Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge in development by Tribute Games
'Cowabunga' says it all!
In the late ’80s and early ’90s, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were like four green kings. They ruled over the airwaves, the movie theaters, the comic shops, the action figure aisle, and yes, even the video game scene. Where licensed properties were a real hit-or-miss proposition for consumers, Konami saw to it that their Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles releases hit far more often than they missed (and even their “misses” can still generate debate over whether they were really that far off the mark).
Nothing lasts forever, though, and the green teens went from sharing the covers of video game magazines with the likes of Mario and Sonic to obscurity as their initial boom period faded. A brief attempt at resurrection was attempted in 1997 by Saban, the very same company whose Power Rangers usurped the Turtles’ market position, with a new live-action show called Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation, but little came from it. (It almost happened, though.)
Just when it was thought that the Turtles were gone, a relic of pop culture rather than a persisting face of it, then-Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh! rights holder 4Kids would team with Mirage Studios to release a new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon for a new generation, and it hit big. Not as big as the first time around, but that seldom happens anyway. Nevertheless, it lasted seven seasons, and the Turtles have remained a fixture of the pop culture landscape ever since.
That’s included video games. However, whether based on the cartoon revival, the 2007 CG animated movie, the 2012 Nickelodeon reboot, or just something else entirely, few releases have managed to stick the landing the way Konami did in those glory years — not even Konami themselves, it would seem. (Danger of the Ooze is definitely worth checking out, though, if you like Metroidvanias and can find a copy.)
Following Activision and PlatinumGames’ underrated release based on the IDW comics, the Turtles have largely laid low on the video game scene, only popping out for cameos in games like WB Interactive’s Injustice 2, Nickelodeon Kart Racers, and Smite. Fans have wondered when we’d see another dedicated TMNT title, and from who.
Today, that question was answered by none other than Dotemu, developers of the recent Streets of Rage 4.
Teaming with Nickelodeon and Tribute Games (who you might know from Panzer Paladin and Mercenary Kings), Dotemu is bringing the Turtles back to their early video game glory, not only attempting to replicate the style of Konami’s classic coin-ops (plus the likes of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project for the NES and Hyperstone Heist on the Genesis), but unlike other similar attempts, doing so with the style and characters of the 1987 Fred Wolf cartoon that served as the de facto version of the Turtles for many an ’80s kid.
The story, per the trailer’s YouTube description, is as follows:
With Bebop and Rocksteady amassing gizmos to support Krang and Shredder’s latest scheme, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge finds the turtles battling through a breathless tour of iconic TMNT locations to thwart their nemeses’ most diabolical plan yet. Armed with shell-shocking new abilities built on a foundation of classic brawling mechanics, the gang are in for an exhilarating, Foot Clan-stomping romp leading them through the sewers and bustling boroughs of New York City all the way to Dimension X.
What’s more, going by the trailer, it looks like Master Splinter and even April O’Neil herself may be joining in on the kick-butt action. (This would be less of a surprise with literally any other version of April, but for this one, it’s pretty shocking to see for the first time!)
And in case you were wondering: Yes, that is Faith No More’s Mike Patton performing the classic theme song.
Up to four players (local or online, cross-play to be determined) can take part in kickin’ Foot oldschool, which is slated to come to PC via Steam and some unspecified “consoles” at a time which has only been described as “soon.” If Steam works for you, then you can Wish List it now.
Unfortunately, that’s just about all of the details we have right now — they wouldn’t even comment on whether Casey Jones (a major player in most versions, but more of a side-character in the ’80s toon) will be a part. But if you’re interested in how Dotemu, Tribute Games, and Nickelodeon came together for this project, Game Informer has the scoop.
April O’Neil – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles poster
Cowabunga, dude! For the first time ever, we’re offering a separate poster from our interior art found inside the magazine. This gorgeous April O’Neil Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles poster is sized to 11″ x 17″ with a gloss coating on 100 pound paper stock.
It was completed by Mega Visions art director Sketchcraft for the launch of our new Game vs Game feature in Issue #09.
This poster is in limited supply, so once we run out, they will be gone forever.
And if you can’t wait until whenever this drops to show your affinity for the old school Turtles lore, then maybe what you need is our April O’Neil poster, a full-size version of the art from our ninth issue’s “Game Vs. Game” feature. Illustrated by Mega Visions magazine art director Sketchcraft, this poster is printed on 11″ x 17″ 100-pound paper stock with a glossy coating. But supplies are limited, so get it now before it goes back to the sewer!
