Battletoads

[Melf]

Rare's amphibious trio came to the Genesis in 1991, and while fans were expecting a whole new adventure, what they got was a solid port of the NES original. They'd have to wait for the SNES release to get the new game they wanted, but as always, the Genesis came through with a some great gameplay....all the difficulty too! Read our full review (http://www.sega-16.com/2006/12/battletoads/) for all the details.

[Joe Redifer]

If I remember correctly, the jump and action buttons were "reversed" compared to most games of its type. For some reason this is what I remember most from when I played the Genesis version of this game.

[Melf]

Yes, that pissed me off big time. It's like when I played Mega Man Collection on the GC. Reversed buttons make for some unnecessary confusion.

[Flash1087]

I did notice that, but back when this was current it wasn't a problem for me. I only ever had this for the Genesis, and as a child I had some weird idiot savant ability to adapt to any control scheme you might throw at me. At any rate, it's way fun, even though I've never had the stones to finish it.

[Zebbe]

This game is really great. Nice design, music and gameplay. Playing 2 is very fun. It is also extremely hard, which irritates me. I'm gonna beat it some day...

[108 Stars]

It looked to 8-Bittish to me, so I never bothered playing the game. But I heard the GameGear-version was alright.

[Melf]

I wanted a port of the arcade game. :(

[Rusty Venture]

I played "Battletoads" once, and it was on the NES.

My friend rented it and brought it over, we made it to the speedbike stage and then that was it. I don't think we played it anymore after getting our asses handed to us on that stage.

I always liked the Turtles games more anyway, especially "Turtles in Time".

[Flash1087]

I wanted a port of the arcade game. :(

If I had a nickel for every time someone here mentions wanting the arcade version of a Genesis game...:D

[InternalPrimate]

There are two sure-fire ways to beat the game: Memorize the speed sections (my specialty) or KNOW the warp points like the back of your hand.

Again, the game can be extremely frustrating, but the satisfaction that comes with completing the game is worth it.

[David J.]

I have the Game Gear version of Battletoads and it is hard as hell, but it looks OK and is fun to play.

I'll get the Genesis version soon.

[Henry Spencer]

This game is sooo hard, I've never completed it. I love the design of it all though.

[Joe Redifer]

If I had a nickel for every time someone here mentions wanting the arcade version of a Genesis game...:D
...You'd have less than a dollar, be living on the street, begging for more nickels and living off of the bugs that nest in your hair and clothes.

[Melf]

If I had a nickel for every time someone here mentions wanting the arcade version of a Genesis game...:D

The thing is, the NES and Genesis games aren't ports. The arcade Battletoads was an original (and awesome) adventure that was totally different.

[Genesisdoes]

I hate that bike level!

[Kogen]

The thing that really killed the game for me was how you continued on two players, just puts you in an endless loop of restarting. Seems strange how you mention something like Streets of Rage is better yet the site scores that lower as a medicore game.

[InternalPrimate]

When I wrote "Streets of Rage" I meant all games in the series, two of which have received better scores on this site then Battletoads. Of course, everything is opinion based.

The original Streets of Rage that received a 6 is still a game that I see as FAR more accessible.

[Rusty Venture]

I find SOR to be more accessible as well. SOR 2+3 are the games i use as a basis for comparasion towards other "beat 'em up" type games.


I still don't understand why (in Battletoads) I need to spend an entire afternoon memorizing the placement of walls to pass *THE THIRD LEVEL*. Placing that type of difficult level later on would be ok (increasing difficulty) but early on?

[Flash1087]

The thing is, the NES and Genesis games aren't ports. The arcade Battletoads was an original (and awesome) adventure that was totally different.

I do believe I just got FACED!

[j_factor]

I never understood why everyone had such a problem with the third level. It's not that hard. You really don't have to memorize anything; you can see the obstacles before they come at you. I can understand that if you're like 65 years old you may have poor reaction time, but young people shouldn't have that much of a problem. The only levels that I found to be too difficult are Terra Tubes, Rat Race, and The Revolution.

Also, I find it odd to see complaints of datedness in a review of a game that came out 15 years ago. The fact that they took too long to port it doesn't really mean anything anymore.

[Benjamin]

I never understood why everyone had such a problem with the third level. It's not that hard. You really don't have to memorize anything; you can see the obstacles before they come at you. I can understand that if you're like 65 years old you may have poor reaction time, but young people shouldn't have that much of a problem. The only levels that I found to be too difficult are Terra Tubes, Rat Race, and The Revolution.

Also, I find it odd to see complaints of datedness in a review of a game that came out 15 years ago. The fact that they took too long to port it doesn't really mean anything anymore.

I completely agree. Battletoads is a terrific game and a great mix of beat-em up and platform game styles. Yes, it's difficult, but hardly worth the "impossible" tag that gets slapped on it. Seems like whenever someone faces a challenge in a game these days, instead of accepting the challenge and practicing and learning to play better, the game is just written off as "impossible." :?

I can't comment on the review since I've yet to play the 16-bit port despite having owned the MD version for a few months now. The swapped controls do worry me, but even if it's not much improved visually over the NES game, the (I assume/hope) lack of flicker and slowdown which plagued the 8-bit original will be welcomed. I think Battletoads really pushed the NES so hard that it "looks 16-bit," even on the NES, and any straight port is going to appear inferior as a result, even though its graphics are hardly bad or even average looking.

[VinnyT]

You should be ableto get over A=Jump and B=attack pretty quickly.

[kevinski]

I remember playing the NES version. I never beat it, though. I never really liked the game all that much. I love Battletoads/Double Dragon, though. Awesome game.

[Benjamin]

You should be ableto get over A=Jump and B=attack pretty quickly.

Finally got around to playing it, and my Japanese Battletoads has the same controller configuration as the NES game: B-button attacks and C-button jumps. Also proud that I died just once on that "impossible" level three race, and only because those floating ramps can be a bit tricky to judge their location going from the shadows. :)

[Jesse813]

its a good Beat'em up game :)

[Phexar]

Eh, I don't like this one, since the difficulty irritates me greatly. I beat this once, and unlike other challenging games I didn't feel it was worth it, especially since the final boss was an absolute pushover. That said, the style and feel of the game world itself is nice.

Battletoads & Double Dragon on the other hand, I loved the SNES port of that. :D

[vintagegamecrazy]

I don't get the hatred from so many on this game, I also don't understand why it has to be so closely compared to SOR, only a few parts are beat 'em ups and the rest is platforming and memorization, it is however a great game and quite original, It's not that hard as I can finish it pretty easily.

[jamesdude]

im guessing this version dosent have the famous pause music in the NES version:

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[Knuckle Duster]

im guessing this version dosent have the famous pause music in the NES version:

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You're correct.
That marvelous track is a NES exclusive. :D

[TheEdge]

They did a really good job revamping Battletoads for the Genesis. The game is much better than SNES's BattleManiacs :roll:

[Kollision]

They did a really good job revamping Battletoads for the Genesis. The game is much better than SNES's BattleManiacs :roll:

oh no :?
battlemaniacs is a masterpiece :)
too bad it was never released for the MD.....

[vintagegamecrazy]

I've been doing some comparisons between the two and I can't possibly see how some of you can say that this is a straight port, it's been completely revamped, graphically and game play wise. It has so many of the game play glitches removed that it's not funny, way better of a game if you ask me.

Are you all thinking what I'm thinking? A side by side article needs to be written for this great game.

[Knuckle Duster]

The only reason I 'fondly' remember the NES version more than the Genesis port, is because I bought into the Nintendo Power hype behind it. The previews & articles, the comic strip, etc.

I didn't even know the Genesis version existed, or the franchise left Nintendo outside of Battletoads & Double Dragon (Different & Better on MD than SNES)

Battlemaniacs is still awesome and the best of the franchise.

[Collision Cat]

I think the music in this version of the game is awesome, way better than the NES one... and I usually like chiptune! :p

[Noiman]

I was playing this one during my holidays. The game is simply insane. Most stages have more to do with memorization than actual skills while the bosses are nothing compared to the stages. Plus some of the cheapest deaths I've ever witnessed in my video game career. After numerous days of practising I finally reached the 12th level with more than 20 lifes, but I lost them all on the very top of the tower with those paranoid spring platforms. I didn't play it again after that, the game's far too long and the thought of replaying for the upteenth time some of the stages made me physically sick.

Really changelling and hardcore evil game, but I have my doubts about its pure entertainment values. Why it became so popular upon its release is honestly beyond me.

[segaddict]

This is one of my favorite retro games. I love the music and gameplay. I didn't even realize there was a Genesis version until recently. I have been playing lately and for the first time I beat the dreaded 3rd level. It only took me about a half hour. I started to remember where the walls would be so that helped, but you still need to be quick. So far I have made it to the end of the 4th level. I'm gonna try to beat it or at least get as far as I can. Gamewinners has a level select code, but it doesn't work for me which really sucks. I think people exaggerate how hard the 3rd level is, IMO. I was able to beat it fairly easy after a few continues.

Does anyone know if the NES or Genesis version is easier or are they the same?

[StarMist]

I've been doing some comparisons between the two and I can't possibly see how some of you can say that this is a straight port, it's been completely revamped, graphically and game play wise. It has so many of the game play glitches removed that it's not funny, way better of a game if you ask me.

Are you all thinking what I'm thinking? A side by side article needs to be written for this great game.
Yes we are. Only, where the hell are you?
I was mulling this endeavour myself and bethought consulting you. Nobody else here seems to know the NES game, which is a problem since that version kicks the piss out of me.
Anyhow, whilst you've probably learnt this since your post it'll be news to somebody, the NES US game was mildly alleviated for its Famicom and PAL distributions. I believe each of those is separate in difficulty as well so you can see how large an undertaking this would be. Then the Genny version was further neutered; it seems to run at PAL NES speed; the MD version runs slower than that (if Kega's to be trusted). Anyhow the gamebreaker glitch in lv 11 2P was removed after the NES US, which in this instance is the original game.
The Sega improvements are spotty: for every one of them there's a tradeoff defect, though overall the game's vastly easier than any Nintendo edition.

[vintagegamecrazy]

I might be able to actually do this since I have "some" free time on weekends now. I own the NES NTSC version as well as the GG, Genesis and Megadrive versions. I could try to find some of the others too but it could take some time since I'm really broke. I have beaten the Genesis version and almost finished the NES version too so I'd have a really good shot at it. I'll keep you guys posted in the days to come.

[brainerdrainer]

I remember going to my cousins house as a kid around Christmas and they had a Sega Genesis. The first time I ever got to play one was at my cousins. The only 2 games they ever had or played was BattleToads and Sonic the Hedgehog. Battletoads is a damn hard game later on.