Pandora's Box: The Ultimate GameCube Tier List

#110: TMNT

Rating: E+10

Players: 1

Price Range: ~$18 USD

A game based on the film of the same name, which itself is based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Even though the movie itself is rather forgotten and...admittedly inconsequential, I actually don't mind it.

As for the Ninja Turtles, well, let's just say that me and my siblings are fans of it. Now, not hardcore, but casual fans.

This game is a linear action platformer, in which you go through events of the film very loosely in fighting the monsters from the supernatural dimension.

However, it is noted that action and platforming are strictly separated to an almost jarring degree.

It doesn't help that you can instantly die from falling from a platforming section through a pit or something of the like, while it is nearly impossible to with the combat sections, as if you just run out of hit-points, you can just rapidly tap the A button to revive yourself, which is honestly ridiculous.

In the game, when the Turtles are together, you can switch between them for health bars and for progressing through the stage.

That's...literally the entire mechanic.

I guess they fight differently, but if I can get the job done with one of them during combat, then why rely on the others?

Ironic...

The combat bits encourage you to get as many kills as you can against fodder without getting hit once, which...doesn't lead to much besides maybe score to unlock the challenge stages...I think?

This game tries so desperately to have replay value, only to have just these challenge levels that don't lead to anything either.

Given the structure of the game, it is perfectly serviceable, but as a TMNT game, which are known for their multiplayer, this single-player romp is just...fine enough.