Ahhh, remember the good old days of being in the arcade, playing your favorite game on one of those giant, oversized behemoth boxes? The kind where you could gather up three of your buddies and there would be enough buttons and joysticks for all? To conjure up such memories may be to date oneself, but if you were lucky enough to grow up spending your Saturdays (and all of your quarters) in this heaven, then it is nearly impossible not to think of it when playing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan.

The classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arcade game from the ’90s is the definitive Turtles game, and everything since – including this latest installment – has been unable to recreate that magic.

In Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan, the Foot Clan is back up to its old tricks again, with Shredder and Krang pulling the strings, forcing the turtles out of their underground hangout to once again save New York City. All of the familiar heavies from TMNT lore are each the boss of their own individual level, including fan favorites Rocksteady and Bebop. But the idea of being able to skip around to each level upon completing the first one, instead of having to finish them all in order, is just a hint of the confusion that smothers Mutants in Manhattan. Simply put, this game is a mess. It’s bright and flashy with pretty colors, but it’s all a cover up to hide the fact that it’s just another mindless button-masher. Good luck trying to piece together what exactly is going on in the story; you’ll be given one in-game objective, and just as quickly as you receive it, you’re notified that it’s over and a new one has begun. This is a clear attempt to meet the demands of a generation of gamers who have short attention spans, and as a result, it just becomes flat-out annoying and hollow.

Despite all of its shortcomings, there are some neat elements to take away from Mutants in Manhattan. The fighting mechanics can be fun when you’re not simply hitting every button, as each turtle offers his own unique ninjutsu combo attack to choose from. Teamwork is the name of the game (especially in boss battles), and if two players perform a combo attack at the same time, it’ll turn into an explosive co-op move. It might be hard to see what’s happening with all of the bedazzle going on, but you get the feeling it must look really cool. Pizzas gauge your health, and if you’re running low, then you best find yourself a fresh pie. You can do this by returning to the turtle lair – your supply hub, where Splinter awaits your arrival. Not all of the levels take place on the streets, either. Cruising on the current down in the sewer is a nice touch that changes the pace.

If you’re someone who has never played a TMNT game before, then perhaps you’ll find Mutants in Manhattan entertaining. It definitely caters to the modern look seen in the Nickelodeon television show, as well as the current IDW comic books. But if you’re a seasoned (okay, old) gamer who still remembers the heyday of the green guys and all of the joy they brought to your childhood, then you’d be better off sticking to that side-scrolling wonder in the big, old box.

For more, visit tmntmutantsinmanhattan.com.