Retro Game: Battletoads (Arcade)

Overview

The Battletoads Arcade Game is a completely different beast from its console counterparts, offering a pure, unfiltered, and chaotic beat 'em up experience for up to three players simultaneously. For the first time, players could team up as all three 'toads—Rash, Zitz, and Pimple—each with their own unique fighting style. The mission is classic Battletoads: the villainous Dark Queen is back with her mutant army, and only the brawling amphibians can stop her galaxy-conquering plans.

Background

Developed by Rare and released in arcades in 1994, this title was created long after the original NES game had cemented its legacy. It was designed from the ground up to be a coin-munching arcade powerhouse, stripping away the infamous platforming and vehicle stages of the original to focus entirely on deep, satisfying combat. With its stunningly detailed graphics, digitized voice clips, and over-the-top violent humor, the arcade game stands as a hidden gem of the genre and is considered by many to be the best-playing game in the entire series.

Gameplay

Battletoads Arcade is a masterclass in beat 'em up design. Players choose their favorite 'toad—Pimple (the brute), Rash (the all-rounder), or Zitz (the speedster)—and proceed to pummel waves of bizarre enemies. The combat is fast, fluid, and incredibly deep, with each toad having a large moveset of combos, dash attacks, and grapples. The iconic "Smash Hit" finishers return in spectacular fashion, with the 'toads' limbs morphing into drills, wrecking balls, and giant spiked boots. Unique to this version is a much gorier and more impactful feel, with enemies exploding into bloody messes. Players can also unleash a powerful special attack to clear the screen at the cost of health. The focus is purely on fighting, taking players through a series of action-packed stages culminating in epic boss battles.