GamerEscape

I can’t be the only one out here who’s enjoying getting more content for Shredder’s Revenge. The folks over at Tribute Games knew that what they put together a couple of years ago ended up being one of the genre’s best. Hell, I would go so far to say the base game is on the same level or even exceeds the quality of Turtles In Time. A bit of a hot take for some, but I think it would go without saying that Shredder’s Revenge wouldn’t have arrived there were it not for the foundation the latter laid.

So how do you keep the party going, dudes? Character packs and free updates, of course! Last year brought us Dimension Shellshock, which brought Usagi Yojimbo and Karai into the fray. With it came its own update, and Radical Reptiles follows suit in most ways. Instead of adding an extra mode, this is more of a content update than anything. While they did pull a couple of characters out of the “obscure TMNT character” hat, franchise fans will definitely not be complaining here.

Far be it from me to complain about this being a more focused addition (the low price reflects it, as it’s $3.99), but the light touch in comparison to other content doesn’t exactly warrant a review. So this’ll be more of a quick look at what Radical Reptiles brings to the total package.

Published by DotEmu, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge – Radical Reptiles released on September 24th, 2024 on prior gen consoles (PS4/Xbox One), current gen consoles (PS5/Series X | S), Switch, and Steam (PC). The PS4 version (played on PS5 via backwards compatibility) was played for this hands-on.

Radical Reptiles aims to further flesh out the roster with the addition of the lizard-like mutant Mona Lisa and the rocket skateboard-toting Mondo Gecko. Given that we’re working with an already fantastic game engine, it doesn’t take long to figure out that both of these deep-cut characters slot in pretty easily with the rest of the roster. Since Mona’s characterization leans in a science-focused way, her base combat and special moves also lean in that direction as well.

Racking up combos is pretty straightforward with her, but her combat prowess often lies in projectiles and an area-of-effect special. I often found myself trying not to spam her special move, because its area is wide and does wonders for racking up combos and clearing out throes of Foot Clan and the like. She’s pretty zippy to boot, as running around stages with her lends itself well to falling into a groove.

Honestly, the same could be said for Mondo Gecko as well. Albeit way more combo-focused than his scientist cohort, Mondo’s late ’80s/early 90s skater ‘tude can stand toe-to-toe with the rest of the cast. If you’re not utilizing his unique mobility by way of his skateboard, you’re more than likely going to enjoy how easy it is to throw down on his air combo moves. His special move might not have the same area of effect as Mona does, but it’s really smooth when you’re clearing out waves of foes in the heat of combat.

Dimension Shellshock might have been a meatier content option than this, but Mona and Mondo’s addition to the overall roster is an addition I heartily welcome with open arms. Beat ’em ups live or die by their roster, and Radical Reptile’s contribution to the overall package does little from dissuading me that anything involved with Shredder’s Revenge is anything other than straight-up gas.

This doesn’t mean that Radical Reptiles didn’t also come with more content for those who own the base game, though. Since this was more of a roster expansion, the main addition for the base game comes in the form of Radical Remixes. Accessible through the options menu, this chiptune-focused remix offering is almost a veritable who’s who of folks deep in the chiptune scene in some way. Not that you’ll hear me complaining about such a thing, of course. I already loved the main soundtrack to the base game, and I’m definitely enjoying what’s on tap here for Radical Remixes.

My ears definitely perked up when I heard that Jake Kaufman as well as Anamanaguchi found themselves contributing tracks to this album. It’s also rounded out with contributions from Sean Bialo, Keiji Yamagishi, Button Masher, Tee Lopes, and Tomoya Tomita as well. I think it goes without saying that chiptune fans are definitely going to dig the 8-bit remixes of music that was already great to begin with. There’s honestly not a terrible option to go with during gameplay, since the original soundtrack still maintains the heat it had when the base game dropped.

Aside from that, the overall presentation remains as rock solid as it has been from the onset. Being the chiptune nerd that I am, I really enjoy what came out of Radical Remixes. It makes me happy that the scene is still cranking out great tunes for the fans, and those who may be unfamiliar with it will be treated to a feast for the ears when they switch it over to this.

It makes me happy to see that the total package for Shredder’s Revenge will easily stand head and shoulders above a lot of its contemporaries, and it bodes well for fans of beat ’em ups in general. It’s honestly really nice to see quality entries from beloved franchises. We’ve seen revivals of franchises in Streets of Rage 4, the return of the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers beat-’em-up in the upcoming Rita’s Rewind, and now a rock-solid content package with Radical Reptiles rounding out an already great game.

I really look forward to seeing what developers do with the genre in the future. Because if they keep cranking out worthy entries like we’ve seen as of late, I’ll be more than happy to sit at the table and eat my fill multiple times over. Fans of the beat-’em-up are obviously feasting with stuff like this, and I’m looking forward to what’s next. Here’s hoping Rita’s Rewind does for MMPR what Shredder’s Revenge has done for the Fearsome Fighting Team. I can’t wait.

Review copy provided by Dotemu for PC. Screenshots taken by writer. Featured image courtesy of Dotemu.