Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Tournament Fighters (Beta)

Game Overview
Konami released Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters for the Super Nintendo in 1993, a time when fighting games dominated the console scene. This particular beta version offers a glimpse into the development process, showcasing a roster that includes both familiar heroes and some unexpected villains. It stands as a curious artifact from the era, a side project in the Turtles' library that diverged from their typical side-scrolling adventures.

You select one of several characters, including the four Turtles and fighters like the shark-man Armaggon, and engage in one-on-one battles across various themed stages. The main objective is to deplete your opponent's life bar using a combination of basic attacks, special moves, and super attacks unique to each fighter. Signature mechanics include charging your super meter by dealing or receiving damage, and executing screen-filling super moves once it's full. The pacing is brisk, with matches that feel quick and decisive, though the AI can present a stiff challenge. It feels like a solid, if unpolished, attempt to capture the energy of the arcade fighting genre at home.