Battletoads (characters)

Battletoads
Battletoads character
The Battletoads (from left to right: Zitz, Rash and Pimple) as seen on the cover of Battletoads in Ragnarok's World
First game	Battletoads (1991)
Created by	Tim Stamper and Guy Miller
Designed by	Kevin Bayliss
Voiced by	Zitz: Ian James Corlett (cartoon) Rash: Sean Chiplock (KI) Kathleen Barr (cartoon) Pimple: Scott McNeil (cartoon)

The Battletoads, also known as just the 'Toads, are the titular player characters in the Battletoads video game series, introduced in the original Battletoads in 1991. They are a trio of anthropomorphic, mutant toad warriors fighting against the wicked Dark Queen and her forces. They also appeared in the short lived Battletoads cartoon and a few comic strips published in Nintendo Power and GamePro, and gained a sizable fan following.

According to the games' backstory, the Battletoads originally have been human computer technicians and roommates. The trio tested the original Battletoads game by playing the game as the 'Toads in a sort of virtual reality simulation. They became suspicious of both their boss and chief game programmer Silas Volkmire and decided to investigate the office at night. Upon finding the video game unit turned on, they tested it to see if it had been tampered with. This was a trap and they were transported to another planet, permanently transformed into the Battletoads. When the evil Dark Queen attempted to destroy the 'Toads upon their arrival, they fought their way to freedom with the assistance of Professor T. Bird, who became the 'Toads' friend and mentor. The 'Toads decided never to rest until the Dark Queen was defeated once and for all.

The intended Battletoads cartoon series written by Davis Wise (only a TV pilot episode was ever produced) and its GamePro comic sneak peek by Francis Mao have them as a trio of junior high school teenagers who are video game enthusiasts and self-described "biggest loosers in the universe". Suddenly, Professor T. Bird and Princess Angelica from the Planet Cagellian emerge from the arcade game Video Maniacs. Angelica asks them to become "the most legendary warriors in the universe" and join her, and Professor T. Bird then uses his "toad essence" to transform "the three nerds" into the Battletoads against the arriving Dark Queen and her forces.

Each Battletoad has the ability to fight enemies with punches and kicks, as well as transform their limbs into different objects. They can also use various objects as weapons and pilot machines. The Battletoads make a guest appearance in the Xbox One and PC versions of Shovel Knight.