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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Back to the sewers: revisit a tough but beloved NES quest.
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An Introduction To Today’s Game
For those of us old enough to remember the late 80s and early 90s, you know the popularity of TMNT was an absolute juggernaut.
They're still a household name today with their many reboots and interpretations, but there was a specific window, after the original cartoon launched and through the release of the first two movies, when you couldn't escape them. And this was all before the internet amplified everything.
They were everywhere. Malls, birthday parties, the local news. I remember seeing TMNT merch in a car repair shop once while waiting with my dad. Everyone had their favorite turtle (Team Leo here), everyone had the toys, and every friend I knew had the TMNT game on the NES.
The overhead world, the ability to switch between all four turtles at any time, the boss fights, the TECHNODROME! The game was a gold mine of TMNT goodness.
And, it was hard, very hard. Most of my friends couldn't get very far. But that didn't matter. It was the turtles, and it was a glorious time.
Welcome to a NES adventure that's equal parts nostalgia and gnarly challenge. I would say pick your favorite turtle, but we all know Donatello is the one to pick in this game, so what would be the point? Instead, warm up some tater tots, grab a root beer and let’s dive into this NES classic.
Who is your favorite turtle?Pick one below to record your vote. Leave a comment and it might be featured in the last issue. |
BEHIND THE PIXELS
Let’s Dive Into The Game
So what is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on NES, exactly?
This is the part where you play the clip from Rocky III and Mr. T’s “Clubber Lang” says, “Painnnn.”
Wait, I’ll get to that later. Let’s describe the basics first.
It is a side scrolling action platformer that mixes beat em up elements, light exploration, and the occasional underwater obstacle course.
You control Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael as they move through stages filled with Foot Clan ninjas, robots, and strange mutant enemies. You can swap between the four Turtles at any moment. This was a memorable feature, since each character has a different weapon with its own reach and power.
Donatello has excellent range, while Raphael struggles in close quarters. Managing the team becomes a small strategy game of its own. Pizza is your only healing item and it does not appear often, so rotating damaged Turtles becomes a necessity.
I can hear the music just from looking at this scene.
Gameplay shifts between two viewpoints. On the overhead map you guide the turtles through city streets while searching for the next objective. Entering a building or sewer switches the game to side view platforming.
This structure creates a sense of moving through a larger world rather than following a single straight path. The goal usually involves tracking down equipment or rescuing allies. Pretty straightforward. Knowing where to go next or how to tackle rooms in the right order can be tricky, but repetition definitely helps you progress through this game.
I’m pretty sure just this selection alone will take out two turtles.
And now the pain part. The difficulty is what most players remember today.
Enemies move unpredictably and many jumps require precise timing. The underwater dam level, where you swim past electrified seaweed to defuse bombs, remains one of the most discussed stages in NES history. It’s hell.
Controls can feel stiff at times and enemies respawn quickly, which creates a constant sense of pressure. Even so, the game has an appealing rhythm once you understand each Turtle’s strengths. Clearing a tough boss or a tricky platforming room can feel very satisfying. It’s just going to take quite a few playthroughs for you to remember enemy placements and learn which turtle is best for each area.
One of the most impressive Let’s Play on Youtube are the no damage runs players upload where they are able to beat this game without getting hit once.
When in doubt, go with Donny.
The music is energetic and iconic. The overworld theme will be stuck in my head for the next two weeks after playing the game for this article. It’s there now… as I write this… just playing on repeat. Over and over.
Help me…
The graphics show the typical charm of late era 8 bit games. Sprite flicker and slowdown appear when the action gets busy, but the variety of locations keeps the journey interesting. It may not be the smoothest NES game, yet it delivers a distinct and memorable take on the Turtles.
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WHERE TO PLAY
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection features this game and 12 other TMNT games. I can’t recommend this collection enough!
Original Copies of the Game (All prices in USD)
Loose: $10
Complete: $70
New/Sealed: $910
GAME INFORMATION
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Cover Art
US Cover
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RETRO NEWS
Here’s a quick roundup of the latest retro gaming news we’ve dug up.
Namco’s Tokyo Wars Roars Back in a Stunning Home Port
The classic 1996 tank arcade game has been faithfully revived by fans for modern PCs with full multiplayer support.
Read more at Retro NewsRare's Obscure Classics Get the Spotlight on Evercade
Rare Collection 1 compiles lesser-known hits like Slalom and Snake Rattle 'n' Roll in a beautifully preserved cart.
Read more at Time ExtensionAnbernic’s Budget DS-Inspired Handheld Now Up for Preorder
A new sub-$100 retro handheld with dual screens aims to bring DS nostalgia to your pocket at a fraction of the cost.
Read more at Time Extension
PREVIOUS POLL RESULTS
What’s your favorite retro Nintendo handheld system?
Game & Watch - 0%
GameBoy - 25%
VirtualBoy 0 %
GameBoy Color - 0%
GameBoy Advance - 50%
Nintendo DS - 0%
Nintendo 3DS - 25%
Reader comments from the poll:
(GBA) “Back in the day when they used to give systems away at the electronic Expo, I managed to win one of the GBA’s. I was so stoked!” - Daniel
(Nintendo 3DS) - To be honest, they all were great! Except the Virtual Boy of course! Still though, the 3DS was revolutionary for handheld gaming, and when they started bringing back a retro titles but with a 3D element, yeah, that was fantastic!” - Shen
(GBA) “While the GameBoy was a trailblazer, I just can’t get over the iconic Advance startup sound.” - Ben
GAME OVER
Why You Should Play This
So should you play this game today? Well, it remains a small badge of honor for retro players. Even reaching the later areas feels like an accomplishment. So you Dark Souls players out there that like punishment, go for it.
Honestly, there’s better TMNT games to play first. Even on the NES, I prefer the sequels which play more like the legendary arcade versions.
But still, this game just has an aura around it. It always has. You want to love it. You want to replay it. You want to beat it. Just most of us can’t.
It is a solo action platformer that asks for patience, quick reflexes, and a bit of stubbornness. There is fun to be found in its level ideas, the ability to switch between the Turtles, and the mix of robots, mousers, and familiar villains waiting to stop you.
Modern features in the Cowabunga Collection make the experience easier to explore. Save states allow you to see more of the game without frustration. The graphics, music, and general charm offer a nostalgic look at early Turtles history. It is worth trying at least once if you enjoy classic NES challenges.
Just be prepared, you will be hearing the game music in your sleep.
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