Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time

"Sewer Surfin' Fun!"

The 90's was a great time period of gaming, their were so many classic games, and Teenage Mutant Ninjas Turtles: Turtles In Time is among them, want to know why? Then read on.

The first time I ever played this game was back in the day, with my friend, when SNES was the coolest thing for a kid our age to own. I loved the game so much I had to get my own. The is just a fun-filled action packed side scrolling action game. It's cool, and has lots of neat and original things to make it one of the best action side-scrolling action games of all time.

Story 8/10
When you first hear the title of this game, you think "Turtles In Time?". You assume that it has to do with time travel and such. But this actually happens much later in the game. You start off with having the statue of Liberty Stolen. So the turtles are off the save the day, and retrieve the stolen statue from Shredder. So you start out in New York City. The first level is quite fun on a huge bridge over New York, the "Big Apple". The story picks up in the fourth level when you encounter Shredder for the first time in the game.

Gameplay 10/10
Their actually is a reason why I gave it 10/10. The game has enough levels, and enough different things you must do to accomplish each level to keep it incredibly interesting. The first level is your basic hack and slash level. You go across the level until you get to the end and beat the boss. The next level is the same. However when you get to the third level, it starts to pick up with its own uniqueness. "Sewer Surfin'" Personally one of my favorite levels. Each turtle has their own surf board and you speed through the sewers on a surf board, hitting enemies, jumping and slashing sewer monsters, collecting "?" Boxes (equivalent to a pizza box, but with a "?" on it instead) and dodging spike balls. The level is quite fun and unlike anything I have seen in a side scroller before. There is another level similar to this, but on the highway and your on a hover pod thingy. (Kinda hard to explain). Anyways the basic fighting is great, with a huge cast of enemies, and a bunch of hard and unique bosses. Once you get to Shredder you have to fight in a vary unique way. You must defeat your enemies then throw them at the screen. While your fighting you can throw the enemies into the screen, just like a added feature, but it actually serves a purpose. In the Shredder level you can see your guys fighting in Shredders base through his window, and you can see his back facing the screen, while he attacks you with a machine gun and a pincer claw. When you throw the enemies at the screen they hit Shredder. After he dies he banishes you back 1 000 000 years B.C. After each level you go in a transport to go further and further in time. Eventually you go into the far future. 2029 A.D. "Space Station, Where No Turtle Has Gone Before" I find it amusing that in the 90's they always would make it seem like by 2030 we would be on the moon. Now its more like 2100 that people predict.

Graphics 10/10
This is what you would expect from a SNES game, with nicely animated backgrounds and great looking characters. You couldn't ask for more, from a side scrolling action game.

Sound 10/10
The sound is crisp and clean, and matches the movements of the characters and the game. Good sound effects and pleasant music. I really like the track, it has some pretty cool themes. The characters even do their fare share of talking. "My Toe! My Toe!"

Replay Value 9/10
You can always replay this game, from time to time. And you will always want to because you will fall in love with this game. I always play it every once in a while, it brings back so many childhood memories.

Rent or Buy?
Well you can't rent this game anymore, and if you don't have it, thats kinda tough luck. You may be able to find it online used for a cheap price, or maybe even a internet auctioning site. I would suggest getting it if you don't have it, or at least borrow it from a friend if you have one that has it. If you have a SNES of course!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 07/10/04