TMNT: Turtles in Time is a Perfect Beat Em Up
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
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Everyone loves a good beat em up game whether its an arcade beat em up or a home console beat em up...and whether its a 2D beat em up or a 3D beat em up! It's the genre of Final Fight from Capcom, Streets of Rage from Sega and Splatterhouse from Namco and there are SO MANY games in this retro gaming genre that just dont get enough attention...so its time to talk about the best beat em ups that remain obscure or unloved in one way or another! Because these are some of the best retro games around...I think?
Up Next: TMNT: Turtles in Time from Konami...or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time if you write it long form! I love the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles beat em up from Konami and I consider it to be one of the best arcade games ever...but this TMNT game is even better! and there is the SNES version you can play on MiSTer FPGA too!
Questions? Comments? Just leave them below and I will do my best to answer each and every one of them!
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VGE
#retrogaming #retrogamer #retrogames #sega #beatemup #fightinggame #fightinggames #arcade #arcadegames #arcadegaming #arcadegame #gaming #tmnt
I might be wrong, but the handling of the TMNT IP from 1987-1991 was absolute perfection. They absolutely nailed the animated series, the first two movies, and all the arcade games and home console releases. Going back now to play the games and watch the shows with my own kids, most of it is quality content.
I can’t argue with it. All the TMNT we got then was just classic
The first movie absolutely. The second... I mean the fact that they made, finished and had that movie out in theaters WITHIN A YEAR is absolutely incredible. I didn't like it as a kid, it felt like it was made for kids, they were put in an odd situation though like Mike wasn't allowed to hit people with nunchucks because of apparent parent outcry, that's why they added the scene with him using liked sausages as nunchucks. It was such a far cry from the mature feeling of the original, like they took this SERIOUS. This was an extremely low budget film that big wigs didn't take a look at thus they didn't have their sticky fingers in it forcing a change on things... If you liked the OG TMNT check out the first few seasons of Nickelodeon's 2012 TMNT it was clearly made by people who grew up with and loved the OG TMNT and everything from that era, from the videogames to the slash horror films it's all shown in there with love. Unfortunately that too was taken over by Big Wigs, season 5 was already finished and they were forced to redo everything once corp took over, thus no one used weapons, they all went to outer space to sell toys and various suits for the turtles, the animation clearly took a hit due to it being so rushed... Just... Ugh man.. it sucks.. the latest TMNT movies say it all. Bastards. TMNT 2012. Check give it a serious watch. I think/hope you'll like it.
Some TMNT content made after that time period has been great though.
The IDW comics, The Last Ronin comics, TMNT 2003 Cartoon, TMNT 2012 Cartoon, the NECA and Super7 TMNT lines and Shredder's Revenge game have kept my interest in TMNT over the years.
“ so you can bring three of your friends if you have that many” That delivery was awesome. Such a great game that I still enjoy.
Haha glad my jokes land
I was a huge TMNT fan since the beginning. I spent my 5 dollar allowance on the first TMNT arcade game as much as I could at my local corner store. Then I'd do the same at Alladins Castle in my local mall. I miss those days for sure. 😊
I just miss arcades in general
My toe! My toe! This music is so 90s wacky too.
Def big 90s vibes
🎶"Pizza Power"🎶 wins the 2026 country music Grammy
🤣
I recently played this version at Arcade Club, Englands largest arcade of original cabinets.
The cabinet is complete with side art and four player mode intact.
My memories of this one are tied to the SNES but this was a great experience to play on a real cabinet with a crt to appreciate the more detailed graphics of the arcade version.
Loved the lunch money story…I did this a lot as a teenager 😄
Run cabinet to find. Bet they’ve got a lot of good stuff in there
yes it’s an incredible place really. They have Time Crisis 2, 3 and 5 currently set up there. I don’t have much experience with 5 so I’m looking forward to your next video on it
5 is my personal fav
The 1989 arcade original impressed me with its groundbreaking 4-player co-op and frenetic gameplay, and as a licensed game it was so faithful to the IP. Turtles in Time was a refined sequel with more varied levels. The moveset in those games could've perhaps been wider though. It was much expanded in the recent Shedder's Revenge sequel.
4P with three friends is some of the most fun you could have in arcades back then
I don’t know if I ever played this one in the arcade or not, I definitely played the first one. I have core memories as a kid playing this with my dad on SNES and I don’t remember ever playing games with him. I remember when I made my first 2 player arcade stick a little over 10 years ago, booting this up on MAME and thinking to myself weren’t there more levels?
I’m not familiar with the comics, but I did watch one of the more modern ones with my kids that was on nick a few years back and they start to get into some crazy stuff with space alien dinosaurs coming and taking over earth and stuff, so the wackiness of this game seems on brand to me.
Def gotta play the arcade version now then. Just as good as SNES
While it may not be the pinnacle of emulation accuracy, the recent multiplatform TMNT Cowabunga Collection does feature both arcade and SNES versions of Turtles in Time, with the Genesis Hyperstone Heist offshoot thrown in for good measure, so one doesn't necessarily have to strain themselves to find one particular version over the other.
As for me personally, some of my fondest gaming memories are tied to Turtles in Time, both the SNES and arcade versions. When I was a kid, we rented the SNES version one weekend and for some reason my brother and I woke up extremely early that Saturday morning just for the sole purpose of beating that game. We spent maybe 45 minutes to an hour in two-player mode to do it, but we beat the game trying to keep noise to a minimum then went back to bed only to get up later that afternoon and play some more. XD
For the arcade version, I only ever recall playing it with a full four players once, and that was when I took a (now ex) girlfriend to a Barcade in NYC. It was her first time playing it (her, me, and two randos), and while she lost quickly at least it looked like she had fun doing it. I bowed out after Alley-Cat Blues.
It’s fun we got a collection. Bringing the games to a new audience is always good. Hope we get a new game eventually too
That game is so awesome if you were a tmnt fan which me and my brother were you had to play it. Alien Vs. Predator is probably my favorite beat em up on the cps2 arcade hardware
AvP is a classic for sure. Maybe will show up here soon
I've probably played more of the SNES version vs. the arcade, so I'd probably give it the edge, even if you lose the four-player support. the arcade version feels a shade more jank, although you do still get that 30 second snippet of 'pizza power' but overall I think it's still a pretty fun time. I do own the TMNT collection that dropped on switch a couple years ago, maybe it's high time I fired it up again?!
SNES is probably objectively better but this is like 99.99% as good
Iconic game!
Hall of fame arcade status IMO
You have great taste in games 👌❤
Thanks!
I am 43 years old played all these stuff before on their days and I can quarantee you Snes port is superior to arcade anytime considering playability and overall feel.
But for me TMNT 3 on Nes is the best tmnt game.
3 huh? Not one I expected to hear today
@@VideoGameEsoterica Yes its personal opinion ofcourse
I just started playing shredders revenge with friends on psn, this video has great timing lol
Haha funny how timing does that. I hear comments like this a lot
The SNES one is even better as you don't take cheap damage.
I love both equally
Turtles in Time is a defining SNES experience
It's up there with all the iconic games
My favorite Beat Em Up of ALL TIME is Guardian Heroes hands down!
Guardian Heroes is a fun time for sure
@VideoGameEsoterica it has tons of replay value
The best is the arena battle with friends
Man those were the golden days
The snes soundtrack is burned in my mind. One of the best!
Konami always made iconic soundtracks
I liked all the TMNT games. The original has some rough spots, but after that they were all amazing. Even the 3x release of Tournament Fights is so amazing, Sega being the hardest but still a great time. Mostly they're all multi-player too, so fun for everyone!
Yes we got way more GOOD TMNT games then bad ones
All time top 5 arcade game
I’d say top 25 for me
@ fair enough, this and Simpsons were my favorite beat em ups. I rate those together since they were both Konami.
Konami really owned the genre for awhile
@@VideoGameEsoterica for the kid in me it was the first time the graphics made me feel like I was playing a cartoon.
I have to admit, much as I love the arcade version of Turtles in Time VGE, the Super Nintendo version is one of those rare occasions when the home version is just as equal, (if not better) than the arcade version. A true Masterpiece the game is either way for sure. 8^)
It’s rare but it does happen
Dope game! TMNT Cowabunga Collection has this game, as well as the SNES version, Hyperstone Heist on MD, and many others, for anyone that wants to buy it for cheap.
It was fun getting that collection
I didn't play too many beat-em-ups but if River City Ransom counts, I loved that game. I know its more of an adventure/beat'em'up. I don't have my childhood NES cart but it is on my Switch. I did love TMNT2 on the NES, never had an SNES but I can relive them on the Analogue Pocket and on Switch as part of the Cowabunga Collection. I do also have Scott Pilgrim and Shreder's Revenge I need to go through.
Definitely counts. It’s a classic
I just remembered a very u appreciated beat em up
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers foe the Game Gear
That's a hidden gem for sure
Haven’t played that in forever
This on Mister? Loved TMNT as a kid!
Not yet. OG TMNT Arcade is
They should make an Streets of Rage Remake style of those games with the Hyperstone Heist Megadrive levels and exclusive SNES stages, all in one game
I’d buy that
They nailed the Super Nintendo Version, the Combat is just so fun and feels very good.
Music is so damn good upbeat and the Levels and Bosses very diverse, it just doesn't get boring.
That they changed the Surfing Levels to kill Enemies in one Hit was a very good Decision, as it makes it more fast paced.
I would say the only Thing that they could change is the Power Move, to make it "charge" with Combos or alike, instead of taking your Live.
Other than that, this Game is easily culpable that i love Video Games to this Day (i had a C64 before and most Games are just unfair and badly designed, yes also the Turtles Game that is the same as on the NES, i even knew that with around 4 Years haha)
Someone should just mod these two games together into one master version
My Local Arcade in early 90s had this game and The Simpsons. Both games are very similar in that they were the first time I recognized that a games graphics looked every bit as good as their cartoon counterparts. I remember telling my brothers the graphics were BETTER than the Cartoon! Haha, that was a big deal to me at the time.
Haha I mean they weren’t too far off that’s for sure
i agree. i played more on the snes than the arcade though. very much a favorite
Both versions are classics and I’m glad we have both
The best arcade TMNT game ever made!
I’d tend to agree
My friends and I are happy to have played the SNES version on my FXPak Pro with MSU-1 and FastROM enhancements.
Always an awesome version as well
But the Arcade version is still not available on MiSTer? It would be its own core as I understand...
Yes it would be its own core and as of yet we don’t have it
I hope someone is able to combine the extra levels, but especially the refined controls, with the original arcade graphics and sounds too. That'd be the ultimate version of the game, being able to more consistently throw enemies into the screen even opened up new gameplay options, the first Shredder fight on SNES would have been frustrating on Arcade.
It would be fun to combo it all up
Sunset Riders runs on very similar hardware (TMNT TIT does have more chips though) so hopefully MiSTer core isn't too far away.
Seems like it would def be on Jotego’s roadmap
Turtle Power! :)
It was fun growing up in the classic TMNT era
@@VideoGameEsoterica I played this in the arcade also
@protox07 same. Such a classic
Best beat-em-up IMO is Capcom Alien Vs Predator. And I will die on that hill LOL.
Haha I mean it’s an awesome game. No arguing about that
I'm a huge TMNT fan I have both PCB boards and the arcade 1 up and I personally think at that time Konami cornered the market on betem ups in my opinion
Konami was def in first place that generation
The snes version might be one of the few examples of a better console port. The longer hitstun and crunchier hit sounds to me just make it feel so much better. I feel like the arcade version just has less impact but that’s my opinion.
It’s rare that a console port can exceed the arcade original its true
I agree about the feel of it. Konami changed the sound effects and the animation for the SNES game. On SNES, the hits sound heavy and the Foot Soldiers freeze up when stunned. For arcade, they flail about, and it does make it feel less impactful.
That’s a fair argument
I will say, the snes version is way better. The og turtles arcade game and the arcade version of this, Konami didn’t figure out what a good amount of hitstun is so their early beat em ups like simpsons, x men and the turtles versions of the arcade games feel like the attacks are wet noodles. It feels so unfair
I recently did a Port Authority episode comparing the two but for this series I wanted to talk about the arcade version
cowabunga collection
Haha yes
At the time of the SNES launch, Konami itself acknowledged that the SNES version was better, especially in terms of sound.
Newer hardware
Yeah, it's a good one, though I had trouble getting into it for a while. When it was new, I had already soured on the Turtles as a property, so I was playing the Spider-Man arcade game whenever I had the chance back in those days. When I finally got around to Turtles in Time via emulation about 12 years ago, it had some quirks. I REALLY didn't like the auto run at first. I kept running by accident. The turtles each have four jumping attacks, and I thought the timings of those were odd. The SNES version has different, and in my opinion better, timings for that. But I eventually got used to that. The SNES also has better feel on the hits thanks to the changes in animation and sound design. The rearrangement of the stages on SNES brought in more bosses. Rocksteady and Bebop as pirates was a great inclusion. So is Super Shredder as final boss. The arcade game, of course, is far more technically impressive, especially in motion. I like the concrete monster boss, or whatever he is. I think the arcade's FM music is way better. I've always found the SNES music to be inconsistent, and I now play the SNES game with the arcade music via MSU1. I also like Neon Night Riders way better as a normal stage in the arcade game than as a Mode 7 bonus stage. It took me a while to warm up to the arcade game, but I like it a lot now, and that gives me two good versions to play. As a side note, best control goes to Hyperstone Heist because using a button for run is the best way.
Yes maybe if you didn’t get around to playing it till later you don’t have that nostalgia factor hitting as hard
@@VideoGameEsoterica My issues were more down to gameplay quirks. Auto run, for example, is unique even among Konami games. The important thing is I played it again and it won me over.
Two big changes for the SNES that don't get mentioned enough: the Turtles are significantly different in the home port. And the points system matters more on the SNES, as the slam move is worth 2, and the screen toss worth 3. It's very well thought out.
Only Shredder's Revenge is better IMO. Here's my list of the best 22 beat 'em ups of all time and the only ones I feel are worthy of my collection/multi playthroughs. I'm a huge TMNT fan as you can see, so my list is biased toward those games, :) But otherwise, I'm using fairly objective criteria to rank the rest.
1. TMNT Shredder Revenge
2. TMNT TIT
3. TMNT Arcade
4. TMNT Hyperstone
5. TMNT 2 Nes
6. TMNT 3 Nes
7. Simpsons
8. Final Fight 1
9. X-men
10. TMNT Reshelled
11. Alien vs Predator
12. Punisher
13. Night Slashers
14. Zero Team 2000
15. Violent Storm
16. Metamorphic Force
17. SOR4
18. Final Fight 2 (with ene mod)
19. Final Fight 3 (with ene mod)
20. Captain Commando
21. Cadillac & Dinosaurs
22. TMNT Wrath of Mutants
I don't understand why this genre peaked....almost 35 years ago! How is that possible with all the industry and technical advancements. Guess creativity and design are timeless.
Haha 22 is so specific. But a solid list indeed!
@@VideoGameEsoterica True, #23 just didn't make the cut. I have a high bar for my beat 'em ups.
Great content and breakdown on this game. Keep it coming!
Plenty more fun coming soon
Although I love both TMNT arcade games by Konami, I find the hits a bit empty. There doesn't feel like there is any weight behind them, like in something like Streets of Rage 2.
Just a diff combat system but the strikes always felt meaty enough for me
After the Konami collection released, I think I prefer Manhattan Project over Turtles in Time. Don't really have nostalgia getting in my way since I never played that when it was new. Loved the first game, TiT just always lost my interest when I tried to play it in the arcades. Favorite Beat 'Em Up is probably Double Dragon or Combatribes.
Both are awesome. Hard to choose honestly. Which is a good thing
Hot take: Manhattan Project was better and I'll die on that hill.
Haha that’s fair. I can’t agree but everyone gets their opinions :)
And the SNES version is the better one.
I talked about that back in Nov on Port Authority
It would be a Turtles in Crime to not play this game!
This one is top tier
Which is ur fav turtle 🐢 bro?
Michelangelo is the only right choice
@ def 100%
@@VideoGameEsoterica Unsubscribe. The only acceptable answer is Donatello.
🤣
@@VideoGameEsoterica I think he’s serious!
Rastan Saga 3? Really? What about Capcom games? Like Dungeons & Dragons. Reason I Say this one. You can still find people in Tokyo Japan getting around machines just to play this game. Whenever I viewed Rastan Saga 3! No one was playing it! 🤣
Well then they were missing out! Rastan Saga 3 is goat!
TiT is fun but I much prefer Hyperstone Heist!
lol the acronym made me laugh
Did you just say Tits?
Hyperstone Heists rendition of the Turtles in Time soundtrack sounds so amazing, some of the best music on the system. I looooove Konami’s genesis/megadrive soundfont 🤌
I don't care what most people say about the Snes being superior, for me the Arcade version will remain the definitive and superior version, with its bigger sprite and more refined animations. The Snes version did only expand upon it but for me, never got any better. Gameplay wise they are both equal but visually I still prefer the Arcade version, anytime.
The best thing is we get two legit versions
When you play arcade games do you set a limit for yourself based on how much money you had as a kid? I try to limit myself to around $5 with 50 cents a play.
Depends on my mood
Need this on MiSTer...SNES game is actually SLIGHTLY better than the arcade but that's mostly because it had to be to justify being on a console, just like TMNT II on NES
I agree. The snes version is an upgrade from the arcade version imo.
Especially the music. The soundtrack is so good.
Yes having an arcade core would be awesome to go with the SNES version
Both are great. I just felt like taking about the arcade version this time
Honestly tmnt 2 on nes feels much worse, having to hit once, back out, hit again. They didn’t quite get how the hitstun should work. Tmnt 3 on the nes fairs much better.
Shredder's Revenge is better.. I have played way too many video games. It has online play and many other modes which adds more replay. I have seen people make Arcade Versions for the public to play. To say TiT is better then Revenge is Laughable. Especially from a Game Design perspective. It just has more . Also yes I do own the Arcade version of Both Arcade games.
The good thing is we have tons of good candidates to choose from
Ill never understand the people that say the SNES port is better... not a chance. Its pure nostalgia talking.
Both are great. Can’t go wrong with either
I played both back in the day. To me the arcade version lacks the impact the snes version has. The longer hitstun, chunkier sound effects really go a long way to making it just feel better to play.
Sobrevalorado. Al final lo unico que haces es spamear la llave que golpea enemigos de un lado a otro para eliminar otros enemigos y hacer mas puntos para conseguir mas vidas. El dash funciona regular y diferente a la posición en la que el personaje esta mirando y hacia donde quieras hacer el dash. Bonito, me gusta, pero no tiene nada que hacer en comparacion a un streets of rage 2, muchísimo mas profundo sobre todo cuando subes la dificultad.
I wouldn’t say overrated at all
@@VideoGameEsotericawhy. Elaborate please