Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is a side-scrolling beat 'em up from Tribute Games and publisher Dotemu. Instead of exploring an open role-playing world, one or more players fight through clearly structured sections with enemy waves, platform obstacles and bosses. Tempo, positioning and the interplay of short attack chains are the focus.

The story begins with an attack on the TV station Channel 6. Bebop and Rocksteady support a new plan by Shredder and Krang. On the way to their downfall, the chase leads through New York, the sewers and Dimension X. The locations, characters and pixel art clearly draw on the 1987 TMNT cartoon series.

Shredder’s Revenge was released on June 16, 2022 for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. The separate native PlayStation 5 version was released on November 15, 2022. The game also came to iOS and Android in 2023; mobile access is explained in Netflix's game help, among other places.

The release timeline sets these platform versions apart from the later paid add-on content. Dimension Shellshock followed on August 31, 2023, Radical Reptiles in September 2024. DLC and complete bundles are not re-releases of the original base game.

The base game is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch and for iOS and Android. Steam offers a native Linux version alongside Windows. The PS5 store version is a separate product with its own release date and is not just a PS4 version in compatibility mode.

On Xbox, a distinction must be made between the Xbox One version released in 2022, its backward compatibility on Xbox Series, and the current store label "Optimized for Xbox Series X|S". Dotemu now lists Xbox Series among the platforms offered; a separate release date for this optimized version is not clearly stated in the official sources consulted. Nintendo still lists the base game as Switch software, not as an independently released native Switch 2 version.

The mobile version is playable on supported smartphones and tablets. Netflix lists Android 8.0 with 3 GB RAM or iOS/iPadOS 15 with an A12 chip, plus an active Netflix subscription for access to its games. These technical and commercial differences should not be equated with the PC or console product.

Playable characters move in two-dimensionally displayed stages, also into the depth of the battle area. Alongside normal punches and kicks, there are combos, evasive maneuvers, throws and stronger special moves. Players who control enemy groups and read positions in the space usually get further than those who just mash buttons.

Between fights, the locations change noticeably: streets, rooftops, sewers and sci-fi backdrops alternate. The Foot Clan makes up most of the enemies, while well-known TMNT villains appear as especially tough bosses. Each playable character has their own reach and movement, so a repeat run feels different.

The paid expansion Dimension Shellshock was released on August 31, 2023. With Miyamoto Usagi and Karai, the roster gains two new fighters. Its biggest structural addition is the Survival mode: after completing matches, players choose portals into changing dimensions, collect crystals and upgrade their character with temporary improvements for the next run. Additional color palettes and music are also included.

Radical Reptiles followed in September 2024 with Mondo Gecko and Mona Lisa. Mondo uses his skateboard for special dodge and attack moves. At the same time, the team released a free update with a remix mode for the soundtrack; unlike the two additional fighters, this music feature is not tied to buying the DLC.

The base game, the separately sold expansions and bundled editions should be considered separately when comparing products. A DLC requires the compatible main game and is not a new standalone TMNT installment.

For the Windows version, Steam lists at least an Intel Core i3-2100 or AMD FX-4300, 4 GB RAM and an older DirectX-compatible graphics card on the level of GeForce GT 320, Radeon HD 5570 or Intel HD 4600. The minimum storage required is 1 GB. Recommended are Core i5-2400 or FX-6300 and a GeForce GTS 450, Radeon R7 250 or Intel HD 630 with 2 GB free storage space.

The historical minimum specs still mention Windows 7; however, the current Steam client no longer supports this Windows version. The Linux version also listed requires a 64-bit environment with at least glibc 2.17 and a Vulkan-capable graphics card with 2 GB video memory. These details apply to PC and must not be applied to the mobile version.

Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo form the centre of the playable group. The base game also includes April O'Neil, Master Splinter and Casey Jones. Their different attack animations, reach and movement affect whether a character is better at keeping enemy groups at a distance or attacking in the middle of the crowd.

The later expansions add more options: Dimension Shellshock adds Miyamoto Usagi and Karai, Radical Reptiles adds Mondo Gecko and Mona Lisa. These are playable characters from the respective DLCs and not free characters included in the unchanged base game.

The Story mode takes you across a map through connected episodes and lets the selected fighters advance step by step. Players who want the classic arcade experience can use the matching mode for a more direct run. Both versions focus on short, consecutive fights with clear stage goals.

The game can be played solo or co-op. On PC, Dotemu promotes fights with up to six players, Steam lists local co-op support, split-screen/shared-screen features and online co-op. However, the number of players and requirements differ by platform, mode and store version. Paid online services on consoles in particular may be required for online play. The shared screen view is not a separate shared playfield with separate cameras.

The game combines large-scale pixel animation with a deliberately TV-like colour palette. Enemies, moving stage objects and effects create a lively screen during fast fights without giving up the basic structure of classic side-scrolling brawlers. The visual design draws on motifs from the 1987 cartoon series.

Tee Lopes composed the soundtrack, whose music accompanies the fights. Dotemu also names the English original voice actors of the four Turtles from the series at the time as contributors. The free remix update released with Radical Reptiles adds alternative music versions and changes the presentation without adding a new story mode.

iPhone, iPad and Android have their own mobile versions of the game. The version on Netflix Games is described in the official help as a single- and multiplayer title with offline play and cloud saves. An internet connection is needed for installation and some online features, and access there also requires an active Netflix subscription.

Netflix lists at least Android 8.0 and 3 GB RAM for Android. On Apple devices, iOS/iPadOS 15 and an A12 Bionic chip are required. These details apply to the mobile version offered there and differ from the Windows and Linux requirements listed on Steam. Payment and access models should also be checked for each platform.

Steam lists German on-screen text and subtitles, while its voice audio is not listed as German. The PC version also offers English, French, Italian, Spanish and Japanese, among others. Check the exact languages before buying for the specific console or mobile version, as the store listings are not identical.

As a standalone product, Shredder's Revenge is the base game. Dimension Shellshock and Radical Reptiles are paid expansions released later. An Ultimate Edition offered in the store bundles the base game and both DLCs. A soundtrack pack, on the other hand, mainly contains music and is not the same as the Ultimate Edition.