Turtles In Time: Reshelled | Review

Cowabunga, dude!

I hate myself for typing that. It's been over 20 years since the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time was released. I honestly don't remember ever playing this game in the arcade or on any home console, but having just played the updated version of the game, released during the Summer of Arcade, I have to say I don't think I missed much.

After playing TMNT Turtles in Time Re-shelled, I am reminded of two things. First being how much the 1993 movie of the same name truly sucked ass. Secondly, I am reminded that no matter how big or small, serious or silly a game is, story is really important. I'm probably making a mountain out of a mole hill here, but c'mon.

So here is the deal: The game is based on the popular animated series from back in the 80's and starts off with that weird looking brain thing and it's giant mechanical body stealing the Statue of Liberty. Naturally, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles spring in to action in order to get it back. After a few levels of kicking foot soldier ass, Shredder shows up and banishes you into a time portal. Now, maybe I'm being a stickler for detail here, but why not just do that in the first place? Anyways, you and you're turtle pals are banished back in time where there are even more foot soldiers waiting for you and are in no way changing our current time line.

Dumb story aside this is your typical late 80's early 90's side-scroller. Yes, the graphics do look pretty good. But from my point of view that's about all the game designers worked on improving. The game play is never really too challenging just mainly annoying with all of the traps sprinkled throughout each of the different levels you play through.

If you do decide to purchase this game, which I don't recommend you do, I'd say the only real way to get any enjoyment out of this game is to play co-op with up to 4 players.
If you are sitting at your home or office and are wearing a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles t-shirt, swinging around some nun-chucks while eating a bowl of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle cereal I would say that this is the perfect game for you. For anyone else out there I would say to save your money and go buy Shadow Complex.