Play Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III - The Manhattan Project Online

Summary

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project (often called Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Manhattan Project) lands on the NES as a side‑scrolling beat ’em up that leans on the 1987 cartoon’s vibe. Konami’s polish shows up in crisp sprites and a smooth eight‑stage trek that runs from sunny Florida beaches to a floating Manhattan island, then into the Technodrome, Shredder’s lair, and finally Krang’s spaceship.

Up to two players can team up, each picking any of the four turtles and swapping characters whenever a life is lost. The game offers two co‑op modes – one where you can accidentally hit your partner, and a friendly‑fire‑free option – and even lets a player borrow lives from the other’s remaining stock. A simple attack button, a jump button, a toss move (down + B) and a powerful B + A special that drains a bit of energy keep the combat feeling fresh.

The enemy roster mixes classic Foot Soldiers with oversized Mousers and stone‑clad warriors, while boss battles pit you against cartoon staples like Dirtbag, Groundchuck, Slash, Leatherhead, Bebop, Rocksteady, Tokka, Rahzar and a final showdown with Super Shredder. Despite the cover art, the Triceraton never appears in the code.

Technically the NES version hides the option screen behind the Konami Code and runs on a Nintendo MMC3 mapper, whereas the Japanese Famicom release exposes those settings from the start. The title never saw a PAL launch until its inclusion in the 2022 Cowabunga Collection, and it earned Electronic Gaming Monthly’s Best NES Game of 1992 accolade, with reviewers praising its well‑rounded design.

Storyline

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III – The Manhattan Project opens with the four brothers enjoying a laid‑back vacation in Key West, Florida. While they’re watching April O’Neil’s latest news broadcast, the signal is abruptly seized by their arch‑enemy Shredder. He declares that he has taken April hostage and, in a dramatic twist, has turned the entire borough of Manhattan into a floating island. From his airborne lair, Shredder taunts the turtles, daring them to come and stop his scheme. The game’s storyline then follows the turtles as they race to rescue April and bring Manhattan back down to earth.