I’ve been a huge fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise for as long as I can remember. As I’m sure you’d expect from a pre-pubescent boy, I was also very much into Saturday morning cartoons, and no other cartoon — with the possible exception of X-Men — captivated me quite the same ways those mutated reptiles. I would spend hours staring at the television, watching as they encountered Casey, the Rat King, Shredder, Krang, Bebop, Rocksteady, and so forth. I collected the action figures. Although they were ridiculously cheesy and didn’t have the best of storylines, the live action TMNT movies
I played all the ninja turtle video games and was especially pleased with the button-mashing side-scrolling adventure game in the arcades. I got even more excited when the sequel, Turtles in Time, hit the arcades. Needless to say, I’d be left quarter-less before the afternoon was through.
Now that I’m in my mid-20s, it’s a little harder to get into cartoons. It certainly doesn’t help that the stuff I see on television these days just isn’t up to snuff with the classics from the late 80s and early 90s. X-Men Evolution? Please. I’m not exactly a fan of the “next-gen” ninja turtles cartoon either. But, the new CG-powered TMNT movie which opens today… I can’t help but be excited about. By the same accord, I was pretty stoked to hear that there’d be video games accompanying the movie.
TMNT for the Nintendo DS has been receiving less than favorable reviews (averaging about 5/10), but that didn’t stop me from giving it a whirl. Below is a video of what a typical stage in the video game looks like. Lots of rooftop jumping, not too much “action.” The only fighting takes place at the end of the stage (I’ll put up another vid later on), but even then, it’s not nearly as satisfying as it could be.
It’s too bad. This was their chance to revitalize the ninja turtles and return TMNT to its former glory. I guess it also makes a huge difference that the old arcade games were created by Ultra Games (Konami), whereas the current home games are made by Ubisoft.
UPDATE:
I just uploaded another video, this time of where I get to lay the smack down on some lowly foot soldiers. All attacks are done by pressing the B button, whereas you hold Y to block.
Hmmmm so you also like the nintendo.. BTW which one do you like more XBox,PS3 or Wii
I’ve been pretty Nintendo loyal my whole life (search this site for “Nintendo fanboy”), so I’d have to say the Wii. I haven’t had the opportunity to give the PS3 or the Xbox 360 a fair chance though, so it’s not exactly a fair comparison. If the Xbox 360 was cheaper, I might consider it. Gears of War looks like fun. So does Forza Motorsport 2.
If you like sports games, the 360 is the current winner.
Nothing better than NHL07 on the 360.
Ahh, TMNT… Your post sounds exactly like something I would blog about. I too loved the Turtles when I was a youngster. Like you, I had all of the action figures and couldn’t get enough of the cartoons. The movies were alright as well, with my favorite being The Secret of the Ooze. I work that tape out and could recite every single line in the movie!
The arcade game was great also, and even though I purchased Turtles in Time, I was nearly that stage where I had grown out of them.
Unfortunately, I have to disagree about the new TMNT movie. I sunk my head in shame when I first saw the previews for it. It looks like they just ruined what little dignity the series had… can’t leave well enough alone 🙁
Yes! I wasted countless quarters on that arcade game! Man I just got a big hit of nostalgia, will have to fire up the good ol emulator now
Although I know that the new movie is going to disappoint me, bastardizing what once was a legendary franchise, I still want to watch it.
crazy frog