For so long as I can bear in mind, I’ve been a fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. In truth, I believe Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michaelangelo are a part of why I really like pizza a lot – particularly Mikey, that nunchuck-loving turtle is a sucker for pepperoni pizza, a top quality I share.

So, it’s unsurprising that I couldn’t wait to get my palms on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection, as not solely do I get to get pleasure from one journey with my favorite butt-kicking turtles, however 13 of them. Yes, this bundle of video games options Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (NES and arcade), TMNTII: The Arcade Game, TMNT: Fall of the Footclan, TMNT: Turtles in Time, TMNTIII: The Manhattan Project, and extra. It’s additionally price noting that these video games originate from varied platforms, resembling arcade, SNES, NES, Sega Genesis, and Game Boy.

As The Cowabunga Collection options so many titles, I’m not going to interrupt down every particular person sport, in any other case, I’d be right here till Christmas. Instead, I intend to offer an summary and particular person mentions the place obligatory. However, I can say straight off the bat that every sport is a deal with. There’s not a single dud in sight.

They every do precisely what they got down to do. I performed a few these video games again within the day, however not all of them. Yet, inside seconds of enjoying a title that’s new to me, I might inform I used to be in for a enjoyable time stuffed with motion, nice side-scrolling, and intense platforming that’s certain to check all of my non-existent expertise. I like platformers, however I’m not going to child myself and say I’m a professional at them. Horror, motion, RPGs, and shooters are my specialities.

One of one of the best issues about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection is the number of tales on supply, every of which options recognisable characters on prime of the varied gameplay components. This goes past completely different environments and genres. I’m speaking about having the ability to kick butt whereas driving a skateboard. It’s issues like this that assist to maintain video games entertaining, particularly when you’ve 13 of them to work by way of.

Of course, it goes with out saying that every particular person title options Leo, Raph, Donnie, and Mikey (what kind of a TMNT sport would it not be with out the titular turtles?). However, every sport requires you to decide on who you wish to go on the journey with – a alternative that by no means will get any simpler. You see, for me, it’s all about Mikey character-wise, he’s my pizza-loving pal, however I even have a tender spot for Donnie, and he hits folks with a stick.

Therefore, I are inclined to swap between the 2 as I progress by way of the completely different video games, although some titles, resembling Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, do mean you can play as all 4 characters, for as quickly as you run out of lives together with your first alternative, you’re taking management of one in every of his brothers, and this goes on till you undergo defeat with all of them. Or, in fact, in case you full the sport and save the day, that’s definitely the higher ending.

Naturally, every sport sees you face off with loads of enemies, so many in actual fact that it feels as if there’s no finish to them. Then, as you strategy the tip of particular person ranges, you’re met with some robust minibosses (sure, you must undergo a couple of duds earlier than you’re worthy sufficient to face the likes of Shredder). I’m but to succumb to boredom, although. The fixed motion is a deal with, protecting you on the sting of your seat.

However, finishing even one title from The Cowabunga Collection isn’t any simple feat. Those of you that grew up within the late Eighties by way of the Nineties with arcade machines, the NES, SNES, and Sega consoles can little doubt bear in mind the infamous problem of video games for that point. This a sentiment that’s very true for platformers, a style that TMNT video games helped to epitomise again then.

But, if platformers aren’t your forte, that’s okay, as TMNT: The Cowabunga Collection options some preventing video games too, every of which is a enjoyable time. Sure, I’m a Mortal Kombat lady, and I personal the unique video games, however I’d argue that the Nineties TMNT: Tournament Fighters titles are worthy rivals. They tick all the proper containers for the style, and supply a type of stress launch after you get your butt kicked again and again within the quite a few platformers on supply.

Though, in case you do end up on the receiving finish of a butt-whooping repeatedly, however wish to see how the sport performs out, you are able to do so by way of the auto-game characteristic. Each title has a ‘watch’ possibility, by which you get to see a full, near-perfect playthrough of the journey. To be sincere, I believe this can be a neat characteristic, and it’s one I take full benefit of once I enter the unending cycle of demise.

In phrases of controls, I’ve no points with The Cowabunga Collection, as they’re easy, mapped similarly to the unique video games, and are responsive. Better nonetheless, the controls are met with enjoyable graphics that keep true to the unique video games. It feels as if I’m a baby once more on a Sunday afternoon. It’s raining, I’ve obtained some snacks, and my mum is simply pleased that I’m not making hassle. Yes, these have been the times.

I’ve plenty of reward for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection, however there’s one important grievance I’ve, although it’s extra to do with the occasions that the unique titles are from. Repeating soundtracks. I really like the music in these video games, however they’re on a relentless loop that I don’t get pleasure from. As I say, that is extra to do with the time the unique titles are from, and if something, I respect that this assortment is true to the supply materials. But that doesn’t imply I can’t suppose the repeating tunes are irritating after some time.

Having mentioned that, the sound design is great, and the music does induce a wave of nostalgia that I get pleasure from. It’s a double-edged sword for certain. However, I refuse to let the unending stream of the TMNT theme tune hinder what I contemplate to be a extremely pleasant sequence of video games that any Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fan is sure to get pleasure from.

Finally, I do know you all should be interested by how The Cowabunga Collection runs on Switch, and it fills me with pleasure to say that there are not any efficiency points, not that I can see, at the least. Each title runs as easy as butter, is a welcoming expertise, and takes you proper again to the 90s in the easiest way doable. Not solely that, however the sport works completely handheld as effectively, so you actually can take the turtles with you wherever you go.

On the entire, I contemplate Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection to be a must-own for not simply TMNT followers, however anybody that wishes a sequence of old-style video games that characteristic side-scrolling, motion, platforming, preventing, and extra. Do your self a favour, and decide up what’s certain to be a platforming spotlight of 2022.