In 1990, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade game was release for the NES under the title The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Arcade Game. Now even though there were some distinct changes made to the NES port, like some new boss battles and slightly duller graphics, TMNT 2: The Arcade game easily held its own to become one of the best titles released for the Nintendo Entertainment System platform. In the early 90s, no young boy disliked the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and for the gaming youths at the time the Arcade game was eons easier than the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game featured on the same system. That's not to say TMNT 2: The Arcade Game doesn't have its own challenges.

     Being that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 is as its title claims, an Arcade game, the game mechanics are pretty simple. Fight and kick your way through each level...and that's it. There is no Mario style platforming, and no puzzle solving. Each level design is beautifully rendered with their own set of traps, but for the most part all you have to do is survive wave after wave of foot clan, and make them pay for kidnapping April O'Neil. This more forward approach to the Turtles was a welcome change, and felt more like the Cartoon than the original NES Turtles game. But, being it is an NES game the Turtles don't have a ton of variety to their move set. They'll walk, jump, use their weapons to attack, and by pressing A and B together will do a stronger special attack. Although the action is fun, the constant button mashing can get a bit repetitive being that TMNT 2: The Arcade Game is actually pretty lengthy. Players could easily dedicate a couple of hours to the game, and the game's lasting appeal speaks for itself. Many years after the games release, it still remains a staple for vintage players and can be enjoyed by all ages. Xbox Live has also released a version of the Arcade classic that features the original boss battles, and the return of the 4 player Co-op (online and local), but despite a valiant attempt fails to capture the essence of the original.

     The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are by no means strangers in the gaming universe, and TMNT2: The Arcade Game had some of the most iconic images that come to mind when thinking of the NES platform. Although the graphics were superior for its Arcade system counterpart, the NES port featured some of the best looking graphics and music that can be found on the system. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Arcade Game has earned its title as a classic, and will remain a favorite as long as vintage gaming exists.

Written by RB

Over and Out

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