| “ | Well, lemme tell ya, we know a thing or two about fighting Dark Queens... And no offense, tadpole, but you look like you could use some help! How about we give you some training, Battletoads style? | ” |
— Rash, Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope | ||
The Battletoads are a group comprised of Rash, Zitz, and Pimple, the protagonists of the original Battletoads video game. They were originally exclusive to the Xbox One version of Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope, but were later added to the Windows Store version and reached other computer versions in October 2017.[1]
Story[]
Shovel of Hope[]
The Battletoads can be found in the Mysterious Area. There, the player can have a "sparring match" with each one of the Toads, emulating the gameplay of the original Battletoads video game. Upon victory, the Toads will reward Shovel Knight with 2000 gold and the exclusive Toad Gear armor.
After their match, each of the Battletoads has something to offer:
- The leader Rash will propose to Shovel Knight to strike a cool pose together with them. Five of these poses exist, two of which feature Baz as a guest, and one with Croaker and Toader. If Shovel Knight is wearing the Toad Gear, he will pose in a different manner, bringing the total of possible poses to 10.
- Zitz will propose the offer to remove or equip again the Toad Gear.
- Pimple will, for 200 gold, challenge Shovel Knight in beating the original Turbo Tunnel, with a reward of 1000 gold if succeeded.
Strategy[]
The whole level is divided in three phases, during which each Battletoad has to be defeated as an individual boss, and in different ways.
Zitz in the Wookie Hole[]
Zitz appears during the first and third part of the rappelling phase. He has two types of attacks: frontal assault by approaching and punching Shovel Knight, and wrecking ball by launching himself from a wall. The latter can be easily avoided as Zitz briefly flashes as a wrecking ball before launching himself. He can be attacked by either swinging the Shovel Blade at him (1 health point) or by using the wrecking ball attack (2 health points). The special attack can be used by sticking to a wall and using the attack key. Zitz has 10 hit points in the first part and 20 in the second. Propeller Rats, Hover Meanies, and bubbles also appear during the third part.
Pimple in the Turbo Tunnel[]
Like Zitz, Pimple appears during the first and third part of his obstacle race. He attacks Shovel knight by hitting him with his fist or bumping into him. The best way to deal with Pimple is to always move behind his hoverbike and hit him with the Shovel Blade, even when he jumps. He has only 10 hit points in his first appearance but 20 in the second, with additional obstacles.
Rash and the 'Toads[]
Rash, the last Battletoad, is a tough fighter, with 20 hit points and great mobility moves. He runs back and forth across the screen and performs high jumps, making him difficult to hit. When he stops moving, he hits forward with his fist, which then increases ridiculously in size but offers a platform to Shovel Drop on. He can also dash through and is invincible when doing so. When jumping, he can also drops vertically to bury Shovel Knight in the ground, then send him flying with a kick.
Additionally, he can call either Zitz or Pimple to help him during the battle by pointing forward. Zitz performs his wrecking ball attack which can only be avoided by staying on the ground. Pimple dashes through the screen with his hoverbike and can only be avoided by jumping over him.
The key to defeating Rash is to stay in movement and keep Shovel Dropping over his head. Relic attacks have few chances to work as Rash can dash through them.
Dialogue[]
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Trivia[]
- The Battletoads are one of 3 boss fights that take place only in Shovel of Hope. The other ones are Remnant of Fate and Kratos.
- Yacht Club Games confirmed that Battletoads is canon in the Shovel Knight lore.[2]
- Shovel Knight's encounter with the Battletoads takes place at least after the fifth installment in the series because of Zitz's belt, which only has a metallic buckle in this game.
- Rare, the original developers of Battletoads, provided input on the work of Yacht Club Games for these guest bosses.[3]
- The music which plays in this stage is taken directly from the corresponding stage from the NES version of Battletoads, except for the Rash fight which is a remix of the title theme. In addition, pausing in this stage will replace the music with said game's pause theme.
- Although not physically seen, the Battletoads' mentor Professor T. Bird can be heard having a conversation with a Rooster Gent. Notably, he is the only character with a custom portrait who is not seen physically by Shovel Knight.
Gallery[]
Key Art[]
Screenshots[]
Videos[]
See Also[]
- For more information on the Battletoads, check out the Battletoads Wiki