Are you ready to dive into the wild world of Battletoads in Battlemaniacs on SNES and conquer Silas Volkmire and the Dark Queen? This comprehensive guide, tailored for English-speaking players and optimized for “Battletoads Zitz Guide,” will equip you with everything you need to know to rescue Zitz and the scientist’s daughter. We’ll break down each stage, reveal hidden secrets, and master the moves to ensure you become a Battletoads pro.
Navigating the Battlefields: Controls, Combos, and Smash Hits
Before we jump into the walkthrough, let’s get familiar with the controls and the devastating moves the Battletoads possess. Whether you’re playing as Rash or Pimple (note: character assignment is fixed to controller ports!), understanding these basics is crucial for survival.
Basic Controls:
- D-pad: Movement (down for ducking in certain stages)
- B: Attack
- A/Y: Jump
- X: Pick up/put down items or enemies
- Select: (None in-game, sound options in character select)
- Start: Pause
- L/R Buttons: (None)
Advanced Moves:
- Run: Tap left or right twice quickly and hold.
- Throw: Press X near an enemy to pick them up, then B to throw.
Remember, Player 1 always controls Pimple, and Player 2 always controls Rash. If you’re a solo player wanting to use Rash, plug your controller into the second port. While this guide focuses on general strategies applicable to both toads, keep in mind their slight differences in combat.
Unleashing Smash Hits and Combos:
The Battletoads are renowned for their “Smash Hits” – over-the-top finishing moves that trigger when an attack will defeat an enemy. These are not just visually impressive; they are key to efficiently clearing screens. Standard combos consist of three hits, with the third hit usually knocking enemies down or back.
Here’s a breakdown of the combos and Smash Hits for Pimple and Rash:
| Smash Hit Type | Pimple | Rash |
|---|---|---|
| Combo | Bt Big Hammer | Sidearm Slice |
| Dash | Battletoad Butt | Big Boot Block |
| Jump | Anvil Swipe | Flying Battleaxe |
| Ground | Big Bad Boot | Ball n’ Chain |
| VS Normal (Stage 2) | Jawbuster | Full Metal Earmuffs |
| VS Platform (Stage 2 – Side) | Take out the Trash | Push n’ Crush |
| VS Platform (Stage 2 – Top) | Wun-Tun Stomp | Springin’ Stamp |
These Smash Hits activate only when an attack is lethal. Pay attention to enemy health and positioning to maximize their use. On vertical scrolling stages like Stage 2, platform Smash Hits become essential. Position your ‘toad at the screen edge (side or top) and press attack to launch the platform, damaging enemies.
Battletoads in Battlemaniacs Walkthrough: Stage by Stage
Now, let’s embark on a stage-by-stage walkthrough to conquer Battletoads in Battlemaniacs.
Stage 1: Khaos Mountains
This initial stage is a classic beat ’em up environment set in the treacherous Khaos Mountains. Be mindful of collapsing ground sections – falling off-screen means instant death.
- Early Encounters: Pigs and skeletons will emerge from caves and volcanoes. Utilize two-sided attacks by positioning yourself between cave entrances to efficiently dispatch multiple pigs at once.
- Volcano Eruption: As you progress, a volcano erupts, showering fireballs. Adopt a circular movement pattern, moving to the bottom of the screen and then alternating left and right to dodge the falling projectiles.
- Bridge Crossing: A burning bridge section requires a dash and jump to cross quickly. Be ready to attack a pig waiting at the end.
- Pig Gauntlet: Prepare for challenging encounters with black pigs, the toughest of the pig enemies. Zig-zag movements and jump attacks are crucial. Try to maneuver pigs into attacking each other. Utilize planar attacks, attacking from above or below their horizontal plane.
- Skeleton Ambush: Green skeletons emerge from lava pits. Position yourself to knock them back into the holes with jump attacks.
- Second Eruption and Bridges: Another volcano eruption with more fireballs. Another burning bridge section similar to the first.
- Rocky Boss Battle: The boss of Stage 1 is Rocky, a giant stone pig. His only attack is a ground-pound jump. Stick to the far left edge of the screen. When he jumps, move slightly to avoid his landing and then unleash a combo. Repeat this pattern to defeat him.
Stage 2: Infested Tree
Stage 2 transitions to a vertical scrolling stage within an infested tree. You’ll be descending on platforms, battling enemies while avoiding spikes. Platform attacks are vital here.
- Metallic Insects: Take out the large metallic insects on the sides of the platforms. Hitting them five or more times can grant you an extra life!
- Snakes: Use platform attacks to deal with snakes appearing from the sides. If platform attacks are out of range, quickly combo them when they pause their snapping.
- Spiked Areas: Navigate carefully through spiked sections.
- Rat Cannons: Dodge rats fired from cannons by using platform attacks. The rats will pass through you unharmed during a platform attack.
- Magnet Rats: Counter magnet rats by attacking one second after they draw you in with their magnet.
- Laser Bots: Stay near the top of the screen and attack laser bots. They will teleport around after each hit. Anticipate their movements and reposition to attack again. Platform attacks are useful if they move out of reach. Two laser bots will appear together later – let them line up and one will blast the other, simplifying the fight.
- Fans and High-Speed Descent: Fans attempt to blow you into wall spikes. Counter the fans by pressing against them. The scrolling speed increases dramatically leading into a spike field. Quick left/right movements are necessary to navigate the path through the spikes.
Bonus Round: Bowling Pins
A brief respite and a chance to earn extra lives! Collect white and red/blue bowling pins (red/white = 1 point, blue/white = 5 points) while avoiding black skull pins and rats. Every 100 pins earns an extra life.
- Pin Patterns: Be aware of various pin formations: lines, top/bottom alternations, and zig-zags.
- Rat Encounters: Rats appear in pairs with vertical zig-zag patterns and in high-speed lines. Learn their movement patterns to dodge them and maximize pin collection.
Stage 3: Speeder Bikes
Prepare for high-octane action on speeder bikes! Memorization is key to surviving this stage, divided into five sections. Focus on avoiding barriers and obstacles using jumps.
- Section 1: Long and vertical barriers appear. Jump after a short delay when long barriers flash. Vertical barriers alternate top and bottom.
- Section 2: Ramps are introduced. Use ramps for extra height, pressing jump as you hit them. Pairs of vertical barriers and long barriers follow. Ramp sequences require precise jumps to navigate.
- Section 3: Air barriers are introduced – do NOT jump over these! Shadows indicate air barriers. Combinations of ground and air barriers require careful timing of jumps and ground movement. Long jumps over multiple ground barriers are needed. Ignore the ramp before air barriers to avoid crashing. Double ramps enable super long jumps – aim for the intersection of the ramps.
- Section 4: Ramps, air barriers, and vertical barrier pairs return. Rat pods appear – stay in the upper left corner to avoid them. Sections with collapsing peanut floors require constant jumping to reach peanut ramps that launch you back onto solid track. Land mass jumps require long jumps to stay on solid ground.
- Section 5: Single vertical barriers appear at high speed. This section requires rapid vertical movements to dodge the barriers. Stay centered on the track and make short, quick up and down adjustments.
Stage 4: Karnath’s Revenge
Stage 4 is a perilous snake-riding stage filled with spikes. Precise jumps and snake grabs are essential for survival across four sections.
- Section 1 (No Spikes): Practice snake jumping without spike hazards. Follow the sequence of yellow and grey snakes to progress.
- Section 2 (Spikes Introduced): Spikes appear, demanding careful jumps over spike balls and precise ducking under them. Fast-moving snakes and quick jumps between snakes are required. Duck under walls while riding green snakes.
- Section 3 (Tricky Snake Sequences): Complex snake patterns and spike placements demand precise timing and small jumps. Navigate loops, fast-moving snakes, and spike gauntlets. A particularly tricky section involves ducking and immediately jumping left over four spikes – momentum is key.
- Section 4 (Ice and Sliding): Ice makes movement slippery. Slide under four spikes after jumping over a lone spike by maintaining momentum and ducking immediately after the jump. Navigate purple and white snakes, ducking and jumping as needed. A unique section involves hopping on a purple snake’s tail to reach the exit, or alternatively, sliding under spikes at the exit sign with enough momentum.
Stage 5: Tracktors
Outrun Fuzz and his buzzsaw tractor in Stage 5! This stage is a fast-paced chase with walls to duck under and holes to jump over. Memorize the layout or use the provided map.
- Directional Guide & Map: The walkthrough provides a directional guide (D, R, L, U, j, d) and a sectional map to navigate the complex track layout.
- Obstacle Awareness: React quickly to “DANGER!” signs (duck under walls) and “RAIL OUT!” signs (jump over holes). Perform actions about two seconds after passing a sign.
- Ramp Sections: Ramps automatically launch you into the air to catch wall rails.
Bonus Round: Dominoes
Another bonus round for extra lives! Collect white and blue-dotted dominoes (white/red = 1 point, blue dots = 5 points), avoid black dominoes and rats. Similar rat patterns as the Bowling Pins bonus round.
Stage 6: Final Stage
Descend the tower in the final stage, racing against Scuzz and his TNT! Beat Scuzz to the bottom of each of the three sections to detonate TNT and stop him.
- Section 1: Laser bots and fireball-shooting wall heads are initial hazards. Prioritize speed and edge-falls to stay ahead of Scuzz. Hit Scuzz to slow him down, but be careful not to knock him ahead. Diagrams in the original guide illustrate good and bad times to attack Scuzz. Moving bridges and alternating planks follow. Fall through a hole in a moving bridge to reach the bomb and defeat Scuzz for this section.
- Section 2: Laser bots and arrow-shooting wall spaces are the hazards. More moving bridges and alternating planks. Repeat the strategy of edge-falls and hitting Scuzz when necessary. Blow up Scuzz again at the bomb to proceed.
- Section 3: Laser bots, fireball shooters, and wind blowers (purple puffy faces) are present. Wind blowers attempt to push you into fireball shooters – press towards them to resist. More alternating and long planks, moving bridges, and a hidden double plank section. A hole hidden by foliage creates a trap for Scuzz to catch up – move left quickly after falling through. Long planks and alternating planks lead to the final bomb to defeat Scuzz permanently.
Boss: Dark Queen
The final showdown against the Dark Queen! She has only one attack: skull projectiles. Duck her first shot upon landing. Attack after the skull passes – all hits are Smash Hits.
- Attack Pattern: The Dark Queen teleports to five locations (two upper planks, center, left, and right of the bottom platform). When she’s on the bottom, overlap her and duck to dodge the skull. When she’s on upper planks, stand under the plank, move away from the wall as she materializes to dodge a straight-down shot, and then jump and attack.
- Two Endings: Defeating the Dark Queen triggers a missile-shooting sequence. Hitting the flying saucer three times with missiles leads to a different ending where Volkmire’s UFO crashes and is discovered, but Volkmire is missing. Failing to destroy the UFO results in an ending where Volkmire escapes but learns a lesson.
Tips, Tricks, and Secrets for Battletoads Mastery
- Extra Lives and Continues: At the title screen, hold A + B + Down and press Start. If the Battletoad flag flashes red, you’ve activated 5 lives and 5 continues.
Credits
This guide is based on community knowledge and contributions, with special thanks to:
- God: For inspiration and capability.
- Kerhst: For Stage 4 exit correction.
- Guesty the man the myth the legend and ultimate sex god: For Smash Hit information.
- Sampsonite: For the second ending discovery.
- liddoxtc: For extra life trick in Stage 2 and Rat Pod strategy in Stage 3.
Now armed with this comprehensive guide, you’re ready to tackle Battletoads in Battlemaniacs and rescue Zitz! Good luck, and have fun battling!
