Battletoads

From Sega Retro

n/a

  • Sega Mega Drive
    NTSC-J/PAL
  • Sega Mega Drive
    NTSC-U
  • Game Gear

Battletoads MD JP-EU TitleScreen.png

Battletoads MD Title.png

Battletoads GG Title.png

Battletoads
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Game Gear
Publisher: Tradewest (US), Sega (EU/JP)
Developer:
Licensor: Rare
Original system(s): NES
Developer(s) of original games: Rare
Sound driver:
Sega Mega Drive
SMPS Z80
Genre: Action[1][2][3][4][5]

















Number of players:
Sega Mega Drive
1-2,
Sega Game Gear
1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP
¥6,8006,800 G-4074
Sega Mega Drive
US
T-97026
Sega Mega Drive
EU
Sega Mega Drive
DE
DM 119.95119.95[7]
Sega Mega Drive
UK
£39.9939.99[8][9]
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Mega Drive
BR
043260
Sega Mega Drive
AS
Sega Game Gear
JP
¥3,8003,800 G-3311
Sega Game Gear
US
T-97018
Videogame Rating Council: GA
Sega Game Gear
EU
2436
Sega Game Gear
UK
£29.9929.99[11] 2436
Non-Sega versions

Battletoads (バトルトード) is a beat-'em-up game released for the Sega Mega Drive and the Sega Game Gear in 1993. It was originally developed by Rare for the Nintendo Entertainment System (to capitalize on the popularity of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and released in 1991, but it was subsequently ported to more systems. A Sega Master System version was also announced by Virgin Games but never released.

This game is the first in a series which thrived through the 8-bit and 16-bit era. It is known for its difficulty and humorous dialogue.

Story

Battletoads MD, Introduction 1.png

Battletoads MD, Introduction 2.png

The Dark Queen and Professor T. Bird

Professor T. Bird and the three Battletoads, Rash, Zitz, and Pimple, are escorting Princess Angelica to her home planet using their spacecraft, the Vulture, for her to meet her father, the Terran Emperor. When Pimple and Angelica decide to take a leisurely trip on Pimple's flying car, they are ambushed and captured by the Dark Queen's ship, the Gargantua. The Dark Queen and her minions have been hiding in the dark spaces between the stars following their loss to the Galactic Corporation in the battle of Canis Major. Pimple then sends out a distress signal to the Vulture, alerting Professor T. Bird, Rash, and Zitz. Learning that the Gargantua is hidden beneath the surface of a nearby planet called Ragnarok's World, Professor T. Bird flies Rash and Zitz there in the Vulture to rescue them.

Gameplay

Mega Drive version

The game is a belt-scrolling beat-'em-up, but stages vary in gameplay style and incorporate elements of platforming, climbing, racing, and vehicle-based obstacle courses. It can be played by one or two players playing as the Battletoads Rash and Zitz. Players progress in most stages by defeating enemies while avoiding the hazards in the environment. Several stages in the game feature sections in the form of an obstacle course, where the players must dodge a series of obstacles with speed increasing as the stage progresses. Other stages include two "tower climb" levels, a descent to a chasm while hanging from a rope, a stage with underwater sections, a maze chase riding a unicycle-style vehicle, a platforming "snake mazestages and a race in which the players have to fall as quickly as possible through countless platforms to reach the bottom of a tower before an enemy does. Vehicle stages are considered the most difficult and require quick reflexes.

The toads walk with Left or Right and run with LeftLeft or RightRight. Beat-'em-up segments are typically presented with an isometric perspective, which also allows movement back or forth with Up or Down. The toads crouch with Down and jump with C. When underwater, the swim with CCCCC. They attack with B. Although there is only one attack button, the attack varies based on situation. It normally punches enemies or kicks downed opponents. Attacks chain into oversized punches or kicks when used repeatedly. Attacks can be done in midair. Attacking while running does a headbutt. Some objects from the environment or enemies can be picked up with B and thrown or swung as a weapon with B.

Each toad has a maximum of six hit points that can be replenished by eating flies with B when they are near. Many enemies and hazards do multiple hit points of damage or even instantly kill the toad. Each player starts with five lives. During beat-'em-up segments (including boss fights), players typically revive where they were killed, but they must restart at checkpoints in other sections. The game ends if the players run out of lives but can be continued an unlimited number of times.

Items

Battletoads MD, Items.png
Fly
Flies can be eaten to replenish hit points.
Battletoads MD, Items.png
1-Up
Awards the player an extra life.
Battletoads MD, Items.png
5,000
Awards 5,000 bonus points.
Battletoads MD, Items.png
10,000
Awards 10,000 bonus points.

Stages

Battletoads MD, Stage 1-1.png

Battletoads MD, Stage 1-2.png

Battletoads MD, Stage 1-3.png

  • Battletoads MD, Stage 1-1.png

  • Battletoads MD, Stage 1-2.png

  • Battletoads MD, Stage 1-3.png

Ragnarok's Canyon

Battletoads MD, Stage 2.png

Wookie Hole

Battletoads MD, Stage 3-1.png

Battletoads MD, Stage 3-2.png

  • Battletoads MD, Stage 3-1.png

  • Battletoads MD, Stage 3-2.png

Turbo Tunnel

Battletoads MD, Stage 4.png

Arctic Caverns

Battletoads MD, Stage 5-1.png

Battletoads MD, Stage 5-2.png

Battletoads MD, Stage 5-3.png

  • Battletoads MD, Stage 5-1.png

  • Battletoads MD, Stage 5-2.png

  • Battletoads MD, Stage 5-3.png

Surf City

Battletoads MD, Stage 6-1.png

Battletoads MD, Stage 6-2.png

Battletoads MD, Stage 6-3.png

Battletoads MD, Stage 6-4.png

  • Battletoads MD, Stage 6-1.png

  • Battletoads MD, Stage 6-2.png

  • Battletoads MD, Stage 6-3.png

  • Battletoads MD, Stage 6-4.png

Karanth's Lair

Battletoads MD, Stage 7-1.png

Battletoads MD, Stage 7-2.png

  • Battletoads MD, Stage 7-1.png

  • Battletoads MD, Stage 7-2.png

Volkmire's Inferno

Battletoads MD, Stage 8-1.png

Battletoads MD, Stage 8-2.png

  • Battletoads MD, Stage 8-1.png

  • Battletoads MD, Stage 8-2.png

Intruder Excluder

Battletoads MD, Stage 9-1.png

Battletoads MD, Stage 9-2.png

  • Battletoads MD, Stage 9-1.png

  • Battletoads MD, Stage 9-2.png

Terra Tubes

Battletoads MD, Stage 10-1.png

Battletoads MD, Stage 10-2.png

  • Battletoads MD, Stage 10-1.png

  • Battletoads MD, Stage 10-2.png

Rat Race

Battletoads MD, Stage 11-1.png

Battletoads MD, Stage 11-2.png

  • Battletoads MD, Stage 11-1.png

  • Battletoads MD, Stage 11-2.png

Clinger Wingers

Battletoads MD, Stage 12-1.png

Battletoads MD, Stage 12-2.png

  • Battletoads MD, Stage 12-1.png

  • Battletoads MD, Stage 12-2.png

The Revolution

Battletoads MD, Stage 13.png

The Dark Queen

Game Gear version

The game is a beat-'em-up but includes stages with a variety of playstyles. Unlike the Mega Drive version, it can only be played by one player. The player controls the Battletoad Rash, who walks with Left or Right and runs with LeftLeft or RightRight. In the beat-'em-up segments of stages, he can move in and out of the plane with Up or Down. He crouches with Down and jump with 2. He punches or kicks with 1, which can be done in midair. Attacking while running does a headbutt. He can pick up and swing bats with 1.

Rash has five hit points and loses a life if he takes damage without any hit points remaining. He can restore hit points by eating flies with 1 when fly by. Spikes instantly kill Rash no matter how many hit points he has left. Rash revives at a checkpoint after losing a life. The game ends if the player runs out of lives but can be continued a limited number of times.

Items

Battletoads GG, Fly.png
Fly
Flies can be eaten to replenish hit points.

Stages

Battletoads GG, Stage 1-1.png

Battletoads GG, Stage 1-2.png

  • Battletoads GG, Stage 1-1.png

  • Battletoads GG, Stage 1-2.png

Ragnarok's Canyon

Battletoads GG, Stage 2.png

Wookie Hole

Battletoads GG, Stage 3-1.png

Battletoads GG, Stage 3-2.png

  • Battletoads GG, Stage 3-1.png

  • Battletoads GG, Stage 3-2.png

Turbo Tunnel

Battletoads MD, Stage 4.png

Arctic Cavern

Battletoads GG, Stage 5-1.png

Battletoads GG, Stage 5-2.png

Battletoads GG, Stage 5-3.png

  • Battletoads GG, Stage 5-1.png

  • Battletoads GG, Stage 5-2.png

  • Battletoads GG, Stage 5-3.png

Surf City

Battletoads GG, Stage 6.png

Karanth's Lair

Battletoads GG, Stage 7-1.png

Battletoads GG, Stage 7-2.png

  • Battletoads GG, Stage 7-1.png

  • Battletoads GG, Stage 7-2.png

Volksmire's Inferno

Battletoads GG, Stage 8-1.png

Battletoads GG, Stage 8-2.png

  • Battletoads GG, Stage 8-1.png

  • Battletoads GG, Stage 8-2.png

Clinger Wingers

Battletoads GG, Stage 9-1.png

Battletoads GG, Stage 9-2.png

  • Battletoads GG, Stage 9-1.png

  • Battletoads GG, Stage 9-2.png

The Tower of Shadows

Battletoads GG, Stage 10.png

The Dark Queen

History

Legacy

A sequel to Battletoads, Battletoads in Battlemaniacs was released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in June 1993, with a port to the Sega Master System eventually appearing in Brazil in 1996. A spin-off, incorporating characters from the beat-'em-up series Double Dragon was also released on the Mega Drive as Battletoads/Double Dragon: The Ultimate Team, also in 1993.

The series was revived in 2020 with the game Battletoads appearing on Windows PCs and the Xbox One.

Versions

Battletoads was designed as a NES game, and no subsequent port has included all of the content of the original release. The Game Gear port of the game removes three stages: Intruder Excluder, Terra Tubes, and Rat Race (though their respective music tracks are still present in the game data). The remaining stages were redesigned to take into account the smaller screen of the Game Gear.

Taking a hit by an enemy in action stages causes the player to be stunned, and the recovery time is much longer in the Game Gear version. Collision detection is also not as accurate, which can, in turn, make action stages harder. In vehicle stages, it is possible to take more than one hit before losing a life. However, obstacles appear instantly in some vehicle stages rather than blinking on the side of the screen before appearing.

Despite being supported by more powerful hardware, the Mega Drive version also makes some cutbacks, lacking much of the opening sequence and cutting sections of the ending for unknown reasons. More layers of parallax scrolling have been added to the backgrounds, though in general the upgrade is less noticeable than, for example, the jump between NES Battletoads and SNES Battlemaniacs.

Production credits

Mega Drive version

Source:
Uncredited


Game Gear version

Source:
Uncredited


Magazine articles

Main article: Battletoads/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Com 2001 advert FI 3.jpg
FI print advert
Com 2001 advert FI 3.jpg
Logo-pdf.svg
Mega Drive print advert in Sega Visions (US) #11: "February/March 1993" (199x-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in GamePro (US) #46: "May 1993" (1993-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Game Gear print advert in Todo Sega (ES) #14: "Mayo 1994" (1994-0x-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1994-02: "February 1994" (1994-01-08)
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
50
[13]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
70
[14]
Consoles + (FR)
94
[15]
Cool Gamer (RU)
70
[16]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
86
[8]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
75
[17]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 7 (RU)
40
[18]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
79
[19]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
65
[20]
Game Power (IT)
76
[21]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
83
[22]
GamesMaster (UK) PAL
78
[23]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
75
[24]
Joypad (FR)
74
[25]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) NTSC-U
79
[26]
Mega (UK) NTSC-U
75
[27]
Mega Action (UK) NTSC-U
87
[28]
Mega Force (FR)
90
[29]
Mega Fun (DE) NTSC-U
75
[30]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
80
[9]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) NTSC-U
79
[31]
Player One (FR)
88
[32]
Power Up! (UK)
82
[33]
Score (CZ)
35
[34]
Sega Magazin (DE)
76
[7]
Sega Power (UK) NTSC-U
87
[35]
Sega Pro (UK) NTSC-U
39
[36]
Sega Zone (UK) NTSC-U
90
[37]
Sega Force (UK) NTSC
58
[38]
Sega Mega Drive Review (RU)
76
[39]
Sega Opisaniy i sekretov (RU)
44
[40]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
53
[41]
Supergame (BR) NTSC-U
83
[42]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
34
[43]
Tricks Gold (RU)
70
[44]
Sega Mega Drive
71
Based on
35 reviews

Battletoads

Mega Drive, JP
Battletoads MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
Battletoads MD JP CartTop.jpg
Battletoads MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Battletoads MD JP Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US
Battletoads MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Battletoads MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Battletoads MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
Battletoads MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
Battletoads MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Battletoads MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Mega Drive, FR

Battletoads MD FR Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, FR (Blister pack)
Battletoads MD FR blister front.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, AU
Battletoads MD AU back.jpgNospine.pngBattletoads MD AU cover.jpg
Cover
Battletoads MD AU cartback.jpgBattletoads MD AU cart.jpg
Cart
Battletoad MD AU Manual.jpg
Manual
Mega Drive, BR
Battletoads MD BR Box.jpg
Cover
Battletoads MD BR Cart.jpg
Cart
Battletoads md br manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, Asia
Battletoads MD AS Box.jpg
Cover
Battletoads MD AS Cart.jpg
Cart
Battletoads MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
33
[45]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
60
[46]
Computer & Video Games (UK) PAL
60
[11]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
73
[47]
Freak (IL)
91
[48]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
85
[10]
Gamers (DE)
33
[49]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
40
[50]
Joypad (FR)
80
[51]
Mega Force (FR)
90
[52]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
92
[53]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
89
[54]
Player One (FR)
87
[55]
Play Time (DE)
81
[56]
Sega Magazin (DE) PAL
81
[57]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
76
[58]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
73
[59]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
68
[60]
Sonic the Comic (UK) PAL
85
[61]
Todo Sega (ES) PAL
85
[62]
Video Games (DE) PAL
80
[63]
Sega Game Gear
73
Based on
21 reviews

Battletoads

Game Gear, JP
Battletoads GG JP Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngBattletoads GG JP Box.jpg
Cover
Battletoads GG JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Battletoads GG JP Manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, US
Battletoads GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngBattletoads GG US Box Front Alt.jpg
Cover
Battletoads GG US Cart.jpg
Cart
Battletoads GG US Manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, EU
Battletoads GG EU back.jpgBattletoads GG EU Box Spine.jpgBattletoads GG EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
Battletoads GG EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Battletoads GG EU Manual.jpg
Manual

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
CRC32 d10e103a
MD5 f1e299d6eb40e3ecec6460d96e1e4dc9
SHA-1 5ef3c29b6bdd04d24552ab200d0530f647afdb08
512kB 1992-12 Cartridge (US/EU/JP)
Sega Game Gear
 ?
CRC32 cb3cd075
MD5 2b4eb4c0fddd1753daac8fd8e043e883
SHA-1 77a284b993c6f60652d88468b836d7a2ee7b4600
256kB Cartridge (JP/EU)
Sega Game Gear
 ?
CRC32 817cc0ca
MD5 643536bfaf945e8fa8a22de8d4653d83
SHA-1 f566a19d1cfd5c20d5b91b396f29323be2209911
256kB Cartridge (US)

References

  1. File:Battletoads GG JP Box.jpg
  2. File:Battletoads GG EU back.jpg
  3. 3.0 3.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/gamegear/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2018-12-07 04:57)
  4. File:Battletoads MD JP Box.jpg
  5. 5.0 5.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-20 09:51)
  6. GamePro, "April 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 45
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Sega Magazin, "September/Oktober 1993" (DE; 1993-09-01), page 53
  8. 8.0 8.1 Computer & Video Games, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-15), page 47
  9. 9.0 9.1 MegaTech, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-23), page 64
  10. 10.0 10.1 GamePro, "February 1994" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 150
  11. 11.0 11.1 Computer & Video Games, "May 1994" (UK; 1994-04-15), page 85
  12. 12.0 12.1 http://hikoshi.matrix.jp/prof/index.shtml (Wayback Machine: 2021-07-22 01:11)
  13. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 30
  14. Beep! MegaDrive, "May 1993" (JP; 1993-04-08), page 23
  15. Consoles +, "Juin 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 126
  16. Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 29
  17. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "April 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 28
  18. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 7, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 38
  19. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 26
  20. Famitsu, "1993-04-16" (JP; 1993-04-02), page 38
  21. Game Power, "Maggio 1993" (IT; 1993-0x-xx), page 45
  22. GamePro, "April 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 44
  23. GamesMaster, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-19), page 68
  24. Hippon Super, "June 1993" (JP; 1993-05-01), page 39
  25. Joypad, "Juin 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 142
  26. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-04-29), page 42
  27. Mega, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-15), page 54
  28. Mega Action, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 43
  29. Mega Force, "Juin 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 92
  30. Mega Fun, "06/93" (DE; 1993-05-19), page 32
  31. Mean Machines Sega, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-24), page 70
  32. Player One, "Juin/Juillet 1993" (FR; 1993-06-10), page 86
  33. Power Up!, "Saturday, July 10, 1993" (UK; 1993-07-10), page 1
  34. Score, "Květen 1994" (CZ; 1994-05-01), page 59
  35. Sega Power, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-06), page 38
  36. Sega Pro, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-13), page 53
  37. Sega Zone, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 20
  38. Sega Force, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-01), page 96
  39. Sega Mega Drive Review, "2" (RU; 1996-01-03), page 21
  40. Sega Opisaniy i sekretov, "14000 Opisaniy i sekretov" (RU; 2003-03-11), page 22
  41. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 87
  42. Supergame, "Maio 1993" (BR; 1993-05-xx), page 10
  43. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 30
  44. Tricks Gold, "Sega dlya fantazerov" (RU; 2002-08-23), page 9
  45. Aktueller Software Markt, "August 1994" (DE; 1994-07-04), page 115
  46. Beep! MegaDrive, "February 1994" (JP; 1994-01-08), page 22
  47. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "December 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 55
  48. Freak, "3/94" (IL; 1994-xx-xx), page 1
  49. Gamers, "Juli/August 1994" (DE; 1994-07-01), page 50
  50. Hippon Super, "February 1994" (JP; 1994-01-06), page 42
  51. Joypad, "Mars 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 130
  52. Mega Force, "Ete 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 136
  53. Micromanía (segunda época), "Abril 1993" (ES; 1993-0x-xx), page 40
  54. Mean Machines Sega, "May 1994" (UK; 1994-03-xx), page 79
  55. Player One, "Mars 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 110
  56. Play Time, "7/94" (DE; 1994-06-08), page 139
  57. Sega Magazin, "Juni 1994" (DE; 1994-05-11), page 70
  58. Sega Power, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-03), page 42
  59. Sega Pro, "June 1994" (UK; 1994-05-24), page 40
  60. Sega Zone, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-24), page 59
  61. Sonic the Comic, "October 16th 1993" (UK; 1993-10-16), page 18
  62. Todo Sega, "Abril 1993" (ES; 1993-03-15), page 40
  63. Video Games, "6/94" (DE; 1994-05-25), page 113


Battletoads

Battletoads MD JP-EU TitleScreen.png

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Battletoads games for Sega systems
Sega Mega Drive
Battletoads (1993) | Battletoads/Double Dragon: The Ultimate Team (1993)
Sega Game Gear
Battletoads (1993) | Battletoads in Battlemaniacs (Cancelled)
Sega Master System
Battletoads (Cancelled) | Battletoads in Battlemaniacs (1996)