Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Game Overview

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (known in Japan as Geki Kame Ninja Den and in Europe as Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles) is a 1989 single-player action-platform game developed by Konami and published under the Ultra Games label in North America. Released during the height of the 1987 animated series’ popularity, it sold over four million copies and remains one of the most recognizable licensed titles on the NES.

The story follows the four turtles as they race to save April O’Neil, who has been kidnapped by Bebop and Rocksteady, and later rescue Master Splinter. Their ultimate goal is to infiltrate Shredder’s Technodrome and stop him from using a Life Transformer Gun. Gameplay alternates between top-down overworld maps of New York locations (streets, sewers, rooftops) and side-scrolling action stages. Players can switch turtles at any time via the information screen; each has a unique primary weapon with different range and speed (Leonardo’s katanas, Raphael’s sais, Michelangelo’s nunchaku, and Donatello’s bo staff). Health is restored by collecting pizza, while special weapons such as shurikens, boomerangs, and energy scrolls provide additional options. When a turtle’s health reaches zero he is captured and cannot be used until rescued later in the game. The six missions include the infamous underwater dam sequence, making the game notoriously difficult yet highly memorable.

Quick Specifications

• Title: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
  
• Japanese Title: Geki Kame Ninja Den
  
• European Title: Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles
  
• Platform: NES / Famicom
  
• Developer: Konami
  
• Publisher: Ultra Games (North America), Konami (Japan), Palcom (Europe)
  
• Release Dates: Japan – May 12, 1989; North America – June 1989; Europe – August 17, 1990
  
• Genre: Action / Platform
  
• Players: 1 (single-player)
  
• Playable Characters: Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, Donatello
  
• Stages: 6 missions
  

Key Features

• Free switching between all four turtles at any time
  
• Unique primary weapon for each turtle with different reach and attack patterns
  
• Dual gameplay styles: top-down overworld exploration and side-scrolling action stages
  
• Pizza items to restore health
  
• Collectible special weapons (shurikens, boomerangs, energy scrolls)
  
• Capture-and-rescue system instead of traditional lives
  
• Six varied missions culminating in the Technodrome
  
• Messages and guidance from April and Splinter on the information screen
  

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Can you play as all four turtles?

Yes. You start as Leonardo but can switch to any of the other three turtles at any time through the information screen (Start button). Each has a distinct weapon and play style.

Why is the game so difficult?

The most notorious section is the underwater dam stage, where players must disarm bombs while avoiding electric seaweed and enemies under a strict time limit. The game also features limited continues and a capture system that removes turtles from play when their health is depleted.

How many stages are there?

There are six main missions: Streets of New York, Hudson River Dam, Wall Street Rooftops, JFK Airport, South Bronx, and the Technodrome.

Is this the same as the arcade TMNT game?

No. This is a unique NES action-platformer. The arcade game is a different beat ’em up that was later ported to the NES as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game.

How do you restore health?

Collect pizza slices (or larger pizza items) found throughout the stages. Different sizes restore different amounts of health.