BATTLETOADS -NES-
Battletoads is a platformer video game created by Tim and Chris Stamper and developed by Rare. Starring three anthropomorphic toads named after skin conditions (Rash, Zitz and Pimple), the game was created to rival the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles games.[1]
The first game was developed by Rare for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1991. It was subsequently ported by Mindscape to the Amiga in 1992, by Arc System Works to the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis and Sega Game Gear both in 1993, by Rare to the Game Boy in 1993 retitled as Battletoads in Ragnarok's World, and by Mindscape to the Amiga CD32 in 1994. Ports for IBM PC and Atari ST were planned by Mindscape but never released.[2]
It is arguably one of the most graphically advanced video games ever released for the NES, at a time when the video game market was turning to the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis and Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The game became famous for its extreme difficulty and humorous ways of beating enemies, as during finishing attacks, the character's body parts transform into gigantic, exaggerated appendages for devastating attacks and comic effect.
The game was well received by most gaming critics. It was nominated for the 1991 Nintendo Power Awards in nine categories,[3] winning the 1st place in the categories: Graphics and Sound (NES) ("well-defined characters and backgrounds"), Theme and Fun (NES) ("extremely entertaining adventure"), Best Play Control (NES) ("again, tip of the hat to a fantastic game") and Best Multi-Player or Simultaneous (NES) ("no surprise here"), the 2nd place in the category Best Play Control (Game Boy), and the 3rd place in the category Best Challenge (NES); it was also given the title of the "by far" Overall Best Game for NES of 1990.[4]
In 2008, Topless Robot ranked it as the #1 "Least Terrible Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Rip-Off",[5] also naming it as one of the 10 best beat-'em-ups of all time in 2010.[6] In 2010, UGO included it on the list of the games that need sequels,[7] also featuring the Arctic Cavern levels on the list of the coolest ice levels",[8] while SPIKE ranked the game's ending as #6 on the list of the biggest letdowns in video game endings.[9]
However, the first Battletoads game has been most remembered for its extreme difficulty, even for experienced players.[5][10] The game has even been included in numerous occasions among the hardest games ever made, including the number one spot as determined by GameTrailers.[11][12][13][14] According to Destructoid, "Despite the game's brutal and unbalanced difficulty, it is remembered as one of the most beloved titles of the eight-bit generation."[15]