Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Manhattan Missions - Tone and Setting

Tone and Setting

Manhattan Missions is notable for its more mature tone and setting than other TMNT games of its time. The game greatly draws upon the original Mirage comics and theatrical films, unlike other contemporary TMNT games which were mostly based on the 1987 TV series. The opening story is loosely based on the story from the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1. Indeed, the game's title screen is almost an exact reproduction of the splash page from the second and third pages of TMNT #1; though the Turtles still sport their identifying colors, they lack the large eyes and happy mouths of their animated counterparts. One of the turtles first words is "Pizza" like the first film. As opposed to "Splinter" like the Mirage comics.

Other elements from the Mirage comics and films include Shredder's red outfit from the first film and base from the comic's Return to New York storyline; the Foot Clan designs; the Triceratons; Master Splinter's appearance; and the inclusion of Tatsu, a character created for the films; and major references to the Mafia. The only direct relation to the 1987 series is the turtles having multi-colored bandanas, arm bands, and knee pads, the inclusion of Bebop and Rocksteady as bosses, and Baxter Stockman being Caucasian.

April O'Neil is a reporter like her 1987 cartoon and movie appearances; while she dressed in yellow like the cartoon, she resembled actress Paige Turco from the film. The Turtles' rescue of April from a group of Foot Clan is similar to scenes from the first movie.

Also, notably, Casey Jones is a major character in the game, as he is in the Mirage comics and films. This is the first TMNT game where he plays a major part, as he rescues the player's Turtle if he runs out of energy.