Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II - Back from the Sewers (GB)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II - Back from the Sewers is a side-scrolling action game for the Game Boy, building upon the success of its predecessor. In this game, players control one of the four Ninja Turtles – Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael – on a quest to rescue April O'Neil and Master Splinter from the clutches of Shredder and the Foot Clan.

The core gameplay revolves around navigating through various stages, ranging from sewers and city streets to enemy bases, and confronting a multitude of foes. Each level is designed with different obstacles and enemies, requiring players to utilize the Ninja Turtles' combat skills flexibly.

Players can switch between the Turtles at any point during the game. While each Turtle has slight differences in speed and strength, these variations are not as pronounced as in larger console versions. Basic attacks include standard strikes, jumps, and jump attacks. Additionally, players can perform a special attack by pressing the attack and jump buttons simultaneously. This move clears out surrounding enemies but also consumes a portion of the Turtle's health, adding a minor strategic element as players must consider when to use this special ability effectively.

Throughout the levels, players will collect pizza slices to restore health. The game features many familiar enemies, such as various types of Foot Soldiers, as well as iconic bosses like Bebop, Rocksteady, Baxter Stockman, and ultimately, Shredder. Each boss battle presents unique attack patterns, requiring players to learn and devise suitable strategies to defeat them.

The game's graphics are optimized for the Game Boy, featuring clear character sprites and detailed environments that evoke the familiar feel of the TMNT universe. The music and sound effects also contribute to an engaging action experience, solidifying its place as one of the enjoyable titles on the handheld console.