Battletoads was a better game in 1991 than New Battletoads is in 2020. Context matters. It's not too surprising that, in the present day, a brand new entry made with modern players in mind is more enjoyable than an almost 30 year old game. I have many issues with the NES game, but it was absolutely a successful, beloved game at the time of its release. It was one of the last big NES games before the 16-bit era took over.
The game was beloved because it was like what the Souls games are today, extremely challenging. The game was never known for being a must have title like Goldeneye for example.
It's a real shame this doesn't have online co-op, turns this from a 'would try' into a 'will wait to try' for me. Can't help but feel it's wrecked the games review scores as well. It wasn't about to be a 90 rated game admittedly but to see it fall into that high 60s low 70s region that so many XGS games has is a shame.
I just hope the reasons for lacking online aren't that it's technically impossible because of how they've designed the game.
I do agree co-op makes total sense but they do have games that review well like Forza Horizon, Ori Will of the Wisps, Flight Simulator just came out, even Gears Tactics got decent reviews. Do you talk about them and if you do there is always something about them that could be better you want to inject into the conversation? Taking any opportunity to focus on what you don't seems like an odd way to participate in game forums.