Nintendo Entertainment System · Beat 'em Up / Platformer
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Certified classic
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1989 |
| Genre | Beat 'em Up, Platformer |
| Developer | Konami |
| Publisher | Konami |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 15 |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a beat 'em up released in 1989 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Konami. Depending on the region, you may also know it as Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles. It blends beat 'em up and platformer elements.
It landed about 4 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1989 include Mother, Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse and DuckTales. Among the 20 NES beat 'em ups in our database, it ranks #2 by legacy score.
It is part of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series; on the NES you can also try Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters. The series also appears on other systems with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fall of the Foot Clan (Game Boy) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time (SNES). Konami also made Metal Gear, Castlevania and Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse for the NES.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.
Pick it if…
- you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
- you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you want to experience one of the NES's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you want depth and variety over simple, satisfying brawling
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is like
Beat 'em ups send you down scrolling streets fighting waves of thugs with punches, kicks, throws and grabbed weapons. Most can be finished in a single sitting and shine with a second player.
Tip for newcomers: Avoid getting surrounded: keep enemies on one side of you and save your special attacks for crowds. Bring a friend if the game supports co-op.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cheats & codes
140 codes on file (Game Genie, Action Replay, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Pick Up 10 Weapons Only | ZENOATGO |
|---|---|
| Pick Up 50 Weapons At A Time! | ZUNOATGP |
| Don't Take Most Damage | GXSOUAST |
| Don't Take Damage From Non-Killing Seaweed | SXVZGSOO |
| Full Energy Boost From Pizza Slices | AEOOGTZA |
| 20 Missiles On Pick-Up | GPUOLNZA |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
If you like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the Matrix also picks…
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project Classic Co-op
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Classic Co-op
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Hyperstone Heist Classic Co-op
The Adventures of Bayou Billy Classic
The Three Stooges Deep cut
Playing NES games today
NES games are short on paper but often famously tough, so expect to replay levels and learn patterns. Many first-party titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online, original cartridges remain easy to find, and you can play backups of games you own in an emulator such as Rec0m88.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles FAQ
When did Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles come out on the NES?
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989.
Who made Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?
It was developed by Konami.
Is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles multiplayer?
No. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a single-player game.
How long does Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles take to play?
As a beat 'em up, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.