The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles collection and discussion thread

[DigitalSpace]

In honor of the TMNT movie that opened this weekend, let's share our TMNT collections. Here's what I've got:

NES:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Tournament Fighters

I think I've only passed the water level in the first TMNT about twice in my life. It's still a pain in the ass. I have countless memories of TMNT II, as it was in my original NES collection (I even remember going to Pizza Hut to redeem the coupon for the free personal pan pizza!). I spent a LOT of time playing it with my younger brothers and cousin. I recently played it with a friend via Dreamcast emulation. Unfortunately, the game froze after the parking garage level. :( I'd like to get III someday, and while I wouldn't pass up a cheap copy of Tournament Fighters, it's not a game I absolutely have to own.

UPDATE (9/16/08): I found Tournament Fighters on the cheap last September - $1.99 at Goodwill. :) It's not bad, but it does make me wonder if anybody could have pulled off a better fighting game on the NES. I prefer to play it with friends. A few months before that, I got TMNT III for $1.99 at the same Goodwill. It's a great game, but II is still my favorite among the NES titles.

Genesis:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Hyperstone Heist

I hunted this down for the Genesis for a while - for some reason I couldn't find a copy under $10. Finally, I spotted a complete copy at a CD/Game Exchange for $5. Genesis owners got a TMNT game that may not have been superior to the SNES port of TMNT IV, but retained the fun of the TMNT games of this era. Highly recommended.

SNES:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles In Time
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Tournament Fighters

Turtles In Time is my personal favorite TMNT game of all time. If you only get one TMNT game, make it that. I couldn't get into Tournament Fighters and never got too far into it, but I thought the concept was cool.

Gamecube:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

I played a demo and decided I'd get this after a few price drops. One day, I spotted a copy on clearance at Target for $9.98. It's a decent game (and better than the other two on the last-gen systems), but I'm glad I didn't pay more than $10.

Game Boy:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fall of The Foot Clan
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Back From The Sewers

Decent but short game. The minigames weren't bad either. I'd like to get the other two games on the system.

UPDATE (9/16/08): I bought Kamino's copy of Back From The Sewers last year. It's a nice step up from Fall of the Foot Clan.

GBA:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

I got this for around $4 on clearance at Circuit City. Despite not making a return to the pure beat-em-ups of the 8 and 16-bit eras, it's a solid (yet somewhat short) game. It's worth a look on the cheap. After reading the surprisingly good reviews on the newest game, I've decided that I'd probably check it out on the cheap.

Grand Total: 11 (4 NES, 2 SNES, 2 GB, 1 Genesis, 1 Gamecube, 1 GBA)

[ecresto]

i just picked up the new TMNT for the 360 . its ok , more less a kids game . its only one player though , would of been better if it was 4 player .

[Gradius]

For the NES:

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game

For the SNES:

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time

I remember playing these about a bazillion times when I was younger. The cartoon and movies were huge when I was a kid, and I had quite a collection of the action figures and comics as well. And I'm not gonna lie, to this day, I still want a Technodrome!

p.s. how many people remember when Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles first came out as an graphic novel? It was very serious and dark and gritty, nothing like the carefree and fun cartoon that was eventually displayed.

[joshnickerson]

NES
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3

The third installment was by far the best. The first was too frustrating (damn water level) and the second was a shoddy port at best. Despite some extreme slowdown in the surfing levels, TMNT 3 was incredibly fun, with great control and unique moves.

SNES
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 4
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Tournament Fighters

TMNT4 could be better known as "The game I played all throughout junior high". I played that game like mad, and loved every minute of it, even though I could point out each and every difference between it and the arcade game. Quite possibly the best Turtles game ever.

Gameboy
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fall of the Foot Clan
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Back from the Sewers
Back from the sewers had better graphics, bigger bosses, more levels and a skateboard sequence. So why is it that I enjoy Fall of the Foot Clan more? No clue, though perhaps because it was one of the first Gameboy games I ever bought might have something to do with it.

Gamecube
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Ugh. The core idea was good, take the traditional beat-em-up style and translate it into 3-D, but in excecution it was terrible. There's a reason good players could clear Turtles in Time in under half an hour... beat-em-ups can get old QUICKLY.

GBA
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
The handheld version was better, but it was still kinda bland.

[bangtango]

NES:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game

I think I've only passed the water level in the first TMNT about twice in my life. It's still a pain in the ass.

That game doesn't get any easier. Level 3 is basically a maze of buildings. The level after that is in a sewer filled with precision jumps. If you mess up at all, your turtle falls into the water and you get sent back half the stage. As for the last two levels, which includes the Technodrome, even the "common" enemies are extremely strong. If you use anyone less than Donatello, it takes several hits to stop them and that is if they don't wipe out half of your life bar first. Even when you make it through there, Shredder is capable of "killing" your characters with one hit which doesn't even allow you to switch characters. He uses a gun which shrinks the turtles back into the size of house pets. Then again, I think it was the same way when you faced him in TMNT II but at least you had extra lives with one turtle and the next one would materialize right there on the screen.



Gameboy
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fall of the Foot Clan
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Back from the Sewers
Back from the sewers had better graphics, bigger bosses, more levels and a skateboard sequence. So why is it that I enjoy Fall of the Foot Clan more? No clue, though perhaps because it was one of the first Gameboy games I ever bought might have something to do with it.

I think it was because they kept the gameplay fairly simple. Fall of the Foot Clan was extremely easy to pick up and play. All you had to do was just move forward, jump and attack. No puzzles to solve (other than bonus games), no items to find or tasks to complete. Just good ol' fun. It was just challenging enough that the game wasn't a complete cakewalk but it was also something you could play through in less than an hour. I also liked the music. As for it being short, all of the early Gameboy games were. That includes the versions of Gradius, Castlevania and Super Mario Land. But everyone here already knew that anyway.

[Jorpho]

TMNT II: Back From The Sewers for the original GB had some of the best graphics and sound I've ever seen on the system. I suppose as a trade-off it actually had fairly simple gameplay, but on the whole it is quite splendid.

I almost ended up with TMNT III: Radical Rescue (which apparently has free-scrolling Metroid-style gameplay); instead I got Wario Blast. I'd still like to try it sometime.

[tom]

We had Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles in Europe, mainly UK and Germany. Appearently 'Ninja' was too violent for little UK and DE kids, so they were turned into Heroes (still killing things mind you)

Also for C-64, Amiga, Atari ST.

Never played the games though

[Xexyz]

I've got:

NES:

TMNT
TMNT II: The Arcade Game
TMNT III: The Manhattan Project

GB:

TMNT: Fall of the Foot Clan
TMNT II: Back From the Sewers
TMNT III: Radical Rescue

SNES: TMNT IV: Turtles in Time

GEN: TMNT Tournament Fighters

For you guys speculationg on TMNT III for the NES, get it! It is amazing, and follows the gameplay style of the arcade TMNT titles, and adds an extra move here and there. TMNT III for the GB is pretty good. It is a Metroid inspired adventure game, but some of the boss fights are stupid hard. I never beat that game because the final showdown was a huge boss rush, and by the time I got to Shredder, I was spent...

Tournament Fighters for the Genesis is utter garbage. I need to pick up the SNES copy sometime soon. I also desperately need Hypersone Heist for the Genesis. I played that one back on Sega channel, and I loved it. I never seem to come across this one in the wild.

[LiquidPolicenaut]

I have all three for the NES and TMNT IV for the SNES. All the other posts have already stated my thoughts. TMNT IV = greatness (Still play this even today), TMNT 2 and 3 also equally damn fun. It was nice to hear them squeeze out some decent voice samples on TMNT 3. I will always have a special hatred for TMNT on the NES though. Countless times I could never beat it, died in the infamous sewers, etc.



p.s. how many people remember when Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles first came out as an graphic novel? It was very serious and dark and gritty, nothing like the carefree and fun cartoon that was eventually displayed.[/I]

I do! I actually still have the comic versions of them. Damn, they sure did go through a make-over (not for the better though)!

[Arasoi]

Awesome to see so much love for the Turtles.

LOVED this stuff as a kid, and I'm still fond of it.

I've been on the hunt for a TMNT 1 Arcade cab for a while now, for now I settle for Mame and 4 USB adapted PSX controllers on the projector screen and surround sound at work (with friends, of course)

I think I prefer the arcade version of Turtles in Time. The extra animations and details really made the game more enjoyable for me, despite the SNES extras. I do remember getting this game as a kid, first game for my SNES, and being happy to even get it at home though (ah, the days of pre-emulation)

I remember the graphic novels too, the ones I got had all the blood censored white, lame.

[poloplayr]

Still remember playing the utterly frustrating TMNT 1 on the NES with my best friend in 4th grade (I think). Great times. Eating way too many popsicles and junk food and trying, trying, trying to beat that damn game.

Also, must say that TMNT: Tournament Fighters is a highly underrated game for the SNES. Great control and overall game.

[bangtango]

Awesome to see so much love for the Turtles.

LOVED this stuff as a kid, and I'm still fond of it.

I've been on the hunt for a TMNT 1 Arcade cab for a while now, for now I settle for Mame and 4 USB adapted PSX controllers on the projector screen and surround sound at work (with friends, of course)

I think I prefer the arcade version of Turtles in Time. The extra animations and details really made the game more enjoyable for me, despite the SNES extras. I do remember getting this game as a kid, first game for my SNES, and being happy to even get it at home though (ah, the days of pre-emulation)

I remember the graphic novels too, the ones I got had all the blood censored white, lame.

One of the graphic novels I vaguely remember has a scene which was later copied by the first movie. It was the scene of either Donatello or Michaelangelo working on a truck with Casey Jones and they were calling each other names starting from A through Z.

I also remember a different graphic novel where these triceratops that walk on two legs were one of the adversaries for the turtles.

Opinions on the original cartoon are mixed and probably become more negative as time passes. I guess the main thing I remember about the cartoon is that oftentimes Shredder was as big of an oaf as Bebop and Rocksteady. He was one of the more bumbling villains you'll see in a cartoon but honestly that was a trend for a lot of cartoons during that era. The Shredder certainly wasn't menacing in those episodes of the cartoon and had some corny dialogue.

From one episode while planning an attack on the Turtles during lunch:

"The future leader of the world reduced to eating takeout chinese food" or something like that.

[Arasoi]

One of the graphic novels I vaguely remember has a scene which was later copied by the first movie. It was the scene of either Donatello or Michaelangelo working on a truck with Casey Jones and they were calling each other names starting from A through Z.

I also remember a different graphic novel where these triceratops that walk on two legs were one of the adversaries for the turtles.

Haha, the Triceratons. I remember those now. I think those were aliens, not mutants oddly.

About Shredder, he is ironically killed in like, the first story arc in the comics.. I think he comes back later though.

[BocoDragon]

Haha, the Triceratons. I remember those now. I think those were aliens, not mutants oddly.

About Shredder, he is ironically killed in like, the first story arc in the comics.. I think he comes back later though.

Yeah, but it was a really big "ressurection" deal and he's all undead.

Shredder was the Turtles first and most important villain in the comics, but it was a weird comic, and it had no problem killing him off right away. The idea of Shredder as a main recurring villain is definitely thanks to the influence of the cartoon.

By the way, re: the main topic: Every game collector needs at least Konami's TMNT I-IV.... True gaming classics in their own right, aside from the fact that they feature our green heroes :)

[Gradius]

I remember the graphic novels too, the ones I got had all the blood censored white, lame.

I had a compilation that I got a while ago that had the first story arc in them, and the entire compilation was in black and white. Not sure if the comics were like that, as I've never seen them.


One of the graphic novels I vaguely remember has a scene which was later copied by the first movie. It was the scene of either Donatello or Michaelangelo working on a truck with Casey Jones and they were calling each other names starting from A through Z.

I also remember a different graphic novel where these triceratops that walk on two legs were one of the adversaries for the turtles.

Opinions on the original cartoon are mixed and probably become more negative as time passes. I guess the main thing I remember about the cartoon is that oftentimes Shredder was as big of an oaf as Bebop and Rocksteady. He was one of the more bumbling villains you'll see in a cartoon but honestly that was a trend for a lot of cartoons during that era. The Shredder certainly wasn't menacing in those episodes of the cartoon and had some corny dialogue.

From one episode while planning an attack on the Turtles during lunch:

"The future leader of the world reduced to eating takeout chinese food" or something like that.

That must be a different story arc from the one I have, as that one is centered around Shredder being the main villain. I didn't know that there was more than one story arc until it was discussed in this thread, so I might have to see if I can track those down. I agree that Shredder should have been more of a bad ass as he was meant to be, but seeing as to how the cartoon was kid related, I can see how they made him what they did.

Back on point: How does TMNT Tournament Fighters play? I saw one for sale the other day, but didn't pick it up as I'd heard nothing about it. Is it good or a wasted buy?

[Push Upstairs]

I think I prefer the arcade version of Turtles in Time. The extra animations and details really made the game more enjoyable for me, despite the SNES extras. I do remember getting this game as a kid, first game for my SNES, and being happy to even get it at home though (ah, the days of pre-emulation)

I'd sure like to play the arcade version of "Turtles in Time"...I've never actually seen it in any arcade I ever went to.

What are the SNES "extras"?

All the TMNT games I own are:

TMNT 2: The arcade game
Turtles in Time

But i'm seriously considering getting the new TMNT game for GBA, it sounds might nice.

I also have two Turtle figures: "old" style Don and the "new" cartoon style Don. Probably need to add a new movie style Don to that mini collection.

[Arasoi]

The SNES Turtles in Time had a few extra levels, and bosses.

(experts, correct me if I'm wrong here, or fill in the blanks)

Technodrome Level

Rat King boss in Sewer Surfin' (in the arcade, Shredder just appeared in this level and dumped you in the time warp, IE no technodrome level)

Slash instead of Cement Man boss in Prehistoric Turtlesaurus

Bebop and Rocksteady instead of Tokka and Razar on Skull and Crossbones

Super Shredder boss, Shredder in the Machine boss, Toka and Razar bosses moved to Technodrome stage

Level 7 is changed from side scrolling to another type of viewpoint in SNES

The arcade has more fluid animation (more frames, etc, more differentiation between the turtles) and the scaling when you throw foot soldiers at the screen is superior to that mode 7 scaling the SNES did to accomplish it. The arcade also had a few added voice samples, and whatnot. If they had done the SNES game on a bigger cartridge, it could have most of this too and be the better version in all aspects, but oh well.

I also believe there was a different move in either the SNES or Arcade version that the other didnt have.. and that Raphael had a slightly different special move than the other turtles.

[BocoDragon]

IMO everything is better in the SNES version... it's just missing a lot of animation compared to arcade.

[bangtango]

That must be a different story arc from the one I have, as that one is centered around Shredder being the main villain. I didn't know that there was more than one story arc until it was discussed in this thread, so I might have to see if I can track those down. I agree that Shredder should have been more of a bad ass as he was meant to be, but seeing as to how the cartoon was kid related, I can see how they made him what they did.

Back on point: How does TMNT Tournament Fighters play? I saw one for sale the other day, but didn't pick it up as I'd heard nothing about it. Is it good or a wasted buy?

What version of Tournament Fighters? There were three and they each have different characters and slightly different storylines. Most people think the Super NES one is "good" and the best of the three that were released (SNES, Genesis and NES). So it'd be a safe purchase.

The NES one plays like an early Gameboy or Game Gear fighting game, with only two buttons to choose from and 8-bit graphics.

There is nothing wrong with Tournament Fighters on the Genesis, perse. Most people here say it is horrible. The thing is that they pad the number of characters by using palette swaps to create "evil clones" of the Turtles and other characters. When I played it, I remember it only used 3-buttons even though the Genesis 6-button controller had been released by then. That and there are no real combos which you can do. Still, it is a little darker than the other two versions which means it is more faithful to what you might see in the comics. I played it and I'd probably buy it if I saw it. In the grand scheme of things, though, it was just another Turtles game for the Genesis that failed to measure up to the Super NES version.

Oh, as for the story arc thing that you quoted from my earlier post.......

The graphic novels I had would have originated in the late 80's or early 90's. A parent bought them for me a long time ago but I no longer have them. It was a series of at least 4 books and I had all 4, or at least the first 4 (if there were additional ones released). From what I remember, Shredder was in those so I don't think it was a different story arc. It just happened that one of the stories centered on the turtles fighting these dinosaur like creatures from outer space and that is the one I remember the best. Partially because it was one of the more violent "stories."

I don't know the origins of those books I had but some other people here seem to have owned them, too. I tend to think they are just a compilation of stories that appeared in the comics or some place else and were all gathered into a collection/series. Maybe I'm wrong here but I don't think those were all-new material. Somebody else who still owns them or knows the Turtles franchise may want to clear it up, though. I'm 27 and haven't read those for around 15 years, give or take. So my memory is foggy at best about those and they are too high priced on Ebay for me to ever own again.

[Bronty-2]

there were a few different graphic novels, but yeah what you probably had was reprints, most likely. Started as a regular size comic (well sort of; magazine sized). The first issue is a prized item and tough to find in really nice shape - has sold for thousands in nice condition. I used to have a couple copies but ended up selling them, although for a profit at least.

All TMNT collectors should be interested to know the original art for the first comic book (which is the where the turtles were originally created) just sold for a quarter mil:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=008&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=180097047814&rd=1&rd=1

You might ask, was it a legit auction since its a zero feedback seller? It was - Eastman's representative confirmed it. The purchaser is quite literally the son of a billionaire..

[Push Upstairs]

One of the creators had a scanned (readable) copy of the first Ninja Turtles comic online, thats how I found out how badass the turtles really were.

Not even to page two and they are chopping hands and stuff off of Foot Clan members (actual humans, not robots).

[BocoDragon]

One of the creators had a scanned (readable) copy of the first Ninja Turtles comic online, thats how I found out how badass the turtles really were.

Not even to page two and they are chopping hands and stuff off of Foot Clan members (actual humans, not robots).

Yeah... it's amazing how being made into a kid-friendly cartoon so soon can change people's perception. I was talking to a younger kid who assumed that the TMNT concept was like your average "saturday morning breakfast cereal-pimping cartoon", which was slightly true... but TMNT was actually a violent and insane indie comic first!

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"... it's so old now and so engrained into the public consiousness that it sounds like the original action-figure marketing machine... .but it started as a psychotic parody of superheroes!

[cyberfluxor]

I never really tried to collect the Turtles games but they are apart of my favorite beat'em up series. I miss the old cartoon.

NES:
TMNT
TMNT: The Arcade Game
TMNT: The Manhatten Project

SNES:
TMNT IV: Turtles in Time
TMNT: Tournament Fighters

DS:
TMNT 3: Mutant Nightmare

Gen:
TMNT Tournament Fighters
TMNT: The Hyperstone Heist

[pragmatic insanester]

damnit. i read the title and assumed there was a "collection" (ie compilation) disc coming out with most of the Turtles games on it.

anyhow. i have TMNT 2 & 3 for the NES, Turtles in Time for the SNES, Hyperstone Heist for the Genesis, and Battle Nexus for the Xbox (which includes that crappy version of the original arcade game).

[Bronty-2]

One of the creators had a scanned (readable) copy of the first Ninja Turtles comic online, thats how I found out how badass the turtles really were.

Not even to page two and they are chopping hands and stuff off of Foot Clan members (actual humans, not robots).

The early comics were great reads. I never did like the kid friendly version of the turtles that came later in the 80s/early 90s, especially as I had read some of the early comics when they came out. They went from badasses in the comic to pizza sluts in the cartoons... WTF?? I like it now though that its more balanced and less campy.

If any of you read comics take a look at that first issue with Miller's Daredevil run in mind. Some of the battles with the foot clan are direct homages to the Miller ninja battles in Daredevil. Hence the dedication to Miller (and Kirby) on the inside front cover.

[Kitsune Sniper]

... so am I the only one here that hates TMNT 2?

I mean, yes, it's a fun game, but it's completely broken if you compare it to its original arcade version. You could keep hitting foot soldiers several times without moving, but in the NES version, they bounce back.

I dunno, I think 3 is awesome, but 2... just plain isn't worth the hype.

[BocoDragon]

... so am I the only one here that hates TMNT 2?

I mean, yes, it's a fun game, but it's completely broken if you compare it to its original arcade version. You could keep hitting foot soldiers several times without moving, but in the NES version, they bounce back.

I dunno, I think 3 is awesome, but 2... just plain isn't worth the hype.

Oh yeah... the NES version is not great. I would recommend MAME or the XBLA version. Nonetheless, it had its time and place, you know?

[Arasoi]

Ahh, TMNT2 NES.

At the time (pre-emulation, again) the NES port was a dream come true. And for what it was and the hardware it ran on, it did the job well enough. The extra levels didnt fit too well.. but they helped ease the pain of the lower graphics/sound/etc.

Given my choice, Id take the arcade anytime. But for the time it was a good port.

[y-bot]

I've got a JAMMA board of the original arcade game. I haven't had a chance to play it much though.

y-bot

[Kitsune Sniper]

Ahh, TMNT2 NES.

At the time (pre-emulation, again) the NES port was a dream come true. And for what it was and the hardware it ran on, it did the job well enough. The extra levels didnt fit too well.. but they helped ease the pain of the lower graphics/sound/etc.

Given my choice, Id take the arcade anytime. But for the time it was a good port.

Oh, it looks and sounds perfectly, no doubt about that. It's the game engine, and the way enemies can sometimes -ignore your attacks- that sucks.

[Scissors]

I have all 4 on the NES, but none of the others. I've probably spent the most time with the second one, since by the time the third one was released, I wasn't into TMNT as much.
I never could get through the first one. The water stage didn't really bother me that much. I always had a lot of trouble with stage 3 though. I think I only got through it 3 times. The furthest I ever got was the Technodrome.

How are the ports of the original arcade game and Turtles in Time in the PS2/Xbox/GC games? Would Battle Nexus be worth picking up if I only have the NES version of the arcade game? Would I be better off picking up Mutant Nightmare or the SNES version of Turtles in Time?

[Arasoi]

Would I be better off picking up Mutant Nightmare or the SNES version of Turtles in Time?

This is a good question.. I haven't been able to find any info on what version of Turtles in Time is unlockable on Mutant Nightmare, Arcade or SNES (or a nice combination of both? *shrug*)

[agbulls]

This is a good question.. I haven't been able to find any info on what version of Turtles in Time is unlockable on Mutant Nightmare, Arcade or SNES (or a nice combination of both? *shrug*)

I remember hearing this was the arcade version. However, the sounds have been changed just like with the TMNT arcade port on the second TMNT. Confused? I am. :)

[Push Upstairs]

How are the ports of the original arcade game and Turtles in Time in the PS2/Xbox/GC games? Would Battle Nexus be worth picking up if I only have the NES version of the arcade game? Would I be better off picking up Mutant Nightmare or the SNES version of Turtles in Time?

I have Battle Nexus and it is a really annoying and not very fun game.

But it does include the original Turtles Arcade game.

However, the music and voices have been changed (probably due to not having rights to the cartoon anymore).

I'd recommend either getting arcade boards (if that is your thang) or sticking with the NES version. You'd also be better off getting "Turtles in Time" for the SNES.

[Gamereviewgod]

NES:
TMNT
TMNT II
TMNT III
Tournament Fighters

SNES:
TMNT IV
Tournament Fighters

Genesis:
Hyperstone Heist
Tournament Fighters

Game Boy:
Fall of the Foot
Back to the Sewers


Tournament Fighters on the SNES is one of the best fighters for the console. Never really got the credit it deserved. Stunning character detail for the hardware, and the gameplay is right up there with any of the Street Fighter II ports.

The Genesis version, well, not so much. The difficulty is absurd, and even getting past the first fight is a challenge.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

Well, recently I've come across a few TMNT games in the wild. So I figured I'd look for a turtles thread.

Genesis:

Hyperstone Heist- I just picked this up a few days ago, and started playing it tonight. Pretty stellar, arcade style graphics. It's very easy to pick up and play, and doesn't kick your ass right out of the gate.

NES:

TMNT- I haven't played this since I was about 14. I remember it being pretty hard and nothing like the arcade. As a kid, this was disappointing because I loved playing the arcade.

TMNT: The Arcade Game- I found this also a few weeks ago. After playing Hyperstone, I don't see myself replaying this one much. It's a bit harder, and doesn't capture the feeling the arcade games had.

Anyway, I'm patient and I hope to come across TMNT III and IV in the wild for $5 or under.

This thread has been officially resurrected!!!

[SpaceHarrier]

RESURRECTION!

I dunno, maybe it's because I got it prior to IV, but I always really loved Hyperstone Heist. Looking back, I think Turtles in Time was the superior game, but when I got HH it was like: FINALLY! A "real" arcade Turtles game at home. Enjoyed it alot. TMNT: The Arcade Game on NES was good, but I had alot of trouble beating that snow level. That was pretty much as far as I ever got. Dang snowmen -__-

[Jorpho]

Another nice thorough writeup on HG101, including info on that unlockable version of Turtles in Time (if you were still wondering):
http://www.hg101.classicgaming.gamespy.com/tmntbeatemups/tmntbeatemups.htm

And let's not forget TMNT on GBA (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=121376).

[DigitalSpace]

I updated my list in the first post, and also wrote about the NES and Game Boy games I've acquired since I originally started the thread (TMNT III and Tournament Fighters for the NES, and TMNT II: Back From The Sewers for the Game Boy).

[The 1 2 P]

At 12 years old I must have been one of the only members of DP to beat the first TMNT on the Nes. Was it hard? Hell yes, but not nearly as hard as the Nes Ninja Gaiden games. I never beat NG 1 or 3 but I have beat 2 with game genie codes. As for TMNT, the last two bosses(the Technodrome and Shedder) are fairly easy if you have the scrolls weapon equipped. But getting to them thru all their hench men can be a bitch. As for my turtle collection:

Nes
TMNT-A tough game but still a classic and one of my all-time favorites
TMNT (famicom version)-same game with Japanese text
TMNT 2 The Arcade Game- a very subpar port of the real arcade game

Genesis
The Hyperstone Heist-A great fun game that gets better when a friend joins in

It's been awhile since I purchased a new TMNT game. I've played the demo of one of the Xbox ones but I just wasn't feeling it.

[Yukio]

We had Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles in Europe, mainly UK and Germany. Appearently 'Ninja' was too violent for little UK and DE kids, so they were turned into Heroes (still killing things mind you)

Also for C-64, Amiga, Atari ST.

Never played the games though

Does the Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles count?
I got one tape for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum ... Need some work to manage to load past the initial Title screen . Since I do not have the original hardware (I never had a Spectrum machine) and some people (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6572711.stm) wrote that it is legal to simulate this system I got some tapes to play. Like Green Beret and Yie Ar Kung-Fu.

Still trying to get the coin-op game ...

Maybe I would need to take the Turtles I/II/III for NES ...

[Arcade_Ness]

Well here's my modest collection.

TMNT: The Manhatten Project-Genesis
TMNT-Gameboy(though it's probably lost somewhere in my parent's garage)
TMNT: Tournament Fighters-Genesis

I used to have TMNT for the NES, but after seeing the AVGN's review of it I had to sell it off. His review reminded me of all the time I wasted playing that game back when I was a kid, and all the fustration that followed(particularly the dam portion). At some point I need to get my hands on Turtles in Time.

[Jorpho]

and some people (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6572711.stm) wrote that it is legal to simulate this system

FYI, emulation (don't call it simulation) itself has never been illegal - only the copying and distribution of copyrighted software is illegal.

And now, back to thread.

[Yukio]

Actually Emulation is based on near perfect stuff like the Hardware emulation of MSX computers. Even if their use the erroneous Term for the MSX-Magazine CD-ROM and other medias too ... A more correct Term could be Virtual like a virtual console. It is politically correct to use the terms Virtually or Emulated consoles. Emulated consoles acts like the real stuff, sure that in the case of ZX Spectrum even the program for Personal Computer mimics the real stuff ... after all their acept "tape" or pre-recorded 'WAV' files! But not the real cartridges.

The MSX-Player could work with a "MSX Game Reader" to play some original cartridge on the IBM PC (now Lenovo PC) machines ...

[MachineGex]

I just picked up a really cool bootleg copy of TMNT II on NES. It has a real generic looking label and has a multi-cart style case(cartridge). The opening screen has only the 1 or 2 player selection, all the TMNT stuff on top of the screen is gone. Plus, the TMNT logo is missing at the top while playing. Also, the game starts with 5 lives instead of 2. I have only played it for a few minutes so I am hoping there are other differences. Pretty nice surprise when I stopped in the local game store.

[MrSparkle]

that does sound pretty cool. Where are some good locations in the tristate area to go bootleg hunting ive never run across a bootleg in the wild and id love to add some to my collection.