TMNT Shredders Revenge Review (PC) – A 90s Love Story to Pizza

When it comes to the 90s, many companies try to cash in on Millenial nostalgia trying to make a quick buck. In many of those instances, it is easy to tell what has been created with love vs corporate greed. TMNT Shredders Revenge is a love song written for the 90s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The new arcade-style game was created drawing inspiration from the 90s cartoon, arcade games, comics, and movies. The faith that Dotemu put in Tribute Games shines through; it is clear that those that worked on the project are passionate about it and wanted to create something that surpassed their 90s nostalgia.

As you know, we, especially myself, do not typically sing the praises of a game immediately in review; this is often avoided to not create a fair judgment by the reader. In past instances, we have found that doing such can change the reader’s perspective. Ultimately our goal is for the reader to make their own judgment based on the information we present; however, TMNT Shredders Revenge makes it hard to do so. By no means is the game a perfect 10 but it is an amazing couch co-op experience. With video games moving away from Couch Co-op, TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge yells cowabunga dude pass the pizza and Mountain Dew. So let’s dive into the TMNT Shredders Revenge review.

Co-op Gameplay & Game Modes

When it comes to TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge, Tribute Games set a clear and defined goal of allowing gamers to play together wherever they are. While playing on PC (Steam), TMNT Shredders Revenge allowed us to play with five additional players either locally or online. For TMNT, we were reviewing the game before it was released, so that met limited options of who we could play with. Thankfully, Tribute Games has made it easy for gamers to play with whoever they want.

TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge supports up to six-player couch co-op, six-player online couch co-op, online play, and crossplay; all you need in order to play cross-platform is an Epic Games account. Yes, adding players does increase the game’s difficulty for each player added but even moderately skilled players should adjust to the increased difficulty. The only part that becomes a bit chaotic is when a team of six has to take on a boss. The increased difficulty mixed with all the characters on the screen can cause players to easily lose track of their characters.

TMNT: SR offers players two game modes to play, Story and Arcade. Arcade takes the traditional approach with limited lives, continues, and saved progression. Story mode allows players to replay levels, grind XP, restart if out of lives, and multiple difficulties. Players can choose between three difficulties ranging from chill to gnarly (Easy to Hard). Once the story mode is selected, the difficulty can not be changed unless starting a new story.

 

Story Gameplay

TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge starts off by reuniting players with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The first two levels reintroduce players to the Footclan while fighting against them, Bebop, And Rocksteady. The game will take you all throughout New York as Shredder and the Foot Clan look to rebuild Krang. Players will move through Iconic New York City scenes while being reunited with friends and against renowned foes.

The game features sixteen unique levels with almost every level having a unique boss; the game throws blasts from the past at the player. Watch out or a cheesy pizza monster will get you. Each level feels as if it could potentially be its own stand-alone episode in the cartoon series while pushing along the narrative.

At the start of the game, players can pick between one of six characters. After clearing the game for the first time, players will unlock Casey Jones. As players beat enemies, complete side quests, and find collectibles, they will be rewarded with experience. This experience determines when each character levels and what additional benefits the player unlocks. These benefits range from additional lives, stronger moves, and additional special move gauges. Yes, levels can be completed with level one characters but the game is a lot easier when your character is max.

Players can see what each new level grants in the Turtle Lair under the Fitness Journal Category; this will track each character’s level. Additionally, players can track what collectibles they’ve found, challenges completed, and Achievements unlocked. Depending on how many quests the player completes determines which ending the player will get; there are a total of seven endings.

Graphics

While playing through TMNT Shredders Revenge we only noticed two graphical issues. The first issue would occur when hitting an enemy that was moving off-screen. This could cause the enemy to stay off the screen and make us restart the level. The second issue occurred when playing with multiple people. Occasionally attacks would not collide with the player’s character but they would still take damage and be interrupted.

Outside of those two negative aspects, TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge‘s graphics remind players of the art styles from the 90s arcade games. The old-school animation and art style has very little to no motion blur allowing you to see and predict where attacks will go. At no point while playing did we get motion sickness from objects flying or a rapid change of scenery. Each TMNT character feels like they have been taken directly from the 90s cartoon or game and given a loving polish to fit in with the times.

Each character’s attack animation is unique to them and makes have their own special feel.

Controls

The game’s controls are fairly simple and easy to pick up and play with. Players who are playing for the first time or are seasoned veterans can easily pick up a controller and play through levels. The keyboard controls are a bit more chaotic for those who are used to a controller but still accessible.

For the review, we used an Xbox Series X controller which made playing through the game rather easy. Each button has a purpose but its purpose is not overly complicated. The only thing that could make this game better is using an arcade fighting cabinet controller instead.

Audio/SFX

While playing through TMNT Shredders Revenge you will notice that certain characters do not sound like you remember. Sadly, not all the character’s voice actors from the 90s were able to reprise their roles. Thankfully, Cam Clarke returned as Leonardo, Townsend Coleman as Michelangelo, Barry Gordon as Donatello, and Rob Paulsen as Raphael. These four returning really gave the game an authentic feel.

Each levels background music fits the level and really draws you into the atmosphere. We can admit that we sat on the game’s home screen for a good 20 or more minutes listening to the theme song. If you are playing with people online, you will need to turn down the game’s volume. Luckily that can be done once you start any level. In the options, you can change the language, VO volume, music, and sound effects volume.

The game’s soundtrack pulls you into the action and pumps you up to help the player complete the level. Other than the opening theme song, Chapter 8’s Panic in the Sky’s theme song kept us hooked to the point we are actually listening to it on repeat while writing this review. We can’t wait until the complete soundtrack is uploaded to either YouTube or Spotify.

Replay Value

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge’s Story can be completed in about two to three hours. When we first heard this we went, dear god. However, not after completing the story, we can say there is more to the game than just that. As previously discussed, the story offers a variety of endings based on the players’ actions. Unless you want to watch each ending on YouTube, you will enjoy and potentially even crave to see how each ending turns out. With sixteen levels to play through and seven characters to play as there are a variety of ways to complete the game.

Verdict

TMNT Shredders Revenge reunites Millenials with an arcade style that they grew up with. The story is an enjoyable throwback to a variety of aspects of the 90sTMNT franchise. Playing through the story really showed us how much the developers love the 90s series and their work reflects that nostalgia, love, and passion. The gameplay and graphics are a refreshing take on the TMNT arcade fighting style without making too many modifications. Players of all ages can easily pick up the game and play it with whoever is willing. With the availability of couch co-ops either locally or online, players will be able to share this experience with their friends and loved ones.

Don’t let the $24.99 price tag deter you from playing this game. Also remember that TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge is also available through Xbox Game Pass. This is one game that you will want to buy after playing just a little bit.