Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II - The Arcade Game (USA)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II - The Arcade Game is a classic side-scrolling beat 'em up for the NES, adapted from the popular arcade version. Players take on the role of one of the four Ninja Turtle brothers: Leonardo with his katanas, Donatello with his bo staff, Michelangelo with his nunchaku, and Raphael with his sai. Each character has slightly different speed and attack range, offering variety in gameplay.

The main objective of the game is to rescue April O'Neil and Master Splinter from the villainous Shredder and his Foot Clan. Players navigate through horizontally scrolling screens, battling waves of Foot Clan members armed with various weapons and attack patterns. Basic attacks include punching/slashing, jumping, and a powerful special attack that can damage multiple enemies but also depletes a small portion of the player's health. This introduces a slight strategic element when deciding to use the special move.

Throughout the stages, players can pick up pizza slices to restore health. Whole pizzas fully restore health, while smaller slices restore a portion. Additionally, other items like ice cream, soda, or donuts can be collected for score points. The levels are diverse, ranging from the streets of New York, sewers, and factories, to Shredder's Technodrome. Each stage culminates in a boss fight featuring familiar characters such as Bebop, Rocksteady, Baxter Stockman, Krang, and of course, Shredder himself.

The NES version of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II - The Arcade Game introduced two entirely new stages not present in the original arcade, along with new enemy types and bosses, providing a richer experience for fans. The graphics and sound were optimized for the NES system, retaining the fun and continuous action spirit of the arcade original. This is one of the most beloved beat 'em up titles on the NES, known for its cooperative two-player capability, although the NES version only supports one player. Nevertheless, the game still delivers an engaging and challenging combat experience.