As a fan of the Turtles, life is quite exciting these days. In the past two years, we’ve witnessed the release of “Shredder’s Revenge,” possibly the finest TMNT game ever; “The Cowabunga Collection,” a compilation that brings together some of the best Turtles games across various platforms; and “Dimension Shellshock,” an engaging DLC that introduces rogue-like elements into the traditional TMNT brawling formula. The latest addition, “Frenzy of the Mutants,” a refreshed version of the 2017 arcade hit, is now available for PC and consoles, giving fans yet another reason to enjoy classic TMNT action.
Set against the backdrop of the 2012 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series, “Frenzy of the Mutants” doesn’t require familiarity with the series to enjoy its gameplay. The narrative is minimal, ensuring that players can jump right into the action without confusion. The focus here is not on storytelling but on rapid, intense combat with formidable foes. This updated version delivers efficiently with responsive controls and a functional move set, although it doesn’t quite reach the complexity of “Shredder’s Revenge.” Players can execute basic attacks, handle and hurl objects, perform two types of jump attacks, and unleash a spin attack ideal for managing crowds. Additionally, pressing the triangle button when the power gauge is full activates “Turtle Power,” a devastating special move unique to each character that clears enemies from the screen.
The game allows players to pick up various items on each map, including throwing stars, stun grenades, and the highly coveted mutant support icons. Collecting one of these icons summons either Metalhead or Leatherhead to devastating effect against nearby enemies. Despite being limited to these two characters, this feature stands out as a game highlight. “Frenzy of the Mutants” might be limited in scope, but it offers substantial enjoyment while it lasts.
Enhancing the fun are six varied levels, doubling the original arcade version’s count. This game retains the original three stages—NYC, Sewer, and T.C.R.I.—and adds the Amusement Park and Dimension X, turning the final confrontation with Shredder into a comprehensive level. It also features six new boss battles. Although visually distinct, these bosses often share similar tactics and projectile attacks, making them feel mechanically repetitive.
Despite the additional maps and bosses, “Frenzy of the Mutants” on home consoles feels more expansive than its arcade predecessor. Yet, at just 70 minutes, the game feels brief. Players can revisit stages to try out all four playable characters or test their skills on higher difficulty settings—hard mode unlocks after completing the game on normal. However, this does not compensate for the lack of more stages or extra gameplay modes.
Score enthusiasts might find replay value in striving for high scores, which are recorded on a local leaderboard. Unfortunately, there’s no feature for entering initials or viewing international rankings, and the lack of online multiplayer is a notable omission. On the upside, local co-op allows up to four players to join the fray.
Graphically, “Frenzy of the Mutants” is inconsistent. Some enemy designs, especially those from Dimension X, are impressive, and the animations benefit from smooth 60 FPS gameplay on the PS5. However, some areas suffer from low-resolution textures and overly plastic character models, giving the game a budget feel. The audio, performed by the original cast, is commendable, but some sound samples can become tiresome.
In summary, while “Frenzy of the Mutants” doesn’t rival “Shredder’s Revenge” or other top-tier TMNT games, its fluid controls, enjoyable brawling, and diverse settings make it a decent beat-’em-up. More stages, deeper gameplay, and improved visuals could elevate it among the elite TMNT titles. Even as it stands, it’s a fun experience, particularly with friends.
By Andrej Kovacevic
Updated on 25th April 2024