It’s been a while since the last great TMNT game was released. Most have been poor in the past decade. Thankfully, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge was worth the wait because the scores have been very good across all major platforms. The average is sitting around the 80s right now.
It should come as no surprise that this game is as good as it is though. Developer Tribute Games has a great back catalog of games, including titles like Scott Pilgrim vs The World: The Game. That’s the game that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge resembles the most, and, just like that game, there's an awful lot to love.
8 Best: The Graphics
Shredder’s Revenge is a dream come true for fans of brawlers and the classic TMNT games. The graphics look amazing, which should come as no surprise since Tribute Games worked on it. The developer is also responsible for the aforementioned Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game and Mercenary Kings.
Both of those games have equally amazing, detailed sprites with animations that are out of this world. Shredder’s Revenge is also bright, colorful, and full of life. Even the background gags are priceless, like when the Foot Clan soldiers are working on computers like desk jockeys.
7 Worst: No Voices During Cutscenes
This game should get applause for getting back as many 80s voice actors as possible from the fan-favorite cartoon. The actors voice their characters in the game and say a few quick catchphrases during animated stills. The intro cutscene and the ending for each character have more detailed plots.
Unfortunately, however, this is all text-based. Why did the developers go through the trouble of getting the cast back together if they weren’t going to use them to their fullest? It seems like a wasted opportunity.
6 Best: Leveling Up
Shredder’s Revenge is not a typical brawler. It not only looks like Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game, but it has a lot of the same modernizations that that game brought to the genre’s table as well. For example, every character can level up.
Doing side quests or beating up bad guys will accrue points. If players earn enough then that character will gain some sort of boost. They can gain extra HP or new attack moves up to level ten. It may seem like a small addition but it is a welcomed one.
5 Worst: A Typical Short Brawler
The downside to this game is how short it is. Characters being able to level up is good. That will add some replay value along with the side quests and character endings. However, at max, this is a ten-hour experience and that is truly stretching things out to the very longest.
One good sitting should only take a handful of hours if players know what they're doing. That may not be enough for some who pay $25 for Shredder’s Revenge. It’s up to personal preference on whether or not this is a bad thing or not.
4 Best: The Music
The soundtrack does not reuse music from the old brawler games featuring these lovable butt-kicking green ninjas. Shredder’s Revenge is certainly inspired by their soundtracks though. It creates a score that is very similar while being different all at once. It is both retro and modern as it showcases some lyrical ballads as well.
For example, Ghostface Killah is on the soundtrack, singing praises to the turtles while they beat up those nasty Foot Clan scum. This is one video game soundtrack that deserves to be in every gamer’s vinyl collection.
3 Worst: No Money System
The one mechanic that is missing from Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game in Shredder’s Revenge is a money system. In Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game, players leveled up by defeating enemies. Enemies also dropped coins which could be used in shops throughout each stage to buy food that could increase stats, restore health, or unlock some other secret.
Shredder’s Revenge is not a terrible game without a money system. However, it is also hard not to miss it seeing as a lot of other Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game DNA is present. It could have further extended the life of the game.
2 Best: Six Player Co-Op
Most co-op brawlers stop at four players or even just two. It’s rare for a game to launch with six-player co-op. Not only that but this game can be played locally or online. Getting into an online lobby is relatively easy too which is great for any type of multiplayer experience at launch.
The game is fun in solo mode as well, but it doesn’t hurt to have one or five friends along for the ride. That’s the great thing about brawlers even if things tend to get a bit chaotic.
1 Best: Three Difficulties
The number of difficulties should also be praised in the game. Players can go for an easy setting with Chill, something mediocre with Okay, or go full blast with Gnarly. The more players get into Shredder’s Revenge, the higher the difficulty should be bumped up. This does come with a warning, however.
The difficulty cannot be changed once the profile is created, so, if players willingly know they’re going to be playing with a group, Gnarly is the way to go. The opposite is recommended for solo players. Being able to change on the fly or getting additional assist modes would have been better, but again, the three choices are fair enough.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge was released on June 16, 2022, and is available on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.