An underdog, to be sure, but Toad Man has style and heart... despite his distaste for Snake Man. With an interesting stage fraught with water and giant snails, Toad Man remains my favourite “start with me” level Mega Man Robot Master. Not that you necessarily have to - it just starts a weapon chain going pretty quickly. The rain flush isn’t exactly useless if the enemies on screen are vulnerable, either, making it a nifty ability to pick up early in Mega Man 4 for situational use. So Toad Man is a jumpy toad boss, with a stylish stage and a stylish pose? He’s great, to be sure, and ever loveable. But he would have scored higher if he had a little more motivation. As cool as he is, his attacks don’t come with any threatening frequency.

9# Mother of Prime Frog - EVO -  The Search of Eden (SNES)

EVO, if anything, teaches us about the struggle for survival. We must make sacrifices so that we may later reap the benefits. In the Age of Reptiles, you have the chance to grow beyond the capabilities of the amphibious form you left behind. The Prime Frog are still attempting to thrive, however. As you aggress the frogs you will incur the wrath of the mighty Mother of Prime Frog. Now, if you’ve got a fair history with frog-type bosses you will know that a high-jumping, froglet spawning Frog can be a formidable foe. Mother of Prime Frog encapsulates this. The Prime Frogs she spawns will swarm you while she makes huge leaps in an attempt to squash you. She is a gorgeous boss wrapped up in the desperate need to survive. You’re already thinking about becoming a mammal or bird. She wants to preserve her own kind.

8# Slippy Toad - Star Fox (SNES)

Slippy isn’t the strongest member of Star Fox team as far as piloting is concerned, but he is certainly an invaluable member of the team. How would tackle the depths if he hadn’t co-developed the Blue Marine (SF64) with his father? As an inventor then Slippy is gifted, and as a friend he is true. Slippy does have a personality that is conductive of situational conflict. In that sense he’s a classical character, bringing a situational catalyst to the series. And he is a true friend, so when he has a bogie on his tail how about lending him a hand

7# Master Prince Fleashallow - PaRappa the Rapper (PS)

 In the rain or in the snow, he’s got the funky flow.When you’re in dire straits and in need of quick cash, a fresh soul like Prince Fleaswallow can teach you the ways of the Flea Market. He’s a soulful frog, and represents the musical side of frogs in games. Frogs after all often have musical positions in games, such as back up for Mojo King Bee in Gitaroo Man. But Fleaswallow is the freshest of the funkiest, who offers help and advice to the doting young Parappa. “All you need is to be nice and friendly” - which, in our Master Prince’s venue really is an effective way to work the market. What really gets me about this particular act of Parappa is the flow. Just as Fleaswallow says, just because the rhythm is slow that doesn’t mean you can’t flow. His voice truly emphasizes this and the song excels

6# Wart - Super Mario Bros. 2 (SNES)

Wart is a stately king, cloaking his blotted mass in regal robes. Wart has taken control of Subcon (In the Super Mario Brothers 2 telling) and so you set off to free the land from him. Besides maybe Clawgrip, Wart does offer the bigger challenge in the game between attacks and endurance. He is said to have a severe allergy to vegetables, which he destroys with the froth he belches. A large toad king spewing forth bubbles is not someone you want to trifle with. Perhaps Wart was vilified too soon, however, as when you meet him in the one game he cameos in he offers you help. Whatever the case, Wart is stylish and effective. Even though his track record is stunted, he is memorable enough that his character won’t lose vibrancy

5# Prince of Sable - Kaeru No Tame Ni Kane Wa Naru (GB)

Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru (For the Frog the Bell Tolls) is an interesting game that didn’t make it outside of Japan. If you look into it, you will quickly find that Link’s Awakening borrowed from its mechanics. However, they are still very different games and the main character goes about his adventuring in a different manner. Exploration is often limited in this title by height, or water, or strong insects, etc. The special ability of the Prince to take on the form of a frog when he hits water (eventually) is the key to moving effectively. As a frog, he can move underwater, bypass certain enemies, instantly kill (and eat for health) arthropod (insects, chilopods…) and mollusk (snails…) monsters, and jump twice as high as the Prince. However, the Frog attracts Snakes which will make short work of him. The Prince can also transform into a Snake to squeeze places the Frog and Prince cannot. While neither animal form can fight particularly well, the Prince can with the proper upgrades. This nature of forms adds a nice variety to the puzzles, though there is definitely an emphasis on the frog. A truly sterling example of the “frog prince.”

4# Fred - Blaster Master (NES)

Fred is the catalyst for the entire game of Blaster Master. There is a deep threat in the underground, yes, but if not for Fred, Jason may have never found SOPHIA and have discovered the means to thwart the Underbosses. I mean, think about this - your best froggy pal mutates and jumps down a hole. It takes a truly loyal friend to jump in after him and fight through hordes of monsters. You see, a game can have a seemingly silly plot and still be extraordinary - such is the case of Blaster Master. And Fred will prove a vicious opponent, testing the very fabric of Jason’s friendship. Barring any glitches or foreknowledge of the patterns - the giant frog bosses in Blaster Master can be intense. The super fast jumping and variety of actions will keep you on your toes. But you will always wonder - what happens to poor old Fred? That’s for the ending to know and you to find out! Heh, sorry, I couldn’t resist

3# Rash, Pimple, and Zitz - Battletoads (NES)

Rash, Pimple, and Zitz. Not so much a dermatologist’s morning schedule as a crew of total ass kickers – the Battletoads. The Battletoads can be described as somewhat of a product of their time. Anthropomorphic frogs with attitude, but they do bring a certain freshness to the field that is absent in other contenders. The “cartoonish” qualities of the games - such as the morphing fists and such, and the intro to the first boss battle, among others, give the Toads enough of an edge as to keep them interesting. Besides this, the Battletoads have something else that grants notoriety - challenge. This is legitimate challenge, not like say… Active Enterprise’s Cheetahmen’s sketchy control. To be able to face the many varied trials and tribulations of Battletoads and come out on top really makes you respect the capabilities of these Toads. While the characters have dark and comedic values, they are also among the greatest representation of skill in the amphibious video game arena

2# Frog - Chrono Trigger (SNES)

It is going to be difficult to talk about Frog without referring to specific spoilers in the game. But among toad/frog characters, and even within this game, Frog stands tall. Frog is a character with a tortured personality that remains interesting beyond the initial hook. It’s not enough to have a driven past, you also need some degree of development. As development of Frog’s quest and character is part of the game, it’s something the player often gets to experience first hand as compared to a narrative. Perhaps this is an enhancer. Regardless, Frog’s story is easily one of the most heartfelt in Chrono Trigger. As far as combat potential, Frog is versatile and excels in physical combat. And as far as theme songs are concerned, Frog’s is pretty happening. I’m sorry if this description has been vague, but you’ll enjoy the character so much more if you don’t know all of the particulars before playing the game

1# Frogger - Frogger (ARC)

Could this one have been any more obvious? Heh. But Frogger as a game and as a frog is deserving of this position. In a sense of being a ‘pure’ game, Frogger certainly applies. This is a game that has a simple task with a definite goal, but the approach is going to vary wildly depending on the player. Frogger has been enjoyed by many people from many different angles. Some will play by instinct, others will try to analyze. But regardless, Frogger is addictive. It’s the simple matter that you can pick the game up, play it. Every time you do, you know you can push harder than before, you want your score to tally high above your previous heights. That’s the true allure of games like this - the raw ability to challenge yourself beyond want you’ve previously attained. In that way, Frogger has been enjoyed again. And again. And again. Frogger’s life is ever an eternal struggle. Cross the road, make it home. But the road is unnatural, Frogger must face the unknown… the artificial… the cruel asphalt of progress. And when he reaches his pond, Mother Nature proves to be a cruel mistress with her deadly currents and ravenous predators. Life, it’s a game of survival. Against all odds one has to push on through towards one’s goal and seize the opportunity. That is what Frogger is. The eternal struggle. And when one struggles to surpass a high score, Frogger struggles home. Frogger reflects our own trials, and that is why he excels

List By: EntropicLobo

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