A fun and rewarding remake of a great arcade game, even if it isn't always as you remember it.
Just to be clear, Reshelled is an HD update of the original arcade game and not the Super NES version--meaning you don't get the extra Technodrome level, the Versus mode, and those two lovable idiots Rocksteady and Bebop (a shame, because I loved their pirate get-ups) It might have been nice to have had those levels make the cut, but that's not saying the arcade game isn't bad. For the most part, all of the levels from the arcade version are here--totally redesigned and looking better than ever. The Turtles and their enemies are also redesigned, and they too look sensational. With the exception of the Roadkill Rodneys being replaced by generic robots with boxing gloves, you'll square off against the same opponents you faced in the original arcade game. Voice-work comes from the actors of the recent TMNT cartoon series, but much of the game's sparse dialogue is the same as it was--right down to the "Cowabunga." (which they don't say anymore in the new cartoon.)
To simply infer that Reshelled is an HD remake and nothing more is pretty much an understatement. Because the game is now full-on 3D, the gameplay has changed considerably to accommodate the new, three-dimensional play fields. You can now move, fight, and shell-shock in all eight directions using either the analog stick (which works great) or the traditional directional pad. All the moves from the arcade are here and done to great effect, especially when you throw an enemy towards your television screen. Depending on how you feel about this, you may welcome this new gameplay variation as the sign of the times or loathe it because it wasn't how TMNT was designed.
As fun as the game is, it isn't without its demerits. Though the arcade levels, enemies and Turtle moves have all been faithfully ported from its source, the same can't be said for the outstanding music. None of the songs from the arcade game made the cut. They weren't even remixed for this release. Instead, all new music replaces an otherwise memorable arcade soundtrack. Understandably, this may be due to licensing issues, but still, you can't help but feel a little disappointed. To be fair, the new music is pretty cool and doesn't distract the gameplay. Also, seeing how this is a remake of an arcade game, you'd expect a port of the original game to appear as an unlockable bonus to further satisfy your nerdy nostalgic urges. Well, you'd be out of luck--the original TMNT Turtles of Time coin-op is nowhere to be found.
Still, for what it's worth, Reshelled is a fun and nostalgic romp at a decent value of 800 Points ($10). The Achievements aren't too tough to unlock--save for the one involving Level 3 (good luck with that!)--and there's also a Survival Mode where you have to beat the game with just one life, and a Free Play mode that allows you to replay any of the game's levels with 99 lives. Fans of the Ninja Turtles will get a lot of enjoyment out of the game as will everyone else curious enough to give it a shell-kicking.