Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Games (1989-1993) Japanese Packaging / Box Art Translations

 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Famicom) (5.12.89)

The box art's off shade of yellow actually works quite well in a game dealing with the turtles. Going from the writing on the back, it  appears Konami themselves didn't quite know what to make of the Ninja Turtles. Needless to say, they had quite a hit on their hands. I remember receiving an (American) copy of this as a birthday gift from my Uncle. Being so different from the arcade game, I was quite exasperated at first, but squeezed a lot of game play out of it. Never beat the game, of course...

(Images taken from Gamefaqs.)

Skillfully utilizing the Ninja Turtles, make your way out of danger.

Highly distinctive from each other, the four ninja turtles make their way through the enemies' various tricks and traps in this authentic action style game. But you should know, these Ninja turtles are always highly energetic and ingratiating!

* The four have weapons including the Sai, Katana, Bo and Nunchucks.

* Disabling bombs, crossing buildings by rope and more, there's a variety of tricks and traps!

* Graphics eclipsing the American comics.

* Difficulty settings that will allow anybody to have fun.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fall of the Foot Clan (8.30.90)

The friendlier faces from the Famicom covers makes way for a grittier depiction of the turtles on the Game Boy. With it's excellent graphics and decent gameplay, this was one of the most fondly remembered early 90s licensed games.

(Images taken from Gamefaqs. Contributed by Guard_Master and DeadsideSerpent.)

The cute turtles in intense action. T.M.N.T.

The most popular characters over all of North America have finally arrived in Japan. The jovial, energetic ninja turtles are on a rampage in this new sensation of ninja action.

* Huge characters running roughshod make a huge impact.

* Choose from 4 turtles in multi-character gameplay.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade (Famicom) (12.7.90)

Predating SF2, this was the first "big" arcade to home conversion that I can remember. While the graphics certainly weren't just like the arcade, getting a couple of new levels felt like a huge deal. The American version even had a pizza hut marketing tie-in.

Images taken from Gamefaqs (contributed by user “hydao")

Number 1 in popularity throughout all of America, the 'big heroes' have finally reached Japan!

Enjoyable action that looks like a movie!

A port of the record breaking arcade hit.

*Select your favorite character out of the 4 individual turtles.

*Imposing traps and big tricks!

*The Famicom version is loaded with original elements.

*Double the fun...two player simultaneous play is available!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Back from the Sewers (11.15.91)

Here, the turtles are depicted more colorful and carefree compared to the grimier style of the American box art. I haven't yet tried this one myself, but by most accounts it's an excellent sequel to their already well received Game Boy debut.

(Images taken from Gamefaqs.)

The Ninja Turtles, once again!

The worldwide Super Heroes, "T.M.N.T", are at it once again. Of course, both the action and game have been intensely powered up. In order to rescue the captured April, LETS COWABUNGA!

* It's just like an anime! A heart pounding story unfolds.

* Loaded with fun bonus games. 

* With the character select feature, you can select the character according to your liking. 

* Even beginners can feel at ease with the game's difficulty settings.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2/3: The Manhattan Project (12.91)

After the highly successful SNES port of Turtles in Time, the NES still got one more, entirely new game. I remember being quite excited to see a Turtles beat-em-up finally being developed exclusively for consoles. Important translation note: I can't figure out what the heck DAINAPOPPU is supposed to mean. In my search for an explanation, even native Japanese speakers are perplexed. 

(Images taken from Gamefaqs. Contributed by RFH and laelius2000.)

Oh My God!

Manhattan island has been stolen. The T.M.N.T move out!

COWABUNGA!

The latest in the popular hero series, T.M.N.T. Extraordinary, lively, DAINAPOPPU Action.

The action of the characters gets even cuter.

The suspense doesn't stop. A thrilling story unfolds.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time (7.24.92)

The Japanese packaging gets a more cheerful and laid back illustration than the gritty, more time travel centric Western art by Tom Dubois. Both pieces are so great that I'd want to have both in my game room. True to the advertising, until 2022's Revenge of Shredder, this was widely considered the ultimate TMNT beat-em-up. 

 

(Super Famicom Images taken from MobyGames. Contributed by user: "JeanFrancisFreitag")

There's no time to rest! JET COASTER ACTION!

The world's strangest heroes, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have returned! This time, you're on a mission to take back The Statue of Liberty. Under Shredder's command, it was stolen by the Foot Clan. Not likely to ever be topped, A SUPER BATTLE explodes over 8 megabits. Bring peace back to everyone's streets!

Leonardo, Rafael, Michelangelo, Donatello

* Defeat rows of enemies in "Time Trial Mode"
* Two player simultaneous play, mid-game join-in and continue abilities included.
* Battle with friends and polish your skills. (Battle mode)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Hyperstone Heist / Return of the Shredder (12.22.92)

In this quite interesting, often overlooked Genesis game, levels from the first two arcade games plus additional new stages were combined for the lone TMNT game to be featured on a Sega system.

(Images taken from MobyGames. Contributed by user: "J-U-I-C-Y")

Protect the world from the evil power of the secret treasure.

By using the power of the secret treasure of Dimension X, the Hyper Stone, Shredder is planning to take over the world. In order to rescue the miniaturized New York skyscrapers, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles enter the fray!

There's no room to breath as the speedy and wild super battle explodes. Seal off the magical power of the Hyper Stone and return peace to the world.

Crush Shredder's ambitions! T.M.N.T.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters / Mutant Warriors (12.3.93)

Just in time for the Street Fighter clone craze, the various TMNT warriors get a fighting game and more aggressive artistic style. The Famicom, Mega Drive and Super Famicom versions were all dramatically different.

 (Images borrowed from: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/touffu)

If there's versus fighting going on, it's our turn!!
The world-famous heroes with their fighting skills and ninjutsu...the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles now have "the strongest" fighting game!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters (Mega Drive) (12.3.93)

With Street Fighter II clones all the rage in the mid-90s, the TMNT universe was the perfect source to draw from. While Konami's Genesis interpretations of Castlevania, Contra, and TMNT Arcade looked excellent, I wasn't a huge fan of the static, sometimes grotesque backgrounds featured in the Sega version of Tournament Fighters.

(Images taken from Gamefaqs. Contributed by RFH, ironyisntdead, Oversuperfluous, and Guard_Master.)

Turtles vs. Turtles!?

The authentic fight...is right here.

The masters of martial arts and ninjutsu, the turtles, challenge themselves to versus-style fighting.

Your opponent may be your own clone! Speed, power, technique...you must match all of these together during the intense fighting.

Show no mercy as you beat your opponent to a pulp!!