Welcome to EXPlay, (Explain & Play) the review series where we care not for scores but tell it how it is when it comes to every game we get our hands on, whilst also taking the time to include some lengthy gameplay, to give you the reader, the chance to shape your own impressions and views whilst watching and reading. In this installment, we’re covering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of The Mutants by joint developers Raw Thrills and Cradle Games.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of The Mutants: (The Explanation)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of The Mutants (shortened to TMNT Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants for this review) is a big let down for me. If you grew up in the 80s like me and watched cartoons or read comic books or had action figures, you were more than likely a fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I have owned way too many Ninja Turtles things growing up and to get a chance to review the new game on the Nintendo Switch was a delight.
I didn’t realize this initially but TMNT Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants is a re-experience of the 2017 classic arcade game and in many ways it shows. The game has you taking on the four brothers, Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael against hordes of Foot Soldiers, Dimension X bots, and more. The game also boasts 3 additional stages from the original and 6 additional boss battles.
All of that sounds really good on the surface, but when you get down to it the game isn’t good. I don’t know if it is a good sign when you get a budget title nearly a month ahead of release. I tried playing the game both in single-player mode and with a few friends. Ultimately the game just made us want to turn it off and play something else. That is never a good sign with a couch co-op game especially one with a license behind it like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
I know it sounds like I am dunking on the game, and while I think some things are opinion, like the style, graphic textures that aren’t well done, pop-in, eye straining menus, and a few other bits. There are some more factual pieces that make this game subpar in terms of a total package.Â
Fighting games like TMNT Arcade: Wrath Of The Mutants struggle from the enemy variety and while there are different baddies, mini-bosses, and bosses to take on, the variety still seems very lacking. You will slice, bash, and kick a lot of mousers, Foot Clan members, and Dimension X henchman. While the variety is lacking, there are at least multi-colored enemies within each group that add-on weapons and attacks that mix things up.
Each level also includes a few of the standard beat-em-up troupes like electrified ground wires, vehicles that pass through trying to knock you over, fire hydrants to bash open, and collectibles to pick up. From time to time you will find a token which unlocks a special character to aid you in clearing the battlefield like Leatherhead and his rolling knock down or Metalhead and his shocking stunner. Your turtle will also have the ability to unlock a super attack which can be used to send your enemies flying.
While all of these things seem to sound good on paper or in the game’s notes on their store page, the whole package lacks that polish and well-tuned mechanics for a beat-em-up game. There isn’t much here to keep you busy aside from chasing a high score at the end of each level. If you are looking for a Turtles game there are better ones out there that cost around the same and offer a more complete package. If you must play this one though I hope you got it on a sale or pre-order discount because even at a budget around $30 the price is still too high for my taste.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath Of The Mutants: (The Gameplay)
Game Specifications:
Developer: Raw Thrills & Cradle Games
Publisher: Game Mill
Platform: Nintendo Switch (eShop)
Category: Arcade, Fighting, Action, Multiplayer
No. of Players: 1-4Â players
Release Date: April 23, 2024 (EU & NA)
Price: $29.99
File Size: 3.1Â GB
Nintendo.com Listing
