Battletoads | Xbox One Review

26 years ago was the last time that Rash, Zitz, and Pimple graced us with their presence in the arcades…27, if you count home console titles. They have come back with a vengeance in a Battletoads reboot/sequel developed by Dlala Studios and Xbox Game Studios. The game reintroduces players to the beat-em-up style past players are used to and new players will get into quickly, and also reintroduces a nightmare for past players….SPEEDERBIKES! New elements include puzzle platforming and a bit of space shooting a la Galaga and Asteroids. This blend of play styles, along with a visual storyline fit for a Cartoon Network audience, makes an engaging experience for story hounds and gameplay aficionados.

Toads in a Hole…for a While

The story opens with the classic beat-up level players will know this series for. It’s a good way for the player to get back into the rhythm they will face for most of the game. Each toad has its own traits; Zitz, the leader of the group, has a fast, cleaner style but lacks true punching power. Rash, the cocky amphibian of the group, has a slower approach fit for a showboating frog but carries more of a punch. In short, the balanced one of the trio. Pimple, the brute of the bunch, lays anvils down (both literally and metaphorically) on his opponents, but does so very slowly for the action environment.

Each toad also has unique combo attacks from the air and charged attacks from the ground. Players can also tag in other toads for even more impressive and devastating combo attacks that will send enemies flying and scores on each level soaring. Yep…something else to consider…this game has graded levels for each fight sequence. The better the combos and higher the scores, the better your grade for the brawl. Through other beat-up levels, full bore attacks and constant button mashing aren’t going to cut it for this game. Strategy on who you attack, and when, are paramount for success in these sequences.

Not long after, it is revealed that the toads have been locked away in a bunker for 26 years (ironically enough) and no one remembers who they are! The Battletoads strive to regain their recognition, but have to work their way towards it. The gameplay is very clever to trace this recovery route in quirky mini-games that are intertwined with the action of the story between levels. Button press timing and other sequences take place to keep the player engaged throughout the story.

Like Paul Rudd, Battletoads Looks Better with Age

When the player isn’t physically engaged in the story progress, the extremely smooth cartoon animation will keep the player’s mind and sense of humor at full attention. A full on Cartoon Network style (kind of reminds me of the Teen Titans for how it looks) sequences that are played out through the game also provides well placed jokes and dialogue that are quite clever. This lighter take on the Battletoads IP may be a slight turn off for fans of the origins of the group.

There are bits along the way that do lose focus on the fighting style that players have been used to with this property. There are extended periods of platforming and space shooting that take away from the brute force attacking that players have loved. This detour isn’t a complete turn off for a player, but is long enough to utter a “WTH” (insert other consonants where appropriate) from the player.

Tradition of Some Importance for the Battletoads

For those with nightmares of the difficulty of this game, there is a slight dropoff. Make no mistake, on the “Toad” level, the normal mode, there are several controller smashing moments where the offensives of your enemies are way too overwhelming to take over. In these cases, though, the game isn’t unfair. If it proves to be too much, modes “Toad” and “Tadpole” (the Easy mode for the game) allow for an invincibility mode that can be activated after a certain number of deaths. This will allow the player to move forward without the desire to flip a table because of gameplay that proves to be too difficult. For those bold enough to venture forth, there is a “Battletoad” mode that ramps up enemy health and takes away the invincibility trigger.

As mentioned earlier, strategy for success is necessary in many areas. Especially in the other nightmare with this series….SPEEDERBIKES! Yes, there are a few speederbike levels in this game that are just as frustrating as its predecessors. Several of these levels occur in an oncoming, three dimensional environment; with a classic platforming version which will have your thumbs cramping in an effort of completion.

A Good ‘ol Time…Warts and All

This game is straight up fun. The animation is smooth, the cutscenes are entertaining and hilarious at times, and the gameplay walks the line of frustrating and engaging, and does so very well. There are bits that may seem a little light for the hardcore fans but so much of the original flavor is retained to keep the classic fans and draw in new members of this toad alliance. It may be fair to say that, for 2020, Battletoads ranks up there with the best games on the console for the year.

This review is based off of a streaming copy of Battletoads via Xbox Game Pass. It also available on Windows 10 or on Steam.