Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, released in 1989 by Konami for the NES platform, remains one of the most iconic and unforgettable games of its time. Based on the popular Ninja Turtles franchise, this was the first game in the series, and it became a cool challenge with its exciting gameplay, atmospheric graphics and unique style.
From the very first moments, it becomes clear that Konami has tried to convey the spirit and atmosphere of the original comics and animated series. The graphics for the NES look very cool: each character and enemy is detailed with great attention, and the backgrounds of the levels create an atmosphere of sewers and streets of New York. Ninja turtles, each with their own unique weapons and fighting style, move on the screen with amazing smoothness and match the original images.
The gameplay of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles combines platformer and action elements, offering players a variety of levels with many obstacles and enemies. Levels with pseudo-3D graphics are available, where the view of the events is from a bird's-eye view, and the main view is a typical platformer graphics, where the characters move around the screen from left to right and so on. The ability to switch between four turtles at any time adds strategic depth and allows you to adapt to different situations. Each turtle has its own unique skills and characteristics, which makes character selection an important part of the game. Sometimes you should choose one hero, in other situations - another. It will be easier to complete the game this way. Donatello with his Bo stick generally "rules". Surprisingly, his weapon turns out to be the most powerful, but also much slower than other turtles. Therefore, it is worth quickly understanding where and which fighter will be optimally applicable.
It is worth noting that you can only play alone, without the possibility of a cooperative mode. This is a bit disappointing, given the popularity of Ninja Turtles teamwork. However, the ability to play for each of the characters compensates for this disadvantage by offering a diverse and exciting experience.
The game is also famous for its diversity. Players will explore various locations, from sewer tunnels to city streets, fight against a variety of enemies and collect useful items. The levels are carefully crafted and offer unique challenges that require both quick reflexes and the ability to plan your actions. There are additional weapons in the game: boomerangs, shurikens. All this sometimes helps in combat, but more often, as for me, it was useless.
The musical accompaniment in "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" deserves a special mention. The soundtrack is not bad, it is ready to emphasize the dynamics and intensity of the game. Each level is ready to show off its own melody, better immersing you in the world of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. For example, an intense underwater mission is remembered, where a cool melody is playing, and the turtles need to turn off the bombs to prevent the dam from exploding.
Despite the many advantages, the game has some disadvantages. One of them is the high difficulty, which can scare off less experienced players. Some levels and enemies require precise calculation and numerous attempts to complete, which can be frustrating (otherwise infuriating to the extreme stage). In addition, the controls, although intuitive, can sometimes seem unresponsive in tense moments.
Another disadvantage is the design of the enemies. Many of the villains do not match the legendary ninja from the Big Foot clan, which may cause confusion among fans of the original franchise. There are a lot of enemies, and they are different, but I don't remember them in cartoons.
The game's plot follows the canons of the franchise and offers players a fascinating story about saving April and Splinter from the treacherous plans of Shredder. Short cutscenes between levels help to better understand what is happening and create additional motivation to complete the game.
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" is not just a game, but a real classic that remains relevant to this day. Its addictive gameplay, well-designed graphics and catchy soundtrack make it a must-pass for all fans of platformers and fans of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
8 out of 10.
