Tradewest rises from Midway Europe's ashes

Martin Spiess acquires London and Paris offices from publisher's bankruptcy, attaches name of defunct Double Dragon, Battletoads firm.

Original Double Dragon publisher Tradewest Games is back and for little more than the cost of a couple of rounds with Billy and Jimmy Lee.

Developed by Rare, Battletoads was one of Tradewest's biggest hits.

Earlier this month, Midway's European publishing and distribution head, Martin Spiess, purchased the bankrupt outfit's French and UK offices for €1 ($1.42). Today, Spiess reintroduced his acquisitions to the world as the newly formed Tradewest Games.

Originally established in 1986, Tradewest is best remembered as the publisher behind the beat-'em-up franchises Double Dragon and Battletoads, as well as the Super Off-Road series of racing games. It was acquired in 1994 by Midway parent company WMS Industries and was eventually converted into Midway Home Entertainment. Spiess recently acquired the rights to the Tradewest brand, though the cost of the purchase is unknown.

Similarly unclear is the list of Tradewest franchises--if any--the publisher now controls. Tradewest's statement announcing the move mentioned only that it would be "a European full service provider in the fields of game distribution and publishing."

32 Comments

  • Barighm

    Posted Aug 24, 2009 10:42 am PT

    @BtmnHatesRbn

    Really? Darn. I was looking forward to more beat'em up games, or brawlers if you prefer. I think now is a good time to bring them back, but if those games aren't owned by publishers who care, then...oh, well.

  • BloodMist

    Posted Aug 24, 2009 10:33 am PT

    Tradewest...NES filled days coming back...

  • TevoxZi

    Posted Aug 24, 2009 10:06 am PT

    I've only seen Battletoads been played by Angry Video Game Nerd. and I can say that it looked quite difficult. Especially in 2-player mode, as the friendly-"attack" is on.

    [Edit; That reminds me that I should re-watch that episode now.]

  • Rottenwood

    Posted Aug 24, 2009 7:37 am PT

    Man, I played Battletoads for eons as a kid. It was absurdly challenging, but I just had to beat it. When I finally did... man, did that ending SUCK. Yay, I chased away that Elvira-looking chick with the big bouffant hairdo. What a buzzkill.

    Still a great game, though. It's a shame how Rare has fallen off the top tier of developers. They went from being Nintendo's right-hand man, to making Grabbed by the Ghoulies and a bunch of nondescript portable games.

  • ThisNameIsDumb

    Posted Aug 23, 2009 3:10 pm PT

    sounds cool.

  • tmorri603

    Posted Aug 23, 2009 8:53 am PT

    I didn't know Rare owned Battletoads. I played the game but it was so hard that I could never beat it. I would like to see an update on it.

  • BtmnHatesRbn

    Posted Aug 23, 2009 7:43 am PT

    Battletoads is outright owned by Rare, ergo, Microsoft. After Tradewest became part of Midway around 1993ish, Electronic Arts bought the released rights for the Battletoads. As for Double Dragon, that's wholly owned by Atlus and Million jointly, hence the release of Double Dragon Advance a few years ago on GBA. Super Off-Road isn't a series, as only one game came out but released on every fricking console at the time over a number of years. Also, the game, too, isn't owned by Tradewest.

    Tradewest does own Magic Johnson's Fastbreak, John Elroy's Football (or whatever), and games like that which they didn't just acquire the rights to.

    Seems I know more and could've written a better article about Tradewest than the author CBS told CNET to hire.

  • solidine

    Posted Aug 23, 2009 12:42 am PT

    Dun-Dun-DUHN! Daaa-Da-Da-Da-DA DA!

    ....Right, I want a another Battletoads game, though I'd probably never finish it. I don't think I ever finished any of those.

  • Narnyfied

    Posted Aug 23, 2009 12:03 am PT

    Those BattleToads games were harder than Double Dragon ever was. Be great to have em' back.

  • ndewitt2003

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 6:25 pm PT

    If Battletoads gets re-made then what will adolescent kids be able to call GameStop about.

  • VirtualTofu

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 3:08 pm PT

    BATTLETOADS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • NuKkU

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 11:48 am PT

    would love a remake or new Double Dragon great game never played battletoads thru

  • Thatsmypunk

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 8:54 am PT

    Love the Battletoads surf rock theme on the NES version. Would be great to hear it remade.

  • pszone

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 8:38 am PT

    why microsoft own it and not useing even they have to pay the rights thats playing big stupid

  • Vipa37

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 7:55 am PT

    I think microsoft owns the rights to double dragon and battletoads even though i could be wrong but i hope they bring back the battletoads arcade game and if they can just create a new game specifically for the downloadable service whichever one they choose.

  • BlueFlameBat

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 6:29 am PT

    Can this actually bring Battletoads back? I thought Rare was just sitting on the license. I'd love to play Super Battletoads online or have a whole new game provided they do it right.

  • OldStupidGeezer

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 4:47 am PT

    DOUBLE DRAGON

  • firedrakes

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 4:04 am PT

    dam what a deal

  • neutralbias

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 2:33 am PT

    3d battletoads for sure!

  • Feroz_Wolf

    Posted Aug 21, 2009 11:38 pm PT

    We need a new Battletoads. I sure miss the punishing difficulty of those old school games. Well, let me correct that--I miss everything but those damn hoverbike levels. Those things still make me cry myself to sleep at night.

  • GeigerdolylWodd

    Posted Aug 21, 2009 10:33 pm PT

    Ok so Tradewest published Battletoads but Rare developed it. So it still stands that Rare created Battletoads.

  • Roger_Smith

    Posted Aug 21, 2009 9:38 pm PT

    Now anon will REALLY be calling Gamestop for Battle Toads.

  • karnovrpg

    Posted Aug 21, 2009 9:05 pm PT

    Ah, Battletoads. Love the game, hate the guy you're playing it with.

  • zeroking420_666

    Posted Aug 21, 2009 8:48 pm PT

    omg if they can get a next gen Battletoads and Double Dragon it will be the bomb

  • TheArcade

    Posted Aug 21, 2009 8:44 pm PT

    If they re-release a Battletoads game (preferably the Arcade) over the download networks (XBLA/PSN/Wiiware) I'll cry. They'll be tears of joy, I hearts me Battletoads and Double Dragon. They are precious childhood memories I would love to see given a rebirth.

    Please deliver Tradewest!!!! Don't sleep on these two AAA franchises!!! Do it for your loyal fans unleash the 'Toads!!!

  • GeigerdolylWodd

    Posted Aug 21, 2009 7:12 pm PT

    True th@ Hoodstock, but it was still fun wasn't it? That blasted Dark Queen, I think that was her name she was either dark or white.



    I remember the original Nintendo Power comic that somehow tied into the first BattleToads Videogame.



    I think they were originally videogamers that some how got sucked into an alternate universe where their virtual reality videogame that they were playing became real. Thus they were forced to reassume the roles they were playing in the virtual reality videogame. So named for their skin conditions, kind of neat.



    I just hope no Hollywood suits catch wind of this we really don't need another videogame movie. But we do need this on the marketplace, imagine 3 player simultaneous support over xboxlive.



    Or 2-player simultaneous support for the original one that was originally released on the 8bit Nintendo.



    I'm pretty sure that's the one Hoodstock was taking about. And yes I used Game Genie with it, but just to have fun. I mean who doesn't want to moonjump at will?



    But it was Rare not Tradewest who created the Battletoads, give credit where credit is due.

  • GeigerdolylWodd

    Posted Aug 21, 2009 7:06 pm PT

    Originally established in 1986, Tradewest is best remembered as the publisher behind the beat-'em-up franchises Double Dragon and Battletoads, as well as the Super Off-Road series of racing games.



    Owned and loved all three of those. Especially the 4 player multiplayer aspect of the first Super Off-Road. I was really big into the multiplayer aspect of videogames. I don't know why it just seemed more fun.



    So how about some BattleToads? Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't Rare the company responsible for BattleToads?



    The only time Tradewest ever got their mitts on Battletoads was when they corroborated with Rare to make the game Double Dragon BattleToads. I think that was the name of it. In it both franchises were combined for a special story.



    But Rare made the original Battletoads and the arcade port.



    Unlike most videogames back then it started as a home console game and was eventually ported to the arcade with the help of EA where it was upgraded to a better graphic but still fun 3-player simultaneous videogame. Well that and B-Rap Boys, ah those were the days



    I've always found Battletoads fun why won't they (Rare) put it on the xbox live marketplace. What does Rare have against making some more money?



    On the arcade port front What does EA have against making some more money? Why won't they help Rare port the arcade game to xbox live marketplace?

  • Ardain

    Posted Aug 21, 2009 7:03 pm PT

    DOUBLE DRAGON!!!!!!! I have all the Double Dragon Games even the ones that never came here. Double Dragon is Back Baby!

  • TzarStefan

    Posted Aug 21, 2009 6:43 pm PT

    Battletoads HD

  • robfield

    Posted Aug 21, 2009 6:16 pm PT

    This naming and purchase seems useless. If Tradewest doesn't own Battletoads they can't remake it and if the original developers are no longer there, what's the point of the name?

  • Hoodstock

    Posted Aug 21, 2009 6:05 pm PT

    Battletoads in one tough game. I never beat it, even with cheat codes.

  • finaleve

    Posted Aug 21, 2009 6:01 pm PT

    Please bring Battletoads back, and all it's difficulty!

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