Along with being a venerable franchise in the world of comics, cartoons, feature films and toys, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have long been vanguards of the video game world as well. Though their original Nintendo Entertainment System title was famously unforgiving, the long line of arcade-style brawlers that followed are regarded as some of the most beloved games of their respective generations; and each time the Turtles find themselves rebooted, fans can be sure that a new game is always right around the corner.
Earlier today, Platinum Games, the fan-favorite developers behind hits like Bayonetta, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance and Transformers: Devastation, teased the reveal of another all-new TMNT title — one that gamers have already been hotly anticipating for months.
Up until now, details of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants In Manhattan had been steadily leaking to the gaming press, offering fans a look at the 3D action-brawler gameplay and unique cel-shaded art style. The teaser — a short video clip depicting a pile of pizza having been impaled with a sai — promised a full reveal for January 26, and now the full trailer is here in the video above.
#TMNT pic.twitter.com/n60KV8bE0P— PlatinumGames Inc. (@platinumgames) January 25, 2016
While the cel-shaded graphics and gameplay are similar to those Platinum deployed for the well-recieved ’80s nostalgia throwback Transformers: Devastation last year, Mutants in Manhattan does not seem to be an adaptation of any specific iteration of the franchise. Instead, the art style is based on the current run of IDW comics, with the Turtles depicted wearing their classic color-coded headbands and wielding their traditional weapons against revamped versions of ’80s cartoon enemies like Bebop and Rocksteady along with traditional Foot Clan ninjas. Some fans have also noted the Turtles’ more human-like facial features, which in 3D call to mind the recent Michael Bay-produced live-action films — a sequel to which is currently in production.
Initially comprised of designers and creators from the celebrated Clover Studios after it was shuttered by Capcom in 2007, Platinum has made a name for itself as a favorite among gamers with a focus on solid gameplay, memorable characters, and unique visuals that for many call to mind the inventive games of previous console generations. In addition to big-budget titles, the studio has always been responsible for boundary pusher mid-range entries like the Sin City-esque stylized brawler Madworld, the family-friendly superhero strategy title Wonderful 101, and the franchise-crossing action throwdown Anarchy Reigns. Platinum is also a rare modern third-party developer to have actively sought a consistent relationship with Nintendo, bringing Bayonetta 2 to the Wii U as an exclusive title and signing on to develop the eagerly-awaited Star Fox Zero and the mysterious Shigeru Miyamoto tower-defense game Project Guard.
The most recent TMNT game, Danger of The Ooze, was developed by WayForward and released by Activision in 2013. Based directly on the current Nickelodeon animated version of the characters, it was a side-scrolling platformer that received largely mixed reviews. Time will be the judge of whether Platinum will have greater success with Mutants in Manhattan, but if the positive reception that greeted their Transformers game is any indication, fans of Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, and Leonardo could be in for their most satisfying gaming experience in a long time. We’ll find out when the title finally releases.
Screen Rant will have more updates on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants In Manhattan as details are made available.
