s licensed games based on kid-targeted properties go, I could use a few more games like TMNT. By using the game engine behind Prince of Persia, Ubisoft sacrificed the possibility of four-player cooperative play and instead got some sweet platforming out of the deal. The result is the best Turtles game in years, which admittedly is kind of like saying you just got the best punch in the gut you’ve had in years. Nonetheless, TMNT entertains pretty consistently, delivering fast-paced thrills but almost no genuine challenge.

Whether jumping from rooftop to rooftop or throwing down with the Foot, there’s a speed and excitement to Ubisoft’s inaugural run at the Turtles that is as fun as it is frantic. The lack of puzzles or complexity in the platforming has one big benefit – there’s a constant drive of forward movement that fits these ninja warriors like a glove. While it’s definitely a bummer that you’ll never be able to plug in and play co-op with a friend, players do eventually gain the ability to switch between the different brothers to take advantage of some unique skills, such as Michelangelo’s nunchuck copter. At other times, you can tag in one of the other warriors with a quick button press, who will jump up to help fling you past wide gaps, reach high ledges, or take out a bunch of enemies at once. Each character also has his own combat and move set, and the animation and art on each of the heroes is one of the game highlights. There’s a strange separation between the excellent character art and animation on the turtles and the occasionally sloppy environments, but the level design is straightforward and zips by so fast that you might not notice.

Combat suffers under the yoke of too many enemies with too little intelligence. I know there’s a perception that this style of combat is fun for younger gamers, but it’s hard for me to believe anybody really prefers endless waves of the same enemy over more complex interactions. The boss fights aren’t much better, where without fail you’re up against some monster who repeats the same attack over and over. At least the Turtles look pretty sweet as they’re taking out the baddies, and even if the fights aren’t stellar they’re always over pretty quick.

A nice variety of levels, some of the trademark Turtles humor, and a story that defies expectation (and credulity) round out the main game. A number of unlockable extras include some amusing videos as well as VR style challenge maps for a little added action. Through it all, the folks at Ubisoft Montreal get across the action and speed that has always made these characters fun. Because of that, even though the levels are ridiculously easy, I think even more experienced gamers could enjoy themselves as I did. TMNT is about as simple as they come, but then again, so was Vanilla Ice’s “Ninja Rap”, and you remember how the world ate that one up.