Warning, this will be a very long, detailed review of TMNT: The Cowabunga Collection. Yes I'm also reviewing all the games included as well.
Digital Eclipse been making some great game compilations for a couple years now. I already previously reviewed The Disney Afternoon Collection, Mega Man Legacy Collection 1 and Disney Classic Games Collection. Now it's finally time to review TMNT: The Cowabunga Collection. If it weren't for these amazing game compilations with Konami's name I would've stopped playing their games true story.
I do like the title screen animation with theme song, it's great. There is online play but it only supports four TMNT games. I haven't tried any yet but a few videos did show it needs work. Mostly on both Arcade games, where you can play with three other people. Achievement hunting wise, of course you have the option to play them like normal or most of them can be cheated.
Yeah no lie you can use Watch Mode for 11 out of 13 TMNT games. You fast forward to the end right before the game ends, make a save state. Then quit the game in order to go back in to load up your save. Regardless you still need to do two story mode runs in TMNT: Tournament Fighter games. Personally you have a few methods to make doing the Sega one much easier.
I did later fully play 11 of them from the beginning. I did rely heavily on Watch Mode for two particular TMNT games though. Some people are a little mixed on game selection screen. On one hand, I loved they went with this comic book theme screen. But on the other, I do wish we had options to alter the line up to make finding particular TMNT games easier.
What I am saying is it's a little of a mess how they went about it. Which they didn't have that problem previously. These games will keep you busy for hours. I will say right off the bat, it's a very solid collection of games. Actually ended up being even better than I originally thought. It's no wonder why TMNT fans are so over joyed right now.
Every game has features you could enable for fun or simply improve the experience. Mostly the case in NES TMNT games. When they announced the bosses can become playable in TMNT: Tournament Fighters on Sega Genesis, I was surprised. The only notable issue I have is they used these sorta generic icons to represent the bosses.
Why could they use that one rom hack where the bosses actually are on the character selection screen? Trust me, they look amazing there in that hack. There's also the very hype up Turtles Lair, yes it does live up to a lot of the hype. Not only they cover stuff for the games included. They also took great pictures of four TMNT cartoon shows as well.
I know I can't be the only one happy they excluded The Next Mutation, a terrible live action show. Funny enough, Saban back when they owned Power Rangers once done a cross over with TMNT & Power Rangers. Yeah but it was one of the space theme Power Rangers teams though. I do remembered seeing that a long time ago, back when I used to watch Power Rangers shows.
They also included a lot of comic covers from several comic book TMNT series. They didn't have to give us all of that but it was very nice. Not only there's Watch Mode which originally came from Disney Classic Games Collection. They even went out of their way to create in game strategy guide for every game.
Yeah remembered when people used to collect those? I used to own a huge collection myself back in the day. It is kinda funny TMNT: Tournament Fighters on Sega Genesis didn't even get a full page. There's some jokes if you pay close attention to the strategy guides. There's one save slot for every game but most of them do have Japanese versions as well.
I do need to point a few things out. There's technically a notable exclusion from the compilation. TMNT: Manhattan Missions however there's a few good reasons why it's not included. For starters, it was a DOS game trying to emulate all those platforms plus that would've been a nightmare. Also a different company actually made the game.
Interesting fact about that particular company they are a part of Electronic Arts no lie. Personally I don't see the point of adding in PC ports of these games either. Obviously a similar planning nightmare waiting to happen. I'm more than happy with these thirteen TMNT games truthfully. Now we got all of that out the way, I think it's finally time to actually review all the games.
1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (NES)
The original TMNT video game, easily one of the famous hardest NES games in existence. Most of these games are heavily based on the original 1987 TMNT cartoon. This one is more based on the comics but it does have a few characters you'll know. There's the famous duo Bebop & Rocksteady. Of course, there's Shredder as well.
I also need to briefly bring up a notable period in Konami's history.
This has the weirdest enemies that doesn't even come off as anything TMNT related. Yes the Technodrome doesn't only shows up. Unlike most TMNT games, you actually have to fight it as a boss too. Also you may expect to die a lot. Even with rewinds, you may get a little stuck trying to avoid enemies or hazards.
I do recommend using a guide or Watch Mode to help you figure out where to go. Sadly the game itself doesn't tell you. Yes you get save the dam or stop Shredder stuff like that. But this game doesn't give you much information to work on. Enemies can respawn or randomly become another enemy yeah it makes planning ahead trickier.
Honestly, I do like the audio overall easily the best aspect of the game. I also think having the option to switch out between the turtles was a great option. You do collect some additional weapons to better your chances. You also get to drive around with the van. Oddly the van does share your health bar for some weird reason?
I do like this is a nonlinear style TMNT game. It just felt a few changes it could've been even better. I will say for the first TMNT video game, it's surprisingly decent. Yeah I didn't expect that when I got to play it. I also felt Donatello's staff is notably longer than in most these games. I also wish it had a map screen, which would've helped a lot.
I also need to say this is easier than Battletoads on the same console. I actually felt this was way more balanced. Not to mention, the boss fights were slightly more enjoyable. You could explore several locations through out the game at your own risks. So I felt being able to stock up on additional weapons helps a lot.
2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Arcade)
The original TMNT Arcade game, I first played this through it's delisted Xbox 360 port. You have a few stages in a beat em up game. Personally, I felt this one had a solid overall balance. It didn't need any real changes but quickly became a timeless classic in it's own right. Of course you can play as any of the turtles or play with three other people.
Which is more possible through online in the compilation. You have some of the villains from the show here. This one was based on the 1987 cartoon show. Yes you should expect to die a lot. After all, Arcade beat em up games can be repetitive but fun to a degree. The audio itself is done well with great graphics.
This felt like I was in the cartoon, now you want that feeling. You also can use one of the options to pick any stage to start off of. I do like some of their allies does appear during a few stages to get rescue. There's a good variety of stage designs as well as enemies. The boss fights are mostly fun but can be very repetitive at times.
This includes a rematch against Bebop and Rocksteady together. You will soon see this started a boss tread. I do enjoy these cut scenes through out the game as well. I always have a good time playing this. Of course, there's hazards you got to avoid as well. Overall, you need to play this if you are a TMNT fan.
3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game (NES)
I got to mention something before the actual review. A lot of TMNT fans heard about the original TMNT Arcade game, they mistaken the first NES TMNT game as a port. Which led to a lot of angry people, Konami decided to port the classic to NES with extras. Obviously it is two players rather than four players, I don't see it as a deal breaker.
One particular boss fight got replaced. Instead of facing Bebop & Rocksteady together. You'll see Dr. Stockman once again, this time he's mutated. They also made most stages pulled from the game longer. Plus the game does move notably slower makes the game even longer than the original version. They also added new sections with new bosses created exclusively for that port.
A good amount of what I talked about with the original version does apply here. You do have some good codes as well. I would say it's a decent port for what it is. Most people likely pick the original version. The boss line up is technically better. There are several new enemies as well. They did a great job recreating the cut scenes as well as the audio.
I would say the second best TMNT on the console. There was a time you could use Pizza Hut coupons you gotten from this game. Obviously copy rights expired, they removed Pizza Hut logos. Thankfully they aren't many spots they appear. Honestly, you should give this port a try especially with a friend, it is harder than the original version.
4. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fall of the Foot Clan (Game Boy)
This is the original handheld TMNT video game. There's a few stages that aren't long just the right length. Although you mostly got to be quick attacking from two directions. I would say this is among the easiest TMNT games in the collection. Some people don't like they didn't add the colored version. Especially though they previously done that with Disney Classic Games Collection.
I say it's a fine boss line up with a limited variety of enemies. The graphics are notably better than Castlevania: The Adventure. Trust me, it's way better experience than that. You just could've wish there was more length or something to spice things up a bit. I would say it's a good start for Game Boy. At the same time, you could breeze through it then go play something else.
There's not much of a challenge but I do respect their efforts. The audio is notably decent as well. The controls are very simple, easy to memorize. Sometimes enemies spawn at a weird angle. It's 50/50 you can quickly take out those enemies or you'll get hit. The bosses are mostly on the easy side, which I'm fine with.
5. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time (Arcade)
Of course, the classic Arcade game got a sequel. You can throw enemies off screen, it's so satisfying. A mostly decent boss line up as well. Like the original, you can play this with three other people at the same time. There's some nice stages including those in different time periods. You have a good variety of enemies this time around.
The cut scenes are good but I do prefer those in the original Arcade game more. Also they never explained how the turtles went through time after Shredder sent down back to the Stone Age. Honestly it kinda doesn't matter, suddenly the turtles are on a moving train or in the distant future. The graphics is mostly solid with the audio being amazing.
I'm very happy another famous duo Tokka and Rahzar appears in this game. Yes the two mutants originally introduced in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 movie. To me, it just felt like it needed something. I do enjoy this game a lot but I wish I could've enjoy it a little more. Honestly, I do like the intro cut scene with voice overs.
I will say this version is way better than TMNT III movie. Which in some rereleases gets retitled TMNT III: Turtles in Time. It also way better than Ubisoft's remake of the same game. Which I sadly also previously played in the past. Turtles in Time is still a fun beat em up you should play with your friends & family.
6. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Back from the Sewers (Game Boy)
A follow up to TMNT: Fall of the Foot Clan. You wanna know what? it kinda sucks. Yeah I'm not kidding, I do like a few smaller things it's done. Like they made it even easier to quickly attack enemies. Also they added more depth to the stages. Although parts of that was done in a rather unfair fashion.
For example, especially late into the game. Some sections you have constantly respawning enemies. Plus additional stuff to keep an eye on. It quickly confuses you which to focus on first. You might have to accept the possibility you're going to die. Sometimes you gotta risk it to hopefully make it to the end. Surprisingly, some bosses aren't that hard.
Especially the final boss, Krang who ends up being one of the easiest final bosses in this collection. You got an interesting variety of enemies at least. I do like the bonus games, some stage mechanics were quite nice. I just wish they didn't chose to make the game harder the wrong way on purpose. It's not like Disney's The Lion King situation.
There's a particular level I heavily dislike right off the bat. You are moving between platforms while in the air. Usually Konami does an amazing job with those sections in their games around that era. What I didn't realize until a few minutes in is this level does loop around. Yeah so if you don't have the route, you could be going through the same path repeatedly.
Here's a question why even do that? The game already chose to be unfair at times with some enemy respawning as well as hazards. Oh yeah, this level also has missiles that comes constantly downwards. Two close by each other, at first it doesn't sound bad. However they respawn so quickly you can't get through without taking damage, come on guys!!!
Also some weapon designs in game looks a little weird. I will say I do liked the voice overs. When you pause your game, you'll get this nice picture from the show. They also reused that picture to represent stages for some odd reason. This quickly felt like a disappointing sequel to a surprisingly decent start. Honestly, a couple changes would've made this way better than it actually is.
7. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project (NES)
This was a follow up to the previous NES TMNT game. To me, in every possible way it was notably better. You actually can switch out between the turtles during game play, you just gotta die. There's a great variety of stages as well as enemies. One of the more interesting boss line ups in this collection. Sadly despite a Triceration on the cover, there's virtually none of them in the actual game.
I would say for a handful of bosses, the very best boss fights hands down especially Super Shredder. This version makes the one in TMNT: Shredder's Revenge looks like child's play. You also have an easier to throw move to help take out enemies. I loved the cut scenes along with the graphics. I would even say it's one of my favorite Konami NES games I ever played.
There's no sugar coating this, it is one of the toughest TMNT games in the collection. Thank god for one of it's options they added is infinite lives. Which also an option in TMNT II: Back from the Sewers oddly enough. I would say this is one of the finest TMNT beat em up games ever. You also get a good ending for your trouble.
8. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time (SNES)
A little weird, Konami released Turtles in Time Arcade game very close by to TMNT III on NES. Release date confusion, sadly not the only one I'm going to talk about. Here's a famous port where majority agrees it's better than the actual Arcade game. After fully playing both versions myself. I actually do agree for many great reasons.
Sure it cuts out two players from the original four players. Some voice overs are notably missing as well. Despite those, Konami really knocked it out the park here. They actually changed up the boss line up. Clement Man got replaced by Slash, a much better boss fight in comparison. Tokka & Rahzar are moved to an earlier stage.
Bebop & Rocksteady ended up taking their place on the pirate ship. We also get an extra boss fight with Shredder. But something is a little strangely familiar with this one? Oh I know what it is like the first boss fight in Battletoads on NES. Where both boss fights you have to throw something towards the boss.
At the same time, the camera is looking at your character from a distance. Even each hit they take during the boss fights is kinda similar. Funny enough, the turtles did it first a few months before. In every possible way, Konami done a truly amazing job. Most ports didn't nail the classic nearly this damn good.
They changed Shredder's final boss fight to Super Shredder. Now he is even faster with harder to avoid moves. This is a worthy final boss fight without question. You also get to face Krang twice in this game. Not much of a surprise with several games in this collection. I will say this, I do really like Krang's first stage a lot more on SNES with mind blowing visuals for it's time.
One of the finest TMNT games, you really need to play it. Sadly recently Shredder's Revenge topped it. The fact it held the title of best TMNT game for so long is rather impressive. Then again following other companies having the licenses maybe the standard wasn't there until this year. Honestly, I highly recommend this TMNT game it's very good.
9. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Hyperstone Heist (Sega Genesis)
This one gets often overlooked from TMNT fans. Yes it was a game reusing stuff from both TMNT Arcade games. They did make some interesting stage designs like Stage 2 or later section of Stage 3. There's only five stages but they are notably longer in comparison. One stage from this is like around three stages in another beat em up TMNT game.
This is the only game where Rocksteady doesn't have Bebop. The first three bosses you actually face again with slight changes. I actually do need slight because there's no dialogue to start the later boss fights. Also for unexplained reasons, they are colored differently. They are a little more health than last time.
The boss rush concept isn't in many games within the compilation. Right after that boss rush, you will face Dr. Stockman. The final stage does have two bosses with a notable gap in between. The music does play faster than the Nintendo counterpart. Also the AI is smarter in comparison. Another interesting fact, Tatsu from the first two live action TMNT movies appears as a boss in this game.
One of two video games that does have Konami's name on. He is accompanied by three ninjas, if you defeat all of them. Tatsu will quickly summon three more to join in the boss fight. I actually loved Shredder's look in the cut scenes, he looks so incredibly menacing here. Also the intro cut scene is notably different from the Nintendo counterpart yet I actually prefer this.
All of a sudden, the Statue of Liberty gets shrunk down in front of people genius. The final boss fight is Super Shredder, very similar to the Nintendo counterpart's final boss fight. Sadly Konami made very few TMNT games on Sega consoles. Although the very best Contra game also on the same console. This is hands down the best Sega TMNT game ever made!!!
10. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Radical Rescue (Game Boy)
The third & last entry on Game Boy, I got to be honest this is hands down the best one. I would even say this is actually one of my favorite TMNT games I ever played. Each turtle has a particular ability only they can do. I felt difficulty wise, this was to me the most balanced out of the three Game Boy TMNT games.
This isn't broken up into stages like the previous entries. No, they chose to go an unusual direction with a precursor Metroidvania style. I say precursor because this predates Castlevania: Symphony of the Night by nearly four years. Although Nintendo did release Metroid 2 on Game Boy two years before this game.
Surprisingly you do get a map screen too. It's a little confusing to follow though. I also like the in game cut scenes a lot too. I actually got to mention a surprising Engrish I found during my run. Among the last things Master Splinter says is basically get ready to battle. They misspelled the word as Buttle yeah I kinda thought that was funny.
Yes it is easy to get loss or even stuck making some tricky platforming. There's a particular one for Michelangelo that took several attempts. You had spiked balls on the celling during this path. You also have close by your spot, homing blasts that will keep respawning after they get destroyed. Also you are more limited than normal on nailing this hover jump.
I actually loved the map itself, it was way better than the previous two entries combined. Here's a game they did change things but ends up being surprisingly refreshing. Most of these TMNT games are similar. It was nice here's one of the exceptions that actually it's own experience in comparison. I do strongly prefer this over the original NES TMNT game.
Most boss characters only TMNT fans knows who they are. Yeah it's weird at first to not have some of the usual villains comes back here. At the same time, it actually done this game a favor to better stand out more in a great way. Shredder has two phases in his final boss, I felt this is one of his better boss fights without question.
It's mind blowing how well designed this TMNT game is. Also knowing it exists, in a way you kinda wish at least one Castlevania game on the same handheld got made that way. Which is interesting because the main handheld Castlevania games following Symphony of the Night are like that. Those are on GBA and DS respectively.
I would say this had one of the most interesting usage of the turtles. I also liked there's virtually no time limits at all. Which means take all the time you'll need to explore, stack up if needed and continue on the game. I really can't speak any higher about this game, it really was a surprisingly great TMNT game you gotta play this one.
11. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters (SNES)
In a weird move, Konami releases two similar titled but vastly different fighting games on two consoles on the same days in every region. Most TMNT fans heavily states Tournament Fighters on SNES is hands down the best out of the three similar titled fighting games. I will talk about the last version a little later.
I wanna start off by saying I strongly agree, it is the best TMNT fighting game in the collection. In every aspect, it notably blows the other TMNT fighting games away. Not only that, the controls are actually decent. There's plenty modes to play as well. Like Story Mode, you only play as one of the turtles.
Tournament Mode, you get a lot more characters to play as. On the plus side every character excluding the bosses has endings depending on difficulties. Only Versus Mode, you can play as the bosses. Either input the code or simply activate the option in the compilation. The stages are beautifully done including songs with character cameos being my favorite part to some stages.
There's also a code to apply the gauge in Story Mode. It might not be as good as a lot of fighting games around the time. Konami decided to desperately attempt to cash in on Capcom's Street Fighter II. I will confirm this came the closest but still not close enough to SFII. Honestly, this is a decent fighting game in it's own right.
I also liked some of the characters got pulled from the comics. I believed Aska is an original character exclusive to this game. All the turtles are done the best as well. I do like Shredder is also playable, trust me it's better than him on Tournament Fighters for NES. This game is truly amazing, Konami clearly put the best team on this one they had.
12. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters (Sega Genesis)
I briefly played a little of this as a kid as a rental, I remembered hating it with a passion. After all these years, not much has changed. The AI is incredibly cheap even on easiest difficulty. There's a somewhat interesting roster including April? Yeah that reporter you save a lot, I do mean a lot in these games is a playable character here.
Although, April doesn't seem to be done quite right. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see Konami had a character. Then someone said how about we name her April. Their boss likely said yeah that's a good idea let's go with it. I also liked you can play as Casey Jones too. You also get Ray from the comics with Sisyphus whose an original character exclusive to this.
The stages are all from Dimension X, I will praise they tried something out the box like that. Sadly, it kinda went a little too weird for their own good. I should point out, this does predate games like MK3 where you or your opponent slams enough on the ground. You with your opponent takes the floor beneath to another section of the same stage.
There's a few modes to play as well. Story Mode ends up being kinda lackluster at best. There's two endings that are determine by difficulty. The best ending is on max difficulty which can be very unforgiving. Tournament Mode is you must defeat 88 opponents in a row. Let's be honest, that doesn't sound like a tournament mode.
Even the SNES Tournament Fighters game got that concept right. Here it is more technically a Survival Mode. One change they made through this compilation is the ability to play as the bosses. For unexplained reasons, they removed the method to play as them originally. Digital Eclipse was able to make that possible now.
Honestly, this game is very repetitive, uninspiring and lacks the right stuff to make it. Even the smallest chance of actually being an enjoyable experience. There's a few stuff I do like about this game. It does have some good songs as well as my favorite cover out of the three Tournament Fighters games. Other than those, it's a mixed bag experience that unless you really wanna play as Krang don't do it.
13. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters (NES)
Officially among the last released NES games. Sadly the system wasn't known for fighting games. Even a few notable games including a particular mode in Double Dragon. It wasn't much writing home about, they did tried. The turtles lacks their weapons in this, which does take away from things. At the same time, it was expected because of limitations.
Speaking of limitations, among the new options they added. You now can do a versus match with both players being Hothead, it will play just fine. This previously wasn't possible, it required a Game Genie that was rough on the game itself for even doing it. Hothead actually has a different name in the comics. Also you can play as both Casey and Shredder.
Now going back to no weapons, well all the turtles virtually plays the exact same. There isn't many stages either making this as bare bone of a fighting game as possible. I will say AI wise it is fine. Controls wise it is notably better than the Sega counterpart. Honestly, this game is very short in length regardless of modes.
Yeah I could say it needs more but the console just wasn't meant to handle fighting games. Funny enough, SMS does have some notable fighting games itself. I will say this was still enjoyable. In a sense I rather play this over the Sega game. At the same time, it's very limitations puts it very low on my list.
I felt this did alright to finish out NES TMNT games. It is still easier to play than the original NES TMNT game for a few reasons. I will give them respect for trying to make a TMNT fighting game on a console not meant for the genre. Honestly, I felt this was little of a surprise I ended up liking it even with the problems it has.
Overall, the presentation is very solid. This gave us all the classics plus nice surprises. They virtually give you exactly what you need to beat every TMNT game in the collection. Turtles Lair is truly mind blowing with it's contents. I do wish one or two TMNT games would've gotten online. I really didn't expect TMNT: The Hyperstone Heist to be one of them.
I would even say this is one of Digital Eclipse's finest game compilations ever made. They also under a different name made Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection, which I'm also a huge fan of. There's so many ways this could've easily went wrong yes I'm looking at you Konami. Thank frickin god it was done near perfectly, I really recommend this especially to fellow TMNT fans to give this collection a try.
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