Yikes, guess I've gotta start pumping these things out. Anyway, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is an arcade classic, but it's also somewhat overlooked due to Turtles in Time. While I agree that Turtles in Time is a better game, this game is actually really good and has some ideas that I wish they had used again. So without further procrastination, here's my review of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (the arcade version).

Graphics
     For a late 80's arcade title, this doesn't look half bad. I mean I've seen better, yes, but for what it's worth they aren't terrible (especially compared to that other Turtles game I reviewed last time). The Turtles themselves are distinguishable from each other and the enemy sprites are pretty good as well. The animations for this game are also very smooth and fluid, making it look like you're actually swinging your sword (or other weapon for that matter, but I tend to play as Leo). The cutscenes between levels are drawn like they're from the cartoon and get the point across pretty well. But like everyone knows, good graphics don't always equal a good game.

Sound
     The music in this game is very good. The opening theme is the one from the 80's show which is a huge plus. Each level has its own music track, all of which are nice to listen to. It's hard to find a track that I dislike and that's pretty good. The sound effects in this game are pretty good as well, adding to the experience.

Addictiveness
     This game is fun to play over and over again and I'm sure I'll come back to it from time to time when I'm looking for something to do. The levels are fun, the music is good, and the combat is fun. Good thing I'm playing this on Vizzed, otherwise I might use up a ton of quarters at an actual arcade that might just happen to have this game (if any).

Story
     The story is basically the same as the game I reviewed last time. April gets kidnapped and you have to rescue her. After rescuing April, Splinter is kidnapped by Shredder and you have to save him now. After saving Splinter, you go to the Technodrome to fight Shredder and Krang in the final battle. Rather simple plot, but then again, most plots for these games were not very drawn out anyway.

Depth
     The game itself isn't very big in terms of levels and variety in the villains, but it more than makes up for it in terms of level length and design. Levels usually have an upper plane and a lower plane. You usually get to these upper planes by jumping up to them. Also, there is one section where instead of moving to the right, you move down. This is something I don't normally see in a beat-em-up game and I think it adds something new to the level. Those two features are something I want someone to bring back in a possible future beat-em-up Turtles game.

Difficulty
     Because this is an arcade game, it's meant to get you off pretty quickly so that way people aren't waiting forever to play the game (I know that some people can absolutely own arcade games, but you know what I mean). I got through the game pretty quickly, yes, but not before dying probably 30-40 times, maybe even more. It's not insanely difficult, but it does have some degree of challenge to it so that the game doesn't get boring. The final fight against Shredder can be pretty tricky if you don't know what you're doing. Overall, a pretty decent difficulty all the way through.

Controls & Gameplay
     The controls are quite simple and easy to figure out. The joystick moves, button 1 jumps and button 2 attacks. You can also attack in midair and throw people across the screen and into walls. It plays like any other beat-em-up, move right, with one exception, beat up whoever's on the screen, rinse and repeat. Of course as I explained throughout the rest of this review, there is more, but this section is for how the game plays. The gameplay feels good and it really helps when I know I am in complete control of my character at all times. Overall, the gameplay is great and is one of the best aspects about this game.

The game as a whole is pretty well developed and it got a port to the NES, but I think this is the superior version. With good gameplay, great music, and some good ideas, it's a shame that people often overlook this game and look at Turtles in Time instead, by the way that game's next. I give it an 8.5 out of 10 a good game, but very overlooked.