TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled

 

When I was younger for my friends and I it was a big thing to go over to each other's house and play the SNES.  Whatever game it was we found a way to have a good time.  Turtles in Time however, was one of our favorites.  We were big fans of the turtles and we loved the game just as much.  There was just something about being able to team up as our favorite turtles to beat up on bad guys for hours on end.  So when I heard the game was being remade with updated graphics for XBLA and PSN I was a happy camper and excited to share one of my old favorites with my younger brother.  But are the fond memories enough to make this game worth it?

 

As a single player game Turtles in Time doesn't hold it's own.  The old worn out gameplay doesn't make this a game for just anyone.  If you're a huge TMNT fan than you'll be okay, but for everyone else, there's not much here to keep your attention.  Gameplay wise your given the same moves from the old version and the only addition is the ability to move in 8 directions instead of 4. 

 

Graphically the game looks nice.  Obviously it looks better than before but it feels like it could look better.  Though, for what this game is, the graphics are fine.  However the sound didn't exactly get the same treatment.  The original voices are completely gone and the new voices sound horrible.  On top of that the old music is gone too.  Replaced with....well lets not get into what they replaced it with cause it's pretty bad. 

 

Complaints aside, lets get into the good stuff.  Just like the old game multiplayer was where this game shines.  Gathering a group of your tmnt loving buddies and busting through the game is still fun.  Though I'd bet most of that is just the social aspect and not the fact that the game is fun. 

 

For someone like me, who is a big TMNT fan it's hard to say that the game is bad.  Turtles in Time is strictly for TMNT fans.  If you're not a fan then there is absolutely nothing here for you at all.  If you are a fan then hopefully you've got some friends that are willing to play with you or else you'll find yourself bored pretty fast.  The game can be fun and it does have it's moments.  Those moments just aren't enough to make it any better.  With the only improvements being the ability to move in 8 directions and updated graphics it's hard to make a case for this game.  If you're a huge TMNT fan or for some really weird reason you're wanting to play a dated and boring brawler then Turtles in Time is a game for you.  If not...check out the SNES version, that has more levels anyways.

 

2/5 Penguins