Topic: Ubisoft Confirms TMNT Fighter

[NWR_Neal]

After a reveal in Nintendo Power, Ubisoft has finally taken the turtle out of the shell and revealed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle: Smash Up from Game Arts.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=17612

 Ubisoft finally announced the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fighting game that was originally unveiled in Nintendo Power. Their announcement also confirms the involvement of Game Arts, who most recently worked on Super Smash Bros. Brawl, but doesn't say anything about the ex-Team Ninja employees that Nintendo Power mentioned.    

The four-player fighting game, called Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle: Smash Up, is notable in that it will be the first Turtles game to not be tied to a TMNT movie, television show, or comic book. It is also part of the "shell-ebration" of the 25th anniversary of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and is slated to ship out in fall 2009.    

  UBISOFT® CELEBRATES 25th ANNIVERSARY OF TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES® WITH LAUNCH OF NEW VIDEO GAME    

SAN FRANCISCO – January 26, 2009 – Today Ubisoft announced that it will launch an all-new, original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles® (TMNT®) video game – the first that is not tied to a TMNT® movie, television show or comic book – which will be a four-player action fighting title. The game is being developed by Game Arts, noted for working on the critically acclaimed Super Smash Bros.™ Brawl for Wii™. Scheduled for release in fall 2009, the video game will be a key event in the year-long "Shell-ebration” of the 25th anniversary of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles® which, in addition to the video game launch, will include new and exciting products and experiences for TMNT® fans in the U.S. and around the world.  The success of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles® in various media has been sustained over the last 25 years with numerous "bests,” including: the best-selling video game on Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft in 2007; and in the late '80s and early '90s, the No.1-rated Saturday morning TV show in the US; the No.1-rated daily syndicated animated TV strip for children; the No.1 Nintendo Entertainment System™ and Game Boy™ Advance video game in the world and the No.1 live touring arena show in the U.S.    

"We're really excited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the first TMNT® comic and we have a number of radical 'Shell-ebration' events planned for 2009," said Gary Richardson, CEO of Mirage Studios. "The awesome new video game that Ubisoft will release in 2009 is an important part of celebrating this Turtles milestone with fans around the world."    

"There is no better tribute to the Turtles than the creation of a brand-new game that will help to launch the next 25 years of success," said Tony Key, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Ubisoft. "It's our pleasure to partner again with Mirage as part of the worldwide birthday celebration for the Turtles."    

More details about the game can be found in the January 2009 TMNT® cover story issue of Nintendo Power magazine in the U.S.

[NWR_DrewMG]

Hard to say how much this will have in common with SSB, but as it stands right now, it's the first TMNT title I've looked forward to since I was 12.

[Spak-Spang]

I don't know if I like the direction of the adventure mode...but I will get the game if multiplayer is good.

[UltimatePartyBear]

They had to put "Smash" in the title.  Is it even possible for Ubisoft to get any more me-too-ish?

[Enner]

You were hoping that they would've called it Tournament Fighters 2?

[Nick DiMola]

I'm not sure if this is true or not, but I read somewhere that this game will not have an increasing damage meter ala Smash Bros, but a decreasing health bar, with the ability to still knock people out of the level. I'm hoping it isn't true, but I suppose we'll see.

[Spak-Spang]

Mr. Jack...I have heard the same thing...and actually I am ok with that...I don't want it to be Smash Brothers with the Ninja Turtles...and the idea of having a traditional health bar will help separate the game.

[Nick DiMola]

Yeah, I guess it won't be a huge deal if the pacing is similar. I hope the game does separate itself from Smash will still retaining the fast paced fun that Smash offers.

[vudu]

I read in NP that both will be options (much like in Smash Bros).  They didn't say which would be the default method.

[Nick DiMola]

I read in NP that both will be options (much like in Smash Bros).  They didn't say which would be the default method.

Ah, that's actually great news! Options are always a good thing.

[GoldenPhoenix]

I am worried the game won't have classic characters from the 80s show since it seems like Mirage is going to have control over the characters. Oh well, it will probably still be great stuff.

[NWR_Neal]

I really want this game.
I love me some Turtles...

[Halbred]

I'm with GP. The early Mirage stuff was good, don't get me wrong, but the whole first two volumes felt (and continue to feel) discombobulated. I'm hoping that the game is a celebration of the whole 25-year history of the franchise. A little bit from the Mirage series, a little bit from the old cartoon, new cartoon, Archie Adventure Series (Ninjara, anyone?), and even the one-shot Image series.

Maybe multiple versions of "skins" for certain characters to reflect their history? All of the turtles could have their original Mirage look (everyone wears red), the current cartoon look, and maybe the TMNT movie look? Shredder could have the original Mirage look, the old cartoon look, and his current cartoon look.

If we get a review copy of this, I'm calling it RIGHT NOW.

[KDR_11k]

I'm not sure if this is true or not, but I read somewhere that this game will not have an increasing damage meter ala Smash Bros, but a decreasing health bar, with the ability to still knock people out of the level. I'm hoping it isn't true, but I suppose we'll see.

JUMP Super Stars, then?

[Nick DiMola]

I'm with GP. The early Mirage stuff was good, don't get me wrong, but the whole first two volumes felt (and continue to feel) discombobulated. I'm hoping that the game is a celebration of the whole 25-year history of the franchise. A little bit from the Mirage series, a little bit from the old cartoon, new cartoon, Archie Adventure Series (Ninjara, anyone?), and even the one-shot Image series.

Maybe multiple versions of "skins" for certain characters to reflect their history? All of the turtles could have their original Mirage look (everyone wears red), the current cartoon look, and maybe the TMNT movie look? Shredder could have the original Mirage look, the old cartoon look, and his current cartoon look.

If we get a review copy of this, I'm calling it RIGHT NOW.

Too late my friend, I called this beast the minute I heard about months ago .

[Halbred]

ARGH! Curse you and your game-calling quickness!

[GoldenPhoenix]

I'm with GP. The early Mirage stuff was good, don't get me wrong, but the whole first two volumes felt (and continue to feel) discombobulated. I'm hoping that the game is a celebration of the whole 25-year history of the franchise. A little bit from the Mirage series, a little bit from the old cartoon, new cartoon, Archie Adventure Series (Ninjara, anyone?), and even the one-shot Image series.

Maybe multiple versions of "skins" for certain characters to reflect their history? All of the turtles could have their original Mirage look (everyone wears red), the current cartoon look, and maybe the TMNT movie look? Shredder could have the original Mirage look, the old cartoon look, and his current cartoon look.

If we get a review copy of this, I'm calling it RIGHT NOW.

Too late my friend, I called this beast the minute I heard about months ago .

Mr. Pants, destroying a staffer's dream every second.

[NWR_Lindy]

He also kills kittens.

[Flames_of_chaos]

So Nick kills kittens just because he's allergic to them? FOR SHAME!

[Nick DiMola]

Didn't want to mention it, but I also eat their beating hearts.

Mmmm, beating cat hearts **gargle**

[EasyCure]

Yeah, I guess it won't be a huge deal if the pacing is similar. I hope the game does separate itself from Smash will still retaining the fast paced fun that Smash offers.

Weren't some details released (in the other thread about this game) that said characters would be able to perform moves based on environments, like swinging of ledges (for attacks)?

I think having such acrobatic moves for either offense or defense would differentiate itself SSB enough.

[Djunknown]

Archie Adventure Series (Ninjara, anyone?), and even the one-shot Image series.

Ah yes, Ninjara most likely our first taste of furry-ness. Back in the day I took her relationship with Raphael at face value, but as an adult...well...

"Too late my friend, I called this beast the minute I heard about months ago"

"ARGH! Curse you and your game-calling quickness!"

In spirit of the game, duel it out to see who gets it?

[Spak-Spang]

I think Mirage now owns all the rights to all the Ninja Turtle characters (except guest appears from Usagi and such)  which means we can probably get some form of the classic characters, whether or not they will look exactly the same or have artistic differences is to be seen.

Personally, I am not too worried, and the character roster at all...we should be pleasantly surprised. 

[ThePerm]

lol if its being made by the smash bros team imagine a ton of things that would be easy to impliment and also things that everyone would think of, that don't get implemented because the team just doesnt think of it despite repeated suggestions...

and Shredder will be a captain falcon clone

[King of Twitch]

Doesn't he have a sword? I'd say he's closer to mate a knight