Is TMNT for the NES really as bad as I think?

[Jeckidy]

TMNT is not abysmal in my opinion. My main gripe were also the physics and controls. Not one that graces my time these days, however.

[NostalgicMachine]

The controls are terrible, thus making the game a chore to play. There are plenty of classic NES titles that are plagued with this same issue.

TMNT III: The Manhattan Project is the best the NES TMNT title, IMHO.

[Da_Shocker]

I never had issues with the water stage. I mean it wasn't easy but it wasn't that hard. And TMNT II: The Arcade game was just a big ass letdown back in the day. The original arcade game back then was basically just like playing an actual TMNT episode. Great graphics, great music, great voices, 4 players at once. Once it was ported to the NES all of that appeal was simply gone. Granted Konami kinda made up with it with the SNES and Genesis turtles game but by that time Turtles popularity was waning down.

[Baloo]

The controls are terrible, thus making the game a chore to play. There are plenty of classic NES titles that are plagued with this same issue.

TMNT III: The Manhattan Project is the best the NES TMNT title, IMHO.

Like Castlevania!

[jerry coeurl]

I like Manhattan Project better than Turtles in Time, myself.

[StarMist]

This from the guy who beat Battletoads...

I don't believe Castlevania is as hard as people make it out to be. It has some spectacularly bitch sections, but it also has unlimited continues. If it wasn't for the fact that my game kept freezing up, I'd have had that one under my belt a few months ago. Try it and see for yourself.

You are such a prick. And this after I'd even confessed to liking your avatar. Coming from one of the site's few N-word fans this (^) actually guilted me into finishing the bloody game. You know, you could've just told me the game ends at stage 18. There I was stuck at 17 and expecting the game to extend for another 15 stages. So.....
Some observations about Castlevania:
- The control scheme is stiff but the execution leaves nothing to be desired. (It's not till Chi no Rinne that the scheme becomes loose enough to not be an annoyance).
- The presentation blows. Strong contender for Konami's worst looking NES game*; whilst the music's less offensive K's music is so good on the NES in general that this falls into that category as well. *I'd have to check their earliest FC productions.
- I have no clue about the import of the II and III icons. It seems they should denote enhanced power for a given auxiliary weapon but I've yet to benefit from having them.
- The ending is as deficient as any anywhere. The mock credits are revolting.
- It's a mediocre game with an ingenious hook: the whip as a main weapon really makes it stand out. -- Have crossbows ever been introduced to the series? Or garlic?
- Dracula's second form is miserable to fight.

Why aren't you guys discussing Ninja Gaiden, though? Neither one of you consider that one hard?

The Ninja Gaidens are perfect examples of why unlimited continues don't make games easier. I'd have a hundredfold better shot of beating them if the games just gave me 5 lives with in situ respawns and a curt game over once they were exhausted. Being sent back two bosses and three stages by the final boss is a fucking killjoy.

[MrSega]

The controls are terrible, thus making the game a chore to play. There are plenty of classic NES titles that are plagued with this same issue.

TMNT III: The Manhattan Project is the best the NES TMNT title, IMHO.

You're absolutely correct! TMNT III was the first home console Turtles title I really enjoyed. So what if you only had 6 continues that was alot way back in at the start of 1992. It was balanced, fun, solid and enjoyable. In fact, I'm planning on getting it for my NES.

[Robotwo]

I have both TMNT II and III, I'd say both play pretty much the same and don't see too much reason why the second one gets more complaints than the third.
The third had that rather overpowered and unballanced special maneuver (Raph's especially).
It took out a bit of fun in the third one IMO, but it's still a very solid game.


THIS MANEUVER :B

[MrSega]

That's not accurate, I don't think? If memory serves it offers 2 continues.



That's not unusual at all -- I've played loads of games that put tempting items in deadly locations. The Mega Man games do the same thing.

I dunno, personally I never really found the first 5 levels of TMNT that hard at all. The control takes a bit of getting used to, but the guy in the video you linked clearly hasn't gotten it down -- he keeps overshooting the ledges. I don't remember having a major issue with the deathtraps (let alone Stage 2, which people often lament but which is easy as hell). Stage 3 was a little tricky, and Stage 4 started to get demanding, but both had a couple places where you could regain energy and turtles. Stage 5 got tough but was still doable with patience (going back for respawning pizzas) and some luck (not randomly getting the nastiest enemies), and I repeatedly passed it.

But Stage 6 seemed impossible at the time, and I never beat it on real hardware. The flying enemies with jetpacks and lasers, oof...

I recall there being zero. I also remember that if you don't beat the Hudson River level and let all the bombs detonate, you start ALL the way back to the beginning of the game, even if you have all 4 of your turtles.

At 7 years of age. Nothing about that hole indicates you suspect that you can walk across it. That's something MANY of us 80s kids didn't learn until we grew up.

[MrMatthews]

You are such a prick. And this after I'd even confessed to liking your avatar. Coming from one of the site's few N-word fans this (^) actually guilted me into finishing the bloody game. You know, you could've just told me the game ends at stage 18. There I was stuck at 17 and expecting the game to extend for another 15...

Hey, I wasn't trying to twist your arm or nuthin. I just figured that since you were able to complete a game I consider "unbeatable," you might find Castlevania quite easy by comparison once you bellied up to it with some resolve.

I know I'm weird, but I disagree with most of the complaints people have for this game. Simon Belmont is no Mario, but I think his controls are quite serviceable. I love the brisk level design and the music is fantastic. It's obviously not as pretty as later games in the series (even its NES sequels), but it was a very early NES game, and that gives it a certain kitschy appeal for me.

Probably my favorite "classic" Castlevania game.

The Ninja Gaidens are perfect examples of why unlimited continues don't make games easier. I'd have a hundredfold better shot of beating them if the games just gave me 5 lives with in situ respawns and a curt game over once they were exhausted. Being sent back two bosses and three stages by the final boss is a fucking killjoy.

Agreed.

What's particularly frustrating for me is how breezy this game begins. I was able to dash pretty easily through the first four stages or so, but I reached a road block at the fourth boss, and wasn't able to go any further.

Once I finally put a button on Castlevania, I think I might go back and tackle Ninja Gaiden and Ninja Turtles with a bit more gusto. Oh, and maybe Contra without the 30-life code.

[Saturn Fan]

I never had issues with the water stage. I mean it wasn't easy but it wasn't that hard. And TMNT II: The Arcade game was just a big ass letdown back in the day. The original arcade game back then was basically just like playing an actual TMNT episode. Great graphics, great music, great voices, 4 players at once. Once it was ported to the NES all of that appeal was simply gone. Granted Konami kinda made up with it with the SNES and Genesis turtles game but by that time Turtles popularity was waning down.

The graphics and music obviously took a huge step down from the arcade, but ya gotta hand it to the NES version. For the hardware it was pretty nice and played great.

Anyway, since it seems like we're discussing all the games at this point-

Which do you all prefer? The arcade version of TMNT or turtles in time?

No neutral options like "both" either. Choose!

[StarMist]

I know I'm weird, but I disagree with most of the complaints people have for this game. Simon Belmont is no Mario, but I think his controls are quite serviceable.

Out of curiosity do you read or belong to any Nintendo forums? because a lot of those complaints I encounter come from the Sonic-blue crowd and are directed at everything NES. I wonder if, and rather doubt, CV's controls are impugned by NES fans.

Oh, and maybe Contra without the 30-life code.

Remember 1UPs are pretty common; w/o a score counter it's hard to pin down the intervals but they can be racked up pretty fast. If you're really pressed for lives you can find an enemy spawn point, such as numerous places in the waterfall ascent, and snipe off a recurring enemy until you need something to prop your eyelids open. Also turbo fire will transform the spread gun into a single-line machinegun.
Btw I've a growing suspicion Battletoads was developed exclusively with the Advantage in mind. The quick back and forth throw of a joystick makes the Rat Race much less difficult and Clinger Winger possible. Unfortunately it doesn't aid the Inferno which is as far as I can get on one life.

[NostalgicMachine]

Like Castlevania!

Absolutely. The original Castlevania is legendary, but stairs = the worst enemy in the game. Not to mention the fly back that occurs when you get hit by an enemy while jumping platforms...the game is literally a nightmare control wise. Dracula's Curse still had some goofy stair moments, but the overall badass-ness of the game made up for all that.

You're absolutely correct! TMNT III was the first home console Turtles title I really enjoyed. So what if you only had 6 continues that was alot way back in at the start of 1992. It was balanced, fun, solid and enjoyable. In fact, I'm planning on getting it for my NES.

I still love this game; it's the only one I still throw in the NES for a good TMNT romp. It's either that or Turtles in Time, and on rare occasions Tournament Fighters (SNES and/or Genesis).

[MrMatthews]

Out of curiosity do you read or belong to any Nintendo forums

No.

All of my attempts to socialize on more Nintendo-centric forums have been ruined by the childishness and fanboyishness of your average Nintendo enthusiast. From my highly prejudiced and elitist perspective, the typical Nintendo fan hails from the N64 era, and I won't knowingly socialize with anyone that young. These guys and these mods are the only people on the Internet I can put up with.

[Robotwo]

It's either that or Turtles in Time, and on rare occasions Tournament Fighters (SNES and/or Genesis).

I for one seem to be one of the few who prefer the NES version of TMNT Tournament Fighters, I play it with some friends using the NES Advantage controllers at times.

I know the NES isn't a prime platform for fighting games as it doesn't really pack that many buttons. But I also like fighting games on the NeoGeo Pocket so there might be something about it.
I also just didn't like the look and feel of the SNES version (MD/Genesis one was way better in my eyes though)