Microsoft Files New Battletoads Trademark

Microsoft has filed a new trademark application for Battletoads, suggesting--but absolutely not confirming--that the Xbox company may be planning to revive the series in some fashion.

The trademark application, spotted by NeoGAF, was filed with the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) on November 5. It covers "game software" and "online video games."

The Battletoads series was created by British developer Rare, and was originally released for the NES in 1991. Microsoft acquired Rare in 2002, and the Battletoads series has been dormant for years.

Could the trademark application mean Microsoft is looking to bring Battletoads back to modern consoles? Maybe, but Microsoft has not announced any plans to date. Filing a trademark application doesn't guarantee a future game release, as Microsoft could just be protecting the name, should it want to make a new game some day.

A Microsoft representative told GameSpot, "Microsoft often acquires various trademarks as part of its ongoing business strategy, but beyond that we have no comment."

If the Battletoads series were to return, what would you like to see? Let us know in the comments below.