Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection Reviews

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection is ranked in the 83rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Metro GameCentral
GameCentral
Top Critic
6 / 10
Aug 29, 2022

One of the best retro compilations ever made… for a collection of games that, despite the nostalgia, really don't deserve the attention.

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6.5 / 10.0
Sep 9, 2022

TMNT: The Cowabunga Collection brings back games from the ancient past with good memories, but with many technical problems that could kill your playing fun.

Review in Arabic | Read full review

6.5 / 10.0
Aug 31, 2022

The difficulty in these games challenged me in a way I hadn't known for a long time. If it wasn't for the additional options, I might not have had the chance to get through a couple of these games. In stating this, I had more fun playing these games with a second player. The collection has been put together with care and ran well on the PS5, and while these games are fun, I prefer the newer TMNT: Shredders Revenge for its updated features and playability over these aging titles.

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65 / 100
Aug 29, 2022

I’m not sure how I feel about this collection. I didn’t enjoy most of the games I played. And yet, this release does an admirable job gathering up so much Turtles history and memorabilia. You’ve got the games, the box art, the concept sketches, the music, and the TV stills. You have a clear snapshot of the Turtles hype train running at full speed. The effect is so complete this collection feels like a curated museum exhibit. On the other hand, the games are mostly bad. The action is repetitive, the difficulty balance is busted, and the stage design is mostly an afterthought. If you’re looking for a thoughtful essay on Ninja Turtles history, then look no further. If you want a bunch of fun games, The Cowabunga Collection is not for you.

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Aug 29, 2022

This is a must-buy for any Ninja Turtles fans looking for a retro gaming kick to add to their collection. Those les interested in a 90s cartoon classic may find the collection a Little too samey.

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7 / 10 stars
Sep 1, 2022

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection serves up ample old-school gameplay nostalgia, though it's appeal it limited.

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7 / 10.0
Aug 29, 2022

Like with any collection of retro games, if you have fond memories of playing what’s included here, you’re likely to enjoy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – The Cowabunga Collection more than those who don’t. And while there are some games here that are still enjoyable, there are others that we can’t imagine anyone genuinely having a fun time with. Still, as retro collections go, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – The Cowabunga Collection is comprehensive, and you can’t fault that. Add in all the fan-pleasing extras and you have a collection that is sure to find an audience despite its shortcomings.

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7 / 10.0
Sep 9, 2022

Konami’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection is worth the price of admission. Some are duds, but most of them are excellent beatem-ups and a classic NES game that a lot of gamers grew up with. It’s nostalgia bait, but nostalgia is a valid feeling and can be cathartic- especially when it involves overcoming a game that used to crush you as a child.

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7 / 10.0
Sep 8, 2022

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection is one of the best retro gaming collections to come out in years. Obviously the developers absolutely loved the series, because every single moment of this collection is bursting with Ninja Turtle love. From including some of the best home console and arcade games, to including the most in-depth behind-the-scenes look at the games, The Cowabunga Collection sets the new standard for how retro collections should be. While the collection includes a few less than stellar games you should probably avoid, there are 8 great games to jump in to and have a great time. These are some of the best games to appear on a Nintendo (or Sega) console in the past and a great way to revisit these classics again today on Nintendo Switch.

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Gameblog
_SutterCane
Top Critic
7 / 10
Sep 2, 2022

Konami opted for prudence with TMNT The Cowabunga Collection and it was the best thing to do. This compilation brings together the most iconic old Ninja Turtles games but offers the opportunity for those who want to add a modern touch. Fans will be ecstatic with the impressive museum. A must have !

Review in French | Read full review

7 / 10.0
Aug 29, 2022

If the excellent TMNT: Shredder's Revenge has not yet quenched your hunger for ninja turtles, with The Cowabunga Collection get ready for indigestion: Digital Eclipse has done a really good job in adapting 13 products that have made the history of the Konami series.

Review in Italian | Read full review

Aug 29, 2022

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection is a true labor of love from Digital Eclipse. Although the quality of the games included may be scattershot, ultimately, there's still enough good content to appeal to fans and non-fans alike.

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IGN
Top Critic
7 / 10.0
Aug 31, 2022

TMNT: The Cowabunga Collection is a treasure trove of Turtle games, but our online experience was barely functional when matchmaking. Couch co-op fares a lot better, but some may notice an increased input delay over the originals. All said this is still a great collection for fans.

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Gamefa
Top Critic
7.5 / 10.0
Sep 7, 2022

TMNT: The Cowabunga Collection is an enjoyable reunion which have gathered 13 classic games of the series. That being said, it's a little bit overpriced and I suggest you wait for it to go on sale and then you can purchase is with a more reasonable price

Review in Persian | Read full review

7.5 / 10.0
Aug 29, 2022

Despite the stuttering and issues with the extras, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection is still a very good title thanks to the quality of titles on offer and the enhancements to make each game a little easier for inexperienced players. The duo of arcade classics still stands the test of time, and their home version counterparts do a very good job of porting it all over while adding new elements to mask the parts that didn't get moved over. The portable games can be hit-and-miss, but they're still very good compared to the Game Boy lineup. The fighting games are interesting, and the other beat-'em-ups are solid. Hopefully the title gets patched for improvements, but retro fans will definitely enjoy it.

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7.5 / 10.0
Sep 7, 2022

Preserving licensed games is a noble endeavor, and Digital Eclipse are the best in the business, but many of The Cowabunga Collection's inclusions are best left in the '90s.

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8 / 10
Aug 30, 2022

Not every game here is essential (or even worth playing), but there are enough gems that even new players will find something to enjoy.

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Sep 9, 2022

The Cowabunga Collection is a fantastic compilation of some of the best TMNT games ever made, and it’s one of the premiere examples of a property managing to make the jump to video games without losing what makes it special in the first place.

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Oct 7, 2022

A perfect slice of 90s pizza pie

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8 / 10.0
Sep 20, 2022

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection is a wonderful collection of video games from the late 80s and 90s. It is sure to evoke nostalgia. The extra additions such as online multiplayer, intermediate saving and being able to rewind provide a lot of convenience. If you have to whine, it is at most about the price. At forty euros, it is quite an expensive collection.

Review in Dutch | Read full review