game developed by Rare and published by Tradewest. It was released as an arcade game in 1994 and later ported to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) and Game Boy. The game follows the adventures of three anthropomorphic toads named Rash, Zitz, and Pimple as they battle aliens and mutants to save the universe from the evil Dark Queen.

Gameplay

Battletoads is a classic beat ’em up game in the vein of Double Dragon and Streets of Rage. Players control one of the three Battletoads and must fight their way through six levels of enemies, including aliens, mutants, and bosses. Each Battletoad has its own unique abilities, such as Rash’s punching power, Zitz’s agility, and Pimple’s intelligence.

In addition to the standard beat ’em up gameplay, Battletoads also features a number of unique elements, such as the ability to ride on ostriches and jet skis, and the ability to break the fourth wall by knocking enemies towards the screen.

Development

Battletoads was developed by Rare, a British video game developer that would later go on to create classic games such as Donkey Kong Country and Banjo-Kazooie. The game was originally intended to be a sequel to the 1991 NES game Battletoads, but it was eventually decided to make it a standalone title.

Battletoads was one of the first games to use Rare’s Advanced Computer Modeling (ACM) graphics technology, which allowed for more detailed and realistic visuals than previous games. The game also features a soundtrack by David Wise, who would later compose the music for many other Rare games.

Release

Battletoads was released as an arcade game in 1994. The game was a critical and commercial success, and it was later ported to the SNES and Game Boy. The SNES version of the game was released in 1995, and the Game Boy version was released in 1996.

Legacy

Battletoads is considered to be one of the classic beat ’em up games of all time. The game is praised for its innovative gameplay, detailed graphics, and catchy music. Battletoads has been ported to numerous platforms over the years, and it remains a popular game among retro gamers.

Characters

Rash: The leader of the Battletoads, Rash is a hot-headed and impulsive toad. He is the strongest of the three Battletoads, and he specializes in punching and close-range combat.
Zitz: The middle child of the Battletoads, Zitz is a cool and collected toad. He is the most agile of the three Battletoads, and he specializes in kicking and jumping attacks.
Pimple: The youngest of the Battletoads, Pimple is a smart and resourceful toad. He is the weakest of the three Battletoads, but he makes up for it with his intelligence and gadgetry.

Enemies

The Dark Queen: The main antagonist of the game, the Dark Queen is an evil alien who is trying to conquer the universe.
The General: The Dark Queen’s right-hand man, the General is a powerful alien who leads her armies.
The Terminator: A cyborg assassin sent by the Dark Queen to kill the Battletoads.
The Rat King: A giant rat who rules over the sewers.
The Top Dog: A giant dog who guards the Dark Queen’s castle.

Levels

Planet Battletoads: The Battletoads’ home planet, which is under attack by the Dark Queen’s forces.
The Sewers: A dark and dangerous maze of tunnels filled with rats and mutants.
The Volcano: An active volcano that is home to the Rat King.
The Ice Planet: A frozen planet inhabited by aliens and ice creatures.
The Spaceship: The Dark Queen’s spaceship, which is filled with traps and enemies.
The Dark Queen’s Castle: The Dark Queen’s stronghold, where the final battle takes place.

Power-Ups

Health: Increases the player’s health.
Strength: Increases the player’s strength.
Speed: Increases the player’s speed.
Jump: Increases the player’s jumping ability.
Shield: Protects the player from enemy attacks.

Tips

Use each Battletoad’s unique abilities to your advantage.
Don’t be afraid to use the environment to your advantage, such as by knocking enemies into pits or off cliffs.
Be careful not to fall into the water, as the Battletoads cannot swim.
Stock up on health power-ups, as you will need them to survive the game’s challenging levels.
Don’t give up! Battletoads is a difficult game, but it is possible to beat it with patience and skill.

Conclusion

Battletoads is a classic beat ’em up game that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game’s innovative gameplay, detailed graphics, and catchy music make it a timeless classic. If you are a fan of beat ’em up games, then you owe it to yourself to check out Battletoads.