The release of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge game by Dotemu and Tribute Games in 2022 was a significant event for fans of the franchise. It brought a wave of excitement and nostalgia for the heroes in a half-shell that had not been felt in a long time. The game fired up passion among fans and set the stage for the success of other Turtles-related games.
Ubisoft’s TMNT: Arcade Attack, released in 2009, was a 3D beat ’em up game that took inspiration from the 2003 animated series and the original comics. The game featured monochrome cutscenes animated in a janky Flash style, which some players may find charming. However, critics were not impressed with the game, and it turned out to be the last Turtles game developed by Ubisoft.
Based on the 2007 TMNT movie, this Ubisoft-made game incorporated elements from the Prince of Persia series with acrobatic rooftop platforming. Players had the option to play as any of the four turtles, although the PSP and DS versions of the game were noticeably downgraded compared to other platforms. Despite its potential, the game failed to leave a lasting impact.
TMNT: Mutant Melee, released in 2005, offered players a Turtley take on the Smash Bros. formula with various playable characters and gameplay modes. Inspired by the 2003 TV reboot, the game allowed players to engage in battles and challenges against each other. While the game tried to capture the essence of the franchise, it fell short of achieving the same level of success as other TMNT titles.
The 2014 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game, based on the movie of the same name, provided players with the opportunity to control each turtle with unique abilities. The game maintained the classic TMNT-style gameplay with character upgrades and multiple gameplay modes. Although the game respected the source material, its gameplay was often criticized for being shallow and repetitive.
Battle Nexus, a stealth-focused action-platformer released in 2005, featured storylines from season two of the 2003 animated TV series. The game offered both solo and four-player local co-op modes for players to enjoy. While the game diverged from its console counterparts on the Game Boy Advance, it showcased the talents of voice actors such as Sam Riegel and Michael Sinterniklaas.
Wrath of the Mutants, an upcoming roguelike game, aims to continue the legacy of TMNT games on Nintendo consoles. With the success of recent Turtles games and the anticipation surrounding Mutants Unleashed, fans of the franchise have a lot to look forward to. The continuous evolution of TMNT games reflects the enduring popularity of the beloved characters and their adventures.
Overall, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise has seen its fair share of ups and downs in the world of gaming. While some titles have captured the essence of the beloved characters and provided an enjoyable gaming experience, others have fallen short of expectations. As new games continue to be developed and released, fans can only hope that the future of TMNT games will be as exciting and engaging as the adventures of Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael themselves.
Leave a Reply