Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan

2016 video game

2016 video game

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles:
Mutants in Manhattan

Developer(s)| PlatinumGames
Publisher(s)| Activision
Director(s)| Eiro Shirahama
Producer(s)|

* Atsushi Kurooka
* Robert Conkey
* Robert Cooper

Designer(s)| Eiro Shirahama
Programmer(s)| Masanori Kumakiri
Writer(s)| Tom Waltz[1]
Composer(s)| Masafumi Takada
Naofumi Harada
Series| Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Platform(s)|

* PlayStation 3
* PlayStation 4
* Windows
* Xbox 360
* Xbox One

Release|

* WW: May 24, 2016
* EU: May 27, 2016

Genre(s)| Hack and slash
Mode(s)| Single-player, multiplayer

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan[a] is a 2016 hack and slash game developed by PlatinumGames and published by Activision. It is inspired by IDW Publishing's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book series. It was released for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox 360, and Xbox One in May 2016. Less than eight months after its release, the game was removed from sale from all digital storefronts on January 3, 2017.[2] This was the last Nickelodeon game to be published by Activision, with the rights for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles video game series being given to Dotemu.

## Gameplay

[edit]

The game is an action hack and slash game with cel-shaded artstyle, in which players control the title characters, including Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael, from a third-person perspective. With the exception of infinite shurikens, each turtle has an individual style of ninjutsu. Each turtle also has four ultimate abilities, which are interchangeable and shared from a well-sized list. For example, Leonardo can slow down time, and Michelangelo can perform cheerleading, which resets the cooldowns of other turtles' abilities. Players can shift between turtles at will in the single-player campaign. The turtles can perform successive attacks to create a combo.[3] The four turtles also have the ability to parkour and use parachutes while traveling around the game's world. Players encounter numerous green orbs in the game. These orbs, known as Battle Points can be spent to upgrade the turtles' abilities - as well as buying items (such as grappling hooks and rocket launchers) from Master Splinter anytime during the game. April O' Neil provides assistance to players by giving hints and directions.[4] The turtles can also scan their surroundings and tag enemies.[5]

The game is divided into nine different stages. In each stage, players encounter random enemies before reaching a boss. When the player character is defeated, other turtles (controlled by artificial intelligence in the campaign or by other players in the multiplayer) can help revive the players. If the turtles are not revived, they will be sent back to the subterranean lair. A mini-game will then begin, tasking the turtle to eat pizza as fast as possible.[5] The game supports four-player online cooperative multiplayer.[6]

## Plot

[edit]

The four Ninja Turtles find the Foot Clan causing trouble in New York City once again. After the streets are cleared, the turtles are told by April via T-Glass that Bebop is robbing a bank and is well-armed with chainsaws, explosive bombs and guns. Working together, the turtles defeat Bebop, before learning that his partner Rocksteady is also causing trouble, threatening to destroy the subway system with time bombs. Upon defeating the hammer-swinging Rocksteady, the four turtle brothers are again contacted by April, who reveals that Slash is hiding deep in the sewers, so the turtles investigate, while watching out for Slash, who is constantly taunting them. The turtles are directed to a construction site high up in the skyscrapers, where Karai has placed explosives, which they defuse before fighting Karai, who then escapes via jet-pack.

The turtles next face off against Armaggon, before also encountering Wingnut, whom they soon defeat. Afterwards, General Krang, not impressed by the turtles defeating his minions, attacks New York himself, but is also ultimately defeated, though the turtles celebrate too early, as Krang then upgrades himself and becomes "Mega Krang." The turtles once again triumph over Krang, before being attacked by Shredder himself, who is annoyed with everyone else's failure to destroy them and attempts to do it himself. Shredder proves to be their biggest challenge yet, but through teamwork and their experience, the turtles prevail, saving New York from the Foot Clan, at least for the moment.

## Development

[edit]

According to developer PlatinumGames, the team developed licensed video games as creating new intellectual properties was difficult.[7] Mutants in Manhattan is the third licensed game developed by Platinum, after the company partnered with Activision to create The Legend of Korra (2014) and Transformers: Devastation (2015).[8] According to Platinum, they developed the game based on their own vision instead of the previous comics, films or games. According to game designer Eiro Shirahama, the team watched the TMNT animated series and also played the old TMNT games for the Super Famicom while working on the game so as to understand the universe and the characters.[5] Tom Waltz, who had previously written TMNT comic books for IDW Publishing, is the game's lead writer.[9] The game's artstyle was inspired by Mateus Santolouco, an artist of the series.[10] The game's existence was first leaked by Xbox.com, Australian Classification Board and a user on Twitter.[11] PlatinumGames later officially announced the title on January 26, 2016.[12] Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan was released for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox 360, and Xbox One in May 2016.[13]

## Reception

[edit]

Reception

Aggregate scoreAggregator| Score

|

Metacritic| (XBO) 55/100[14]
(PC) 51/100[15]
(PS4) 44/100[16]
Review scoresPublication| Score

|

Destructoid| 4.5/10[17]
Edge| 3/5[18]
Game Informer| 6/10[19]
GameSpot| 4/10[20]
Hardcore Gamer| 2/5[21]
IGN| 4.9/10[22]

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan received "mixed or average" reviews on the Xbox One and PC, and received "generally unfavorable" reviews on the PlayStation 4, according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[14][15][16]

Brett Makedonski of Destructoid said of the Xbox One version, "it doesn't even necessarily succeed where Platinum Games usually excels."[17] Dave Rudden of IGN called the PlayStation 4 version short, bland, and highly repetitive, while also expressing criticism at the lack of local co-op multiplayer.[22] Digital Foundry's John Linneman criticized the game for not reaching 60 frames per second on any platform, even though an Activision producer stated that local co-op multiplayer was omitted to reach it.[23] Game Informer said of the PlayStation 4 version, "Controlling the turtles is fun, but the structure of the levels, missions, and bosses leave much to be desired"[19] Hardcore Gamer said of the same console version, "About the only real way one can recommend Mutants in Manhattan is if you're a really die-hard Ninja Turtles fan and [you] have access to online multiplayer, and even then, the tedious level and mission design is sure to get grating after a while. In the end, sadly, not even an old-fashioned Ninja Rap could save this mess."[21] GameSpot said of the same console version, "Without a doubt, Mutants In Manhattan is a disappointment, one multiplied several times over not just by its pedigree, but by the fact that the ingredients for a good game are present."[20] Edge gave the same console version three out of ten, saying, "Platinum needs to take a little more care when it comes to picking its battles".[18]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Japanese: ティーンエイジ・ミュータント・ニンジャ・タートルズ：ミュータント・イン・マンハッタン, Hepburn: Tīn'eiji Myūtanto Ninja Tātoruzu: Myūtanto in Manhattan

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Carter, Chris (January 26, 2016). "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan Officially Announced". Destructoid. Gamurs. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
2. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (January 4, 2017). "Platinum's Turtles game delisted from Steam, PSN and Xbox". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on July 1, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
3. ^ Tan, Nicholas (March 16, 2016). "TMNT: Mutants in Manhattan Deserves A Pizza-Twirling Cowabunga!". GameRevolution. Evolve Media. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
4. ^ IGN staff (March 15, 2016). "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan – Gameplay Walkthrough". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
5. ^ a b c Webster, Andrew (March 17, 2016). "The new TMNT game feels like a proper successor to arcade classic Turtles in Time". The Verge. Vox Media. Archived from the original on May 30, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
6. ^ Nunneley-Jackson, Stephany (March 17, 2016). "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan video takes a look at bosses". VG247. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
7. ^ Hussain, Tamoor (February 5, 2016). "Bayonetta Dev Explains Why It Can't Focus Entirely on Original IP". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
8. ^ Reilly, Luke (November 30, 2015). "Platinum Games Developing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Game". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on December 5, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
9. ^ Reiner, Andrew (March 14, 2016). "TMNT: Mutants In Manhattan Releases In May". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
10. ^ Cooper, Robert (January 26, 2016). "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan announced for PS4 & PS3". PlayStation Blog. Sony Interactive Entertainment. Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
11. ^ Schreier, Jason (May 1, 2016). "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Game Leaks So Much There's No Need To Announce It". Kotaku. G/O Media. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
12. ^ Osborn, Alex (January 26, 2016). "TMNT: Mutants in Manhattan Official Leaks Coming Tomorrow". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
13. ^ Matulef, Jeffery (March 14, 2016). "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan release date confirmed". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
14. ^ a b "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan critic reviews (XOne)". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
15. ^ a b "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan critic reviews (PC)". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on June 4, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
16. ^ a b "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan critic reviews (PS4)". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
17. ^ a b Makedonski, Brett (May 25, 2016). "Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan (XOne)". Destructoid. Gamurs. Archived from the original on December 11, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
18. ^ a b Edge staff (August 2016). "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan (PS4)". Edge. No. 295\. Future plc. p. 110.
19. ^ a b Hilliard, Kyle (May 27, 2016). "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan Review (PS4)". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
20. ^ a b Clark, Justin (May 27, 2016). "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan (PS4)". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
21. ^ a b LeClair, Kyle (May 27, 2016). "Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan (PS4)". Hardcore Gamer. Archived from the original on May 30, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
22. ^ a b Rudden, Dave (May 26, 2016). "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan Review (PS4)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on December 10, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
23. ^ Linneman, John (May 26, 2016). "Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan is Platinum's most disappointing game". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on October 2, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan at MobyGames

* v
* t
* e

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles video games

Konami|

* Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (NES)
* Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (arcade)
* Fall of the Foot Clan
* The Manhattan Project
* Turtles in Time
* Manhattan Missions
* Back from the Sewers
* The Hyperstone Heist
* Radical Rescue
* Tournament Fighters
* Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003)
* GBA
* Battle Nexus
* Mutant Melee
* Mutant Nightmare
* The Cowabunga Collection

Ubisoft|

* TMNT
* GBA
* Turtles in Time: Re-Shelled
* Smash-Up

Activision|

* Out of the Shadows
* Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2013)
* Danger of the Ooze
* Mutants in Manhattan

Other|

* Legends
* Shredder's Revenge
* Mutants Unleashed

Related|

* Pinball
* Nickelodeon Super Brawl
* Nickelodeon Kart Racers
* 2: Grand Prix
* 3: Slime Speedway
* Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl
* Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2

* v
* t
* e

PlatinumGames

Games|

| Bayonetta|

* Bayonetta
* Bayonetta 2
* Bayonetta 3
* Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon

|

* MadWorld
* Infinite Space
* Vanquish
* Anarchy Reigns
* Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (music)
* The Wonderful 101
* The Legend of Korra
* Transformers: Devastation
* Star Fox Zero
* Star Fox Guard
* Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan
* Nier: Automata
* Astral Chain
* World of Demons
* Sol Cresta
* Babylon's Fall
* Ninja Gaiden 4

People|

* Atsushi Inaba
* Hideki Kamiya
* Shinji Mikami

Related|

* Clover Studio
* Granblue Fantasy: Relink
* Scalebound

Category

Authority control databases: National |

* France
* BnF data

|

*[WW]: Worldwide
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template