Sorry about this, but this is one of those days at work where there's nothing to do and I'm trying desperately to just stay awake. So I'm going to do some ratings.
NES Game
First game based on the TMNT. I have to hand it to them, this game isn't terrible for a first home game. You can play as any turtle at any time. They each have strengths and weaknesses. And the controls actually are pretty tight. And you know what, while the difficulty will be brought up in the negatives, let's not forget that in the days in Nintenhard, it was never expected that you should be able to always get past the first couple levels.
That said, all I have to say about the difficulty is Damn Dam level and people know what I'm saying. And it doesn't get any easier. And while Nintendo games at the time were supposed to be hard, this was probably too much for kids. "But, Caldwin, who said this was for kids? There was an adult oriented comic before the kids show." While true, the inclusion of Rocksteady, Bebop and a Splinter that actually is Hamato Yoshi, we can tell this was aimed at the kids show demographic...and they probably made it a bit too Nintenhard.
B+
Arcade Game
Holy crap, would you look at that? The sprites look just like the cartoon. Every arcade had this game and every kid played it. And there isn't a single character here that kids wouldn't recognize. Nostalgia alone means this is going to be scored high.
While very good in its own way, it's sequel did everything this one does only better.
A++
TMNT II The Arcade Game
The arcade game comes home. I played the hell out of this. It has everything the arcade game has plus two new stages, Fly Baxter Stockman...and no more quarter munching.
The graphic and gameplay really just can't begin to compare to its arcade counterpart. The next game also does everything this one does only better.
B
TMNT Arcade II: Turtles in Time
Even better graphics than the first. Fighting is tightened up and tossing Foot Soldiers towards the screen never gets old.
Where the heck is Rocksteady and Bebop? Who the heck is Cement Man? Yeah, Google search will tell you Cement Man was in a single episode but who besides the most hardcore of fans would know that?
S
TMNT III The Manhattan Project
Faster paced than TMNT II...more moves, slightly better graphics.
There's really bad slowdown when there's too much on the screen. This was also so close to the end of the NES's lifespan, not too many people actually played this.
B-
TMNT IV: Turtles in Time
This is actually widely considered to be better than its arcade counterpart. Graphics are just as good. Cement Man is replaced with Slash. Bebop and Rocksteady replace Tokka and Rahzar, but no worries because they just get moved up to an added Technodrome level that wasn't in the arcade. Rat King also makes an appearance. This game has widely been considered the number 1 TMNT game with nothing ever challenging that statement until Shredder's Revenge.
Fighting is a bit simplified from the arcade and bosses follow a very predictable pattern compared to the more unpredictable arcade version.
S
Hyperstone Heist
Decent graphics and it playes alright. If you've played Turtles in Time too much and want something different, this will scratch the itch.
It's obvious Genesis did this game because they couldn't get Turtles in Time. Overly long levels cause some really bad pacing issues. Levels and most bosses are Frankensteined from levels in other Turtles games. Nothing original here.
C
Tournament Fighters
Very Street Fighteresque. Great graphics and a roster that borrows from the cartoon, the Mirage and Archie Comics.
Hot take, I just really didn't enjoy this. I only played the SNES version, so maybe my opinion will change when I play the Genesis version when the Cowabunga Collection comes out. But like, even when I'm not using my main, I can usually do decently at Street Fighter. But this game just kicks my butt and the controls just aren't comfortable for me. I just can't even with this game. Hot take and I'm probably going to take some flak, but...
F
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Based on the 2003 cartoon, this takes the brawler into 3D fairly well. Hit detection is decent. Graphics are decent. It's not terrible.
Adam West Batman sound effects appearing on screen after every punch gets annoying. Beat 'em Ups are best kept short, otherwise it gets repetitive and tedious. This got really old really fast. Also, while following the source material closely is usually a good thing, this follows the show so closely that you might as well go watch the show.
D
Battle Nexus
At least they got rid of the Adam West Batman sound effects. You could also unlock the original Arcade game.
If the first game was boring and monotonous, this is just more of the same. Arcade game doesn't have the original music or voice acting due to rights issues
B- (and it only scored so high because it included the arcade game before Arcade 1Up existed)
Mutant Nightmare
Finally included 4-player. You can unlock Turtles in Time.
Even with 4-Player, it's more of the same. Like Battle Nexus, the music in Turtles in Time had to be replaced. There was also an annoying high pitched cacophony during time warp transitions.
B- (again, only scored so high for the inclusion of Turtles in Time)
Shredder's Revenge
Finally, after all this time we get a new TMNT beat em up. Not only do we get the turtles, but: Splinter, April and Casey Jones join the fray. They have all the familiar faces you could want (Rocksteady, Bebop, Tokka, Rahzar, Baxter Stockman, Leatherhead, Rat King, Chrome Dome, Slash). Play controls are tight. Every character has his/her own style and feel. You can have up to 6 people playing at once.
[negatives go here]
S
