The 10 BEST Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Video Games
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Battle Nexus” (2004)
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Though it isn’t as spick and span as previous TMNT games, the 3D trilogy we saw based on the 2003 animated series was still a riot to play! Of the three, however, “Battle Nexus” remains the best. For starters, it was the first one that offered four-player co-op, whereas the first only supported two players. Second, it had more playable characters, allowing you to unlock Casey Jones, Master Splinter, Karai, and Slashuur. In other words, it expanded upon the previous iteration more, and while “Mutant Nightmare”, the third game, featured more villains, we’ll take more playable characters instead.
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game” (1990)
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The turtles saw rousing success in the arcade scene as we’ll see later on. The original 1989 title will always have a special place in our hearts, but the sequel was far superior. Not only did it boast a major visual improvement, but it also set the template for future TMNT games with its diverse gameplay. Leo, Raph, Don, and Mikey all had their own attacks, stats, and special moves to beat down Shredder and the Foot Soldiers. Without “TMNT II: The Arcade Game”, we would not have many of the games we, the fans, have today.
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project” (1991)
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Admittedly, there isn’t exactly a huge difference between our previous entry and “The Manhattan Project”. (Hey, you can only accomplish so much within a year.) So, what exactly made “Manhattan Project” stand out when it doesn’t do much outside of giving the turtles their own unique special moves? Well, sometimes, you don’t need to make giant leaps to stand out. What made this one special was simply the experience. What other game lets you jump from Florida to Manhattan and eventually end up at the dreaded Technodrome? …Eh, there’s probably one other game out there, but for us, “Manhattan Project” comes to mind first.
“TMNT” (2007)
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Okay, we can be honest and say the 2007 “TMNT” may not have been the greatest movie for the heroes in a half-shell. (But Nolan North as Raphael and James Arnold Taylor, the voice of Ratchet and Obi-Wan, as Leonardo? Awesome casting choices!) Luckily, the GBA video game based on the movie was much better. While it was a shame that we had to juggle each turtle separately, this was still a meaty beat ‘em up to bring with us on the go thanks to its arcade-y feel and jammin’ music.
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash-Up” (2009)
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Though many might flock to one other TMNT fighting game, “Smash-Up” was a surprisingly solid platform fighter! Developed by Game Arts, the same studio that co-developed “Super Smash Bros. Brawl”, “Smash-Up” gave players a selection of TMNT fighters to senselessly knock their friends around. In addition to our four main boys, you could fight as April, Casey, Splinter, Shredder, Karai, Fugitoid, Utrominator, Nightwatcher, a Foot Ninja, and…a Raving Rabbid, for some reason. With unique stages, a strong roster, and plenty of costumes to unlock, “Smash-Up” made an excellent fighter to play at any pizza party.
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (GBA) (2003)
If you wanted the classic gameplay of the 90’s beat ‘em ups but loved the artstyle of the 2003 animated series, then this was the iteration you needed to play! Whereas the 2003 home console “TMNT” was a 3D beat ‘em up that was a tad clunky to play, this was a 2D brawler much like the TMNT games before it. Only difference was that it featured the same artstyle as the show, and it mixed up gameplay by throwing in a few small, vehicle-based minigames in between. Sure, the combat might be a bit repetitive, but when played in smaller sessions, this was an enjoyable title.
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters” (1993)
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Before TMNT got its own “Smash” clone, the turtles did get their own traditional 2D fighting game, and it was incredibly fun to play! The only downside was that those playing on the Genesis got a smaller roster with a few different characters and fewer moves to pull off. SNES players got a roster of ten characters, four of which being TMNT villains we rarely see and even an original new character, and each fighter was complex in their moveset! Critics at the time kept comparing it to “Street Fighter II”, but to us TMNT fans, this was good enough to distinguish itself from the bunch.
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Radical Rescue” (1993)
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Really, if you had to play any of the handheld TMNT games, this one is the best of the bunch. Rather than replicate the beat ‘em ups that came prior, “Radical Rescue” throws the turtles into a new adventure and a new format. Much like other Metroidvania games, you’re given a vast world to explore as you try to save each of the other turtles as well as April and Master Splinter. As you explore, you’ll find certain paths can only be crossed by one of the four turtles as each holds a unique ability to traverse the map, whether it's Mikey using his nunchuks to helicopter around or Donatello’s ability to climb walls. Honestly, it’s surprising that we didn’t get more games like this.
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time” (1991)
For a time (no pun intended), “Turtles in Time” was regarded as the best TMNT game ever made. Everything about this game was fun, and it refined the overall look and feel of what a “Ninja Turtles” game should be. The combat was fluid and gave players fun ways to defeat Foot Soldiers. The visuals perfectly replicated the aesthetic of the legendary 90’s animated series. And the boss fights were difficult but exciting. And when all four turtles were being controlled by each player, it felt like you were a part of a special episode of the show. That, mixed with the awesome level design, made this an insanely great TMNT game. Then, it got dethroned by our final entry.
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge” (2022)
We know we’re late on this, but we haven’t been able to stop playing it since it launched. “Shredder’s Revenge” is without a doubt the best TMNT game ever made. Not only does it take cues from the gameplay of “Turtles in Time”, but it also features a longer campaign spanning sixteen levels, a vast number of character cameos, a difficulty that is tough but fair, and a whopping SEVEN playable characters! And if the love behind the IP wasn’t evident enough, each of the characters are voiced by the same actors from the 90’s animated series. Developer Tribute Games knocked it out of the park with this one, and if any of you out there loves “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”, you absolutely need to play “Shredder’s Revenge”.
