365//365: Day 011 – [Comparison Series] Part 2: TMNT: The Hyperstone Heist (GEN)

.

To my surprise, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Hyperstone Heist is actually not a full port of the arcade title. While there are some stages and areas that look similar to Super Nintendo installment, Turtles in Time, the end result is an experience that’s different enough to distinguish one title from the other. But is it as good as Turtles in Time?

.

Between the two games, you will notice many differences as you progress, and it’s not all isolated to levels and pacing. HH has a slightly different look. Not necessarily a downgrade, but not necessarily an upgrade. The color palette used is not as varied, and characters seem to be a bit more pixelated in HH. However, there’s a slight bit more detail in characters in general. Backgrounds have a tad less detail as well, and with less of a color palette going, scenery have less shades to them, making them look bold, yet it feels even more like a cartoon. Definitely a toss up visually. As a title on the Sega Genesis, it looks remarkable and can hang with the best the system has to offer.

.

While HH has more stages and settings not found in the other two titles, some stages are partially shared between the others.

.

Audio wise, there’s quite a bit of a drop off between Turtles in Time and HH. The digitized speech sounds like I’m listening to the game through a tin can. It comes off as hollow, and borderline incoherent. There are other Genesis titles that have handled speech quite well, so it’s a shame HH sounds as poorly as it does. Sound effects once again prove the Genesis to be problematic console when it comes to most sounds. While they are not bad, and do sound a lot better than many Genesis games, they still sound cheap, and often 8 bit. Turtles in Time runs circles around the sound effects in HH, however the music is on par. It fits the mood perfectly and it sounds first-rate all around.

.

How well does it play though? I’m happy to say that the play is similar enough to Turtles in Time, although moving my turtle feels slightly stiff. It’s not a significant enough problem however. You have your same attack buttons and attacks, with the omission being the Foot Soldier heave into the screen. It’s satisfying as all hell, and in some ways, more satisfying than Turtles in Time, since it’s not the same exact game. You’ll see different locations not available in the other two titles, which look great and helps make HH feel fresh. It’s also one of best in the genre on the Sega Genesis, as it doesn’t provide anything new, but the fun factor is in there, ten fold.

.

Foot Soldiers will try and surround you and pummel you into the ground more often than the other two titles.

.

The one major difference between Turtles in Time and HH is the difficulty. I feel like there are more enemies coming after me in HH than Turtles in Time. Not only that, but on a per stop basis, you’ll be facing many more waves of Foot Soldiers in HH. You feel like you’re on your toes more often than not, which is great. Bosses feel a little easier, but still provide a decent enough challenge.

.

I had never really played Hyperstone Heist extensively until now. I found that not only is it one of the greatest Sega Genesis titles I have ever played, but it’s about as fun and entertaining as Turtles in Time. Though the look is slightly different, the audio is a mixed bag and the stages are not all the same, Hyperstone Heist still provides arcade gameplay that’s fun and fast. This is a must add to your library of Sega Genesis titles.

.

Don’t forget to check back here tomorrow for the final part to this Comparison Ses: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Reshelled!