Top Three TMNT Games of All Time

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have been involved with video games for over 20 years and had their share of ups and downs. Some games were clunky, but others were done right. These are their top three video games:

# 3 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade

This game was originally released in arcades back in 1989. It was so successful that they re-released on the Xbox 360 in 2007. The story begins with April O'Neil being kidnapped and the turtles have to rescue her. The graphics were top notch at the time. The fact that you could have four people playing at once was a big reason why this game was popular and so much fun to play.

The best TMNT games were based off of this game engine. Without this game the TMNT game franchise could of failed.

The only downside was spending all those quarters...

# 2 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Hyperstone Heist

In 1992 TMNT was in full swing. The fan base was booming and toys were flying off the shelves. Sega Genesis was able to not only get a turtle game, they were able to get an exclusive. Hyperstone Heist still had the same plot as most turtles game, but the levels were harder.

The reason why the levels were harder was because of faster movement and more aggressive enemies. Sega was advertised as the more adult system. Their mascot is a speedy hedgehog. It seems only fitting that this game would be faster than the others.

Another unique feature about Hyperstone is that it was the only game to feature Rocksteady as an enemy character without his partner Bebop.

#1 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time

This should be no surprise to anyone. Turtles in Time is rated the best TMNT game of all time. It was originally an arcade game, but soon found its way onto the home console. In the arcade it was with four players, but on the Super Nintendo it was with two players.

The reason why this game was so successful was because the mechanics were designed right. The graphics were sharper than before, and the ability to throw enemies at the screen was different.

In the previous Turtle games the levels you had were: sewers, cities and the technodrome. This game allowed you to travel through time. You fought in unique levels, including prehistoric times.

Aside from the main story mode, you also had two other options of gameplay. The first was the time trail. Long before trophies were around gamers had to use scores and time for bragging rights. Time trial mode offered just that.

Another option of gameplay was the battle mode. You could battle your friends with your favorite TMNT character. It was nothing great, but it was amusing for a few rounds. 

What made this game great was the fan service. They had characters from both the TV series and the movie.
 
In addition to the great gameplay it had good music. Music and video games go hand-in-hand. When music is written right, it can become a classic.

The developers even added humor. You could get smashed, burned, frozen , but perhaps the best was stepping on something sharp. It was rather funny to see your turtle grab their foot saying my toes. The game sells itself. It remains a timeless classic and is the best TMNT game of all time.

TMNT at Comic-Con

According to comicbookmovie.com, Comic-Con fans will be getting an extra TMNT treat. To celebrate the new TMNT TV series scheduled to come out September 29th, Nickelodeon will let fans decide to join either the Turtles or the Foot.

Nickelodeon has set up street teams in downtown San Diego and San Diego International Airport who will be handing out information about what side to choose.

The event begins Thursday, July 12 and ends Saturday, July 14, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Those who choose to join a side will receive a free badge of allegiance to either the Foot Clan or the Turtles. Fans will also be able to receive a free trucker hat. In addition, fans will also qualify for a chance to win a prize pack with collectibles and an autographed piece of classic memorabilia from co-creator of the original TMNT series, Kevin Eastman.

Nickelodeon has put up information throughout both cities encouraging fans to visit their mobile website, m.turtlesvsfoot.com, to participate in missions. Fans can receive a phone call from either Splinter or Shredder.

Comic-Con will also host a panel dedicated to the new series on Friday, July 14. Executive Producer, Ciro Nieli, will be unveiling never-before-seen footage. The panel will feature voice actors: Jason Biggs (Leonardo), Sean Astin (Raphael), Greg Cipes (Michelangelo), Rob Paulsen (Donatello), Kevin Michael Richardson (Shredder), Hoon Lee (Splinter) and Mae Whitman (April O'Neil).

Many other TMNT celebrities will be involved with Comic-Con. To represent TMNT comics, Dave Garcia, Erik Larsen, David Petersen, James Silvani and Michael Dooney will be in artist alley. 

Garcia helped create the character Panda Khan. Khan is a samurai panda bear, who was featured in early comics of TMNT.

Larsen took the Turtles in a more violent direction. Events such as: Leonardo losing a hand, Donatello becoming a cyborg, Splinter becoming a bat, Raphael's face being scarred and taking on the identity of Shredder.

Peterson is a cover artist involved with the IDW TMNT Comics. IDW is an eight issue series for Micro comics based on one character per an issue. Peterson has stated on his blog that he has been working closely with Nickelodeon, which could mean the IDW comics may be mentioned in the new show.

Silbani and Dooney have worked on many TMNT comics over the years, however, Dooney designed some TMNT toys.

To represent the TMNT movies, Ernie Reyes Jr, will be in attendance. Reyes is best known for his work on the first TMNT movie as Donatello's stunt double and and as Keno in TMNT 2.

The biggest name at Comic-Con will be TMNT co-creature Kevin Eastman. Eastman will be involved in a number of panels throughout the weekend.

Nickelodeon is banking that the new TMNT series will take off. If the series is done right, it could mean big money for them. Recently, Nickelodeon launched the “The ’90s Are All That" campaign and had results. “The ’90s Are All That" is a programming block that features shows from the 1990's, including cartoons.  

The 90's hold a special place in TMNT fans hearts. The franchise was at its peak. For TMNT fans Comic-Con will not only be a tribute to the old turtles, it will provide an inside look into what the future holds for them.