Playable characters teased?
Yesterday saw publisher Dotemu come leaping out of the sewers (erm… no offense) with the announcement of a brand newTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesarcade brawler.
TMNT: Shredder’s Revengeis in development for PC and consoles at Tribute Games – a studio not only responsible for the enjoyableMercenary Kings, but who also houses developers who worked on Ubisoft’s great 2010 brawlerScott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game. Powered by this trinity of brand, studio, and frenzied fan nostalgia, it’s fair to say that much of the internet lost its collective mind when the trailer dropped yesterday morning.
From the short gameplay teaser, it’s clear thatTMNT: Shredder’s Revengeis hoping to capture the awesome multiplayer action of Konami’s 1989’s arcade classicTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesand its 1991 sequel, Turtles in Time. With fans suffering from severe shell-shock at the announcement, there’s a few details featured in the trailer that might’ve passed them by.
Excitably, the animated prologue features a sequence where April O’Neil lays waste to two Foot Clan suckers, with the Channel 5 news reporter landing a sweet jumping side-kick. This is then followed by a shot of the Turtles’ tutor, Master Splinter, ninja-dashing through a sewer tunnel, swinging his walking stick like a maniac. These scenes imply – though this ispurelyspeculation – that both characters might be playable in the new brawler. After all, it’s rare for Miss O’Neil to be depicted kicking ass in such a fashion. I certainly hope these icons join the roster, and I’m sure many of you would agree.
In terms of villains, we get to see The Shredder and his Foot Clan, as well as the gruesome twosome of Bebop and Rocksteady. Also putting in an appearance in the prologue are doomed scientist Baxter Stockman, a Triceraton, and a destroyed “Mouser” – Stockman’s troublesome, sharp-jawed battle droids. Most notably, during April’s close-up, we can see the grisly visage of Dimension X ruler Krang, briefly glimpsed on a TV screen behind her.
Perhaps the most surprising appearance of all belongs to Faith No More vocalist and avant-garde musician Mike Patton, whose performance of the TV show’s iconic theme soundtracks the trailer. WhileTMNTis definitely a far cry from the works of Mr. Bungle or Fantomas, the addition of Patton adds a delightful element of… well…insanityto the whole affair.
Dotemu’s work with recent releases such asWonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trapand the excellentStreets of Rage 4has afforded them the reputation of retro remake masters. Afforded deep fighting mechanics, fun features, a solid selection of characters, and plenty of fan-pleasing cameos and Easter Eggs, (Casey Jones, anyone?)TMNT: Shredder’s Revengecould prove to be the finest digitalTurtlesrelease since 1993’sTournament Fighters. One thing’s for certain… it’s going to be a long wait…
Now, if you don’t mind, I have to go and start my online petition for Irma DLC.
