Battletoads Beta Footage Reveals 34-Year-Old Mystery Behind NES Screenshot

For decades, retro gaming enthusiasts have pondered one of the most persistent mysteries surrounding the 1991 NES release of Battletoads.

Developed by Rare and published by Tradewest, the action-platformer quickly became a cult classic, notorious for its punishing difficulty and unique levels.

However, one element continued to intrigue fans for over thirty years: the enigmatic screenshot featured on the bottom-right corner of the original NES Battletoads box.

While the image appears to depict the iconic stage 7, Volkmire's Inferno—known in the final game for its high-speed, plane-based sections—the screenshot curiously shows the Battletoads riding bikes instead.

This discrepancy left players questioning the origins of the image and whether it hinted at cut content or an unused version of the level. The mystery has finally been resolved thanks to the efforts of Jordi Gutiérrez Hermoso, who recently brought renewed attention to archival footage discovered by Chris Bieniek.

Bieniek, former editor in chief of Tips & Tricks Magazine, had shared a rare video on his VideoGameEphemera YouTube channel.

The footage, sourced from a VHS tape sent to him by Tradewest in 1991 for review purposes, showcases gameplay from a beta version of Battletoads. "Fans are invited to spot the differences between this beta build and the commercial release," Bieniek noted in his video's description.

He explains that the tape was provided during his review process for VideoGames & Computer Entertainment magazine, shedding light on early development stages rarely seen by the public. Upon review, the video in question confirms that stage 7 in the prototype build of Battletoads starts immediately with a vehicle section.

This early iteration notably places the Battletoads on bikes facing hazardous walls of fire.

In the final retail release for the NES, this portion was overhauled, with players piloting planes instead of bikes, and several layout changes introduced. Launched on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1991, Battletoads expanded to platforms such as the Sega Mega Drive, Game Gear, and Amiga, and later spawned titles for the Game Boy, SNES, and Xbox systems.

An arcade version arrived in 1994.

Rare, the developer, went on to cement its legacy with a string of successful titles, leaving an indelible mark on gaming history. This latest discovery is a testament to the vibrant preservation community and highlights the ongoing efforts to document video game development history.

Thanks to archival diligence, fans can finally put to rest one of the NES era’s most enduring questions—and appreciate the iterative process that shapes the games we remember today.

NES Xbox Series X|S Battletoads Nintendo NES Rare Tradewest Chris Bieniek VideoGameEphemera Tips & Tricks Magazine VideoGames & Computer Entertainment Microsoft Jordi Gutiérrez Hermoso