Finally! You can put the phone down and stop calling. Battletoads for Xbox One and PC is here via Xbox Game Pass and digital download. And, let me tell you, it’s been worth the 26 year wait! The beloved 90s franchise returns in an all-new action-packed adventure for an entirely new generation to enjoy.
Developed by Dlala Studios under the supervision of Rare, Rash, Pimple and Zitz make their way onto Xbox One and PC in one of this year’s most enjoyable games. Grab your controllers and get ready for one heck of a ride!
Battletoads Details
Platforms:Â Xbox One and PC
Developer: Dlala Studios
Publisher: Xbox Games Studios, Rare Ltd.
Genre: Beat ’em up
Modes:Â Single-player and multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)
Rash, Zitz and Pimple return for an all-new adventure
Battletoads picks up where the last game left off 26 years ago. The toads find out that they were stuck in a simulator for the entire time and aren’t exactly who they think they are. After escaping the simulation, the toads set out to become famous again and are in search of their archnemesis, the Dark Queen.
Things don’t go exactly as planned. The trio end up setting off on an adventure with the Dark Queen around the universe to find an alien race known as The Topians. The story unfolds quiet nicely in-game and via cutscenes. Much like the game’s visuals, you’ll think you are watching and playing a cartoon.
Dynamic, action-packed gameplay
One of the things that I really love about Battletoads is its gameplay. From side-scrolling beat ’em up action, to platforming, to space battles, to mini-games, to riding speeder bikes—Dlala Studios does an amazing job of keeping the gameplay feeling fresh throughout the entire adventure.
All three Battletoads have a variety of moves and abilities that set them apart from each other. For example, Pimple dishes out powerful blows but is slow. On the other hand, Zitz delivers his attacks with precision and speed. And, Rash is a mix between Pimple and Zitz.
Each toad has their own power move and the ability to spit bubblegum at their enemies to temporarily hold them in place. This really comes in handy when you have a lot of enemies on the screen. By spitting your bubblegum on enemies that can throw or spit projectiles, it gives you a chance to clear the way. One of my favourite moves to do is to spit bubblegum at an enemy and then use my tongue to pull them in to attack.
The game includes a variety of enemies that have their own attack patterns and weapons to attack with. You’ll be pelted with everything including axes, lasers, balls of energy and even ice cream! Switching between characters is as simple as pressing on the d-pad and comes in really handy when dealing with such a wide variety of enemies. Boss battles are fun and require using each of your characters abilities efficiently to be successful.
Jaw dropping, rich hand-drawn visuals
When Battletoads was first announced back at E3 2018 and then shown again at E3 2019, I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. The look and feel of the game is drastically different than what games back in the early 90s could produce. Any doubts I had went away the minute I started to play. Simply put, Battletoads is gorgeous!
The hand-drawn characters and backgrounds are bright and colourful. The animation is silky smooth and feels like you are playing an actual cartoon. Cutscenes maintain these same levels of visual fidelity and animation. Battletoads visuals are easily on par if not better than those found in Cuphead.
All the humour and jokes that the franchise is known for are all there and the voice acting is spot on. There are several times where the game pokes fun at itself and had me grinning from ear to ear.
Battletoads is one of my favourite games this year
Having thoroughly enjoyed Battletoads on the NES, SNES and arcade in the 1990s, I can honestly say that Dlala Studios has given me pretty much everything I have wanted in a brand new Battletoads game. For the past 26 years, I’ve been hoping and dreaming of a new game in the series and I have nothing but praise for what the studio has accomplished.
From the story, to visuals, to gameplay—Battletoads has check-marked all the boxes. Couch co-op is a blast with up to two other players and adds a ton or replay value to the game. I would have to say that the only thing “missing” from Battletoads is online multiplayer. While it’s a tad bit disappointing that it wasn’t included, the game is still loads of fun to play alone or with family and friends.
If you love side-scrolling beat ’em ups with some platforming action and a sprinkle of mini-games thrown in, then you will love Battletoads. Check out Battletoads on Xbox Game Pass today or via digital download, it’s easily one of my top 5 favourite games of the year so far.
+ Cartoon visuals with superb animation
+ Perfectly balanced gameplay that is not overly difficult
+ Fun to play by yourself or with family and friends
+ Well-written dialogue that is humorous
+ Incredible value for the price
– No online multiplayer
OVERALL ASSESSMENT OF BATTLETOADS
Gameplay: 4.5/5
Graphics: 5/5
Sound: 4/5
Lasting Appeal/Replayability: 4.5/5
Overall Rating 4.5/5 (90%)
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