Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Radical Rescue

Play it on: Game Boy, Cowabunga Collection

I’m so glad that last year’s Cowabunga Collection has made this 1993 Game Boy game readily available again. The moment-to-moment gameplay doesn’t feel as fluid as it does in the Turtles’ great beat ‘em ups; if anything, it’s fairly stiff. But Radical Rescue makes up for that by offering different pleasures, putting a Metroidvania twist on the typical Foot Clan butt-kicking.

You start as Michelangelo, his brothers kidnapped, and must explore the compound where Shredder’s stashed ‘em. Each bro has a unique ability that allows access to otherwise unreachable areas, which naturally becomes vital in rescuing your kidnapped friends (Splinter and April have also been nabbed) and taking the fight to Shredder. Mikey can spin his nunchucks like a helicopter to glide across distances, Leo can drill the floor, Raph can squeeze through small passages and Donnie can climb walls.

Shredder’s hideaway is filled with all the classic 2D dangers—spiky balls of death, flame-spouting geysers, you name it—and the environments range from industrial warehouses to moody caverns as you venture deeper into the lair. Hot Konami jams provide the soundtrack to your adventure, and using each turtle’s unique abilities to overcome different obstacles lends the whole thing a real teamwork vibe. In a video game franchise dominated by brawlers, Radical Rescue is a refreshing change of pace for the heroes in a half shell. — Carolyn Petit