Battletoads

66%
Game Brain Score Based on 654 reviews
  • gameplay
  • humor
  • story
Battletoads Game Cover
Battletoads is the reboot you never knew you wanted. It's fun to play and makes you laugh, two perfect ingredients for making a game well worth playing.
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"Battletoads" is an action-packed game featuring outstanding mechanics, good graphics, and spectacular music. Up to three players can team up for a humor-filled, chaotic experience across diverse stages, with hand-animated cartoon style and unpredictable moments. The game offers drop-in/drop-out co-op gameplay that is enjoyable for all, but mastered only by true 'Toads'.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

66%
Audience ScoreBased on 654 reviews
gameplay58 positive mentions
grinding12 negative mentions
  • The game features a fun and varied range of gameplay types, including beat-em-up sections, platforming, and mini-games.
  • The art style is vibrant and colorful, with smooth animations that enhance the overall experience.
  • The humor and writing are entertaining, providing a self-aware and comedic tone that resonates with fans of the original series.
  • The game is significantly shorter than expected, with many players feeling it lacks depth and replayability.
  • The mini-games can be tedious and frustrating, often interrupting the flow of the main gameplay.
  • The combat mechanics feel simplistic and repetitive, lacking the complexity and challenge of the original Battletoads games.
  • gameplay241 mentions

    The gameplay of Battletoads (2020) is a mixed bag, featuring a blend of classic beat 'em up mechanics interspersed with various mini-games and genre shifts that some players find refreshing while others deem chaotic and unfocused. While the core combat can be enjoyable and nostalgic, many reviewers criticize the repetitiveness and lack of depth in certain gameplay segments, leading to frustration and a sense of inconsistency. Overall, the game offers a unique experience that may appeal to fans of the original series, but it struggles to fully deliver on the promise of engaging gameplay throughout.

    • “While the main gameplay is classic arcade beat'em up action, there is a gameplay roulette that constantly changes throughout the game.”
    • “The gameplay itself is hard, but you don’t have to spend so much time constantly restarting entire chapters of the game like the original.”
    • “The gameplay is solid, accessible, and with no complications, allowing you to perform 70-hit combos with ease and juggle opponents in the air with the classic over-the-top morph attacks that the Battletoads have.”
    • “I thought the game would suffer mainly in its art style, but it turned out that the gameplay itself is just terrible.”
    • “The gameplay seems alright for the first 30 minutes, but gets so repetitive it's actually a good sleeping aid.”
    • “The base gameplay is already simplistic but made even worse by the constant forced waiting for enemies to become vulnerable.”
  • humor172 mentions

    The humor in the game is highly polarizing, with some players finding it genuinely funny and reminiscent of classic cartoons, while others criticize it as cringeworthy and juvenile. Many reviews highlight a mix of successful jokes and misses, with self-aware and absurdist humor being prominent, though not universally appealing. Overall, the humor is described as a blend of light-hearted and dark elements, often failing to resonate with all players, leading to a varied reception.

    • “The cartoon and humor were the best parts of the game.”
    • “The story is good, the writing is hilarious and overall, I think it's a really fun time.”
    • “It's short and sweet, very well drawn and animated, and fun to play, with hilarious writing and voice acting.”
    • “It is painfully unfunny and cringe, with some of the worst jokes I've ever heard in a video game.”
    • “The dialogue and voice acting are horrifically bad and unfunny.”
    • “But this game gets horribly killed for me due to the unfunny humor and non beat 'em up elements.”
  • story149 mentions

    The story of the game is polarizing, with many reviewers finding it either entertainingly absurd or frustratingly juvenile. While some appreciate the humor and cartoonish style reminiscent of Saturday morning cartoons, others criticize it for being nonsensical, poorly written, and lacking depth, often feeling like a disservice to long-time fans of the franchise. Overall, the narrative is seen as a mixed bag, with moments of charm overshadowed by cringeworthy dialogue and a convoluted plot.

    • “The story is good, the writing is hilarious and overall, I think it's a really fun time.”
    • “The story was quite decent and was really quirky and fun which I really enjoyed.”
    • “Presented via wonderfully animated and voiced cutscenes that could easily be mistaken for a TV show, Battletoads' story is genuinely entertaining.”
    • “The plot is just plain moronic.”
    • “The story is an absolute crock of shit.”
    • “The story was bizarre, childish, and I've got to think insulting to long-time fans of Battletoads.”
  • graphics130 mentions

    The graphics of the Battletoads reboot have received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the vibrant, hand-drawn 2D art style that evokes a modern cartoon aesthetic reminiscent of the 90s. However, some fans of the original series criticize the new visuals for lacking the darker, edgier tone of the classic games, feeling that the cartoonish design may cater more to a younger audience. Overall, while the graphics are technically impressive and colorful, opinions vary widely on their suitability for the Battletoads franchise.

    • “The cartoon graphics feel like a hearken back to 90's era style, and the full story gameplay is just filled with lots of little tidbits here and there regarding the franchise that old school gamers like myself love.”
    • “The animation and the art style is just a visual pleasure for the eyes and you can tell this game was made with a lot of love.”
    • “The hand-drawn art style of this game is terrific, making the characters drown in charm.”
    • “At first, I was horrified by the visuals.”
    • “The biggest blemish is the art style; it's shamefully hideous and appeals to no one.”
    • “The cartoonish Nickelodeon-style graphics/art, repetitive gameplay, it's made for kids whereas the original was for adults.”
  • music88 mentions

    The music in the game has received largely positive feedback, with many reviewers praising its energetic rock soundtrack and the integration of remixed classic tracks. While some players noted that certain music elements felt underutilized or repetitive, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack enhances the gameplay experience and captures the nostalgic essence of the original series. However, a few critiques mention the absence of pause music and a desire for more variety in the tracks.

    • “The music is also pretty top tier; there are a lot of tracks in this game that I really love and get pumped up for, especially that crunchy intro and battle music.”
    • “The soundtrack is surprisingly good, with all of the songs featuring heavy electric guitar and drum work.”
    • “The game as a whole is very challenging and at select few times quite hard, but it always feels motivating to keep playing with satisfying gameplay, great music, and a fun presentation.”
    • “I heard the pause music from TV.”
    • “The constant terrible music is annoying.”
    • “A lot of the music falls flat as well.”
  • grinding12 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, with repetitive combat mechanics and overly long mini-games that detract from the overall enjoyment. Many reviewers suggest that certain sequences should be skippable to alleviate the monotony, as the grinding often feels more like a chore than an engaging challenge. While some elements of the game are fun, the grinding experience is frequently described as a significant drawback.

    • “Though a tough and somewhat tedious beat-em up isn't a bad thing by itself... the rest of the game is... kind of annoying.”
    • “The rest of the game is fun, but that whole tedious sequence should be skippable.”
    • “Battletoads: here is a tedious mini-game you will have to complete as part of the campaign.”
  • character development10 mentions

    Character development in Battletoads 2020 has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing the character designs as unappealing and reminiscent of other franchises, particularly Earthworm Jim. While some appreciate the smooth animations and detailed backgrounds, the overall consensus is that the character designs, especially for key figures like the Dark Queen, detract from the game's appeal. The bosses, however, are noted for their unique and memorable designs, adding some positive notes to the character development aspect.

    • “The animations are incredibly smooth, the backgrounds are detailed and offer a good bit of depth, and the character designs are pretty cool too.”
    • “The game's bosses were quite a unique bunch with gross-out greats such as Big Blag, who gets bigger in each game, and Robo-Manus, with a downright terrifying character design and dialogue to match.”
    • “The overall artwork, including backgrounds and character designs, was amazing.”
    • “The developers made a bad choice in character design when it comes to enemies.”
    • “The character design of the Dark Queen is horrendous; it needed an update, but boy oh boy... that's a big no.”
    • “Character designs and the art style will probably need some getting used to, especially if you are coming here from the original Battletoads for the NES.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the variety in gameplay and the presence of collectibles that encourage multiple playthroughs, others find it lacking due to its short length and limited content for those who prefer only a few runs. Achievements and collectibles offer additional incentives, but some players feel that the value may not justify the price for minimal replay interest.

    • “Despite my gripes, I think the gameplay variety will help with replayability in the long run.”
    • “The game is totally replayable, especially with friends.”
    • “Collectibles are scattered well in each of the levels, offering replay value and good challenges to find.”
    • “And that's my main complaint with this game: it could have helped if it was a bit shorter and more replayable.”
    • “- short game with pretty much no replayability”
    • “There's still plenty of achievements and collectibles left to unlock for replayability, but those only interested in one or two playthroughs may feel a bit underwhelmed given the game's price tag.”
  • optimization6 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its excellent graphics and smooth performance, with no significant bugs reported. Players appreciate the responsive controls, particularly when using an Xbox One controller, although some express a desire for more content and features.

    • “Excellent graphics and performance.”
    • “The game plays like a charm; there are no bugs or anything that messes up the experience. Based on playing it on PC, I can say the game runs smoothly and is responsive with my Xbox One controller.”
    • “Props to the voice actors for really making an entertaining performance.”
    • “The optimization in this game is severely lacking, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.”
    • “I encountered numerous performance issues that made it difficult to enjoy the game.”
    • “The game feels unpolished, with frequent lag and stuttering that disrupts immersion.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The stability of the game is highly inconsistent; while some players report a smooth experience with no bugs or crashes, others encounter frequent issues, including bugs and controller malfunctions. Overall, user experiences vary significantly, with some enjoying flawless performance and others facing frustrating technical problems.

    • “Extremely buggy, the game breaks all the time and kind of looks ugly.”
    • “I can get two controllers but the third won't work. All my playtime shown was wasted troubleshooting.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The atmosphere of the 2020 Battletoads is a blend of modern graphics and a nostalgic feel, reminiscent of the original 1994 game. While the art style has evolved, the soundtracks and overall ambiance maintain a faithful connection to the classic era, creating a familiar yet refreshed experience for players.

    • “I love the atmosphere that it has.”
    • “Having that in mind, I can safely say that the 2020's Battletoads is a modern version of the 1994 game with way better graphics and a different art style. Given how much time has passed between the two games, this change is more than welcome. Yet, it didn't manage to change how the game felt or sounded; the soundtracks and music remained faithful to the 1994 version and previous games, capturing the whole atmosphere of that era.”
    • “And no, there's nothing from the original atmosphere here.”
    • “Having that in mind, I can safely say that the 2020's Battletoads is a modern version with way better graphics and a different art style. However, that didn't manage to change how the game felt or sounded; the soundtracks and music remained faithful to the 94's version and previous games, and that whole atmosphere of that era is missing.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game elicited strong feelings, with one player expressing deep sadness upon finishing it. However, the narrative fell short of expectations, lacking the heartfelt and humorous elements anticipated, which detracted from the overall experience.

    • “When I got home, I cried.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn criticism for being disappointing, as players expected a more engaging experience given the heavy advertising and nostalgia associated with the franchise. Many found the gameplay repetitive and the story lacking, which detracted from their overall enjoyment.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

71% average critic score

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Play time

3hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
3-3hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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