Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Trivia
Copy protection
TMNT was one of a few games from the period that featured copy-protection via a code sheet printed on so-called "copy proof" paper. This is dark maroon paper with black ink which most black and white copiers would not be able to copy in a readable form. The code sheet which was stapled into the game manual, featured hundreds of four digit numbers in a grid which you needed to look up to get into the game.
Buggy DOS version
The DOS version of the game released in the USA is infamous on its own right. Apart from being usually derided as a poor game (nothing unusual when it comes to games covering comic book, film or TV licenses), a glitch made it impossible to reach the end of an intermediate stage. The only way to reach the further stages was by using passwords. Apparently the UK version of the game (labeled as "Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles", as opposed to "Ninja Turtles") corrected this bug and can be finished without cheating.
Cover art
The reason why the Turtles all wear red masks on the cover is because that's how it was in the comics.
References
In the movie The Wizard, Jimmy is seen playing the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at the arcade at the Casino in Reno.
Title
The translated Japanese title is "Ultra Turtle Ninja Legend".
Amiga versions differences
There are two versions of this game on Amiga. The main premise of them is exactly the same but there are some differences in other areas:
- US version was titled "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles". It was published by Ultra Games, developed by Unlimited Software Inc. and released on 3 disks. The graphics were exactly the same as in NES version. The controls in the side scrolling part were slightly more complicated. The player fights by pressing the fire and by holding the fire the character jumps.
- European version was titled "Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles". It was published by Image Works, developed by Probe and Daisysoft and released on 1 disk. The graphics were more colourful and "remastered" in comparison with NES version. The controls in the side scrolling part easier - the player fights by pressing the fire and by pushing the joystick up the character jumps what was more natural.
Awards
- Electronic Gaming Monthly
- December 1989 (Issue 5) - Most Eagerly Anticipated Game (that was released) (NES version)
Trivia contributed by Tibes80, Alaka, Neville, mailmanppa.