《激龜忍者傳 / 忍者龜》（Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles）於1989年由Konami為任天堂Famicom平台推出，根據當時人氣高漲的《忍者龜》漫畫與動畫系列製作，但並未完全忠於動畫劇情，而是加入大量原創元素。以其挑戰性和經典的橫向捲軸動作玩法著稱，是許多玩家童年記憶中的一部分。

故事背景設定在混亂的紐約市，四隻忍者龜—李奧納多（Leonardo）、米開朗基羅（Michelangelo）、多納太羅（Donatello）和拉斐爾（Raphael）—必須面對其宿敵施瑞德（Shredder）。施瑞德綁架他們的好友艾波（April O’Neil）和師父斯普林特（Splinter），並試圖利用科技製造毀滅性的武器來征服世界。

於是四隻忍者龜展開冒險，穿越充滿敵人、陷阱與謎題的六大關卡，最終直面施瑞德，摧毀他的陰謀並拯救紐約市。雖然故事框架簡單，但與動畫風格一致的幽默感和龐大的敵人陣容讓遊戲充滿魅力。

採用橫向捲軸的動作冒險玩法，並加入部分開放式探索的元素。在地圖上自由移動，選擇進入建築或地下道，每個區域都有不同的敵人、道具和挑戰。角色選擇是遊戲的一大特色。在四隻忍者龜之間自由切換，每隻角色的武器和攻擊範圍不同：

 • 李奧納多的雙刀平衡性最好，適合大多數戰鬥情境。

 • 多納太羅的長棍擁有最遠的攻擊距離，對付強敵和頭目十分有效。

 • 拉斐爾的雙叉攻擊範圍最短，但速度快，適合近距離作戰。

 • 米開朗基羅的雙截棍攻擊距離和速度居中。

主要的困難點在於角色的生命值是獨立計算的，一旦某位角色的血量耗盡，他就會被抓走，直到特定條件下才能解救。在角色的切換和資源管理上非常謹慎。

分為六個主要關卡，每個關卡都有不同的場景和挑戰。從城市街道、下水道到科技工廠，設計相當多樣，並且敵人類型隨著關卡進展而變得越來越強大。每個關卡的最後通常有頭目戰，例如知名的洛克史迪（Rocksteady）、比巴（Bebop）等，甚至還有改良後的原創敵人。

開發團隊還加入部分解謎元素，例如需要找到特定的鑰匙來打開通道，或是擊敗特殊敵人才能前進。此外，水下關卡因為其高難度而聞名。在狹窄的水下迷宮中拆除炸彈，同時躲避電流障礙和其他陷阱。該段落要求極高的精準操作，被許多玩家稱為童年陰影。

當年在發售後獲得巨大的市場成功。作為基於熱門IP改編的遊戲，它在當時迅速吸引廣大粉絲，尤其是兒童玩家的喜愛。遊戲的銷售量表現優異，並成為當時紅白機平台上的經典之一。然而，同時也受到不少批評，主要集中在其極高的難度設計上。敵人刷新頻率高、傷害判定不友善、水下關卡過於苛刻等問題讓許多玩家感到挫敗。即便如此，高挑戰性和多樣性仍然吸引大量玩家反覆挑戰。音樂方面，配樂得到較高評價，雖然音效和旋律簡單，但成功營造緊張與冒險的氛圍。尤其是每個關卡的背景音樂，至今仍被一些粉絲視為經典。

這是具有歷史意義的遊戲，雖然在設計上存在部分平衡問題，但其創新的角色切換機制、多樣的關卡設計和忠於原作的氛圍讓它成為玩家童年記憶。對於當時的忍者龜粉絲來說，這既是挑戰，也是令人難忘的冒險旅程。

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (also known as 激龜忍者傳) was released by Konami in 1989 for the Nintendo Famicom. Based on the immensely popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics and animated series of the time, the game incorporated many original elements rather than strictly adhering to the animated storyline. Renowned for its challenging gameplay and classic side-scrolling action, it remains a nostalgic memory for many players.

Storyline

Set in the chaotic streets of New York City, the four Ninja Turtles—Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael—must face their arch-nemesis, Shredder. Shredder has kidnapped their friend April O’Neil and their master Splinter, while plotting to use advanced technology to create a devastating weapon and conquer the world.

The Turtles embark on an adventure across six levels filled with enemies, traps, and puzzles, culminating in a final showdown with Shredder to thwart his plans and save the city. While the story is straightforward, its humor and the large roster of enemies, staying true to the animated series' style, make the game engaging and full of charm.

Gameplay and Features

The game features side-scrolling action-adventure gameplay with elements of open-ended exploration. Players navigate a map, choosing to enter buildings or underground areas, each containing unique enemies, items, and challenges.

One of the standout features is the ability to switch between the four Turtles, each with distinct weapons and attack ranges:

Leonardo: Balanced with dual katanas, suitable for most combat scenarios.

Donatello: Wields a bo staff with the longest attack range, ideal for strong enemies and bosses.

Raphael: Uses sais with the shortest range but has fast attack speed, excelling in close combat.

Michelangelo: Handles nunchaku with medium attack range and speed.

A key challenge is that each Turtle has an independent health bar. If a Turtle's health is fully depleted, they are captured and cannot be used again unless rescued under specific conditions, requiring careful character management and resource allocation.

Levels and Challenges

The game is divided into six main levels, each with distinct settings and challenges, from city streets and sewers to high-tech factories. Enemy difficulty increases as the game progresses, and each level typically ends with a boss battle against iconic foes like Rocksteady, Bebop, and other enhanced original enemies.

Some levels include puzzle elements, such as finding keys to unlock passages or defeating specific enemies to progress. One particularly infamous section is the underwater level, known for its high difficulty. Players must navigate a narrow underwater maze to disarm bombs while avoiding electric currents and other hazards. This segment requires precise controls and has been dubbed a "childhood nightmare" by many players.

Reception and Legacy

Upon release, the game was a commercial success, capitalizing on the popularity of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise. It quickly gained a following, especially among younger players, and became a best-seller on the NES platform.

However, the game also faced criticism, primarily for its steep difficulty. Frequent enemy respawns, unforgiving hit detection, and the underwater level's punishing design frustrated many players. Despite these issues, its challenging gameplay and variety kept players coming back.

The music received praise for its quality, with simple yet effective sound effects and melodies that created a tense and adventurous atmosphere. The background music for each level is still fondly remembered by fans as iconic.

Conclusion

As a historically significant game, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles introduced innovative mechanics like character switching, diverse level designs, and an atmosphere faithful to the original series. While some design imbalances persist, its charm and difficulty made it a memorable experience for fans of the franchise. For many, it was not just a challenge but an unforgettable adventure.