There are few properties that are better suited for video games than the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. After all, in what other universe can you find giant, wisecracking turtles (and their giant rat leader, no less) fighting an ancient clan of ninjas headed by an even more powerful ninja who is often assisted by a talking brain that sits inside of a robot? It's all pretty crazy, and since its birth in the realm of comic books, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has spawned all sorts of cartoons, movies, toys, and numerous video games--some great and some not so great. In the midst of that growth, it has become even crazier, introducing more mutants and more characters. We're going to break it all down and explain the TMNT universe by taking a look at some of the characters that will be appearing in the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash-Up for the Wii (and marking the release of Turtles in Time Re-Shelled on XBLA). Then, we'll cap it off with a look back at some of the best TMNT games of years past, so jump down into the sewers and join us for a look at the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
The Characters
Leonardo
- Favorite Color:
- Blue
- Weapon of choice:
- Dual Katana
- What He Does:
- Leads
Often regarded as the leader of the turtles, Leonardo keeps a level head in most situations and has a knack for using swords without actually stabbing anyone--except maybe a foot soldier here and there. Without his or Master Splinter's direction, the turtles would probably turn into a bunch of no-good ruffians, eating pizza all day instead of patrolling the city to fight crime and thwart Shredder and his goons.
Donatello
- Favorite color:
- Purple
- Weapon of Choice:
- Bo
- What He Does:
- Machines
Every group of mutants has its designated smarty-pants--Donatello is the resident genius of the turtles. In fact, Donatello is usually the one getting the turtle team out of a jam by using his massive turtle brainpower to overcome technological traps. But he wasn't always this way. In the original comic, Donatello hits one of Shredder's own grenades back at him with his bo and kills him, showing that Don can also fight with the best of them.
Raphael
- Favorite Color:
- Red
- Weapon of Choice:
- Dual Sais
- What He Does:
- Be Rude, But Cool
Oh Raphael, why must you be so hotheaded? There's no doubt that Raphael is one of the strongest turtles when it comes to sheer fighting ability, but his lack of patience and constant need to prove himself gets him in plenty of trouble--and not just with enemies, but with the rest of the turtles as well.
Michelangelo
- Favorite Color:
- Orange
- Weapon of Choice:
- Nunchaku
- What He Does:
- Party
It's impossible to hate Michelangelo. Go ahead, try it. Try hating him. See? It's impossible. Michelangelo is the fun-loving turtle who would rather spend his time eating, skating, and partying than fighting. And because of his general demeanor, Michelangelo is often targeted as one of the precursors to the whole extreme-sports, talking-animals-that-sound-like-surfers phenomenon in the early 1990s.
Splinter
- Weapon of Choice:
- Cane
- What He Does:
- Gives Turtles Guidance
- What's His Deal:
- He Is a Radical Rat
Remember the scene in the original TMNT movie where Splinter was practicing ninjitsu in his cage before seeing his master get murdered? It looked pretty terrible (why couldn't they just use a real ninja rat?), but it is more in line with his origin story, which was later changed for the cartoon. In that universe, Splinter and his master, Hamato Yoshi, were the same character and he later transformed into a rat after finding the turtles in the sewer.
April O'Neil
- Weapon of Choice:
- Words/Swords
- What She Does:
- Reports/Sells Antiques
- What's Her Deal:
- Good At Being Kidnapped
In the cartoons and movies, April is a news reporter and one of the first humans to find out about the turtles and befriend them. In the comics, she was originally the assistant to Baxter Stockman, a scientist who invents the robotic mousers. In either version, April is constantly getting into trouble, whether it involves being kidnapped or simply being attacked by Stockman who blames April for his problems.
Casey Jones
- Weapon of Choice:
- Sports Equipment
- What He Does:
- Violence
- What's His Deal:
- His Parents Never Loved Him
It's no coincidence that the first time Casey (a former athlete) appears on the scene in the turtle universe, he is immersed in a confrontation with Raphael--both characters have problems with their tempers. But whereas Raphael is constantly working to improve his anger management issues, Casey has the tendency to let his get the best of him at the worst moments.
Shredder
- Weapon of Choice:
- His Spiky Bits
- What He Does:
- Evil
- What's His Deal:
- Blames Turtles for Everything
Let's forget for a second that the turtles' worst enemy was, indeed, their worst enemy. Shredder--leader of The Foot Clan--was actually killed by the turtles in the comics, but by using some odd methods (worms that eat flesh, really), Shredder was cloned and ultimately resurrected. In the first cartoon series, Shredder's more of a Cobra Commander--always coming up with a grand plan that works for about 15 minutes until it fails horribly.
131 comments
Why isn't the TMNT Tournament Fighters game mentioned? The SNES version specifically. It was really fun and had a bunch of characters from the comics. If anything, Smash-Up is a spiritual successor.
TMNT: Manhattan Project was the best ninja turtles game back then.I used to kick the super shredder ass all the time!
Hey! What about the NES games ??? For me the best TMNT game was TMNT: Manhattan Project, it was the greatest game ever in my chilhood !!! Anybody remember that game ???
mike is the best,best wepon,best sense of humor,he is just a one in a million and whatever you do you can't him!!!!!!!
The new TNMT is the best of the bunch, atleast u get to see some skillful fighting and strong storytelling including aliens and ancient warrior races, even "Brain" was remade in the new TMNT where he and Shredder are actually the same person! Its new remake puts it in the level of japanese animes in terms of story (for me anyway)! Has anyone seen the new episodes where the turtles fight in an alien tournament in another universe for the title of the ultimate fighter of the universe? Tell me that's not good fighting, try to convince me the old TMNT is better than that! Best thing they ever did was remove those retarded Rocksteady and Beebop!! yeck!!
the orig arcade game was awsome. I spent so much money on that machine. Even the raphael was my fave it had to be donatello that was the best character or leonardo to play on the actual game!
Caramba, siempre he sido un Fan de esta franquicia....buena información... No he leido el comic... tendré que buscarla! He jugado la version arcade, las versiones para NES, SNES (no me gusta tournament figther), y la de Genesis He visto todas las pelis!.... incluso la animada en 3d... Otra vez! Esta ha sido buena información.... Gracias... Caramba, Always I've been a Fan of this Franchise... good information... I've don't read the comic... I've played the Arcade version game, NES, SNES (I dislike the Tournament Edition game), and Genesis console games... I've seen all the movies... even the 3d graphics movie! Again... This is have been good information... Thanks
Shredder--leader of The Foot Clan--was actually killed by the turtles in the comics, but by using some odd methods (worms that eat flesh, really), Shredder was cloned and ultimately resurrected.
So shredder's the precursor to Blade of the Immortal? What with the worms? Didn't know that. I've played the trial version of Turtles in Time re-shelled? and I can confirm it is closer to the real arcade game than to the port they made to home consoles way back when.
I've played both the arcade version of Turtles in time and the home console version, well the SNES one atleast. They even have the spawn/respawn animations in place. The shift to 3d is great cause the lighting (both the natural moonlight and the street lights) seem to naturally bounce off the turtles and the foot clan Baxter Stockman was questionable though.I only have one question is there really 4 player simultaneous support both local and over xbox live? I saw both as options but obviously don't have four people to try it out with can someone confirm it?Do you think that EA and Rare will ever port the arcade version of BattleToads over?@Helmhead You mean the original home console Ninendo Konami TMNT game? It was more like Legend of Zelda II: Link's Adventure You know? How it was singleplayer and you'd have to walk around in a separate overview map but there were sections where there was side scrolling action. My cousin had that I guess he beat it. But I was never good enough to do so. I had this green handheld game and watch take on the Ninja Turtles does anyone remember that? I think you always had to play as Leonardo and you had to jump over these bombs I don't remember the name of it.Did anyone like the original TMNT III movie?
Turtles ftw. If ever I was a fanboy, it would be because of the TMNTs. When I was a kid everything I owned was turtles. Toys and movies, clothes, bed sheets, video games; you name it I probably had it. Good times.
My favorite part of TMNT aside from the fact that I fiend for pizza too, was Krang's voice. That still gets laughs around the office.
TMNT will never die I loved them as a kid and still do and now my three kids like them they think the old school 1985 arcade and turtles in time are great and they love the old movies and the new animated TMNT
@ Helmhead I totally agree with you! I wonder how many hours I spent trying to beat that game as a kid! And I did eventually finish it! I remember how bad-a$$ the soundtrack to Shredder's Boss fight was. You know how hard that game was for a little guy - only four lives, come on!!! @ wwonk666 yeah, the remake isn't as great as I had hoped it to be, but the game isn't a total waste - since it was only 800 points (not $15 like you said).
No love for the original NES "harder-than-anything-geared-at-kids-should-ever-be" version? I must have spent hours swimming through that damn water and disarming those bombs. I think I made it to Mecha-Turtle ONCE and put the game away for good when I lost... Ahh memories - remember the AWESOME noise it made when Donatello used his staff in the NES version.. THUD!
tmnt used to be great back days ! and i really liked one of the games in ps2 ! the best turtle is: MICKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEY :p
What no Krang? Come on, he was the whole mastermind of the ooze and what not that started the whole thing! well, at least in the version I liked he did...
COWABUNGA!!! I never knew what the hell that meant but I ALWAYS thought it was great! I still love TMNT to this day...Turtles in Time had to have been MY favorite...great game...Tournament Fighters for Genesis was a smooth DUD but it was still fun to play at times..it was jsut so cheap and any game with a character name sissyfus HAS to be bad ha-ha.
I remember my orange cast coming as an inspiration of michelangelo when I was 3 when i broke my arm.
oh yes i remember being addicted to the turtles etc, games,action figures and of course the cartoon its self, cowabunga!
[quote]StopFear Posted Aug 5, 2009 9:15 pm GMT what about turltles tournament fighters? It was a good game.[/quote] yeah, i agree ! it kind of played like street fighter 2, but with turtle graphics. i have most of the old cartoon show on VHS. i wonder if i could get it on blu ray or DVD.... that would be great. and i also want the 1st turtle movie on dvd, as i have the second one allready :-D
Oh the memories in the early 90s when I was like 7, I watched the cartoons, movies, and played with the action figures.
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Table of Contents
Featured Games
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
(ARC) -
TMNT
(GBA) -
TMNT: Hyperstone Heist
(GEN)
