[Classic] Anyone remember Battletoads?

How far did you get in it? I recently replayed it on an emulator (although I did own the cartridge long ago), and always had a ton of trouble on the 3rd stage (I managed to beat it a couple of times by "cheating"; by cheating I mean I had a "slo-mo" controller on my SNES, since apparently there weren't any good cheat codes for the game genie, and even then, I barely passed it), and could never get past the 4th stage on the SNES version (Battletoads in Battlemaniacs) where you have to climb snakes that constantly weave in and out of a spiky area, where one hit = insta-death.

I really did want to give this game a chance, because the first stage was so fun. I mean, it was an obvious rip-off of the popularity of Ninja Turtles, but what made it fun/funny was the way you could kill enemies. For example, if you ran into an enemy and then attacked, the toad would have large ram horns on his head ala anime cartoons. If you kicked them while they were down, you'd have a big boot.

I think despite the relatively weak storyline, it was a fun beat-em-up, when the game allowed it to be a beat-em-up. I bet if you took a poll, most gamers who played BT would agree that the hoverbike stage was the stage that pissed them off the most (and it was worse on 2 players, cause if one guy screws up, both have to redo it. Note to game developers: BIKE STAGE IN BATTLETOADS AND OTHER THINGS LIKE IT DOES NOT = FUN. No fun in a game = unhappy gamer, which = less $$$ for you. I don't mind a challenge, but the way this stage was designed means I'll never see the other stages they no doubt spent a ton of time developing).

I suppose I could've eventually beat it simply by memorizing the pattern of the rock walls on the hoverbike stage. But since I had to constantly replay the first and second stage to do it (thanks to no save/password for whatever reason), I got tired of trying and played more fun games like TMNT 4 and Final Fantasy III, which were at least beatable.

Sorry if it sounds like a rant, but I'm just wondering what you all think if you played this game. Note that I'm just referring to the battletoads game, not the one where they team up with Double Dragon (which wasn't too bad, at least the bike stage they had there was enjoyable cause it was slow, and you got to fight while riding). I'm curious as to how many of you actually beat it, or at least how far you got. I think this is the only game to date that I've played and never beaten simply because it was too frustrating thanks to the steep difficulty (I suppose on an emulator it'd be a little easier, but I really don't feel like going through that bike stage again). I just wish the cheat codes I found online actually worked lol (the infinite lives works on the first stage, but then it doesn't on the 2nd or 3rd stage). I don't mind a challenge, but when it's something this hard, it stops being fun after like the 5th time you go through the first 2 stages just to get to die on the 3rd one.

I'm guessing the game didn't sell well (hence why we don't see any new Battletoads games coming out, unlike TMNT), and considering that hoverbike stage, it's no surprise. I think if it was more of just a regular beat-em-up game, it might've did much better.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I think the games must have sold pretty well to appear on so many systems and team up with the mighty fat heads, Billy and Jimmy from Double Dragon. The Sega Master System even got a port of Battlemaniacs in 1996! It's just that Rare let it die like so many of their other awesome games to focus on annoying 3D platformers that feature more item collecting than Katamari.

But yeah, Battletoads is one of those games I love yet hate so much. That bloody speeder bike level, it was bad enough in single player, co-op was a nightmare. Why couldn't they just headbutt them down? =(

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Infernal Monkey

But yeah, Battletoads is one of those games I love yet hate so much. That bloody speeder bike level, it was bad enough in single player, co-op was a nightmare. Why couldn't they just headbutt them down? =(

Quoted, italicized, bolded, and enlarged for truth. The damn speeder bike level was INSANE. I don't think anyone with anything other than perfect gaming skillz could beat that level -- not even those Asian kids who are ungodly at rhythm games, and they have skillz.

I loved/loathed the game as well. I may have said my first obscenity when playing Battletoads, actually. I didn't know it was produced by Rare though, which is sad because Battletoads would've made a way cooler game than Perfect Dark Zero. :/ Next-gen Battletoads ftw?

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Gecko3

How far did you get in it?

After alot of controller-throwing, I managed to beat that stupid Snake level in the SNES version. I don't quite remember the NES version of the Snake Level, but I pray it wasn't any harder, cause the SNES one was a total bitch to beat. It requires alot of memorization, unfortunately, because good old reaction time doesn't click in fast enough (for me, at least).

The level after that? Some crazy thing where you're riding some bike or something on a path, trying to get away from some crazy chainsaw dude. You have to press and hold which direction to go in, and fast, otherwise the stupid guy will saw you in half. Losing at that point was frustrating because that was the farthest I ever got. Did anyone ever manage to beat that? I know I certainly won't be able to.

I totally love the games, but co-op mode is pretty short-lived thanks to the notorious Speeder Bike levels. I think the Snake level would be pretty insane in co-op as well.

On a side note, does any one remember the Rat Race level in the NES version? Man, that was fun. Too bad it was so bloody hard. I don't think I ever beat that one.

Originally Posted by SouthJag

Next-gen Battletoads ftw?

That would be pretty cool, but it would probably never happen. Maybe the Arcade game could be ported to a console, so that more than 10 people would know what it's like.

Originally Posted by Infernal Monkey

Why couldn't they just headbutt them down? =(

Shooting would have worked too! Or landmines... although the Battletoads might die too. Which would be fine because they're going to die sometime in the level anyway.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

I'm beginning to think people who complain about the speederbike level being the hardest never really got far in the game. That god damn sewer tunnel with spiked edges was far, far more sadistic.

Anyone interested, there's a 24 minute, unemulated speedrun (more of a survival demonstration) on SDA
http://speeddemosarchive.com/Battletoads.html

And even he dies a few times

I was speaking idiomatically.

All I remember is that the game was too damn hard.

It was a fun game though, just...too damn hard. Maybe it's a good thing they're not making new games anymore. Look what happened to Earthworm Jim and Bubsy, two awesome franchises ruined by hideous 3D : /

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Of course that i remember Battletoads... how i can forget those insane levels, the snake level is much more hard than the speedbike level if you ask me.

By the way, have anyone played the Arcade version of Battletoads? its seems that is really obscure, you can play it on MAME... its PURE GORE! when you see it you will understand how Rare doesnt care to made a game like Conker Bad Fur Day for sure.

In the Rare web page on the Pantsboard section the question of the month is "what do you want to see on Nintendo DS?" and there a lot of petitions for Battletoads DS... its seems that this is impossible anyway, because Battletoads licence is also by Tradewest...

FELIPE NO

Oh yeah, Super Battletoads. That game was pretty Mortal Kombat-ish, being able to split enemies in half or knock their heads right off. Good stuff!

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

I watched the speed run that Q posted....I don't think I ever made it past the speed bike level. o_O; That was insane. I can clearly remember swearing numerous times though. And now I can see why.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Happy Cow

After alot of controller-throwing, I managed to beat that stupid Snake level in the SNES version. I don't quite remember the NES version of the Snake Level, but I pray it wasn't any harder, cause the SNES one was a total bitch to beat. It requires alot of memorization, unfortunately, because good old reaction time doesn't click in fast enough (for me, at least).

The level after that? Some crazy thing where you're riding some bike or something on a path, trying to get away from some crazy chainsaw dude. You have to press and hold which direction to go in, and fast, otherwise the stupid guy will saw you in half. Losing at that point was frustrating because that was the farthest I ever got. Did anyone ever manage to beat that? I know I certainly won't be able to.

Not even with an emulator, slow-down, and save states. Life is just too short to beat something like that. It took me so many tries just to understand what one should theoretically do, much less somehow be able to do it.

I had (have?) B-Toads for the gameboy as well. Same problem.

"Fucking Speeder Bike Level!

*20 tries later*

Oh, I beat it, yeah!"

...Unfortunately, there's a second, even harder speeder bike level just after that.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Me and my friend bought a NES and Battletoads recently, I managed to get past the Speeder level by myself and then eventually we both got through it...and hit the warp thing to go forwards two levels, we managed to do the surfboard level pretty quickly, although I remember our simultaneous swearing when we realised their was a second set of surfboards...but then we got stuck on the snake level and we've got no further in co-op...
And since then, my friend has got onto the last level...(or at least he hopes he is)

How ya doing, buddy?

On the Genesis version, it took me a while. First, I was stuck on Level 3 for a long time because I didn't have the skills on that bike. Then, I was stuck on Level 6 for a while because I couldn't get the Snake pattern down. Next place I was stuck on was Level 7 (inferno level). The next place that took me the second longest time was Level 9. Luckily, I had a past issue of Nintendo power to help me through the maze (and that's when I realized that Battletoads was on the NES as well). The race was tough (Level 10), then the handbike level against that orb of doom was tough for me...why? The up button on my Genesis controller wasn't working well, so i had to wiggle the cord and make sure it stayed there so the up button would continue to work. The level that took me the longest was the Revolution (Level 12). I swear, I gave up so many times on that damn level because I kept falling to my doom when I tried going up the platforms. And those damn cloud enemies? Just more frustration added on me. At the end, I was surprised that the boss was SO easy.

To this day, Level 9 and Level 12 are the two levels I have trouble on. Anything else, I can pretty much do.

While I'm on the topic of Battletoads, does anyone remember the cartoon?

Most amazing jew boots

How about the gameboy Battletoads game (not the port)? That one was pretty damn awesome, with only two really hard levels in it: the last level with the jetpack, and the level with the disembodied brain chasing you down some labyrinth (wtf did these guys smoke back then). The brain one took me FOREVER.

I was speaking idiomatically.

I've played Battletoads on the Game Boy and that was pretty fun, except I remember a level where I had to rapell down a cliff or crevass or something, I don't really remember. There was another level that was pretty lame. You had to fly in a space ship or something and had to dodge the walls that would flash for 3 seconds and then fly at you and it kept getting faster and faster until you reach the boss at the end of that stage.

I also played that Battletoads and Double Dragon crossover game. It was alright. I only got up to the 5th or 6th level and then I quit.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Battletoads was an excellent franchise for as long as it lasted, and the arcade game version was a blast to play with a bunch of friends. I will never forget the Turbo Tunnel and how it probably is the sole reason my reflexes are about as trained as they are. Hitting that warp portal on the 10th or so blockade was also just as fun.

Battletoads on NES was a fucking nightmare to beat though, but great when you got the job done. It seemed like the game was being built around must have co-op play to win type rules, which was alright. Game Boy version was ridiculously easy, because all you had to do was jump+punch and you could kill every and any boss.

Battlemaniacs and the Double Dragon spinoffs were sucky, but RARE could redeem themselves with a DS version that might include wireless co-op play..

How ya doing, buddy?

I got very close to the end. I was surprisingly good at Battletoads, due to a perfectionist streak. To this day, I can totally slam through the speeder bike level on the first or second try. After doing it so many times, it's forever memorized in my brain; the motions are instinctual now.

Near the end, there's a level where you have to maneuver through some pipes while avoiding things like pirhannas and giant gears that chase you, a la Indiana Jones, and crush you if you're too slow. The sentinel droids in that level were ruthless, not to mention the spikes and the boobytraps in the water sections.

I believe there were 12 levels in total. I think this was level 11. At that point, having a lifebar was a futile gesture since nearly everything resulted in an insta-kill.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Happy Cow introduced me to NES Battletoads and I can honestly say that although it is one of the more creative games I have played, it is also one of the most evil...ever.

The first boss interested me with the fact that you have to aim at the screen since it's from the boss' viewpoint. Then the dreaded second speeder bike level was nastiness. I like the fact that there were literally "life-stealing" monsters. I loathed the fact that I kept dying and screwing things up when we tried to get through it 2p. I marvelled when it was beat (me dead of course), since it just kept getting faster and faster.

Watching the third stage being played, I dismissed it as lunacy since the ice + needles + jumps were already lethal enough to watch.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Mostly good memories...The Speeder Bike level is definitely one of the more infamous levels in gaming. I never beat it (the game...took me awhile to do the bike level), but I think I had 1-2 runs where I got at least close to the end. Easily my favorite Rare game...A Battletoads revival is sorely needed.

Heh, seeing this thread made me want to pop in the SNES Battletoads again. Greatest bonus level ever (the music is still with me a few days later). Too bad I couldn't even clear this version of the bike level (at one point, you have to clear both a wall and a pit...The jump isn't high enough to get over the pit just past the wall)

How ya doing, buddy?

true Goldfish. try to hit jump when you run over that rock in the middle and pop you get out of the pit. that spot got me mad for a while.

Most amazing jew boots

Damn, thanks...My toad looked like was sinking, so it didn't occur to me to jump out. I managed to clear the rest of the stage on the first try. Died at the snakes though.

I said it before, I'll say it again: That bonus level rocks!

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Pause buttons were invented for the sole purpose of beating the buzz ball in "Clinger Winger".

I was speaking idiomatically.

I remember playing Battle Toads. I was about 9 so I am sure I never beat the game.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by Yamamanama

For Battletoads & Double Dragon, the speeder bikes was easy, but they made up for that with the inclusion of the one when you're in the pod and have to shoot at the giant ship and dodge asteroids and crap. SOOOOOO frustrating, especially after losing a bunch of lives to Machine Gun Guy. I never got past that part when I had an NES, partially because my copy of the game went into Behind The Shelves Purgatorio and then the NES died, and then I found it. The rocket level after that was pretty nasty too, partially due to the flame jets and partially due to losing most of my lives on the spooty uncontrollable pod.

Me and my brother finished this game. I'm convinced WE are the ultimate team. Probably one of the worst was the instant death from flames in the stage after the pod shooting stage which I was thought was cool.

FELIPE NO

for battletoads on NES, the speed bikes level is just crazy. i can get past that pretty easily now, i just cant beat the level after that, the one with the snowmen.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

SPEEDERBIKE LEVEL IS PAIN.

Actually I can say that as a kid it took a **LOT** of time and practice, but I did actually beat the game. The levels after the speedbikes seemed a lot easier to me with the exception of those fucking duct tunnels and the final stage. The Turbo Tunnel Speederbikes was one thing, but the killer for me was that blankety-blank volcano airbike level.

I HATED THAT THING WITH A PASSION. I'd purposely take the warp to avoid it. I could never beat that stage until I got much older. At this point the speedbikes are easy, but yeah, that game is definately a huge challenge...

Is there any specific reason why Rare opted to neither revive the series or port it or anything? I have to imagine that its one of the oldest properties they get asked about.

Jam it back in, in the dark.