Can you believe it’s been well over two decades since we’ve seen a new entry in the Battletoads franchise? The last time we saw them, they tried (and failed) to make a dent in the Saturday morning cartoon market and teamed up with Double Dragon for a memorable little adventure.
We’ve seen bits and pieces of cameos from the characters since then, including one of the three ‘Toads starring as a playable fighter in Killer Instinct on Xbox One. But never really a full-on follow-up to their original adventures – till now.
Battletoads, produced by Dlala Studios in conjunction with Rare Ltd., picks up right where the Toads left off, on a new adventure alongside their former adversary, the Dark Queen. They do have a new art style that not everyone will get into, but within a few hours, we found ourselves enjoying this adventure just as much as the original games. Fans are in for a treat – and newcomers should find something to like as well.
Unlikely Partners
That right, the Dark Queen – alongside her more conservative wardrobe choice – has teamed up with the Battletoads to take on some rather overconfident aliens, whose army will stop at nothing to try and squash the Toads. Fortunately, they’re more than prepared for the job, as they prove in some very cool side-scrolling beat-em-up combat and other sequences, including – yes – a jet bike stage. And this one you might actually be able to beat. There were some questions as to whether the fighting would hold up in a game like this. And fortunately, it does. The combat feels well balanced, as you can put together some pretty wicked combos, thanks to a number of transformative techniques unique to each Toad. For instance, they can turn their arms into drills and concrete blocks, and can even transform their heads as the need calls for it.
But the combat is just the beginning. The jet bike stage has returned and is absolutely wonderful, with a number of challenges to overcome and a whole lot of road running out of room. What’s more, there are some interesting mini-games that are best played alongside others in the game’s three-player local co-op. The lack of online play is disappointing, but this is a title best enjoyed laughing alongside others anyway.
There are some techniques here that are a little questionable – like being able to trip up an enemy by spitting out gum, which we had no idea they were chewing – but the fighting as a whole feels great, and ties together with the rest of the in-game content. This is a really engaging adventure that lasts a few hours, at best, just like the Battletoads of old. And we’re fine with that, especially given the $20 price tag. (It’s also free to play if you’re a Game Pass subscriber.)
Toadally Awesome Story, With Lots of Laughs
As I mentioned, there’s a new art style here that not everyone is going to mesh with, as it does kind of deviate from the old-school design we’ve seen in older games. But no matter – Dlala still hit a home run with Battletoads’ great looks. They’re really well done when it comes to capturing the character of each of the Toads, and even some of the enemies, though they do pop up rather repetitively at times.
What’s more, the animated sequences in-between each stage aren’t just fun to watch, but hilariously written, with a lot of fun dialogue. You haven’t busted your gut like you have watching the Dark Queen flip off a departing ship and then hold her butt up to the sky yelling, “BEEP BEEP!” There was a lot of thought put into this, and it shows. What’s more, it actually has us hoping that a Saturday morning cartoon guys might just work out yet. That, and the music. It’s about on the level of what we’ve expected from Battletoads, with a rock-worthy soundtrack that never loses its momentum, and channels the greatness of David Wise’s old-school tunes. That, combined with some great voicework and sound effects, really bring the Battletoads experience together.
Hop Along and Download This
Even without online multiplayer and any kind of extended content, Battletoads is a sequel that has turned out to be worth the wait. While the art style is a bit jarring at first, Dlala makes it its own with relative ease, and delivers a fun, hilarious experience. What’s more, it’s a lot of fun to play, especially if you’ve got a few friends ready to join your toad-ally awesome party. This is one return you won’t want to miss… and hopefully, we won’t have to wait 25 more years for the next go-around.
