TMNT: The Cowabunga Collection slices into a late August release date

Fellow ’90s kids, it’s almost officially pizza time. TMNT: The Cowabunga Collection has been confirmed for a late August release date on PC. The collection brings together 13 of the best (and maybe not so best) Turtles games all in one package. Thankfully, most of the games are great, even if they do sit side by side with the one that has the nightmare-inducing dam level.

It really is the year of the Turtles, isn’t it? At least, in terms of video games. TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge has barely been out for a month. The game, by Dotemu and Tribute Games, was a lovingly crafted homage to the franchise’s best beat ’em ups, bringing new moves and modern comforts. TMNT: The Cowabunga Collection, however, is where this inspiration first began.

TMNT: The Cowabunga Collection brings a massive catalogue of Turtle games on release. It includes the original arcade game, Tournament Fighters (SNES and Genesis versions), The Hyperstone Heist, Turtles in Time, and many more. The latter two games are the ones that Shredder’s Revenge called back on the most. So if you enjoyed Tribute’s brawler, the collection will let you experience the games that set the green foundation.

That damn dam

Of course, it could be argued that not all that glitters is green. It’s fair to say that some of the included Game Boy releases haven’t aged all too well. However, Radical Rescue does stand out as a neat, little Metroid-like. The original NES game has aged worse, as most recall its baffling level design, ridiculous difficulty (damn that dam level), and the fact it doesn’t use the Turtles’ theme.

Still, it is a piece of nostalgia wedged between a lot of beloved games from the franchise. Plus it spawned several great sequels, such as The Manhattan Project and, of course, the excellent Turtles in Time. We don’t always choose where we come from.

TMNT: The Cowabunga Collection will be available on PC via Steam and has a release date of August 30.