Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

"A little disappointing, but great button-masher"

I have been waiting for this game to come out since seeing the previews and pictures in magazines some months ago. I was a big fan in my childhood, and I loved the arcade games like Turtles in Time. So I traded in a few games, accumulated $30 in trade-in credit, and shelled out (no pun intended) an additional $10 to pick this one up.

Before opening the game, I read a lot of reviews that said this game was a piece of crap. I was hesitant to open it (and thus forfeit any possible return option), but one night while I was drunk I finally ripped off the packaging and gave it a try.

GRAPHICS

Amazing. I've always been a big fan of cel-shading, and this game is just beautiful. Although some objects and environments (like building fronts) may get a little repetitive, everything catches the eye and I found myself anxious to advance to the next level to see how everything looks. I love the little action-word bubbles like ''CrAsH!'' and ''WhAcK!'' and if you don't like them you have the option of turning them off.

Keeping with the old school theme of the game, instead of beaten enemies flashing and then disappearing, the human enemies dissolve into a cool looking mist. Nice effect.

Also, like in old school arcade button-mashers, the game will not allow you to advance past a certain part before beating everyone. Now, in the old school games the camera would just stop and not let you proceed but here an orange forcefield appears to block you off. Again, a nice touch.

To sum it up, the game looks great and I like the way new-school graphics are used to create the same effects seen in old-school scrollers.

GAMEPLAY/CONTROLS

They don't call this a ''button-masher'' for no reason. There's jump, and then too ways to hit someone: fast but moderate damage or super damage but slow rate of attack. The object of the game, well, is to destroy all the enemies that spawn around you until you reach the boss (which usually requires some strategy). I read a review where someone complained about not being able to block. HELLO!!! Did any of the old games have that ability? You gotta understand people, this game was designed to play exactly like its predecessors on the old systems.

If you don't like repetitive button pressing, then right now this is not the game for you. But if you enjoy constant cartoon violence, well, there you go.

SOUND

The worst part of the game, in my opinion, and probably the only thing that drags it down. From the extremely annoying repetitive ''catchphrases'' to the crappy music (the music in the Capcom Marvel vs. Street Fighter games was a lot better) the sound just sucks. The minute you hear the new TMNT theme, you're going to **** yourself. It sucks. Hard. I know it's not Konami's fault but damn, what was anyone thinking with that lame music?

STORY

Don't know the entire story yet, but the initial stages pretty much reintroduce you to the Turtles universe. I do like how this new cartoon is more faithful to the original comic book, however.

SUMMARY

I bought this game knowing it was going to be a button masher. Anyone who has played the old games like Turtles in Time know that these games are button mashers. So if you don't like side scrolling button mashers than don't buy this game. And especially don't buy this game, complain, and then say no one warned you.

Ahem, anyway, seriously, if you feel the nostalgia for old-school arcade games, this one is it. It has the same feel but updates it with beautiful graphics. I definitely recommend a rental first (and I NEVER suggest that because it's $5 that could have gone towards the purchase) because this is not a game for everyone. Just don't dismiss it simply because of a lot of bad reviews from new-school gamers who are not used to this time of game.

To put it simply, finally, this game is great to have a friend over, get drunk, and mindlessly trash everything in site (in the game, anyway).

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 11/12/03