History VideoGame / TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesTurtlesInTime

In the comfort of their sewer home, our four heroes, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael, along with their wise Master Splinter, are watching their news reporter friend April O'Neil report from Liberty Island for the Channel 6 News. Out of nowhere, a humongous exosuit piloted by Krang snatches the Statue of Liberty, and the television broadcast is interrupted by none other than the Shredder, who survived the Technodrome's explosion at the end of the previous game. After being taunted by Shredder, the four brothers instantly leave their home to battle the forces of the Foot Clan, only for ole' Shred-Head to send them through a time warp. Deposited in the prehistoric past, the Turtles must fight their way back to the future--most stages henceforth taking place in a later time period--in order to defeat the Shredder and retrieve Lady Liberty.

* AdaptationDecay: Strangely, the Rat King is piloting a Footski, originally a toy-exclusive vehicle that - as its name states - is meant to be used by members of The Foot (the original box art shows Rocksteady using it). Maybe he stole it from them?

* ArtisticLicenseHistory: Well, "Artistic License - Prehistory" at any rate, but while "Prehistoric Turtlesauras" takes place in 250,000,000 B.C. in the Arcade Version (in the early Triassic period, where dinosaurs at least existed), the level is listed in the SNES version as being set in ''2,500,000,000 B.C.'', where the hottest new trend in life on Earth was cells having a ''nucleus.''

* ExcusePlot: You'll likely forget all about the Statue of Liberty halfway through this game; not that it matters.

* RandomEventsPlot: Wafer-thin as the plot may be, the fact that it quickly goes from foiling a theft to an impromptu time travel trip is still pretty out of left field. The SNES version tops it off by having Shredder somehow be able to turn into Super Shredder without using mutagen.

Note that "Turtles in Time" is ''not'' the subtitle of the film ''Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesIII'', despite that film also being released around the same time as this game and also having a time-travel based plot. This is not helped by post-2009 Blu-rays, DVDs, and streaming services incorrectly using said subtitle for the film.

* AdaptationalWimp: Leatherhead is the first boss in ''The Hyperstone Heist'', whereas he was faced pretty late into the original game.

* AdaptationExpansion: For example, compared to the arcade, where the turtles are sent through time after "Sewer Surfin'", the SNES version has the Rat King boss fight and the level "Technodrome: Let's Kick Shell".

* AmericanKirbyIsHardcore: Compare the [[https://i2.wp.com/nicerom.com/images/2017/07/51398_front.jpg Japanese box]] with the [[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/tmnt/images/6/6a/TMNT_Turtles_in_Time_SNES_Cover_Art.png US one]] (which is more like [[Comicbook/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesMirage the original comics]]).

* AmusingInjuries: Such as getting pancaked by something heavy.

* ClimaxBoss: The first Shredder fight in the SNES version of ''Turtles in Time.''
** It's also a PuzzleBoss--which is rare for beat 'em ups.

* DiscOneFinalDungeon: The Technodrome in the SNES version of ''Turtles In Time.'' Given that it's the villains' base of operations and the final level of the previous arcade game, one would expect it to be the last level of the game on their first playthrough. Nope, Shredder sends the Turtles back in time right after he's defeated, kickstarting with that the second half of the game.

* FlunkyBoss: Tatsu summons Foot Soldiers while taking dart shots at the Turtles. It doesn't matter how many of them the player kills, more will keep coming.

* ForgotAboutHisPowers: Krang uses his robot body's ability to turn into a giant and steal the Statue of Liberty in the game's opening, and does attack the player as a giant in the first stage. But he fights normal sized when the player does face him.

* HardLevelsEasyBosses: The only way to get good at the main stages is to practice, practice, practice. But as far as the bosses go, a lot of them are pushovers if you use the right strategies. This is taken up further in ''Hyperstone Heist'' where the game has lower number of long levels, meaning the player has to go longer periods without their health getting restored.

* LeaningOnTheFourthWall: You can throw Foot Ninjas into the screen.
** Your first battle with The Shredder on the SNES version requires you to do this, it's the only way to attack him.

* MarketBasedTitle: The "IV" was added to the title of the SNES port outside Japan to maintain continuity with the previous NES games, since the first NES game was followed by two numbered sequels (''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II'' being a port of the first arcade game). Strangely, the European ''Hero Turtles'' release also had a Roman numeral IV, despite the fact that the third NES game (''The Manhattan Project'') was never released there.

* OneWingedAngel: Super Shredder, which replaces regular Shredder as the final boss in the SNES conversion. Interestingly, he transforms just before you fight him, instead of transforming after defeating him in his regular form. In addition to super speed, a fiery ground wave, and an anti-air ice projectile, Super Shredder also possesses an [[OneHitKill instant kill]] anti-mutagen fireball which ''takes away one of your extra lives'' (that is, if you have only one hit point left and take one of this fireballs, you will lose a life ''but you will continue with a single hit point''). On the hard difficulty, he uses his attacks so quickly you can jump right into the ice attack before it even starts, and have a split-second to jump when he uses the fire and mutagen attacks.

Note that "Turtles in Time" is ''not'' the subtitle of the film ''Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesIII'', despite that film also being released around the same time as this game and also having a time-travel based plot. This is not helped by some newer DVD copies and Creator/{{Netflix}} incorrectly using said subtitle for the film.

* MeaninglessLives: The ''Cowabunga Collection'' features an arcade-perfect port of the original game, meaning one merely has to press a button to provide as many lives as needed, rather than pumping an arcade cabinet full of quarters.

* KickTheDog: In the UsefulNotes/SuperFamicom version, The Shredder is surprised that the Turtles made it back to the present day; but he refuses to return the Statue of Liberty to its rightful place.

* MetronomicManMashing: Provides the page picture of that trope. It is a OneHitKill on Foot Soldiers (the guy being thrown, as well as those hit by him) and every enemy killed by it is worth 2 points, while normal kills only give you 1 and you get an extra life every 200 points.

* GuideDangIt: In the SNES version throwing Foot Soldiers on the camera is amusing... and mandatory to defeat Shredder during the first fight against him. The problem is that the game doesn't tell you ''how'' you do it and chances are that you've done it so far by accident. [[note]]You need to hit a Foot Soldier with a normal attack and while he's stunned, keep walking forward and then attack again. During the battle, the time frame to throw the stunned soldier is even larger than normal. In hard mode, the Foot Soldiers block, so you need a charge attack to break their guard first. Good luck doing that while Shredder's gunning you down![[/note]]

In 2009, a remake developed and published by {{Creator/Ubisoft}} was released as a downloadable game for UsefulNotes/XboxLiveArcade and UsefulNotes/PlaystationNetwork under the modified subtitle ''Turtles in Time Re-Shelled''. It featured high-definition 3D graphics, improved audio quality which included re-recorded voice clips courtesy of the cast of the [[Creator/FourKidsEntertainment 4Kids]] [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003 animated series]], leaderboards, and [[BraggingRightsReward achievements]]. However, because it was based more on the arcade version than the SNES version, it excludes some of its more well-known content. Alas, the game was de-listed from both services in 2011 due to the license expiring, so those wishing to play that version if they haven't downloaded it already [[TemporaryOnlineContent are out of luck]].

** AgonyOfTheFeet and PainPoweredLeap: "My toes! My toes!"[[note]]When one of the Turtles steps on the spike balls in the Sewer Surfin' stage, or falls victim to a flame on the ground from Rahzar or Super Shredder in the SNES version[[/note]]

* AttractMode: It notably features "Pizza Power" (from the "Coming Out of Our Shells" tour) as the intro theme.

* {{BFG}}: Rock Soldiers carrying huge guns of varrying features.

%%* EnhancedRemake: The HD ''Turtles in Time Re-Shelled''.

The classic side-scrolling BeatEmUp by {{Creator/Konami}}, and follow up to 1989's also amazing ''VideoGame/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesTheArcadeGame''. Like its predecessor, ''Turtles in Time'' is based on [[Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles the four ninjitsu-trained reptilian hominids]] [[ComicBook/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesMirage created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird]], though heavily borrowing from the [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles1987 the 1987 cartoon]]. It was initially released for arcades in 1991, and ported to the UsefulNotes/SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem in 1992 as ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time'', since it was the fourth TMNT game to be released on a Creator/{{Nintendo}} console, after ''VideoGame/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesTheManhattanProject''. Take note, however, that since the Japanese versions didn't make much use of this naming convention, the game was released on the UsefulNotes/SuperFamicom without any numbering.

In 2009, a remake developed and published by {{Creator/Ubisoft}} was released as a downloadable game for UsefulNotes/XboxLiveArcade and UsefulNotes/PlaystationNetwork under the modified subtitle ''Turtles in Time Re-Shelled''. It featured high-definition 3D graphics, improved audio quality which included re-recorded voice clips courtesy of the cast of the [[Creator/FourKidsEntertainment 4Kids]] [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003 animated series]], leaderboards, and [[BraggingRightsReward achievements]]. However, it was attacked by quite a few for not including the material that was present in the {{UsefulNotes/SNES}} conversion (it was based solely on the original arcade version), and was criticized by critics for [[ItsTheSameNowItSucks not adding enough new material]], drab colors, and gameplay alterations (for example, the Turtles could now face eight directions, rather than only two as in the original game, which often made it more difficult to hit enemies). Despite these complaints, ''Re-Shelled'' immediately became a top-seller for the two consoles' download services. As website Joystiq remarked, this "once again" proves [[CriticalDissonance "that regular people don't care about what critics have to say."]] Alas, the game was de-listed from both services in 2011 due to the license expiring, so those wishing to play that version if they haven't downloaded it already [[TemporaryOnlineContent are out of luck]].

In March 2022, the arcade game, its SNES port, and ''Hyperstone Heist'' for the Genesis were announced to be a part of ''[[CompilationRerelease Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection]]'', which would be released for all platforms later that year.

Note that "Turtles in Time" IS NOT the subtitle of the film ''Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesIII'', despite that film also being released around the same time as this game and also having a time-travel based plot (this is not helped by some newer DVD copies and Creator/{{Netflix}} having this subtitle for the film).

* DifficultyByRegion: A minor variant, but it applies here. The European and Japanese versions of the game have extra pizzas in stages 4, 5 and 8, and the Bomb Pizza spinning attack lasts longer, making the stages easier.

* EasyModeMockery: Minus the "Mockery" part; Splinter commends the Ninja Turtles for their valiant efforts but encourages them to take on the harder difficulties, with the true ending being available only after beating the Hard difficulty. However, the Japanese release shows the ending and staff credits on Normal difficulty at least[[note]]according to Website/ScrewAttack's playthrough (Screwin' Around, April 13, 2012)[[/note]].
-->'''(Easy Difficulty Ending)''' Splinter: Your ninja skills are starting to show promise. However, you need to concentrate harder. The normal level is a good challenge for such hard working reptiles. Are you disciplined enough to defeat it?
-->'''(Normal Difficulty Ending)''' Splinter: Very impressive for such young students! But the final test in your training lies ahead. Defeat the Hard Mode and you will be true ninja's.
** EarnYourHappyEnding: The Turtles return to the present day and make the Shredder fall to his death, allowing them to bring the Statue of Liberty back to the grateful people of New York.
-->'''(Hard Difficulty Ending)''' Splinter: Congratulations! You have completed your training and are now true ninja's.[[note]]In the Japanese version, he adds "There's nothing left to be afraid of now, so let's celebrate it with a pizza!".[[/note]]
-->Turtles: '''[[BigYes COWABUNGA!]]'''
* EnhancedRemake: The HD ''Turtles in Time Re-Shelled''.

* DifficultyByRegion: A minor variant, but it applies here. The European and Japanese versions of the game have extra pizzas in stages 4, 5 and 8, making the stages easier.

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tmnttit.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:T-B: Original arcade marquee, SNES port, Genesis semi-port, 2009 remake]]

''Turtles in Time'' added some new features such as throwing Foot Soldiers into each other and--most famously--even at the camera. Due to hardware constraints, the UsefulNotes/SuperNES conversion only allowed two player co-op (instead of four like the arcade version). However, it did add some material of its own, such as a versus mode, a new Technodrome stage, Mode-7 bonus rounds, further {{divergent character evolution}} (for instance, Raph became [[FragileSpeedster quick but defensively weak]]), and new bosses including Super Shredder from [[Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles the second movie]] and fan favorites Rocksteady and Bebop.

Elements from the first arcade game and ''Turtles in Time'' were later used as the basis of a UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis game called ''The Hyperstone Heist''. This game lacked the fancier effects of ''Turtles in Time'', had a completely different plot, and new levels, though many parts of those levels were recycled from the two arcade games. A slightly altered version of the arcade game, with a new soundtrack and slightly different vocal work but nonetheless untouched graphics and gameplay to the original was also included as a unlockable in the 2005 game ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3: Mutant Nightmare'' for UsefulNotes/PlayStation2, UsefulNotes/{{Xbox}}, UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube and UsefulNotes/NintendoDS.

Note that "Turtles in Time" IS NOT the subtitle of the film ''Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesIII'', despite that film also being released around the same time as this game and that movie also having a time-travel based plot (this is not helped by some newer DVD copies or Netflix having this subtitle for the film).

* AbsurdlySpaciousSewer: "Sewer Surfin'"

In 2009, a remake developed and published by {{Creator/Ubisoft}} was released as a downloadable game for UsefulNotes/XboxLiveArcade and UsefulNotes/PlaystationNetwork under the modified subtitle ''Turtles in Time Re-Shelled''. It featured high-definition 3D graphics, improved audio quality which included re-recorded voice clips courtesy of the cast of the [[Creator/FourKidsEntertainment 4Kids]] [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003 animated series]], leaderboards, and [[BraggingRightsReward achievements]]. However, it was attacked by quite a few for not including the material that was present in the {{UsefulNotes/SNES}} conversion (it was based solely on the original arcade version), and was criticized by critics for [[ItsTheSameNowItSucks not adding enough new material]], drab colors, and gameplay alterations (for example, the Turtles could now face eight directions, rather than only two as in the original game, which often made it more difficult to hit enemies). Despite these complaints, ''Re-Shelled'' immediately became a top-seller for the two consoles' download services. As website Joystiq remarked, this "once again" proves [[CriticalDissonance "that regular people don't care about what critics have to say."]] Alas, the game was de-listed from both services in 2011 due to the license expiring. So those wishing to play that version if they haven't downloaded it already [[TemporaryOnlineContent are out of luck]].

In March 2022, the arcade game, its SNES port, and ''Hyperstone Heist" for the Genesis were announced to be a part of ''[[CompilationRerelease Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection]]'', which would be released for all platforms later that year.

* HurtFootHop: If you run over spikes (while riding your jetboard!), your character does the hurt foot hop while saying "My toes! My toes!".