This is why you never go to New Jersey!

I do love a good TMNT game. We have been spoiled over the past couple of years with the Cowabunga Collection and of course the superb Shredder’s Revenge. So, when I heard we were getting a new title featuring everyone’s favorite amphibians, I was stoked. Wrath of the Mutants is actually a port of an older arcade game that has never made its way home. Originally released in 2017 and developed by Raw Thrills it has all the ingredients to make it a shell of a good time. This version also adds a bunch of new content all while keeping a relatively low price tag. So how does it hold up?

Wrath of the Mutants is exactly as described on the box. This is a beat ‘em up in the same mold as the classics from Konami back in the day. There are a set of stages and bosses, four characters to play as, and simplified controls and mechanics. There is nothing wrong with being simple, in fact I prefer it in my aging years, but that only works if the product itself is replayable and most importantly fun. TMNT manages to pull one of those off, while the other lacks in every facet.

MSRP: $29.99
Platforms: Xbox (reviewed), PlayStation, Switch, PC
Price I’d Pay: $19.99

Let’s kick off with what works. For this release the game has been updated for consoles with a host of new levels and bosses. There are three brand new levels and six new bosses, and the content is welcome. These new areas are super fun to traverse, my favorite was the amusement park as the turtles are tasked with dodging roller coasters and taking down plenty of enemies. Even with all this new content though, the game is very short. It can be finished, even with all the new content, in less than an hour. This is normal for these types of games, so I wasn’t shocked at its brevity, but more so at the fact that it just kind of ends there.

There is not a ton to come back for. Sadly, this game does not include online multiplayer, which means if you want to tear it down with friends, they must be local. The entire game supports local multiplayer, but that is not as prevalent as it was 20 years ago. Most people only find time to play with friends online, so the lack of that here is a huge bummer. There is also not much to come back for as far as extras. There are scoreboards, and that is about it. Not much to unlock or see after the credits roll. The game is simply a one and done kind of experience unless you have local friends to play with.

The game play is reminiscent of those aforementioned classics. Each turtle has a standard move set you are expecting. Leo uses his swords, Mikey’s nun chucks and so on. The exception is a sort of ultimate known as Turtle Power. This move will unleash a devastating attack. This is based on a meter for each character that fills up over time, which I usually save for large swaths of enemies or boss encounters. You are also invincible during this time, which is nice as you don’t have a traditional block button.

There are also pick-ups scattered throughout the levels which are also familiar. Spin attacks, throwing objects, and a cat that attacks all enemies in a flurry of chaos. Assist characters are also available calling in familiar faces from the show to fight alongside the turtles. This is a nice mix up to the monotony of the same combo over and over. There are plenty of enemy types throughout the game much like previous entries and most of them are pulled directly from those games, so with lots of familiar faces, the inspiration is extremely evident.

Visually the game is based on the 2012 Nickelodeon cartoon as opposed to the 80s design. Some people will like this, while others will definitely be a turn off. I was never a fan of some of the designs from the later turtle shows, but that is most likely due to my nostalgia for the original cartoon from my childhood. Still the game looks fine in motion and the addition of the voice actors from the show for the game is a nice touch we don’t normally get from these Nickelodeon games.

TMNT Arcade Wrath of the Mutants wears its inspirations on its sleeve, and it is nice to get this once arcade-only port on home consoles. I just wish the replayability was there. Online co-op would have gone a long way, but I do appreciate the new content. It is fun and fits right into the mix. This is a solid game that just has too many shortcomings to make it an easy recommendation.

Review copy of game provided by publisher.