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These special moves are usually activated after three or four regular punches or running at a faster pace, which is done by pressing left or right on the D-pad twice in a row followed by a B-button press that triggers the Smash Hit. Throughout the game, the Toads are equipped with a regular punch as well as other "Smash Hits" that can be performed against enemies: the "Turbo Thwack", "Swingin' Size Thirteen", "Jawbuster", a punch with an enlarged knuckle named "Kiss-My-Fist", a headbutt attack named the "Battletoad Butt", "BT Bashing Ball" which is only used while hanging on the Turbo Cable in the second level where the toad character shape-shifts into a wrecking ball, the "Take Out the Trash", where an enemy is picked up and thrown overhead, a clasping of both hands to bash an enemy named "Nuclear Knuckles", "the Punt" where a 'toad repeatedly kicks an enemy after he knocks one into the ground, and a very powerful kick named the "Big Bad Boot". While the levels of Battletoads vary greatly in gameplay style, the game is generally presented as a "beat'em up", in which players progress by defeating enemies while avoiding the hazards in the environment. The player has a maximum of six hit points that can be replenished by eating flies. The game contains no saving system or password features.
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Players start with three lives each time the game is started, which get replenished every time the player continues after getting defeated. The game is a platform scrolling beat 'em up, with varying elements of racing, climbing and vehicle-based obstacle courses.
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