version, but it is only for one player. The sprites are the same size although the screen is smaller (leaving less room for movement) and the 3D effects are absent. The logo on the game cover art is one of Rare's first uses of 3D graphics. Reception Contemporaneous Nintendo Power asserted that the game has confusing depth perception, but "great action, graphics and theme make this one of the strongest titles this year", and is better than Battletoads in Battlemaniacs (1993). Its staff rated it as the second-best NES game of 1993. The NES version was nominated for Nintendo Power Awards 1993 in the categories "Graphics & Sound", "Theme & Fun", "Play Control", "Villain" (The Dark Queen), and "The Best Overall Game". Electronic Gaming Monthlys Steve Harris, reviewing the NES version, loved its "side-scrolling techniques", "nice" attack combos, and combination of game licenses, but found the graphics too average even for 8-bit technology and the controls "slightly haphazard". Another critic from GamePro disappointed with the NES game's graphics enjoyed the character animation, particularly when it came to the bosses and the playable characters' attacks; however, he also criticized the cutscenes and level designs, for replacing the "pizazz" and vibrant colors of the previous Battletoads installment with "a flat, 2D appearance and almost robotic animation". He reported problems of disappearing sprites during "hectic fighting scenes". Other reviews, such as Electronic Gaming Monthly critic Martin Alessi and Mike Weigand of Electronic Games, found the visuals amazing for an 8-bit game, citing its parallax scrolling effects. Critics from GameFan called the SNES version superior to the Genesis version for its better presentation in color, detail, effects, and sound. Alessi, Weigand, and Ed Semrad praised the two-player mode, attacks, moves, and fast-paced gameplay. Weigand praised the challenging gameplay and noted aspects of it that make it more forgiving that the previous Battletoads game, such as not having to re-do the speed bike section if the player falls off a bike. Sushi-X, however, brought up unfair elements to the difficulty, such as "enormously cheap kills in many areas, like being knocked into pits and unblock-able attacks". Mega Fun, reviewing the Game Boy version, stated that it benefitted from diversity when it came to playable characters, enemies, and backgrounds but lacked the "unusual" elements of other Battletoads games. Reviews of the Game Boy version frequently critiqued the graphics and music; Mega Fan criticized the small sprites