The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have a history in video games dating back decades since the 90s. A true pop culture phenomenon from the 80s and 90s, it was no surprise that countless video games were created based on the turtles. Out of all the TMNT games made so far, here are the 10 best ones you should play whether you’re a fan of the original cartoon, beat em ups, or retro games in general.
TMNT Arcade
When the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles video game first hit the arcades, beat ’em ups took a whole new level. Children and teenagers happily gathered around this machine wherever it was found. Being able to play with a total of four friends at once made this the ultimate co-op experience. It also became one of the best ways to collect quarters from players.
The story perfectly brings together all the elements of the Ninja Turtle franchise in one fast-paced, action-packed adventure. The cartoon graphics and cutscenes make the players feel like they are the Ninja Turtles taking part in a TMNT episode. And there are plenty of martial arts ninjas who fight with multiple foot soldiers. All these elements together make for a shocking time.
TMNT NES
The first Ninja Turtle video game to hit home consoles was on the NES and this adventure platformer is known for its difficulty. In this iteration, each of the turtles has their own unique strengths based on their trademark weapons.
As you progress through different areas of the map, you can choose the best turtle to help you complete the level. Some levels are linked to a specific turtle, but in general you have the freedom to switch turtles. This game is great for anyone looking for a retro challenge.
TMNT 2: The Arcade Game
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 The Arcade Game is the sequel to the first NES game but was not made as a direct successor. Instead, the arcade game ported over as best it could and didn’t disappoint. Not only does it capture the same fun as the arcade version, but it also adds its own charm.
Due to the NES’s limited power, key features had to be omitted, resulting in the lack of four-player simultaneous action, watered-down graphics, and the removal of the voice clips. But even after all these drawbacks, original additions helped make up for the port.
Two brand new exclusive levels have been added with new enemies and two new bosses: Shogun in the Shogun’s Hideout stage and Tora in the Snowy Central Park stage. The gameplay lacked the full array of arcade combos, but once you mastered your key moves, you could focus on beating the game with consistent skills. This game is highly recommended to be played with a best friend, or taking turns with a group of 4 won’t hurt either.
TMNT 3: The Manhattan Project
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3 completes the trilogy of beat-em-ups on the NES, capitalizing on the simple yet fun formula of its predecessors. Not many people remember this game because it came out at the end of the NES lifecycle when the SNES got off the ground. The main contribution of this game to the series was adding more of everything: enemies, levels, bosses and moves.
Each of the turtles was given unique special moves that further set them apart. Leonardo has a tornado spinning attack, Raphael has a head-first flying drill attack, Donatello has a flipping Bo bash, and Michelangelo has a high-flying backward jump kick. A universal throw was added, by pressing the d-pad and the attack button at the same time, which would throw an enemy foot soldier and eliminate them in one attack. Sprite animation along with improved details and an enjoyable soundtrack helped to serve as one of the last proofs of what the NES was capable of.
TMNT: The Hyperstone Heist
The Hyperstone Heist was a Sega Genesis created exclusively in response to the Turtles in Time port for the SNES. Finally, SEGA players could enjoy the 2 player coop TMNT games with the exact same gameplay that was successful on the NES and SNES. However, the turtles could no longer throw foot soldiers at the screen. Graphically, the game kept the look of the other TMNT games, but Hyperstone Heist looked darker, both in color and style. Another notable flaw is how most of the voices were removed or sounded bland.
Even compared unfavorably to Turtles in Time, Hyperstone Heist still has a lot going for it. An added mix of new enemy and boss types increases the exclusivity of this game. This game also made history by taking on a boss fight in a dojo against Tatsu from the live-action TMNT movie. While Turtles in Time has 10 levels, Hyperstone Heist has five levels with three levels each. Hyperstone Heist still belongs in the legacy of TMNT games because it finally gave Genesis players the chance to experience the fun of TMNT games and kept the fun of the arcade games and beat-em-up ports alive.
Gameboy TMNT 2: Back From The Sewers
When the TMNT hit portable consoles, Fall of the Foot Clan proved to be a respectable game, but its sequel, Back From The Sewers, has made the handheld series shine. The graphics have been drastically improved, making the turtles look like black and white versions of their colorful cartoon counterparts. Now players were treated to side-scrolling action with varied stages with greater 3D freedom of movement.
Although it is only a single player game, you have the option to switch between each stage to any turtle you want to play, and if you get knocked out, that turtle will be captured and you have to choose a new turtle to complete the stage. complete . If all four turtles are captured, you lose the game and have to start over, but when you complete a stage, you can play a mini-game to rescue the trapped turtle and bring it back into your team. This game is a great way to experience retro monochrome handheld action with your favorite ninja turtles.
Gameboy TMNT 3: Radical Rescue
Radical Rescue is proof that the TMNT franchise had enough success on the Game Boy to release a third sequel. This time the gameplay shifted to a more explorative Metroidvania style rather than a linear progression by level, where you have the freedom to make your way and explore the big map.
When starting the game, players will be surprised to find that for the first time (and possibly the only time ever) Michelangelo is the only character you can play. At Shredder’s request to save your brothers, you must go to the abandoned mine on the outskirts of town. The presentation was innovative and you had to play the prologue with Mikey in the traditional side-scrolling style. Once you reach the abandoned mine, the game expands into a pseudo-open world. You will have to find and rescue Leonardo, Donatello and Raphael to unlock them for gameplay as you complete the story.
Having all four brothers is paramount, as you will need to switch between them and use their special abilities to progress further in the game. Collaboration is key as you figure out when you can use Raph’s ability to hide in his shell to move through tight spaces, Donnie climb walls, drill Leo through certain objects, and Mikey flies through his nunchakus for a limited time to run. Bosses proved to be quite a challenge and as soon as one of the turtles got knocked out, the game was over. This formula was a success and deserves praise as a fresh and unique addition to the TMNT video game legacy.
TMNT Tournament Fighters SNES
TMNT Tournament Fighters allowed you to perform detailed and technical battles between the ninja turtles and their enemies in a different genre: fighting games. The NES had a respectable version, but the SNES was able to fully realize the mechanics needed to capture the essence of 2D fighting games that exploded in the 90s with games like Street Fighter 2 and Mortal Kombat. With the additional hardware power of the SNES, great voices and sound effects were added, along with a dramatically improved sprite graphical style.
The cast of Tournament Fighters was diverse and each of the characters featured unique and themed special moves along with fun character bios. In addition to the Ninja Turtles, fans were treated to playable characters such as Cyber Shredder, Armaggon the shark, Wingnut, Rat King, Chrome Dome, Aska the human female ninja, and an alien named War. Complete with funky music and engaging battle stages, this game is perfect for experiencing head-to-head battles with the ninja turtle crew.
TMNT: Turtles in Time
Turtles in Time was Konami’s crowning achievement for both the TMNT franchise and the beat-em-up genre. Originally, it was the highly anticipated sequel to the first arcade game, later ported to the SNES. And it seemed more identical to its arcade counterpart than ever before. For the harbor there were still some things to be removed, but more bosses were added.
Turtles in Time brought together some of the best cartoon graphics of the era, memorable voices and quotes, and fun levels that made this one of the best couch coop games on the SNES. As you progressed through the game, you were guided through different historical periods, thanks to Shredder sending the turtles through a time warp. The game had a variety of moves for the turtles to perform and more enemies to face than ever. Playing and enjoying this retro game proves that it has stood the test of time.
TMNT Shredder’s Revenge
The entire legacy of TMNT beat-em-ups culminates in this masterpiece. Shredder’s Revenge takes all the fun of all previous TMNT games, adds the best graphics and sound and finally has 4 player coop. This game looks absolutely fantastic and thankfully captures the spirit of the original cartoon rather than the newer remakes. The modern music also brings back the nostalgia of the 80’s and 90’s in a fresh new way. And with the addition of Casey Jones and more villains than before, it’s sure to become an enduring classic.
Above all, the plots revolved around the Ninja Turtles who had to save April from the clutches of Shredder and save the world from Krang. But hey, that’s just part of being a Ninja Turtle’s territory. The most important of all these games is the opportunity to play as your favorite turtles and have amazing adventures with your family and friends.
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