Is Turtles in Time overrated?

[Prowler]

Before you bring out the pitchforks, remember that "overrated" does not mean something is "bad", OK?!

I think the SNES version of Turtles in Time is the best TMNT game from the 80s and 90s overall, but I think a lot of people overrate it a bit. I remember even Screwattack calling it the best beat 'em up ever, which is a bit eyebrow raising. No way Turtles in Time is better than Streets of Rage 2 or the SNES Final Fight games.

It's a fun game and all but calling it a 10/10 game is a gross exaggeration, imo.

Thoughts?

[Andrew NDB]

My thoughts on this are the same as my thoughts have always been in this regard. Turtles in Time was just the latest in a slew of brainless, two button mashing Final Fight clones under a TMNT skinsuit with rainbow Foot Soldiers, of all things.

Overrated? Absolutely.

[Prowler]

My thoughts on this are the same as my thoughts have always been in this regard. Turtles in Time was just the latest in a slew of brainless, two button mashing Final Fight clones under a TMNT skinsuit with rainbow Foot Soldiers, of all things.

Overrated? Absolutely.

I like all of the classic beat 'em TMNT games plus Shredder's Revenge, but at the same time I've always been disappointed in how Konami and other companies almost always stuck to beat 'em up style games for the license. A little more variety would have been cool. I guess beat «em ups are cheap to develop...

[Andrew NDB]

I like all of the classic beat 'em TMNT games

I just hated that they gave up trying to do a real, original TMNT game after the first NES game. And then even AFTER they fiiiiinally were done doing beat 'em ups with TMNT, what do they try and clone next? Fu**ing Street Fighter with Tournament Fighters!

Unbelievable.

plus Shredder's Revenge,

Obviously with it having been over 30 years since the last TMNT beat 'em up enough time has passed that, OK, sure, we can have a big over the top celebration of those games. It's fun. It even added little touches like an overworld map, somewhat like TMNT 1 on NES.

[Prowler]

I just hated that they gave up trying to do a real, original TMNT game after the first NES game. And then even AFTER they fiiiiinally were done doing beat 'em ups with TMNT, what do they try and clone next? Fu**ing Street Fighter with Tournament Fighters!

Unbelievable.



Obviously with it having been over 30 years since the last TMNT beat 'em up enough time has passed that, OK, sure, we can have a big over the top celebration of those games. It's fun. It even added little touches like an overworld map, somewhat like TMNT 1 on NES.

SNES Tournament Fighters was solid, imo. It's probably one of the best Street Fighter clones out there and it's not like they overdone it since we haven't gotten a TMNT fighting game ever since.

There's a fanmade TMNT game called Rescue Palooza with lots of characters to play as. I keep getting it recommended to me but am yet to try it.

As for 2k3 games... the GBA games are fine, especially the 2nd one. That one is not a Final Fight clone at all. I don't think any of the original Game Boy Turtle games were beat 'em ups though?

[CyberCubed]

It was one of the greatest beat 'em ups of the 90's and stood the test of time over 30 years, so yeah. It's good for exactly what it is.

[Xav]

Obviously with it having been over 30 years since the last TMNT beat 'em up enough time has passed that, OK, sure, we can have a big over the top celebration of those games. It's fun. It even added little touches like an overworld map, somewhat like TMNT 1 on NES.Over 30 years? Most of the TMNT games in the last 30 years have been beat 'em ups.
SNES Tournament Fighters was solid, imo. It's probably one of the best Street Fighter clones out there and it's not like they overdone it since we haven't gotten a TMNT fighting game ever since.What about Mutant Melee or Smash-Up?

[Andrew NDB]

Over 30 years? Most of the TMNT games in the last 30 years have been beat 'em ups.
What about Mutant Melee or Smash-Up?

I just refer to the Final Fight clone model.

[Xav]

Well, TMNT (2003), TMNT (2007) (GBA), Re-Shelled, Arcade Attack, TMNT (2013), and TMNT (2017) would all fall in that model.

[Andrew NDB]

Well, TMNT (2003), TMNT (2007) (GBA), Re-Shelled, Arcade Attack, TMNT (2013), and TMNT (2017) would all fall in that model.

You sure? Just walking left to right (primarily) down a horizontal flat playground smacking bad guys with 2 buttons? Maybe so. I'm not familiar with most of those. I wouldn't count Re-Shelled as that's just a... smoothing over of an existing beat'em up, though I'd completely forgot about it. I remember the anger when it was de-listed and you couldn't get it if you didn't already have it downloaded.

[Prowler]

Over 30 years? Most of the TMNT games in the last 30 years have been beat 'em ups.
What about Mutant Melee or Smash-Up?
I forgot about those tbh, but then again, I was thinking of traditional fighters, something those clearly don't seem to me. Smash-up is obviously a Smash Bros. clone.

You sure? Just walking left to right (primarily) down a horizontal flat playground smacking bad guys with 2 buttons? Maybe so. I'm not familiar with most of those. I wouldn't count Re-Shelled as that's just a... smoothing over of an existing beat'em up, though I'd completely forgot about it. I remember the anger when it was de-listed and you couldn't get it if you didn't already have it downloaded.

That's funny because I thought most people were disappointed by Re-Shelled.

[Heyowakka]

The only reason I was disappointed in Re-Shelled was that it was based on the Arcade version instead of the superior SNES version of Turtles in Time I had grown up with.

[Prowler]

The only reason I was disappointed in Re-Shelled was that it was based on the Arcade version instead of the superior SNES version of Turtles in Time I had grown up with.

The Arcade version of the game is rather forgotten.

It does seem like Turtles in Time is a rare case where the console port is superior to the arcade version. The only console that almost always seemed to do arcade ports justice was the Sega Saturn.

[ToTheNines]

It’s a fun beat-em-up, but that’s about it.

It’s not even a top TMNT game. I prefer The Manhattan Project.

The only reason I was disappointed in Re-Shelled was that it was based on the Arcade version instead of the superior SNES version of Turtles in Time I had grown up with.

Yeah dude, **** Cement Man lol

[sdp]

It sitll baffles me that Re-Shelled was exclusively based off the arcade version. I mean it was already a remake redoing everything from scratch including the music, there was no way to 'toggle' classic sprite mode or anything of the like, they literally could've made a best of with everything from both SNES/Arcade..


As far as Arcade vs SNES, here is the unpopular opinion but the Arcade version is better than the SNES one. The added sewer level? While a nice extra it's just reusing the original arcade's sewer level basically. The added villains? sure they're cool that's the only plus and the only reason people say the SNES version. But that's about it.

Arcade on the other hand has better graphics, animation and frames, it's 4 players, the soundtrack/sound is so much better, better physics, more challenging,Neon Night Riders is inferior, same with sewer surfin even if there is no boss, bosses aren't as easy, and have an actual 'defeated' animation.

Are we really going to say the SNES version is better because the end boss is Super Shredder instead of Shredder? That's basically it, changing cement man for Slash, adding Rat King makes it a better game?

[Heyowakka]

I already said SNES Turtles in Time was superior, yeah.

[Coola Yagami]

I'd say TMNT Tournament Fighters was the best SNES from-the-ground-up fighting game. It wasn't adapting a pre-existing fighting game from the arcades.

[Prowler]

I'd say TMNT Tournament Fighters was the best SNES from-the-ground-up fighting game. It wasn't adapting a pre-existing fighting game from the arcades.

It has a small but a dedicated competitive scene in Japan even. I've seen some of those matches on youtube many years ago.

I'm not sure if the Cowabunga Collection increased the size of its competitive scene with its online play or not.

[sdp]

There are two fan mods for Tournament Fighters, one just updates it and modernizes it adding a bunch of features and the other is similar but it's also a crossover game with Justice League characters. Technodromer OldManWinters worked on that one. Both are fun.

[Mad Dog McMutt]

I love Turtles in Time and I agree with Cybercubed that it has stood the test of time. Just for fun I am going to list most if not all of the non beat em up games. Some may have beat em up elements without it being the main focus.

* TMNT for the Nes
* All 3 Tournament Fighter games
* Radical Rescue for gameboy
* Battle Nexus for the gameboy advance
* TMNT 2007 for home consoles
* TMNT 2007 for the DS
* Mutant Melee for home consoles
* Smash Up for home consoles
* Danger of the Ooze for 3ds and I forget
* Ninja Turtles based off the Michael Bay version for 3ds. It's a dungeon crawler.
* Tactical Takedown for all modern consoles (I think)

[Prowler]

It’s a fun beat-em-up, but that’s about it.

It’s not even a top TMNT game. I prefer The Manhattan Project.



Yeah dude, **** Cement Man lol

I can't beat the bridge stage in Manhattan Project. I always get my game over there. I guess it's a skill issue.

[MikeandRaph87]

Before you bring out the pitchforks, remember that "overrated" does not mean something is "bad", OK?!

I think the SNES version of Turtles in Time is the best TMNT game from the 80s and 90s overall, but I think a lot of people overrate it a bit. I remember even Screwattack calling it the best beat 'em up ever, which is a bit eyebrow raising. No way Turtles in Time is better than Streets of Rage 2 or the SNES Final Fight games.

It's a fun game and all but calling it a 10/10 game is a gross exaggeration, imo.

Thoughts?

Perhaps best SIDE-SCROLLING beat 'em up. I put the likes of Streets of Rage in the fighter game category.

Turtles In Time Arcade version has the Cement Monster from the one scene that Baxter had the Eye of Sarnath, why??? Slash and dressed like pre-historic humanoid? YES! Overall, the SNES set of bosses is almost as good as it could get during Turtlemania, I mean I might have included Chome Dome instead of Metalhead(since I consider Metalhead overall an ally even if it varies),but its just a fantastic set of foes. It also has great backgrounds outside the given sewer level and Technodrome final level. The special abilities also helps. Not to mention it is beatable with effort without a teenager having to carry me.

Turtles in Time SNES is my favorite Ninja Turtles video game edging out Manhattan Project that also had the three look-fors. Those of course are boss roster, scenes, beat ability not too hard but not easy. Both have repeat play ability too.

For the 1st generation of TMNT fans its easily the best video game and my favorite, overall TMNT game unbias? I don't know,like I said I love Manhattan Project too and while I played all the TMNT 2003 cartoon games they did not have the same charm for me,but I prefer side-scrollers to open world. I like games that have a definitive beginning and ending not continuous updates and 100%ing. Best overall game? Not hardly. It does deserve to at least be highlighted in both TMNT history and SNES coverage.

[CyberCubed]

I just saw Cement Man as Clayface from Batman, pretended he was the same character.

[Xav]

Perhaps best SIDE-SCROLLING beat 'em up. I put the likes of Streets of Rage in the fighter game category.How the heck do you consider Streets of Rage a fighting game instead of a beat 'em up?

[DarkFell]

I own Hyperstone Heist for the Genesis. In all honesty, even Turtles In Time looks like more fun than Hyperstone Heist was. An emulator would be the way to go.

Throwing Foot Soldiers at the TV screen? Sign me up for that!

[Prowler]

I own Hyperstone Heist for the Genesis. In all honesty, even Turtles In Time looks like more fun than Hyperstone Heist was. An emulator would be the way to go.

Throwing Foot Soldiers at the TV screen? Sign me up for that!

Hyperstone Heist is fine but it clearly gives you vibes of "Oh your parents bought you a Mega Drive instead of a SNES? Well here's a poor man's version of Turtles in Time, then!"

Also, it's harder. Especially the gauntlet level where you face 4 previous bosses in a row with only one pizza to refill your health. I always get a game over there.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

An emulator would be the way to go.

It is also included in the 2022 Cowabunga Collection.

[Andrew NDB]

Hyperstone Heist is fine but it clearly gives you vibes of "Oh your parents bought you a Mega Drive instead of a SNES? Well here's a poor man's version of Turtles in Time, then!"

There is that very distinctive, cheap audio chip in the Sega Genesis. Very synth-y MIDI-like.

[Prowler]

There is that very distinctive, cheap audio chip in the Sega Genesis. Very synth-y MIDI-like.

The Mega Drive when it comes to music... it's GREAT when it's Sonic or Streets of Rage since they had composers that knew what they were doing. But, for the most part, the MD couldn't compete with SNES soundchip made by Sony.

[CyberCubed]

It's funny back in the SNES/Genesis days ports of third party games didn't exist, they just made completely different games per each console. Hyperstone Heist just feels like a modern day rom hack of Turtles in Time with some altered levels and a new boss with Tatsu.

I think the classic Mortal Kombat trilogy was the earliest example of third party ports that were mostly the same game on each console, just with slight differences in graphic/audio and some censoring on Nintendo consoles.

[Andrew NDB]

It's funny back in the SNES/Genesis days ports of third party games didn't exist, they just made completely different games per each console.

It still happens sometimes. Look at the Ghostbusters game on Wii compared to the other systems, totally different engine and design. And there's a completely different version of Dragon Quest XI on 3DS vs. on Playstation.

[sdp]

It did happen in the Wii PS3 era since the power of both consoles was so different, but I wouldn't call that "still happens" that was two decades ago and those games are literally closer to the SNES era than they are to the current era.
DQXI is more of an exception and even then that was nearly 10 years ago.

We won't see that happen ever again, even the Switch 1 was powerful enough to get downgraded ports of the big console counterparts. People made fun of Mortal Kombat 1 for example but it was essentially the same game with crappier graphics.

[Prowler]

It still happens sometimes. Look at the Ghostbusters game on Wii compared to the other systems, totally different engine and design. And there's a completely different version of Dragon Quest XI on 3DS vs. on Playstation.

DQXI isn't on the 3DS. You mean the Switch? Or perhaps you mean a different DQ game?

[MikeandRaph87]

How the heck do you consider Streets of Rage a fighting game instead of a beat 'em up?

My mistake, I read it as Street Fighter. :D

Hyperstone Heist is fine but it clearly gives you vibes of "Oh your parents bought you a Mega Drive instead of a SNES? Well here's a poor man's version of Turtles in Time, then!"

Also, it's harder. Especially the gauntlet level where you face 4 previous bosses in a row with only one pizza to refill your health. I always get a game over there.

Its funny that you type that. Hyperstone Heist was the very first TMNT game I ever beat on my own (if you don't count Fall of The Foot Clan because you can skip around levels)! Maybe its because I was 2-7 when all the games game out.

Hyperstone Heist does have two things that always stood out to me, it has Tatsu as a level boss and Rocksteady with no Bebop in sight. I would have preferred Bebop. Haha.

[Prowler]

My mistake, I read it as Street Fighter. :D



Its funny that you type that. Hyperstone Heist was the very first TMNT game I ever beat on my own (if you don't count Fall of The Foot Clan because you can skip around levels)! Maybe its because I was 2-7 when all the games game out.

Hyperstone Heist does have two things that always stood out to me, it has Tatsu as a level boss and Rocksteady with no Bebop in sight. I would have preferred Bebop. Haha.

Rocksteady and no Bebop is indeed odd. But arcade Turtles in Time didn't have either guy!

[CyberCubed]

It's funny because when TMNT "died" in the mid-90's, it why the N64 and Playstation 1 is the only console generation with no new TMNT game.

TMNT didn't come back till 2003 with the 4kids games on Gamecube/PS2/XBox and the GBA versions (which are better 2D games). But it's funny to me there was no TMNT game on N64 or Playstation 1 which reflects the TMNT brand being dead in the mid/late 90's.

[Prowler]

It's funny because when TMNT "died" in the mid-90's, it why the N64 and Playstation 1 is the only console generation with no new TMNT game.

TMNT didn't come back till 2003 with the 4kids games on Gamecube/PS2/XBox and the GBA versions (which are better 2D games). But it's funny to me there was no TMNT game on N64 or Playstation 1 which reflects the TMNT brand being dead in the mid/late 90's.

Don't forget the Sega Saturn!

But I do shudder to think of how a TMNT game for a system of that generation would turn out. In 1995-2000 no one was going to break their bank to make a TMNT game since the property was practically dead and off the public eye. Perhaps the Next Mutation would have gotten a tie-in game if the show got a 2nd or 3rd season? :lol:

[sdp]

I remember as a kid The Next Mutation did have a decent marketing and licensing push. I was hyped as heck for TNM despite never actually getting to watch it, I still had some figures, a coloring book and whatnot.

While it did get a handheld Tiger LCD game, I'm surprised it didn't get a cheaply made PS1 or even Game Boy game. I'd love to have had one even if it had been bad.

https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6056/6359772999_6af65ea162.jpg

[Prowler]

A Tiger LCD game sounds fitting for a Next Mutation game. Sh*tty game adaptation of a sh*tty show for a sh*tty system.

Also, Fox Kids? I guess that's when TMNT's history with Fox began? Not with the 2k3 series...

Anyway I'd have been 7-8 when TNM aired here but don't remember it ever airing even though some people around my age did tell me it aired and they remember watching it back in the day. I know kids have lower standards since they don't know any better but even the few people I spoke to who watched TNM when they were kids said "Man, that was lousy!"

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

I remember as a kid The Next Mutation did have a decent marketing and licensing push. I was hyped as heck for TNM despite never actually getting to watch it, I still had some figures, a coloring book and whatnot.

While it did get a handheld Tiger LCD game, I'm surprised it didn't get a cheaply made PS1 or even Game Boy game. I'd love to have had one even if it had been bad.

https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6056/6359772999_6af65ea162.jpg

Actually, Next Mutation aired in Italy over Italia 1 as Tartarughe Ninja: l'avventura continua (Ninja Turtles: The Adventure Continues).

https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartarughe_Ninja:_l%27avventura_continua

[ToTheNines]

I remember as a kid The Next Mutation did have a decent marketing and licensing push. I was hyped as heck for TNM despite never actually getting to watch it, I still had some figures, a coloring book and whatnot.

While it did get a handheld Tiger LCD game, I'm surprised it didn't get a cheaply made PS1 or even Game Boy game. I'd love to have had one even if it had been bad.

https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6056/6359772999_6af65ea162.jpg

A sh*tty Next Mutation game on PS1 would have gone so hard.

[MikeandRaph87]

Rocksteady and no Bebop is indeed odd. But arcade Turtles in Time didn't have either guy!

That is a part of the reason I love the boss roster for the SNES much more. The only time we get to fight The Rat King and of course Slash, Bebop, and Rocksteady over a non-character like Cement Man. Considering Chrome Dome made his one appearance before Shredder's Revenge I wish he would have taken Metalhead's place in the second level. I honestly would rather they switched places and Metalhead be in the Tournament Fighter and echo the Sega dark versions even if a couple of years difference in production.

Baxter the Fly
Metalhead
Rat King
Razhar & Tokka
Slash
Bebop & Rocksteady
Leatherhead
Krang x 2 (Android body)/mini-space ship
Super Shredder

Just before we had:
Rocksteady
Groundchuck
Slash (mini-boss)
Bebop
Dirtbag
Mother Mouser (mini-boss)
Leatherhead
Rahzar (mini-boss)
Shredder
Tokka
Mother Mouser (mini-boss)
Krang-Pre-Final
Super Shredder-Final

I would have removed the big mousers and put Rat King in the first and General Tragg in the second fight's place.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Slash

Turtles in Time hit video arcades in March 1991, and was probably developed in 1990, maye already in 1989.

Slash debuted in 1990 (action figure and Fred Wolf episode), and his Archie counterpart didn't appear until August 1991.

[Prowler]

A sh*tty Next Mutation game on PS1 would have gone so hard.

It would have the potential to rival Superman 64 on the N64, I guess.

[IMJ]

I'm probably the odd man out in that I always though that the original TMNT arcade game was the better game. Turtles in Time was great, don't get me wrong....

[Prowler]

I'm probably the odd man out in that I always though that the original TMNT arcade game was the better game. Turtles in Time was great, don't get me wrong....

It's a pretty good game, yes. The best old school Turtles game right after Turtles in Time, really.

Shredder's Revenge is pretty damn fun but it really should blow both of those out of the water and it doesn't. Even if you think Shredder's Revenge is the best TMNT game to date you will still have fun with Turtles in Time and the 1989 arcade game, even if those two in theory are much more bare bones than Shredder's Revenge is...

[IMJ]

The original Arcade Game felt like playing in the most appropriate TMNT universe and settings and so on.

Turtles in Time was great in every way except for the weird time travel angle. Time travel / space travel all of that just seems like a step away from the primary rules of the I.P. It was like when TMNT '03 went all "The matrix in the computer". It was just.... a step away from the rules.

Not a HUGE Leap obviously, but a step away from the "Daredevil mutant ninjas of Hell's Kitchen".

[CyberCubed]

This was the 4th game in the series, time travel seemed like the next logical step. There's only so many street or sewer levels you can do over and over. Plus the Turtles traveling to the prehistoric with dinosaurs, the future, pirate ships, the 1800's have all been done in Mirage and other universes at some point or another.

[Heyowakka]

My one wish for Turtles in Time is that I wish there were more time travel levels. I may come off as selfish but only five time periods go by in a flash.

[IMJ]

You know, I'm not sure if I ever played The Manhattan Project. I know I never owned it......

[Prowler]

The original Arcade Game felt like playing in the most appropriate TMNT universe and settings and so on.

Turtles in Time was great in every way except for the weird time travel angle. Time travel / space travel all of that just seems like a step away from the primary rules of the I.P. It was like when TMNT '03 went all "The matrix in the computer". It was just.... a step away from the rules.

Not a HUGE Leap obviously, but a step away from the "Daredevil mutant ninjas of Hell's Kitchen".

This was the 4th game in the series, time travel seemed like the next logical step. There's only so many street or sewer levels you can do over and over. Plus the Turtles traveling to the prehistoric with dinosaurs, the future, pirate ships, the 1800's have all been done in Mirage and other universes at some point or another.
Plus remember they did a time travelling two-parter in the cartoon around the time Turtles in Time was developing with that Easter Bunny named Hokum. Perhaps time travelling was a popular trope in the 90s?

My one wish for Turtles in Time is that I wish there were more time travel levels. I may come off as selfish but only five time periods go by in a flash.

Yeah, only about half the game actually involves time travelling. It's the Turtles game where you get to the Technodrome the earliest, in fact. It's only the 4th leve in the game. You return to it in the final level but it's just a boss fight. The actual Drome level is played on the first visit.

You know, I'm not sure if I ever played The Manhattan Project. I know I never owned it......
I only owned NES TMNT 1 as a kid. As a young adult I finally got Turtles in Time. The other NES, SNES and GB games I've only played on emulators.

As for 21st century games, I own the GC version of Battlenexus and PS2 version of TMNT 2007. And ofc, Shredder's Revenge on Steam and the Cowabunga Collection on the Switch.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Plus remember they did a time travelling two-parter in the cartoon around the time Turtles in Time was developing with that Easter Bunny named Hokum. Perhaps time travelling was a popular trope in the 90s?

Time travel has been a popular trope since 1895, when The Time Machine by Herbert George Wells was first published.

And when Once Upon a Time Machine first aired and Turtles in Time hit the video arcades, both in March 1991, it may have been an attempt on riding on the Back to the Future (1985–1990) wave.

[Prowler]

Time travel has been a popular trope since 1895, when The Time Machine by Herbert George Wells was first published.

And when Once Upon a Time Machine first aired and Turtles in Time hit the video arcades, both in March 1991, it may have been an attempt on riding on the Back to the Future (1985–1990) wave.

Perhaps. I had completely forgotten about Back to the Future when making that post for some reason. It's a classic of that time period, indeed.

[Andrew NDB]

You know, I'm not sure if I ever played The Manhattan Project. I know I never owned it......

I believe when I was a kid I never owned it either, I'd just rent it from Blockbuster, beat it within an hour, and then never play it again until I was an adult and emulation.

[Prowler]

It sitll baffles me that Re-Shelled was exclusively based off the arcade version. I mean it was already a remake redoing everything from scratch including the music, there was no way to 'toggle' classic sprite mode or anything of the like, they literally could've made a best of with everything from both SNES/Arcade..


As far as Arcade vs SNES, here is the unpopular opinion but the Arcade version is better than the SNES one. The added sewer level? While a nice extra it's just reusing the original arcade's sewer level basically. The added villains? sure they're cool that's the only plus and the only reason people say the SNES version. But that's about it.

Arcade on the other hand has better graphics, animation and frames, it's 4 players, the soundtrack/sound is so much better, better physics, more challenging,Neon Night Riders is inferior, same with sewer surfin even if there is no boss, bosses aren't as easy, and have an actual 'defeated' animation.

Are we really going to say the SNES version is better because the end boss is Super Shredder instead of Shredder? That's basically it, changing cement man for Slash, adding Rat King makes it a better game?

OK so I played the arcade version of Turtles in Time again on the Cowabunga Collection a couple of weeks ago.

While the arcade version does indeed have better graphics, frames and animation; I don't find it any better or worse than the SNES port in terms of gameplay. So I still prefer the SNES port of Turtles of Time, overall. Yes, having The Rat King, Slash and Bebop and Rocksteady makes the game more enjoyable for me. A big important part of licensed games is having as many characters of the series in the game as possible. It's part of the experience, making it moe enjoyable.

Also, the Arcade is a more powerful machine than the SNES, and yet the SNES version is just as good gameplay wise and more enjoyable than it overall. That's quite a feat. 4 players? Irrelevant in 2026. The game's online is dead since it's pretty poor, from what I've read. So unless you were around in 1989 and old enough to play video games, you will never get to experience the 4-player co-op in the arcade version of Turtles of Time, anyway.