The Game Player, #7  -- Vol. 5, pg. 118, May 6, 1983
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Michael Prosise kills some toads and tries to phone home with . . .

1)  ROAD TOAD
    Esoterica, Ltd.

    ROAD TOAD
    Similar to the coin-op game FROGGER, ROAD TOAD is a very colorful home version based on the familiar goal of trying to maneuver from one side of the road to the other, without getting hit by traffic.
    It is a one player game, with machine language graphics and programming.*  The player uses his joystick to prod a toad from one side of the road to the other, across 5 lanes of traffic.  If he reaches the other side, he will suddenly reappear at the bottom of the screen, to do it all again.  This goes on time after time until all 3 toads have been killed by traffic.
    THE GAME PLAYER has seen and played dozens of different cassette tape games, and ROAD TOAD is without a doubt the most colorful game to date.  The graphics are so well detailed that the cars, trucks and motorcycles seem real.  The many colors used by ESOTERICA are surprisingly brilliant.  The opening artwork is attractive and quite cute, and the toad caught the affection of all of us.  There are some fair sound effects, although the sound of traffic does not begin until the first toad is squashed.
    Opinions of the game itself were not as applauding however.  Adult players tired rapidly of this repetitive type game play, which lacked sufficient variety to hold their interest.  Younger players were more favorable towards the game, although some of them also grew bored somewhat quickly.
    It is not that ROAD TOAD is a "bad" game.  Indeed, many will find it sufficiently enjoyable, but on the other hand, many will find its type of game play rather pointless.  The opinion on this is that it would be more interesting if, like in FROGGER, you crossed each toad one at a time to the other side, where he would sit, awarding you points.  After getting all three to the other side, a new screen would appear, and you would try again.  The degree of difficulty would of course increase with each screen.
    Scoring is accomplished by successfully crossing all lanes.  One point is awarded for each crossing.  The score is unfortunately not known until the game is over, when it is then displayed at the top of the screen.  However, if there happens to be a car or truck in that position at game's end, the score will be blotted out by it.
    It is obvious that considerable time and planning went into the creation of ROAD TOAD.  But it seems that too much emphasis was placed on the visual aspect, and not enough on the gameplay.