Game Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles In Time

Game: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles In Time
Console: Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Developer: Konami
Release Date: 19th November 1992

The first TMNT game on the SNES, Turtles in Time followed 3 NES titles in the series (one of which wasn't released in Europe). Nonetheless Konami still chose to add a IV to the game's title, which probably confused a player or two back in the day. I previously reviewed the first TMNT game on NES as well as this game's Mega Drive counterpart; Hyperstone Heist. The former is a pretty terrible game, with a horrifying difficulty curve, and frustrating controls, the latter came out after Turtles In Time, but is in a very similar style.

As a beat 'em up, the game allows up to 2 players to take on hordes of Foot Soldiers from the foot clan, who have a variety of moves and attacks, as well as bosses such as Slash, Rat King, Krang and Shredder. After making their way through to the Technodrome, the turtles are sent back in time, and make their way from 25 billion BC to 2100 AD, with several stops along with way to fight baddies, before finally returning to the Technodrome to defeat Super Shredder. In total there are 10 levels in the game, though the final level is simply a boss fight, and 2 of the levels are bonus stages which are shorter than regular stages.

All 4 turtles are selectable from the beginning, and have different stats and attacks, thanks to their different weapon choices. Controlwise, players have the option of using regular attacks, special attacks, and jumping attacks, as well as some combination moves such as throwing enemies at the screen (a necessary technique to beat Shredder in the first half of the game). Gameplay feels natural and fun for a beat 'em up, one of the best I've ever experienced in fact; the game is a lot of fun with a friend especially.

While there's not a great amount of variety in the enemies featured throughout the game, each level and time period has new features which keep things fresh. For example, on the pirate ship level in the 1500s there are planks which must be avoided by players, as when stepped on they spring up and cause damage. The prehistoric level features pterodactyls which drop egg bombs, and the futuristic levels feature killer robots. Despite this, the main enemies in each level are members of the Foot Clan who have inexplicably also been sent back in time.

In addition to the regular moves discussed earlier, players can also pick up power ups which allow them to damage enemies with a spin move, as well as pizzas which restore full health. Extra lives are available when certain score milestones are reached, and can be helpful for players wanting to complete the game in one sitting. While it's not particularly difficult, many of the bosses take a little figuring out, but luckily players are allowed to select how many lives they wish to start with (up to 7), as well as a difficulty level which affects the amount of continues given (Easy gives 3, Medium 4, and Hard 5).

The options menu also offers 12 different control schemes for the game, swapping the jump, attack and special attack buttons around in almost every imaginable combination, which is a major plus. One of the most impressive features of the game is the attention to detail; fire hydrants can be hit in order to blast water at opponents, enemy bombs can be used strategically to damage opponents and there's no friendly fire, meaning 2 players can go crazy without worrying about damaging each other. My only complaint is that the special attack takes health to complete, I'd much rather a limited number of uses.

Graphically the game looks great and comes with the option to colour the turtles as they are in the cartoon, or the comics. Everything is bright and vibrant and the levels vary nicely; there's a bonus level that looks as if it might have come straight out of F-Zero, which is interesting. Musically too the game excels with plenty of memorable and motivational tunes to kick some Foot Clan butt.

Overall Turtles In Time is fairly close to the perfect Beat 'Em Up in my book; a fairly large variety of levels which can be completed in a single intense sitting, with or without a friend, plenty of adjustable options, great visuals and a kickass soundtrack. The game also manages to capture the humour and mood of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with various soundclips and cartoon-like touches.

Rating: 88/100
Grade: A