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Pokemon Gold - one of my favourite Pokemon games

  Pokémon Gold remains one of the most iconic handheld RPGs ever released, not just because it expanded the Pokémon universe, but because it delivered a depth of mechanics and world‑building that still holds up today. It sold over 23 million copies worldwide , making it one of the best‑selling Pokémon titles of all time. 🌟 Release, Platform, and Historical Context Pokémon Gold and Silver launched as the first entries of the second generation, developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Color . They debuted in Japan on November 21, 1999 , followed by North America on October 15, 2000 , and Europe on April 6, 2001 . This timing was crucial: the Game Boy Color was nearing the end of its life cycle, yet Gold pushed the hardware to its limits, offering a surprisingly rich and colorful world. 🧭 Story and World Design The game takes place in Johto , a region inspired by traditional Japanese aesthetics and culture. You play as a young trainer beginning your jou...
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time – A Retro Revival

 


Release and Legacy

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time launched on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1992. In Japan it arrived on July 24, in North America during August, and in Europe on November 19 of that year. The game built on its 1991 arcade predecessor, Turtles in Time, and continued the SNES numbering from previous Konami TMNT titles.

Copies Sold and Popularity

Exact SNES unit‐sales figures for Turtles in Time have never been publicly disclosed. However, its arcade parent became Konami’s best‐selling cabinet game upon release, cementing the brand’s status in the early ’90s beat ’em up scene. Over time, the SNES port has maintained a strong presence on retro “best‐of” lists, holding an average GameRankings score of 83% across seven reviews.


Story

The game kicks off during a live newscast at Liberty Island, where Krang—piloting a giant mech—hijacks the broadcast and snatches the Statue of Liberty right off its pedestal. As April O’Neil reels in horror, Shredder interrupts the signal to taunt the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The heroes pursue Foot Soldiers through the streets and into the sewers, only to be flung through a time warp. They must battle foes across prehistoric, medieval, futuristic and other eras before confronting Super Shredder and restoring the timeline.

Graphics and Presentation

  • Detailed, hand‐drawn sprites faithfully reproduce the look of the 1987 animated series.

  • The SNES port makes strategic use of Mode 7 in “Neon Night Riders,” transforming a flat brawler stage into a pseudo-3D hoverboard chase.

  • While some arcade‐exclusive animations and voice clips were trimmed, the SNES version compensates with crisp backgrounds, vibrant color palettes and a rearranged soundtrack that blends the cartoon theme with new instrumentals.


Gameplay Mechanics

Turtles in Time refines the side-scrolling beat ’em up formula with:

  • Four distinct heroes:

    • Leonardo (well-rounded swordsman)

    • Donatello (long-reach staff specialist)

    • Raphael (fast but lower defense)

    • Michelangelo (slow, high-damage nunchaku)

  • Simple two-button scheme (attack/jump) plus directional running.

  • Special attacks that cost a sliver of health but deal massive area damage.

  • “Power slam” moves and the ability to hurl Foot Soldiers into the foreground for bonus points.

  • Unlockable Versus and Time Trial modes that extend replayability beyond the main campaign.


Why It’s Worth Playing Today

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time stands out as one of the SNES’s best beat ’em ups:

  • It nails the look, sound and humor of the original TV series while delivering tight, responsive combat.

  • The rotating cast of historical and futuristic stages keeps the action fresh—and the Mode 7 sequences still dazzle after three decades.

  • Cooperative two-player brawling turns every playthrough into a party highlight.

  • Even modern retrospectives praise its blend of nostalgia and solid design: “one of my favorites in the genre”, with “high replay value” thanks to unlockable modes and character differences.

If you crave classic arcade-style beat ’em up action on your SNES or modern retro-compilation, Turtles in Time remains the ultimate heroes-in-a-half-shell experience.

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