Stuck In 2D: The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Stuck in 2D: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Over the years many iconic video game franchises have tried and failed miserably to enter the 3rd Dimension. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re taking a look at the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Franchise’s attempts to break from its side-scrolling past.
Few franchises became the phenomenon that the Ninja Turtles were back in the 80s and early 90s. Aside from their television, film and comic book series, their video games were able to in draw crowds of captivated gamers with their simple, yet addictive side-scrolling beat ‘em ups.
In its prime, the franchise received several best-selling titles for consoles, some of which dominated the arcades, while receiving its own Tournament fighter.
As of now their modern 3D video games have failed to impress gamers or restore them to their former glory. These misguided attempts to re-introduce players to the turtles began in 2003, when Konami tried to reboot their once profitable franchise for a new generation.
Simply entitled “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”, the game disregarded gameplay in exchange for a basic 3D layout inspired by its newly launched cartoon counterpart.
While the old games and cartoon show shared a lot with one another, this re-imagining took gamers through actual episodes of the new shows’ first season, complete with cut scenes lifted directly out of its episodes.
Following its release, the cell-shaded game was quickly labeled as uninspired and bland. Despite its new three-dimensional graphics, it was seen as nothing more then a generic button masher, mysteriously devoid of 4-player support, and overstuffed with ever-repeating catchphrases that annoyed gamers.
In response, Konami tried twice more with “Turtles 2: Battle Nexus” and “Turtles 3: Mutant Nightmare.” Each delivering minor gameplay upgrades, in addition to full 4-player support. Interestingly, Konami tried to fend off bad word of mouth and entice long-time fans by including a classic Turtles arcade title in each game as a bonus. Unfortunately, this did little to spare the games from obscurity.
In 2005, Konami tried to capitalize on the success of the Super Smash Bros. franchise by delivering a fighter clone with “Turtles: Mutant Melee.” Needless to say the game’s unpolished look and controls failed to impress.
Despite this, fans were given hope for a proper 3D video game when Ubisoft was asked to make a game adaptation of the Turtles’ 2007 animated film. To their horror, they were given a simplified version of “Prince of Persia”, featuring atrocious gameplay, fighting mechanics and graphics.
Strangely, Ubisoft then decided to deliver its own tournament brawler, and similarly failed to capitalize on Nintendo’s success with “Turtles: Smash-Up.”
In 2009, Ubisoft chose to update Konami’s 1992 side-scrolling Arcade classic. “Turtles In Time”. They added the subtitle “Re-Shelled” to the downloadable package, and managed to offend gamers with their hybrid 3D repackaging of the retro title. Ironically, this only managed to melt away the games’ appeal and annoy longtime fans.
Despite several attempts to take the Turtles into the third dimension, the heroes in a half shell continue to remain without a proper 3D title. What’s needed is a multiplayer game that can rekindle the excitement of gamers with a renewed focus on quality and fun.
