Zitz (Battletoads)
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Zitz is a character from the Battletoads Series by Rare. He was once a bespectacled human computer technician named Morgan Ziegler before he was transformed into a Battletoad. Zitz is the ringleader of the 'Toads. He is a tactical genius and an economical fighter, preferring fighting methods that allow him to conserve his strength.
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[edit] Appearance
Zitz's skin has changed in appearance several times over the course of the series. He began with a medium shade of green, just like the other two 'Toads, and appears that way on the original box art. In the first game itself his skin was actually tan. His skin was later changed to a lighter green with hints of yellow (he appeared to be a tannish-green in Battletoads in Battlemaniacs). However, he was finally presented with a cool bluish-green color for his skin, which is now considered his official skin color. He appears with his current color in Battletoads & Double Dragon and Super Battletoads.
Zitz is the medium-sized 'Toad and is always seen wearing black gauntlets (Super Battletoads revealed his gauntlets to contain video communication hardware), spiked black kneepads and a black belt with the 'Toads' insignia on the buckle. According to his Super Battletoads profile he stands at a height of six feet and eight inches.
[edit] Attacks/Weapons
As the thinking fighter, Zitz utilizes attacks that produce maximum damage with minimum effort. Like the other two 'Toads, Zitz is able to use "Smash Hit" attacks wherein a part of his body (such as his arm) transforms into a weapon. Zitz uses Smash Hit attacks that are largely mechanical in nature, such as changing his fist into a drill or his leg into a chainsaw. His signature attack is the "Battledozer" attack in which he races forward with his arms held in front of him, his hands growing in size and forming the entire front of a bulldozer as he connects with foes. While Pimple mainly uses his fists in battle and Rash mainly uses his feet, Zitz demonstrates no such preference, using his fists and feet about equally.
[edit] Game History
Zitz has at least appeared in every Battletoads game, though not always as a playable character. He was player two's character in the original Battletoads game and took on the Dark Queen's army solo in Battletoads (Game Boy). Due to a surprise ambush he was knocked unconscious and taken prisoner just prior to the beginning of Battletoads in Battlemaniacs and thus was not playable in that game. He returned to action in Battletoads & Double Dragon and Super Battletoads and is immediately selectable in both games.
[edit] Origin
Zitz was originally a human named Morgan Ziegler. Ziegler was a computer technician who worked with his two friends and roommates, Dave Shar (who would become Rash) and George Pie (who would later become Pimple). The trio tested the original Battletoads game by playing the game as the 'Toads in a sort of vitrual reality simulation. Ziegler and his friends became suspicious of both their boss and chief game programmer Silas Volkmire and decided to investigate the office at night. Upon finding the video game unit turned on, they decided to test the machine to see if it had been tampered with. Not until it was too late did they realize this was a trap and they were transported to another planet, permanently transformed into the 'Toads en route. The Dark Queen attempted to persuade the 'Toads to work for her, but the 'Toads refused and fought their way to freedom with the assistance of Professor T. Bird, who became the 'Toads' friend and mentor. Zitz and the others then decided never to rest until the Dark Queen was defeated once and for all.
[edit] Position in the Battletoads' Team
Zitz is the leader of the 'Toads and makes their combat decisions. He acts on any advice given to him by Professor T. Bird and uses his own tactical prowess to determine how he and the 'Toads will fight.
[edit] Game Appearances
[edit] Battletoads (NES/Genesis/GG/GB)
Zitz was the player two character in this game in the NES and Genesis versions. It was possible to play as Zitz without another player present to play as Rash. Zitz's lives and health bar were always displayed on the top right side of the screen. However, the Game Gear and Game Boy (known as Battletoads in Ragnarok's World) versions were one player only and just featured Rash as a playable character.
[edit] Battletoads (GB)
Zitz was the only playable 'Toad in this game as Rash and Pimple had both been kidnapped.
[edit] Battletoads in Battlemaniacs (SNES/SMS)
Zitz only appears in cutscenes in this game; he is not playable due to being knocked unconscious and kidnapped just prior to the game's opening stage.
[edit] Battletoads and Double Dragon (NES/Genesis/SNES/GB)
Zitz is one of five characters who can be selected by either player in this game. His skin color allows players to tell him apart from the other two 'Toads.
[edit] Super Battletoads (Arcade)
Zitz is immediately available in this game. In the three-player arcade cabinet Zitz is assigned the middle set of controls (and the corresponding coin slot) while in the two-player arcade cabinet he can be selected by either player.
[edit] Quotes
Zitz doesn't have many in-game quotes, though it can be generally assumed that he does the talking for the 'Toads whenever they appear onscreen together.
[edit] Battletoads and Double Dragon
Main Dossier: "I'm the smartest thing on webbed feet. I can think as well as fight!"
[edit] Future Appearances?
As the leader of the 'Toads, there is little question that Zitz will return if a new game is ever made. Whether or not he will be playable is another story.
[edit] References
All information comes from events witnessed in the Battletoads games and from the Battletoads manuals.
