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TMNT (GBA)
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Publisher: Ubisoft.
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal. Released: March 2007. Genre: Roaming hack 'n' slash. Other versions: PC; X360; WII; PS2; GC; DS; PSP. Posted 11th June 2022. By Tom Clare © 2022 |
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During 2007, multiplatform champions Ubisoft had their hands on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles license and true to form, they weren’t afraid to use it. Coinciding with the release of the first Turtles film in more than a decade, video game versions would appear on no fewer than eight platforms. Whilst seven of those would tackle 3D action with varying degrees of success, the best tie-in was saved for the Game Boy Advance. In the twilight of its lifecycle, Nintendo’s portable would play host to a superb hack ‘n’ slash throwback, one to delight those brought up on Turtles in Time or The Hyperstone Heist.
Indeed, it’s clear from the off that Ubisoft Montreal took cues from Konami’s early-nineties classics in crafting this excellent brawler. TMNT manages to capture the fun, free-flowing combat and energetic spirit of the old coin-ops, leaving its mark through impressive visual design and busy action sequences. Taking place over seven sizeable stages, TMNT conveys a simple story through static-image cut-scenes. Raphael takes the lead for a couple of levels, but for the remainder, you’re largely free to choose between the four iconic pizza-munching sewer dwellers.
TMNT is a super-stylish ode to the coin-op classics of the early-nineties
Fusing RPG elements into the mix, the turtles’ sewer base makes for a likeable between-levels hub that’s packed with cool touches. There’s a punchbag to practice moves, a set of arcade cabinets as a nod to the game’s influences and an area to view mementoes earned through the completion of combat goals. Splinter is on hand to provide level selection and high scores. Returning to street level allows the player to buy all manner of weapons, stat boosts and extra lives, whilst heading for the rooftops sees the turtles tackling one-off challenges, such as juggling an item with uppercuts, or deflecting shurikens. It’s a novel setup and one that fits well.
TMNT’s cartoon-inspired graphics are the high-point of the package. There are so many pluses that it’s hard to know where to begin. A good place would logically be with the turtles themselves. All four enjoy excellent, expressive animations, whilst the combat is beautiful to behold. The smoothness and fluidity of the combos, as well as hits resulting in flourishes of colour, make for some truly kinetic scraps. Just as impressive are the bosses. Typically large and distinctive, they pose a range of problems for the player, each possessing a tricky but fair catalogue of attack patterns. Even the goons look decent, many armed with projectiles the player can pinch, with a smart bit of timing.
TMNT’s cartoon-inspired graphics are the high-point of the package. There are so many pluses that it’s hard to know where to begin. A good place would logically be with the turtles themselves. All four enjoy excellent, expressive animations, whilst the combat is beautiful to behold. The smoothness and fluidity of the combos, as well as hits resulting in flourishes of colour, make for some truly kinetic scraps. Just as impressive are the bosses. Typically large and distinctive, they pose a range of problems for the player, each possessing a tricky but fair catalogue of attack patterns. Even the goons look decent, many armed with projectiles the player can pinch, with a smart bit of timing.
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There isn’t a pixel out of place, even when TMNT pushes the boat out. Bold, technical sequences are repeatedly made to look easy. The excellent opening level features a subway section with trains rumbling periodically past, making for a dangerous hazard that the player must dodge using crevasses in the walls. Boss battles are as frantic as they are varied. Some will seem familiar, having the player dodge projectiles or dive-bomb attacks. Others are genuine one-offs: destroying a machine whilst being accosted by goons, or lugging fish into the gaping maw of a dragon whilst atop a speeding freight train, having to contend with wind effects.
Levels regularly see civilians positioned around the periphery and it’s surprising just how much atmosphere this helps the game generate as a result: one group even appear to be playing a Game Boy Advance! Often overlooked (or undercooked) on the Advance, the music deserves special mention, because the infectious, funky BGMs are just what the doctor ordered and considerably more impressive than that of most games on the system. Its presentation is a triumph.
Levels regularly see civilians positioned around the periphery and it’s surprising just how much atmosphere this helps the game generate as a result: one group even appear to be playing a Game Boy Advance! Often overlooked (or undercooked) on the Advance, the music deserves special mention, because the infectious, funky BGMs are just what the doctor ordered and considerably more impressive than that of most games on the system. Its presentation is a triumph.
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TMNT doesn’t just look great, either. The combat has received as much love and care as the graphics. It packs an impressive dose of martial arts into the handheld’s compact, two-button control layout. As well as combo flurries, the attack button can be used in conjunction with the D-pad for uppercuts, kicks and back-attacks, allowing for ample options, even when you’re surrounded. A directional double-tap allows for an evasive roll, whilst the jump button can instigate flying kicks and knee charges. Goons can be picked up and thrown into others for additional damage. It’s fantastic how much impact the combat carries, something that’s likely aided by a generous supply of weapons. There’s an admirable amount of destructible scenery, a great deal of which can be lobbed in the direction of foes, skittling them with satisfying results.
Sadly (though perhaps not surprisingly), there’s no co-op. This is a bit of a blow, as the best roaming hack ‘n’ slash experiences are invariably found when teaming up with a buddy. Somewhat mitigating for this loss, Ubisoft Montreal included a nifty summon element. Here, a ‘brother’ can be called upon when the gauge is full. Having a fellow turtle get stuck in with the fighting is great, but alas, it lasts only a couple of seconds. In a nice touch, calling them during a quiet moment results in a health-replenishing pizza drop. Kowabunga!
Sadly (though perhaps not surprisingly), there’s no co-op. This is a bit of a blow, as the best roaming hack ‘n’ slash experiences are invariably found when teaming up with a buddy. Somewhat mitigating for this loss, Ubisoft Montreal included a nifty summon element. Here, a ‘brother’ can be called upon when the gauge is full. Having a fellow turtle get stuck in with the fighting is great, but alas, it lasts only a couple of seconds. In a nice touch, calling them during a quiet moment results in a health-replenishing pizza drop. Kowabunga!
Otherwise, it’s only small issues that stop TMNT from achieving classic status. The odd enemy, such as the Streets of Rage 2-inspired bikers, are a nuisance because there’s no recovery period after the player is floored. You can be flattened as a bike travels through one side of the screen and hit again from the opposite direction as your turtle recovers to his feet. Flying kicks are surprisingly hit and miss with regards the bikers and a lot of health can be squandered in fiddly, unsatisfying circumstances. Whilst the game is perfectly manageable on the Easy setting, bump it up and you’ll find progress more resistant. A couple of levels see you having to go it alone with Raphael, missing the much-needed health benefits wrought by having a summon to help. Additionally, the number of experience points needed to develop on the higher settings is considerable and not suited to a seven-level game.
Nevertheless, TMNT is great. It’s a rather lovely underdog story; a game on an ageing handheld with modest specs, upstaging its Xbox 360 and Wii counterparts. It captures fantastically the vibe of the cartoons and brings an impressively comprehensive hack ‘n’ slash experience to the Game Boy Advance. Though its not always remembered as such, Ubisoft Montreal’s effort ranks easily amongst the best Turtles games. For a series with such a storied history, that’s no mean feat.
Nevertheless, TMNT is great. It’s a rather lovely underdog story; a game on an ageing handheld with modest specs, upstaging its Xbox 360 and Wii counterparts. It captures fantastically the vibe of the cartoons and brings an impressively comprehensive hack ‘n’ slash experience to the Game Boy Advance. Though its not always remembered as such, Ubisoft Montreal’s effort ranks easily amongst the best Turtles games. For a series with such a storied history, that’s no mean feat.
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VERDICT
"TMNT captures fantastically the vibe of the cartoons and brings an impressively comprehensive hack ‘n’ slash experience to the GBA. It's not always remembered as such, but it ranks easily amongst the best Turtles games." OVERALL: 8/10 |