In my review of Spielberg’s gamer film Ready Player One, I noted the appearance of Battletoads during the final battle, indicating their continued relevance. For those unfamiliar, the Battletoads are Rash, Zits, and Pimple, three anthropomorphic toads tasked with saving the world from various threats. Their design and characteristics intentionally echo the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, as Battletoads, initially released in 1991, was conceived as a response to the immense popularity of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise.
Having not played the original Rare NES title, and with its absence on Nintendo Switch Online, I cannot directly compare the new game to its predecessor. Regardless, Battletoads 2020 immediately immerses the player in a vibrant, fast-paced, and engaging experience. The voice acting is commendable, and the dialogue is sharp and humorous.
Gameplay will feel familiar to fans of classic beat ’em ups such as the TMNT games, Double Dragon, and Final Fight. Players progress from left to right, confronting waves of enemies. Periodically, a boss encounter challenges players to discover unique strategies for defeating significantly tougher opponents (especially when the encounter escalates to two identical bosses simultaneously). Upon defeat, another Battletoad takes over, continuing the fight. A timer revives incapacitated heroes, but repeated failures result in a game over, reminiscent of the arcade experience. The game persists until the player chooses to stop.
The game’s primary drawback lies in its potential for repetitiveness. While the three Battletoads possess distinct skills and special attacks, a greater variety of character-specific moves would have been beneficial. The tongue mechanic, used for consuming flies (restoring energy) and pulling distant enemies, adds a unique element. Furthermore, racing sequences offer a change of pace, although their difficulty is high, with an “immortality” option presented after multiple consecutive failures.
In conclusion, Battletoads offers a visually appealing update, but the core gameplay mechanics remain largely unchanged, despite the significant advancements in the genre over the past three decades. Fans of beat ’em ups will likely find this title enjoyable. While not a dedicated devotee of the genre, I found Battletoads sufficiently engaging to warrant a recommendation.
