Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

"Its not TMNT4 but it certainly isn't as bad as the GCN TMNT"

You have to really head back to the 90s to appreciate the original turtles in all their cartoon glory. Though more importantly Konami's masterpiece 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 4:Turtles in Time'. A game so amazing it is most likely in the top 25 SNES games ever, if not Konami's Top 25 best games they ever made. Those days are over though, as the Turtles died back in the 90s as well. Many attempts to revive the Turtles to their former glory have happened. Though that changed with the release of a new anime based on it, the franchise that once seemed doomed from ever being popular again state returned. Although not as strong as in the past they remain alive and well for now. Now that brings us to the review of the TMNT gba game based on the current anime kicking around.

STORYLINE 9.0/10

You know the deal by now, right? Four turtles are mutated by a strange chemical along with a rat named Splinter. Splinter becomes the turtles master and father figure and raises them up until their teenage years where this story begins. Having trained them in the art of the Ninja, the skills they learned are finally tested as this game begins. The introduction of April (who isn't a TV reporter in this series apparently), Casey Jones, the Purple Dragon clan, Baxter (Not a fly here), and the evil Shredder.

GAMEPLAY 8.7/10

The big meat of a game comes down here and thankfully it's nice and juicy. While each turtle doesn't control as smooth as they should (Read: Previous TMNT games by Konami) it still delivers as a great game. For once the turtles weapons actually effect gameplay from using Raph's Sais to climb or pole-vaulting with Don.

Adding some actual gameplay to the Beat Em Up factor is a big swerve for any game in this genre. Instead of the left to right punch and kick fest Konami gave the option of taking different roots even solving puzzles!

Though it really isn't all nice and gloomy, as the AI of your opponents is set to Terminate completely. You'll find yourself using very cheap methods to get rid of your enemies if you don't die in that process itself. While Konami upped the gameplay they downgraded the enjoyment some by making Terminator AI.

There is also a little hit detection problems with TMNT. A good example of this is the near impossible AI in the final level. The Boomerang Blade throwing soldiers you meet in the elevator will be able to hit you with their weapons without even actually touching you, making cheap tactics and alot of luck your only savior.

GRAPHICS 9.8/10

The graphics in this game are a major improvement over TMNT 4 for snes but as this is a more advanced system it is expected to be at that standard. Nothing is really eyepopping in most stages but some of the mini game stages are done pretty well. A good example would be Sewer surfing or the Motorcycle chase, which are done perfectly and capture the sense that you are really doing it.

MUSIC/FX 4.1/10

Boo, is the word that sums up this entire section. Konami is supposed to have some upbeat action music here like in all their previous turtle outings. Instead most of the tracks are gloomy, mysterious and depressing, it really is a pain to listen too. This is music better fitted for Castlevania not a TMNT game.

REPLAY ABILITY 4.0/10

The good thing about the Beat em up genre is the replay factor is always very high, except in this case. Besides finding some value in the final level it really isn't that interesting of a game to replay as certain turtles must do their own levels no matter what. Which leaves the final stage the only stage that has any replay value as any turtle is chooseable.

OVERALL 7/10

It really isn't alot that can take a score down but when you do so poorly in music, that is a major hit to take for a usually high section. TMNT is a great game, but not at all the best game ever though it might be on the GBA top 25 in slot number 25. Konami offered a deep story for once in their turtle game but didn't let you experience it with any turtle fully limiting the game alot. Facing the truth, replaying the final stage is not so much as fun as aggravating unlike previous stages. When you leave the audience with little to customize, or little to experiment with you leave yourself with a one time through game. It was good work Konami but not your best.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 07/16/06