I got this game last winter when wal-mart put it on clearance for 15 dollars. I decided it was a worthwhile pick up since I was a big time fan of the classic turtle games like
Turtles in Time. And like the
PC and console game released last year the GBA ninja turtles game has it’s strength but it has it’s problems.
Story.
The story follows the story of the new
Ninja Turtles series that is appearing on Fox and the CN. Rather then one big story you choose a turtle and then go through 4 stages based on an episode in the series. Once complete then it’s on to face chrome dome in his tower. If your wondering what the stage order is it’s Leo, Raph, Don, and Mikey.
Graphics.
Graphics are pretty good in the game, the graphics look a lot like they do in the series and they do fit on the GBA. The animation of the turtles are smooth and fine, has are the enemies. The backgrounds are great from the city streets to the sewers they are well drawn and look great.
There are also small cut scenes that happen and they use stills from the series and they also look great. However the cut scenes run a little bit long and if you don’t hit start to skip them they can last a good 5 minutes if you try to read all the text in some of them.
Sound.
The sound is ok it’s the typical music you expect in a brawler, but like the console game it doesn’t fill like a turtle game in less we hear some sort of a remix of the turtle theme from the original series. The new one does pop up complete with lyrics at the beginning of the game so I guess it’s good there.
Gameplay.
If your expecting a brawler like the arcade game and Turtles in time your going to be a bit disappointed. It’s more like the original TMNT for the NES which was more of a plat former then a fighting game. You start off by choosing a turtle and starting there story out and then completing the 4 stages they have. In either stage 2 or 3 you’ll ride one of Don’s new invention in a special stage that’s meant to give you something different to do then beating up foot soldiers. Once done with every turtle you get to choose one turtle to go through the final stage and fight the Shredder. It’s a bit like
Mega Man in it’s approach but then that’s not a bad thing.
The gameplay it self is like the original turtles game but a bit more linear has far has the stages go. But the control is a lot better so the game is a lot more enjoyable to play then the one on the NES. While the typical hit A button to jump and B to beat up the bad guy is pretty much the basics. But if you want to get really fancy you can hold the B to charge up a bar on top of the screen. A little and your turtle will just to a bigger then usual swing. Half way a small special move will happen. Fill it all the way up and he’ll do a big move like a running slash or a dragon kick. But if you charge it past full power the bar will go back down to zero and your turtle will be temporarily winded from the power up failure so it’s risky to try to hit enemies with full power special attack. There are also super moves that energy off the life bar if used by holding down the B and A button at the same time.
Also each turtle has a special ability to help him through his stage. Leo can crawl, Raph can climb the sides of wall with his sides, Don can use his bo to pole volt, and Mikey can wall jump. Another thing I should mention the game has is that if you beat the game you’ll get passwords to unlock things in the console games. Not a bad bonus but you’ll find these password all to quick to get.
Now is the game fun yes the game is fun and should please every turtle fan if there wasn’t for one big problem, the game is to short. In the time it takes to watch one episode of TMNT on the CN you’ll be able to beat the game. Ok maybe that’s an over statement you could watch 2 episodes of TMNT before you could beat the game, not counting the long cut scenes of course. The game is just way to short and a person who’s been playing video games since the ninja turtles first appeared on the NES will be able to beat the game in less then an hour.
Final Recommendation.
While TMNT is a fun game with a good amount of action and special moves. The problems comes that it’s just way to short, your finished with the game before you really ever start. If you’re a turtle fan you might want to look for it dirt cheap in clearance bins and used game stores. I am keeping high hopes that there is going to be more stages in the next ninja turtles game.
