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{{Short description|Video game franchise}}
{{Cleanup|August 2006}}
{{About|the franchise}}
{{Infobox CVG
{{Infobox video game series
|title = Battletoads
| title = Battletoads
|image = [[Image:BattletoadsNESTitle.png|250px|Title screen from the NES version.]]
| image = Battletoads logo.png
|developer = [[Rare (video game company)|Rare]]
| caption =
|publisher = [[Tradewest]]
| creator = [[Tim and Chris Stamper]]
|designer =
| platforms = [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[Handheld electronic game|LCD game]], [[Game Boy]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]], [[Master System|Sega Master System]], [[Sega Genesis]], [[Game Gear|Sega Game Gear]], [[Amiga CD32]], [[Arcade game|Arcade]], [[Xbox One]], [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Nintendo Switch]]
|engine =
| developer = [[Rare (company)|Rare]]<br/>[[Dlala Studios]] (2020)
|released = June [[1991]] '''NES/NFC''' <br>
| publisher = {{ubl
[[1993]]'''GEN/MD''', [[1992]] '''Amiga''' [[1993]] '''GG''' and '''GB''', [[1994]] '''ACD32'''
| [[Masaya Games|Masaya]] (1991–1994)
|genre = [[Beat 'em up]], [[Platformer]], [[Action]]
| [[Tradewest]] (1991–1994)
|modes = [[Single player]], [[multiplayer game|multiplayer]]
| [[Electronic Arts]] (Arcade)
|ratings =
| [[Xbox Game Studios]] (2019–present)
|platforms = [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Nintendo Entertainment System/Famicom]], [[Sega Mega Drive|Sega Mega Drive/Genesis]], [[Sega Game Gear]], [[Game Boy]], [[Amiga CD32]]
}}
|media = 2-[[megabit]] [[cartridge (electronics)|cartridge]]
| genre = [[Beat 'em up]], [[platform game]]
|requirements =
| first release version = ''[[Battletoads (1991 video game)|Battletoads]]''
|input =
| first release date = June 1, 1991
| latest release version = ''[[Battletoads (2020 video game)|Battletoads]]''
| latest release date = August 20, 2020
}}
}}
'''''Battletoads''''' was a [[video game franchise]] by [[Rare (video game company)|Rare Ltd.]] created to rival the [[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]] games. The first game was released for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] in [[1991]] and then ported to the [[Sega Mega Drive|Sega Mega Drive/Genesis]], in [[1993]], [[Amiga]] in 1992, [[Battletoads (Game Gear)|Sega Game Gear]] in [[1993]], and [[Amiga CD32]] in [[1994]] in. It was arguably the most graphically advanced video game for the NES, at a time when the video game market was turning to Sega Genesis and [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]]. Some also argue that it is one of the most difficult NES games to finish.


'''''Battletoads''''' is a video game [[media franchise|franchise]] by [[Rare (company)|Rare]] that began with the original [[beat 'em up]] game ''[[Battletoads (1991 video game)|Battletoads]]'' in 1991. Starring three [[anthropomorphism|anthropomorphic]] [[toad]]s named after skin conditions, [[Battletoads (characters)|Rash, Zitz, and Pimple]], the series was created to rival the [[List of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles video games|''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' games series]].<ref>[http://uk.retro.ign.com/articles/944/944561p1.html Battletoads Retrospective | What happened to Rare's popular hardcore beat-'em-up] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329184235/http://uk.retro.ign.com/articles/944/944561p1.html | date=2012-03-29}}, IGN, January 13, 2009.</ref> The original ''[[Battletoads (1991 video game)|Battletoads]]'' game for the NES was renowned for its extreme difficulty, but still received a cult following, spawning sequels for various platforms including a [[crossover (fiction)|crossover]] with the [[Double Dragon|''Double Dragon'' series]] and a modern reboot after a 25-year gap in releases. In each of the games, the objective is to defeat the toads' nemesis the Dark Queen and her army of space mutants.
Despite having the same box art and title as the NES release, ''Battletoads'' for Game Boy is a completely different game with new levels. A modified version of the original game was later released on the Game Boy as ''Battletoads in Ragnarok's World''.


==Video games==
The distinctive music of the ''Battletoads'' series was composed by [[David Wise]].
===Series===
* ''[[Battletoads (1991 video game)|Battletoads]]'': The [[Battletoads (characters)|Battletoads]] have to defeat the evil Dark Queen on her planet and rescue their kidnapped partners, Pimple and Princess Angelica. Originally released for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES) in 1991 by [[Rare (company)|Rare]], the game was distributed by [[Tradewest]] in Europe and North America, and by [[Masaya Games]] in Japan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Battletoads-Famicom-Japanese-Nintendo-DS/dp/B000068I5F|title=Amazon.com: Battletoads, Famicom (Japanese Import): Video Games|website=www.amazon.com|access-date=2018-06-24|archive-date=2022-08-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828233400/https://www.amazon.com/Battletoads-Famicom-Japanese-Nintendo-DS/dp/B000068I5F|url-status=live}}</ref> It was subsequently ported by Arc System Works to the [[Sega Genesis]] and [[Game Gear]] in 1993, and by Mindscape to the [[Amiga]] and [[Amiga CD32]] in 1994.
* ''Battletoads'': An [[Handheld electronic game|LCD game]] was released by [[Tiger Electronics]] in 1991.
* [[Battletoads (Game Boy video game)|''Battletoads'' (Game Boy)]]: A spin-off of the original also released in 1991. Despite having the same box art and title as the original NES release, it is an entirely different game from the NES version.
* ''[[Battletoads in Battlemaniacs]]'': Released in 1993 for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] (SNES) and developed in 1994 for the Sega Master System (but not released until 1996). In this game, Zitz and the daughter of Psicone Industries' CEO have been captured and it is up to Rash and Pimple to save them from being the Dark Queen. Different from the previous games, in this one each character has its own specific abilities and combos. Pimple is the powerhouse, big and boasting a large range with punches, while Rash is nimble and smaller, fighting using kicking attacks. Aside from [[Cooperative video game|cooperative play]], a solo player is able to play as Rash by switching to the second controller.
* ''Battletoads in Ragnarok's World'': A stripped down port of the original game for the [[Game Boy]], released in 1993.
* ''[[Battletoads/Double Dragon]]'': A [[Crossover (fiction)|crossover]] with the characters from the [[Double Dragon|''Double Dragon'' series]] with liberties taken. The Dark Queen and Shadow Boss team up and five heroes (the three toads, Zitz, Rash and Pimple, and the two Lee brothers, Billy and Jimmy) must stop them. For the first time in the series, the game offers players a character selection screen. Released in 1993 for the NES, Genesis, SNES and Game Boy.
* ''[[Battletoads Arcade]]'': An [[arcade game]] released in 1994, also known as ''Super Battletoads''. The arcade game, unlike the other games, featured voice-overs and several other features that distinguish it from the other games, such as a vastly increased level of violence. It follows the ''Battletoads in Battlemaniacs'' updated formula of each character having his own design and specific abilities and combos, but this time featuring the three toads, Zitz, Rash and Pimple, as selectable characters: while Rash is kept as the nimble and smaller character and Pimple as the powerhouse, Zitz is represented as the intermediate and balanced character. Vehicle levels emphasize combat, rather than memorizing and avoiding obstacles.
* ''[[Battletoads (2020 video game)|Battletoads]]'' (2020): An [[Xbox One]] and [[Microsoft Windows]] game developed by [[Dlala Studios]] in collaboration with Rare,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/e3-2019/2019/06/09/the-battletoads-are-back-in-a-new-trailer|title=The Battletoads Are Back In A New Trailer|first=Joe|last=Juba|date=9 June 2019|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|access-date=10 June 2019|archive-date=29 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129025520/https://www.gameinformer.com/e3-2019/2019/06/09/the-battletoads-are-back-in-a-new-trailer|url-status=dead}}</ref> it was released on August 20, 2020. It features three-player couch co-op multiplayer and high resolution hand-drawn 4K [[2.5D]] graphics.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gematsu.com/2018/06/battletoads-announced-for-xbox-one-windows-10|title=Battletoads announced for Xbox One, Windows 10|date=10 June 2018|access-date=23 June 2018|archive-date=23 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623170057/https://gematsu.com/2018/06/battletoads-announced-for-xbox-one-windows-10|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/e3/2018/6/10/17447002/battletoads-xbox-one-e3-2018-video|title=Battletoads is coming back to Xbox One|first=Owen S.|last=Good|date=10 June 2018|website=Polygon|access-date=28 June 2018|archive-date=14 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614052147/https://www.polygon.com/e3/2018/6/10/17447002/battletoads-xbox-one-e3-2018-video|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/battletoads-gameplay-trailer-e3-2019/|title=The first proper trailer and gameplay details for the Battletoads Xbox One revival are here|first=Adam|last=Bryant|date=12 June 2019|website=GamesRadar|access-date=2 August 2019|archive-date=12 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612221149/https://www.gamesradar.com/battletoads-gameplay-trailer-e3-2019/|url-status=live}}</ref>


The Battletoads appear in a bonus boss encounter in the Xbox One and PC versions of ''[[Shovel Knight]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/YachtClubGames/status/573208273681182721 |title=Yacht Club Games on Twitter: "The Battletoads drop in for a fight! Shovel Knight is headed to Xbox One and meets up with @RareLtd brawling trio! |publisher=Twitter.com |date=2015-03-04 |access-date=2015-08-24 |archive-date=2021-01-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121204453/https://twitter.com/YachtClubGames/status/573208273681182721 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://yachtclubgames.com/update-notes/|title=Update Notes – Yacht Club Games|website=yachtclubgames.com|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-date=6 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006012231/http://yachtclubgames.com/update-notes/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Battletoads'' and ''Battletoads Arcade'' are included in ''[[Rare Replay]]'', a compilation of 30 Rare games released for the Xbox One in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MklPINC--Q |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/2MklPINC--Q |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=David Arnold – OHMSS Orchestral Cover VERY RARE VERSION |publisher=YouTube |date=2014-12-29 |access-date=2015-08-24}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Rash appears as a playable guest character in the third season of the fighting game ''[[Killer Instinct (2013 video game)|Killer Instinct]]'', available on Xbox One and Windows.<ref name="Season 3">{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/8/4/9094661/killer-instinct-season-3-xbox-one-windows-10-battletoads |title=Killer Instinct season 3 coming in 2016, Battletoads' Rash joins the game today |date=4 August 2015 |publisher=Polygon |access-date=2015-08-24 |archive-date=2015-08-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825234053/http://www.polygon.com/2015/8/4/9094661/killer-instinct-season-3-xbox-one-windows-10-battletoads |url-status=live}}</ref> Rash also appears as an action figure in ''[[Grounded (video game)|Grounded]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/stories/look-at-this-big-ass-battletoad-in-grounded--598399.phtml|title=Look at this big-ass Battletoad in Grounded!|website=Destructoid|date=23 July 2020|access-date=31 July 2020|archive-date=29 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129032919/https://www.destructoid.com/stories/look-at-this-big-ass-battletoad-in-grounded--598399.phtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Story ==
Two [[toad]]s named after skin disorders (Rash and Zitz) have to save their brother (Pimple) and the Princess Angelica from the [[Dark Queen]], ruler of Planet [[Ragnarok]] (named after a battle from Norse mythology), with the assistance of Professor T. Bird and his space ship, ''The Vulture''.


===History of production===
From the game's manual
A sequel/[[Video game remake|remake]] game was being developed for the [[Game Boy Advance]], but was ultimately canceled.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unseen64.net/2008/08/02/battletoads-gba-proto-cancelled/ |title=Battletoads GBA – Proto / Cancelled |date=2 August 2008 |publisher=Unseen 64 |access-date=2013-08-25 |archive-date=2013-05-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527131019/http://www.unseen64.net/2008/08/02/battletoads-gba-proto-cancelled/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rarewarecentral.com/battletoads-gba |title=Battletoads GBA |publisher=RareWareCentral |date=2011-11-13 |access-date=2013-08-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202231132/http://www.rarewarecentral.com/battletoads-gba |archive-date=2013-12-02 |url-status = dead}}</ref> In 2013, [[Phil Spencer (business executive)|Phil Spencer]] from [[Microsoft]]'s Xbox team mentioned his fondness for ''Battletoads'' while asking the fans what Rare games should be brought back for the [[Xbox One]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gimmegimmegames.com/2013/09/microsoft-asks-fans-rare-next-points-towards-battletoads/ |title=Microsoft asks fans what Rare should do next, points towards Battletoads |publisher=Gimmegimmegames.com |date=2013-09-12 |access-date=2013-12-09 |archive-date=2021-01-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129174140/http://gimmegimmegames.com/2013/09/microsoft-asks-fans-rare-next-points-towards-battletoads/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2014, "Battletoads" was re-trademarked in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/11/10/new-battletoads-trademark-appears-in-uspto-database.aspx |title=New Battletoads Trademark Appears In United States Trademark Database |publisher=GamerInformer.com |access-date=2014-11-10 |archive-date=2014-11-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112170235/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/11/10/new-battletoads-trademark-appears-in-uspto-database.aspx |url-status=dead}}</ref> Spencer appeared publicly in a ''Battletoads'' T-shirt in 2015,{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}} just days after [[Microsoft Studios]]' [[Ken Lobb]] (creator of 2013's [[Killer Instinct (2013 video game)|''Killer Instinct'' reboot]]) said they have plans to bring ''Battletoads'' and other classic Rare series back "someday".{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}
<blockquote>
After her defeat by the Galactic Corporation at the battle of Canis Major, the Dark Queen and her renegade space troops retreat to the outer reaches of the universe, hiding out in dark spaces between the stars.


===Other===
Meanwhile, on board the spaceship Vulture, Professor T. Bird and the Battletoads - Rash, Zitz and Pimple - are escorting the Princess Angelica back to her home planet, where her father, the Terran Emperor, awaits her safe arrival.
''Battletoads: The Official Battlebook,'' the Tradewest-authorized guide to the Battletoads console games, was written by Steve Schwartz and published in 1994 by [[Prima Publishing]]. Detailed playing tips, strategies, and secrets were provided for the following games: ''Battletoads'' (NES and Genesis), ''Battletoads in Battlemaniacs'' (Super NES), and ''Battletoads/Double Dragon'' (NES, Genesis, and Super NES).


==Animated special==
Along the way, Pimple, the biggest Battletoad, takes Angelica out for a cruise in the Toadster to a nearby Leisure Station.
{{Infobox television
| image = Battletoads cartoon title screen.jpg
| caption = Title card
| alt_name =
| genre = [[Comedy]]
| creator = [[Tim and Chris Stamper]] <small>(original characters)</small>
| writer = [[David Wise (writer)|David Wise]]
| director = Kent Butterworth
| voices = [[Kathleen Barr]]<br />[[Ian James Corlett]]<br />[[Michael Donovan]]<br />Andrew Kavadas<br />Lalainia Lindbjerg<br />[[Scott McNeil]]<br />Jason Michas<br />[[Alvin Sanders]]
| theme_music_composer = Kip Lennon<br />[[Ron Hicklin]]<br />Susan Boyd<br />Jon Joyce<br />[[Jim Haas]]
| opentheme = "Battletoads"
| composer = Murray McFadden<br />Michael Watts
| country = United States<br />Canada
| language = English
| channel = [[Broadcast syndication|Syndicated]]
| executive_producer = [[Andy Heyward]]<br />Robby London
| producer = Kent Butterworth
| editor = Mark A. McNally<br />Cindy Horness
| company = [[DIC Entertainment|DIC Animation City]]<br />[[Tradewest, Inc.]]<br />[[Rare (company)|Rare]]
| num_episodes = 1
| runtime = 22 minutes
| first_aired = {{start date|1992|11}}/Thanksgiving weekend 1992
| last_aired =
}}


''Battletoads'' spun off a half-hour [[Animation|animated]] [[television special]] produced by [[DIC Entertainment|DIC Animation City]] in an attempt to capitalize on the popularity of the ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]'' (DiC would try this again later on when producing ''[[Street Sharks]]'' and ''[[Extreme Dinosaurs]]''). Intended as the pilot for a full-fledged series, the special was [[Broadcast syndication|syndicated]] by [[Bohbot Entertainment]] in the United States on the weekend of [[Thanksgiving]] 1992 as part of their "Kids' Day Off" package. It was never picked up for a series however, despite comic-style ads in ''[[GamePro]]'' magazine claiming otherwise.
Pimple and Angelica burn space, but the Dark Queen ambushes them before they can get there. Luckily, Pimple manages to send out a distress signal before the Toadster is gobbled up and carried away to Ragnarok's World, the Dark Queen's planet...


[[Buena Vista Home Video]] released the pilot on [[VHS]] in January 1994. It received an official YouTube release on August 5, 2014,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtQ_RSF1jYU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/mtQ_RSF1jYU |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Battletoads on ''WildBrain Super Heroes'' |publisher=YouTube |date=2014-08-15 |access-date=2017-01-13}}{{cbignore}}</ref> on a YouTube channel run by the Canadian company [[DHX Media]] (now WildBrain), which currently owns the rights to most of DIC's cartoon library.
So, there's the situation, 'toad: the Dark Queen's kidnapped the Princess Angelica and your best buddy Pimple - what're ya gonna do about it?!


The story served as a [[prequel]] to the video game franchise. Set in [[Oxnard, California]], it stars three junior high schoolers. The trio is given the ability to transform into anthropomorphic toads with superhuman strength and the ability to change their arms and legs into weapons in techniques called "Smash Hits". They are charged with protecting Professor T. Bird and Princess Angelica from the Dark Queen, who wants to steal Angelica's magical amulet for her plans of universal conquest.
You're gonna get real MAD, that's what you're gonna do - and then you're gonna get EVEN!


The cartoon was adapted and written by [[David Wise (writer)|David Wise]] (no relation to the ''Battletoads'' video games' [[David Wise (composer)|composer of the same name]]). A comic with the backstory of ''Battletoads'', written by [[Rare (company)|Rare]] employee Guy Millar, was also published in ''[[Nintendo Power]]''.
Professor Bird's gonna set you down on Ragnarok, but from there it's up to you. You've got a long way to go, 'toad, thru ice and fire and nightmares so terrible you don't even want to imagine 'em - thru a monstrous Gargantua and ultimately to the Tower of Shadows, where the Dark Queen awaits you.


=== Voice cast ===
Have you got the guts, 'toad? We'll soon see, one way or another...
</blockquote>


* [[Ian James Corlett]] as Zitz / Dave Sharr, Psyko Pigs and Basketball player
==Main characters==
* [[Jason Michas]] as Rash / Morgan Zigler
===Heroes===
* [[Scott McNeil]] as Pimple / George Pie and General Slaughter
{{main|List of Battletoads}}
* [[Kathleen Barr]] as The Dark Queen, Giblets, Dave Sharr's girlfriend and junior high students
* [[Lalainia Lindbjerg]] as Princess Angelica
* [[Michael Donovan]] as Professor T. Bird, Principal and computer geek
* [[Alvin Sanders]] as Mr. Thorpin
* [[Andrew Kavadas]] as Scraf'n Donuts Man


==Reception==
'''Rash''' (Real name Dave Shar)<br />The most well known of the Battletoads, Rash is the green toad who wears black sun glasses. During the series' latter half, he is depicted wearing a bandana around his arm. He is both the fastest and craziest of the 'toads.
In 2010, ''[[Game Informer]]'' included ''Battletoads'' among ten gaming franchises that deserve a revival, and precisely, "a true HD sequel".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/06/30/ten-franchises-that-deserve-a-revival.aspx |title=Ten Franchises That Deserve A Revival – Features |publisher=GameInformer.com |date=2010-06-30 |access-date=2013-08-25 |archive-date=2013-09-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902014957/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/06/30/ten-franchises-that-deserve-a-revival.aspx |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2012, ''[[Forbes]]'' listed it as one of five video game franchises "that need to come back from the dead", adding that a modern ''Battletoads'' "should retain its side-scroller qualities while adopting the 2.5D style" similar to ''[[Mark of the Ninja]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/09/23/5-video-game-franchises-that-need-to-come-back-from-the-dead/ |title=5 Video Game Franchises That Need To Come Back From The Dead |work=Forbes |date=2012-09-23 |access-date=2013-08-25 |archive-date=2013-10-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010065909/http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/09/23/5-video-game-franchises-that-need-to-come-back-from-the-dead/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The series' return was also demanded by other outlets,<ref>{{cite web |last=Melton |first=Steve |url=http://www.xblafans.com/xblas-most-wanted-battletoads-2-20275.html |title=XBLA's Most Wanted: Battletoads |publisher=Xblafans.com |date=2010-07-24 |access-date=2014-06-29 |archive-date=2014-12-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225162908/http://www.xblafans.com/xblas-most-wanted-battletoads-2-20275.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2006/02/16/back-from-the-dead-five-franchises-the-xbox-360-could-resurrect/ |title=Back from the dead: Five franchises the Xbox 360 could resurrect |publisher=Siliconera |date=2006-02-16 |access-date=2014-06-29 |archive-date=2014-11-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111010752/http://www.siliconera.com/2006/02/16/back-from-the-dead-five-franchises-the-xbox-360-could-resurrect/ |url-status=live}}</ref> including ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'', ''[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]'' and [[GameRevolution]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.complex.com/video-games/2013/06/20-game-franchises-we-want-to-see-make-a-triumphant-comeback/battle-toads |title=Battle Toads — 20 Game Franchises We Want to See Make a Triumphant Comeback |publisher=Complex |access-date=2013-08-25 |archive-date=2013-06-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629215156/http://www.complex.com/video-games/2013/06/20-game-franchises-we-want-to-see-make-a-triumphant-comeback/battle-toads |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.maxim.com/gaming/5-classic-video-games-deserve-awesome-remakes |title=5 Classic Video Games That Deserve Awesome Remakes |publisher=Maxim |date=2013-10-04 |access-date=2013-12-20 |archive-date=2013-12-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131222024607/http://www.maxim.com/gaming/5-classic-video-games-deserve-awesome-remakes |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/features/xbox-one-a-rare-opportunity#/slide/1 |title=Xbox One: A Rare Opportunity |date=30 May 2013 |publisher=Gamerevolution.com |access-date=2014-06-29 |archive-date=2014-11-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110215246/http://www.gamerevolution.com/features/xbox-one-a-rare-opportunity#/slide/1 |url-status=live}}</ref>


On the other hand, the animated version of ''Battletoads'' was very badly received. It was included on the lists of five "worst one-shot TV cartoons ever made" by [[Topless Robot]] in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toplessrobot.com/2008/11/the_5_best_and_5_worst_oneshot_tv_cartoons_ever_ma.php?page=2|title=The 5 Best (and 5 Worst) One-Shot TV Cartoons Ever Made|author=Rob Bricken|date=17 November 2008|publisher=Topless Robot|access-date=12 November 2010|archive-date=28 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928175235/http://www.toplessrobot.com/2008/11/the_5_best_and_5_worst_oneshot_tv_cartoons_ever_ma.php?page=2|url-status=live}}</ref>
'''Zitz''' (Real name Morgan Ziegler)<br />The leader of the Battletoads, Zitz is both intelligent and cunning, and tends to use machine-like attacks (Sawblades and Drills in [[Battletoads (Arcade)|the arcade ''Battletoads'']]). Zitz was the original brown-colored 'toad. In later games, he is depicted as greenish-blue.


==Prank call==
'''Pimple''' (Real name George Pie)<br />The muscular, albeit less intelligent Pimple serves as the 'toads' "tank." He loves using heavy objects to attack his enemies (e.g., anvils, hammers). Pimple was originally the greenish-blue toad. Due to his larger build, he was impossible to be used as a [[palette swap]] like the other two toads, and was an unplayable character in the NES game. Pimple was playable in most future versions, however.
Beginning in early 2011, [[4chan]] users organized a mass [[Prank call|prank calling]] to the Gold and Silver pawn shop, home to the popular television show ''[[Pawn Stars]]''. The callers would repeatedly ask the employees if they sold ''Battletoads''. This call led Rick Harrison, star of ''Pawn Stars'' and owner of the store, to repeatedly swear and yell at the callers, who recorded this and uploaded it to [[YouTube]]. This originated a series of many other similar videos of pranksters dialing random establishments and asking about ''Battletoads''.<ref>{{cite web|title=ReadyToPrank|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpmWNpUZmcA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/BpmWNpUZmcA |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|website=YouTube| date=11 September 2012 |publisher=ReadyToPrank|access-date=30 April 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=PrankCallsByReV|title=Prank Call ReV Calls (Pawn Stars) Rick Harrison Cellphone # "Battletoads"|date=4 April 2011 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ3yTVkL7bQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/LQ3yTVkL7bQ |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> ''Battletoads'' developer [[Rare (company)|Rare]] has acknowledged the prank via an [[achievement (video gaming)|achievement]] named "Do You Have Battletoads?" in their 2015 game compilation ''[[Rare Replay]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2015/6/27/8856213/rare-replay-does-offer-10000-gamerscore-from-a-certain-point-of-view|title=Rare Replay does offer 10,000 Gamerscore — from a certain point of view|last=Good|first=Owen S.|website=Polygon|date=June 27, 2015|access-date=November 5, 2019|archive-date=January 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130011720/https://www.polygon.com/2015/6/27/8856213/rare-replay-does-offer-10000-gamerscore-from-a-certain-point-of-view|url-status=live}}</ref>


==See also==
'''Professor T. Bird'''<br />This old vulture serves as the Battletoads mentor; he guides them through their missions, and mocks them when they fail.
* [[Extreme Dinosaurs]]

* [[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987 TV series)]]
===Villains===
{{main|List of villains in the Battletoads series}}

[[Image:DarkQueen.png|thumb|250px|right|Dark Queen]]
'''Dark Queen'''<br />The mysterious ruler of evil: Her ambitions include destroying the Battletoads and ruling over the universe with the help of her evil allies.

'''Robo-Manus'''<br />One of the Dark Queen's top lackeys: This dangerous cyborg has been defeated by the Battletoads many times, yet he remains one of the Battletoad's most intelligent and dangerous opponents.

'''Big Blag'''<br />Big Blag is another of the Queen's minions, an obese rat who contributes his weight to his fighting style, which usually involves flattening the 'toads. Big Blag also fights using the Morningstar-like spike ball at the end of his tail.

'''General Slaughter''' <br /> A bull who is one of the Dark Queen's least intelligent
commanders. He attacks with his fists and horns. Aside from his appearance in the original Battletoads, he serves as a first stage boss in the Gameboy game and [[Super Battletoads]] and as a mini boss in Battletoads and Double Dragons.

'''Silas Volkmire'''<br /> A allie of the Dark Queen's. He is the scientist who designed the Gamescape, he intends to turn the world into his own computerized kingdom. Volkmire appears in Battlemaniacs. He was thought to have been killed when the Battletoads shot down his ship, although his body was never found. Volkmire was also briefly mentioned in the first Battletoads in the name of the seventh level, Volkmire's Inferno. In the comic he is a human scientist from Earth responsible for creating the Battletoads. But he appears physically deformed in Battlemaniacs.

==Other characters==
'''Scuzz''' - Members of the rat pack led by Big Blag. These vile vermin are the main soldiers of the Dark Queen's army. They come in many variations and use many types of weapons. They are also called Giblets, Gonads and Gurtles.
*Note: there is also an individual rat named Scuzz who who appears to be the right hand of Big Blag. He is encountered in the Gameboy version of Battletoads piloting the ''Rat Rocket'' or ''Rodent Rocket'', you race him to bombs in Battlemaniacs, and in Super Battletoads, he is driving the Robo-Rat, the third stage's boss.

'''Psyko Pigs''' - Another group of soldiers in the Dark Queen's army, assumed to be lead by General Slaughter. Psyko Pigs are humanoid pigs who have a tendency to wield large weapons, especially axes and maces (some of which are charged with electricity), or just throw their own weight around. They are generally larger and stronger than the Rat Pack, but are of course slower.

'''Giblet''' - A robust rodent, who's surprisingly quick and mean.
Beat him to the bomb, or you're history.

'''Princess Angelica''' - The damsel in distress in the original Battletoads game.
'''Michiko Tashoku''' - She is daughter of the president of Psicone Co. She is the girl who gets kidnapped in Battlemaniacs.
'''Karnath''' - A giant snake you ride groups of them in the original Battletoads and in Battlemaniacs, he appears as a boss in Super Battletoads.

'''General Vermin''' - A Tall, muscular rat, as opposed to the short(ish), portly Big Blag. He appears as a boss in the Gameboy game and as sub boss in Super Battletoads.

==Story Comic==
The back story of Battletoads was given in a comic printed in [[Nintendo Power]] magazine. The storyline in [[Battletoads in Battlemaniacs]] is somewhat based on this back story.

The 'toads were originally three gamers who play a virtual reality Battletoads videogame in front of spectators for Psicone Industries. Technician Silas Volkmire is told to make the game harder in order to make the spectacle more thrilling, but Silas, having long held a grudge that he wasn't allowed to share the trio's spotlight, hacks the game machine. When the gamers try to use it again, they find themselves transformed into their characters and trapped in the game. After escaping from an ambush set up by the Dark Queen with the help of Professor T. Bird, the 'toads join forces with the avian genius to save the universe from her forces.

== Gameplay ==
Different [[level (video games)|levels]] of the game have very different play styles. There are a few 3D and traditional 2D "beat-em-up" levels where the player progresses by defeating enemies, though even these levels tend to have many lethal obstacles. The most difficult levels are the obstacle course and race levels, where the character must dodge a series of obstacles while driving or flying at high speed, or outrun an enemy that can instantly kill the player. These levels typically required the player to memorize the sequence of obstacles in the way, and to have extremely rapid reflexes. Other levels include a climbing/jumping "snake maze", an underwater level with lethal spikes and dangerous monsters, and two difficult "tower climb" levels, including the final climb of the Dark Queen's tower.

Part of the series's marketable appeal is due to its exaggerated ways of finishing off enemies. These include a headbutt that would have the battletoad sprout ram's horns (or, in Pimple's case, a football helmet in the aracde game), a punch with an extremely enlarged fist, a two-handed smash into the ground that yielded only the enemy's head sticking out, a kick move with the character sprouting a very enlarged boot, and on climbing/falling levels, the ability to transform into a wrecking ball by having your character line-up vertically on either the right or left side of the playing field.

== Difficulty ==
''Battletoads'' is extremely challenging; it is notorious among NES games for its brutal difficulty and quick deaths. It requires a great deal of skill, practice and memory. Because of its mix of race levels, high-speed obstacle courses, and dangerous instant-kill obstacles and monsters, it requires a broad base of skills which makes the game very difficult to beat. Although ''Battletoads'' is classifiable as a side-scrolling fighting game, the monsters the player defeats through brute force are much less challenging than the obstacles and instant-death traps the player must avoid.

Two features did reduce the otherwise crippling difficulty of the game. In the second level, a quick player could gain multiple [[1-up|lives]] by repeatedly hitting defeated enemies before they fell offscreen; thus a skilled player could build up a store of ten or more lives to spend in future levels. Second, there were several "warp points" scattered throughout the game that let the player skip ahead two levels. A knowledgeable player could avoid approximately half of the levels in the game through judicious use of warp points.

Despite these concessions to the player, ''Battletoads'' for the NES has a reputation as being virtually impossible to finish, even among hardcore gamers. The Genesis version tones down the difficulty considerably, awarding the players with more lives and generally featuring more forgiving controls and gameplay than the NES version.

== Criticism ==
{{Unreferenced|date=December 2006}}
{{original research}}
The original ''Battletoads'' was well-received by most gaming critics. However, it has remained somewhat maligned in the eyes of more casual gamers, due mostly to its capriciously-high difficulty. It earned 8th place in IGN's Top 10 most difficult games to beat.<ref>[http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/774/774907p1.html Top 10 Tuesday: Toughest Games to Beat]</ref>

Even in the first level, there are many ways to meet quick death from "falling off the edge" by walking too close to the bottom or top of the screen (unlike most games, there was no artificial barrier to prevent such occurrences).

In contrast to most games, which become harder gradually as the player progresses, the third level of ''Battletoads'' presents an extreme leap in difficulty. The first of the obstacle-course levels (which involves driving a hovering car and avoiding sequences of blocks) is a formidable challenge, even for experienced players.

To compound the problem, ''Battletoads'' gives the player limited opportunities to [[continue (video games)|continue]] after being defeated (many other games of this size gave unlimited opportunities), and had no [[password (video games)|password]] or lithium battery-based save feature to enable the player to continue the game across multiple sessions. Therefore, only the most dedicated players made it more than halfway through the game, let alone completed it.

Unlike many side-scrolling games in which two players cooperating can complete the game more easily than one, ''Battletoads'' becomes even more difficult to complete with two players, because of the many obstacle levels. If either player crashes during an obstacle course, both are sent back to the start to try again; thus both players need perfect play to get through many of the levels.

The game is also littered with minor glitches that suggested poor beta testing. The most critical flaw occurs in level 11, entitled "Clinger Winger." During a 2-player game, the second player is unable to move in level 11, and therefore must lose all of his or her lives before player one can continue the level. This makes finishing the game even more difficult for the second player, as that player had one less continue and any accumulated extra lives at his or her disposal.

== List of Games ==
[[Image:Battletoads_arcade.png|thumb|250 px|right|''Super Battletoads'']]There are several other games in the franchise, principally for Nintendo and Sega consoles:
*''Battletoads ([[Game Boy]])'': It features levels and some characters not seen in other games in the series.
*''[[Battletoads & Double Dragon]]'': A [[fictional crossover|crossover]] with the characters from the ''[[Double Dragon]]'' series with liberties taken. Released in [[1993]] for the NES, Game Boy, Sega Genesis, and SNES.
*''[[Battletoads in Battlemaniacs]]'': The characters are bigger and the graphics are better. Released in [[1993]] for the SNES and [[Sega Master System]].
*''[[Battletoads (Arcade)|Battletoads]] aka Super Battletoads'': An arcade game released in [[1994]]. The arcade game, unlike the other games, featured voiceovers and several other features that distinguish it from the other games, such as an increased level of violence (players could bloodily decapitate some of their enemies with specific attacks) Also, during vehicle levels, combat is emphasized rather than memorizing and avoiding obstacles.

=== Comeback? ===

In a recent interview with Rare about their latest title [[Viva Piñata]], a question was asked about what is going to happen to the company's other franchises such as Battletoads and [[Killer Instinct]]. In response, they replied that if someone in their development team comes up with a new idea for a Battletoads or Killer Instinct game, they might consider it to happen.

This very same year Rare has denied not once, but a couple of times, that they don’t intend to make a port of any Battletoads title for XLA, despite the interest repeatedly shown by their fans. They usually argue that the original games were too hard, and the public wouldn’t approve such difficult gameplay nowadays.

There is also a petition for a new game to appear on the [[Xbox 360]], [[Nintendo DS]], and/or [[Game Boy Advance]].



== Animated series ==
''Battletoads'' also spun off a half-hour, traditionally animated television special produced by [[DIC Entertainment]], airing on [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] in [[1991]], about three kids who turn into humanoid [[toad]]s to rescue a [[princess]]. However, only the pilot made it to the airwaves; it was never picked up as a full series, despite comic-style ads in [[GamePro]] magazine claiming otherwise.

Set in [[Oxnard, California]], the show stars three kids (despite the fact that the comic's story revolved around three video game testers). The trio is given the ability to transform into anthropomorphic toads with superhuman strength and the ability to change their arms and legs into weapons in techniques called "Smash Hits." They are charged with protecting Professor T. Bird and Princess Angelica from the Dark Queen, who wants to steal Angelica's magical amulet for her plans of universal conquest.

It is likely that the show was an attempt to capitalize on the popularity of the ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]''. Incidentally, DiC would try this again with ''[[Street Sharks]]''.

== See also ==
* [[Anthropomorphic Superheroes]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
<references />


==External links==
==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
*{{KLOV game|id=7058}}
{{Portal|United Kingdom|Video games|1990s}}
*{{moby game|id=-group/battletoads-series|name=''{{PAGENAME}}'' series}}
* {{moby game|id=-group/battletoads-series|name=''Battletoads'' series}}
*[http://battletoads.classicgaming.gamespy.com/index.html ClassicGaming - The World of Battletoads]
*[http://www.tv.com/battletoads/show/26237/summary.html BatteToads at TV.com]
* [https://www.imdb.com/find?q=battletoads;s=all ''Battletoads''] at the [[Internet Movie Database]]
*[http://www.retrojunk.com/details_articles/20/ Information page about the cartoon from Retro Junk]
*[http://www.imdb.com/find?q=battletoads;s=all BattleToads at IMDB]
*[http://www.petitiononline.com/btoads2/petition.html The online petition for a new Battletoads game]
*[http://speeddemosarchive.com/Battletoads.html Battletoads Speed Runs] at ''Speed Demos Archive''
*[http://www.errormacro.com/2006/10/the_saturday_scan_battletoads.php The Battletoads comic]
{{Rare}}


{{Rare}}
[[Category:1990s American television series]]
{{Xbox Game Studios}}
[[Category:1991 video games]]
{{Battletoads}}
[[Category:1992 video games]]
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[[Category:1993 video games]]
[[Category:Animated series based on video games]]
[[Category:Beat 'em ups]]
[[Category:CD32 games]]
[[Category:Cooperative video games]]
[[Category:Fictional frogs and toads]]
[[Category:Video games featuring anthropomorphic characters]]
[[Category:Game Boy games]]
[[Category:Game Gear games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Platform games]]
[[Category:Rareware games]]
[[Category:Sega Mega Drive/Sega Genesis games]]
[[Category:Tiger handheld games]]


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[[Category:Rare (company)]]
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[[Category:Microsoft franchises]]
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[[Category:Superhero trios]]
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[[Category:Video game franchises introduced in 1991]]
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[[Category:Video games adapted into television shows]]
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[[Category:Video games adapted into comics]]

Latest revision as of 13:10, 11 December 2024

This article is about the franchise. For other uses, see Battletoads (disambiguation).
Battletoads
Genre(s)Beat 'em up, platform game
Developer(s)Rare
Dlala Studios (2020)
Publisher(s)
Creator(s)Tim and Chris Stamper
Platform(s)NES, LCD game, Game Boy, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, Sega Game Gear, Amiga CD32, Arcade, Xbox One, Windows, Nintendo Switch
First releaseBattletoads
June 1, 1991
Latest releaseBattletoads
August 20, 2020

Battletoads is a video game franchise by Rare that began with the original beat 'em up game Battletoads in 1991. Starring three anthropomorphic toads named after skin conditions, Rash, Zitz, and Pimple, the series was created to rival the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles games series.[1] The original Battletoads game for the NES was renowned for its extreme difficulty, but still received a cult following, spawning sequels for various platforms including a crossover with the Double Dragon series and a modern reboot after a 25-year gap in releases. In each of the games, the objective is to defeat the toads' nemesis the Dark Queen and her army of space mutants.

Video games

[edit]

Series

[edit]
  • Battletoads: The Battletoads have to defeat the evil Dark Queen on her planet and rescue their kidnapped partners, Pimple and Princess Angelica. Originally released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1991 by Rare, the game was distributed by Tradewest in Europe and North America, and by Masaya Games in Japan.[2] It was subsequently ported by Arc System Works to the Sega Genesis and Game Gear in 1993, and by Mindscape to the Amiga and Amiga CD32 in 1994.
  • Battletoads: An LCD game was released by Tiger Electronics in 1991.
  • Battletoads (Game Boy): A spin-off of the original also released in 1991. Despite having the same box art and title as the original NES release, it is an entirely different game from the NES version.
  • Battletoads in Battlemaniacs: Released in 1993 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) and developed in 1994 for the Sega Master System (but not released until 1996). In this game, Zitz and the daughter of Psicone Industries' CEO have been captured and it is up to Rash and Pimple to save them from being the Dark Queen. Different from the previous games, in this one each character has its own specific abilities and combos. Pimple is the powerhouse, big and boasting a large range with punches, while Rash is nimble and smaller, fighting using kicking attacks. Aside from cooperative play, a solo player is able to play as Rash by switching to the second controller.
  • Battletoads in Ragnarok's World: A stripped down port of the original game for the Game Boy, released in 1993.
  • Battletoads/Double Dragon: A crossover with the characters from the Double Dragon series with liberties taken. The Dark Queen and Shadow Boss team up and five heroes (the three toads, Zitz, Rash and Pimple, and the two Lee brothers, Billy and Jimmy) must stop them. For the first time in the series, the game offers players a character selection screen. Released in 1993 for the NES, Genesis, SNES and Game Boy.
  • Battletoads Arcade: An arcade game released in 1994, also known as Super Battletoads. The arcade game, unlike the other games, featured voice-overs and several other features that distinguish it from the other games, such as a vastly increased level of violence. It follows the Battletoads in Battlemaniacs updated formula of each character having his own design and specific abilities and combos, but this time featuring the three toads, Zitz, Rash and Pimple, as selectable characters: while Rash is kept as the nimble and smaller character and Pimple as the powerhouse, Zitz is represented as the intermediate and balanced character. Vehicle levels emphasize combat, rather than memorizing and avoiding obstacles.
  • Battletoads (2020): An Xbox One and Microsoft Windows game developed by Dlala Studios in collaboration with Rare,[3] it was released on August 20, 2020. It features three-player couch co-op multiplayer and high resolution hand-drawn 4K 2.5D graphics.[4][5][6]

The Battletoads appear in a bonus boss encounter in the Xbox One and PC versions of Shovel Knight.[7][8] Battletoads and Battletoads Arcade are included in Rare Replay, a compilation of 30 Rare games released for the Xbox One in 2015.[9] Rash appears as a playable guest character in the third season of the fighting game Killer Instinct, available on Xbox One and Windows.[10] Rash also appears as an action figure in Grounded.[11]

History of production

[edit]

A sequel/remake game was being developed for the Game Boy Advance, but was ultimately canceled.[12][13] In 2013, Phil Spencer from Microsoft's Xbox team mentioned his fondness for Battletoads while asking the fans what Rare games should be brought back for the Xbox One.[14] In 2014, "Battletoads" was re-trademarked in the United States.[15] Spencer appeared publicly in a Battletoads T-shirt in 2015,[citation needed] just days after Microsoft Studios' Ken Lobb (creator of 2013's Killer Instinct reboot) said they have plans to bring Battletoads and other classic Rare series back "someday".[citation needed]

Other

[edit]

Battletoads: The Official Battlebook, the Tradewest-authorized guide to the Battletoads console games, was written by Steve Schwartz and published in 1994 by Prima Publishing. Detailed playing tips, strategies, and secrets were provided for the following games: Battletoads (NES and Genesis), Battletoads in Battlemaniacs (Super NES), and Battletoads/Double Dragon (NES, Genesis, and Super NES).

Animated special

[edit]
Battletoads
Title card
GenreComedy
Created byTim and Chris Stamper (original characters)
Written byDavid Wise
Directed byKent Butterworth
Voices ofKathleen Barr
Ian James Corlett
Michael Donovan
Andrew Kavadas
Lalainia Lindbjerg
Scott McNeil
Jason Michas
Alvin Sanders
Theme music composerKip Lennon
Ron Hicklin
Susan Boyd
Jon Joyce
Jim Haas
Opening theme"Battletoads"
ComposersMurray McFadden
Michael Watts
Country of originUnited States
Canada
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes1
Production
Executive producersAndy Heyward
Robby London
ProducerKent Butterworth
EditorsMark A. McNally
Cindy Horness
Running time22 minutes
Production companiesDIC Animation City
Tradewest, Inc.
Rare
Original release
NetworkSyndicated
ReleaseNovember 1992 (1992-11)/Thanksgiving weekend 1992

Battletoads spun off a half-hour animated television special produced by DIC Animation City in an attempt to capitalize on the popularity of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (DiC would try this again later on when producing Street Sharks and Extreme Dinosaurs). Intended as the pilot for a full-fledged series, the special was syndicated by Bohbot Entertainment in the United States on the weekend of Thanksgiving 1992 as part of their "Kids' Day Off" package. It was never picked up for a series however, despite comic-style ads in GamePro magazine claiming otherwise.

Buena Vista Home Video released the pilot on VHS in January 1994. It received an official YouTube release on August 5, 2014,[16] on a YouTube channel run by the Canadian company DHX Media (now WildBrain), which currently owns the rights to most of DIC's cartoon library.

The story served as a prequel to the video game franchise. Set in Oxnard, California, it stars three junior high schoolers. The trio is given the ability to transform into anthropomorphic toads with superhuman strength and the ability to change their arms and legs into weapons in techniques called "Smash Hits". They are charged with protecting Professor T. Bird and Princess Angelica from the Dark Queen, who wants to steal Angelica's magical amulet for her plans of universal conquest.

The cartoon was adapted and written by David Wise (no relation to the Battletoads video games' composer of the same name). A comic with the backstory of Battletoads, written by Rare employee Guy Millar, was also published in Nintendo Power.

Voice cast

[edit]

Reception

[edit]

In 2010, Game Informer included Battletoads among ten gaming franchises that deserve a revival, and precisely, "a true HD sequel".[17] In 2012, Forbes listed it as one of five video game franchises "that need to come back from the dead", adding that a modern Battletoads "should retain its side-scroller qualities while adopting the 2.5D style" similar to Mark of the Ninja.[18] The series' return was also demanded by other outlets,[19][20] including Complex, Maxim and GameRevolution.[21][22][23]

On the other hand, the animated version of Battletoads was very badly received. It was included on the lists of five "worst one-shot TV cartoons ever made" by Topless Robot in 2008.[24]

Prank call

[edit]

Beginning in early 2011, 4chan users organized a mass prank calling to the Gold and Silver pawn shop, home to the popular television show Pawn Stars. The callers would repeatedly ask the employees if they sold Battletoads. This call led Rick Harrison, star of Pawn Stars and owner of the store, to repeatedly swear and yell at the callers, who recorded this and uploaded it to YouTube. This originated a series of many other similar videos of pranksters dialing random establishments and asking about Battletoads.[25][26] Battletoads developer Rare has acknowledged the prank via an achievement named "Do You Have Battletoads?" in their 2015 game compilation Rare Replay.[27]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Battletoads Retrospective | What happened to Rare's popular hardcore beat-'em-up Archived 2012-03-29 at the Wayback Machine, IGN, January 13, 2009.
  2. ^ "Amazon.com: Battletoads, Famicom (Japanese Import): Video Games". www.amazon.com. Archived from the original on 2022-08-28. Retrieved 2018-06-24.
  3. ^ Juba, Joe (9 June 2019). "The Battletoads Are Back In A New Trailer". Game Informer. Archived from the original on 29 January 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  4. ^ "Battletoads announced for Xbox One, Windows 10". 10 June 2018. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
  5. ^ Good, Owen S. (10 June 2018). "Battletoads is coming back to Xbox One". Polygon. Archived from the original on 14 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  6. ^ Bryant, Adam (12 June 2019). "The first proper trailer and gameplay details for the Battletoads Xbox One revival are here". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on 12 June 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  7. ^ "Yacht Club Games on Twitter: "The Battletoads drop in for a fight! Shovel Knight is headed to Xbox One and meets up with @RareLtd brawling trio!". Twitter.com. 2015-03-04. Archived from the original on 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2015-08-24.
  8. ^ "Update Notes – Yacht Club Games". yachtclubgames.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  9. ^ "David Arnold – OHMSS Orchestral Cover VERY RARE VERSION". YouTube. 2014-12-29. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2015-08-24.
  10. ^ "Killer Instinct season 3 coming in 2016, Battletoads' Rash joins the game today". Polygon. 4 August 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-08-25. Retrieved 2015-08-24.
  11. ^ "Look at this big-ass Battletoad in Grounded!". Destructoid. 23 July 2020. Archived from the original on 29 January 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  12. ^ "Battletoads GBA – Proto / Cancelled". Unseen 64. 2 August 2008. Archived from the original on 2013-05-27. Retrieved 2013-08-25.
  13. ^ "Battletoads GBA". RareWareCentral. 2011-11-13. Archived from the original on 2013-12-02. Retrieved 2013-08-25.
  14. ^ "Microsoft asks fans what Rare should do next, points towards Battletoads". Gimmegimmegames.com. 2013-09-12. Archived from the original on 2021-01-29. Retrieved 2013-12-09.
  15. ^ "New Battletoads Trademark Appears In United States Trademark Database". GamerInformer.com. Archived from the original on 2014-11-12. Retrieved 2014-11-10.
  16. ^ "Battletoads on WildBrain Super Heroes". YouTube. 2014-08-15. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2017-01-13.
  17. ^ "Ten Franchises That Deserve A Revival – Features". GameInformer.com. 2010-06-30. Archived from the original on 2013-09-02. Retrieved 2013-08-25.
  18. ^ "5 Video Game Franchises That Need To Come Back From The Dead". Forbes. 2012-09-23. Archived from the original on 2013-10-10. Retrieved 2013-08-25.
  19. ^ Melton, Steve (2010-07-24). "XBLA's Most Wanted: Battletoads". Xblafans.com. Archived from the original on 2014-12-25. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  20. ^ "Back from the dead: Five franchises the Xbox 360 could resurrect". Siliconera. 2006-02-16. Archived from the original on 2014-11-11. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  21. ^ "Battle Toads — 20 Game Franchises We Want to See Make a Triumphant Comeback". Complex. Archived from the original on 2013-06-29. Retrieved 2013-08-25.
  22. ^ "5 Classic Video Games That Deserve Awesome Remakes". Maxim. 2013-10-04. Archived from the original on 2013-12-22. Retrieved 2013-12-20.
  23. ^ "Xbox One: A Rare Opportunity". Gamerevolution.com. 30 May 2013. Archived from the original on 2014-11-10. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  24. ^ Rob Bricken (17 November 2008). "The 5 Best (and 5 Worst) One-Shot TV Cartoons Ever Made". Topless Robot. Archived from the original on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 12 November 2010.
  25. ^ "ReadyToPrank". YouTube. ReadyToPrank. 11 September 2012. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  26. ^ PrankCallsByReV (4 April 2011). "Prank Call ReV Calls (Pawn Stars) Rick Harrison Cellphone # "Battletoads"". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
  27. ^ Good, Owen S. (June 27, 2015). "Rare Replay does offer 10,000 Gamerscore — from a certain point of view". Polygon. Archived from the original on January 30, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
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