Battletoads Arcade

Battletoads Arcade
Arcade flyer
DeveloperRare
PublisherElectronic Arts
ProducerChris Stamper
Tim Stamper
DesignersGregg Mayles
Kevin Bayliss & Chris Sutherland
Pete Cox & Chris Stamper (hardware)
ProgrammerChris Sutherland
ArtistsSteve Mayles
Kevin Bayliss
ComposerDave Wise
SeriesBattletoads
PlatformArcade
Release1994
GenreBeat 'em up
ModesSingle-player, multiplayer

Battletoads Arcade, also known as Super Battletoads or just Battletoads, is a 1994 arcade game developed by Rare and published by Electronic Arts (EA). As the Battletoads, players brawl aliens and mutant rodents through six levels to save the universe from the Dark Queen. Each Battletoad has its own attack, and similar to previous Battletoads games, players can knock enemies towards the screen, breaking the fourth wall.

Rare took greater liberties with violence and gore in Battletoads Arcade compared to previous games since it was not destined for a console release. Battletoads Arcade was Rare's first game to use the 3D graphics technology later implemented in the 1994 games Donkey Kong Country and Killer Instinct. Although Battletoads Arcade playtested well and appeared financially viable, EA hesitated to release it.

Battletoads Arcade was unsuccessful and Rare canceled its in-production ports, including a finished Game Boy version. It did not receive a console release until 2015, Rare included an emulated version in the Xbox One compilation Rare Replay. Rare Replay reviewers were surprised by Battletoads Arcade's quality and considered it one of the compilation's highlights. Battletoads Arcade was the last Battletoads game for 26 years, until the reboot game Battletoads (2020).