Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project

About Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project (NES)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project is a beat-em-up developed and published by Konami for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It launched in Japan on December 13, 1991, and in North America in February 1992, as the NES follow-up to the arcade port. Rather than copying the arcade game again, Konami built an original sequel around the same co-op formula, with new levels, bosses and moves.

While the turtles vacation in Key West, Florida, Krang and Shredder lift the entire island of Manhattan into the sky and kidnap April O’Neil. Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael fight their way from the beach through sewers, subways and skyscrapers to reach the floating city and bring it home.

Detailed Gameplay

The Manhattan Project keeps the arcade beat-em-up core and adds throws, a powerful special attack and more varied stages.

Co-op beat-em-up combat

• One or two players fight through side-scrolling levels, each controlling a different turtle.
• Foot soldiers, mousers and new enemy types attack in waves from both directions.
• Partners can revive the run by covering each other during boss fights and crowded rooms.

Throws and special attacks

• A new throw move lets you grab an enemy and hurl it into others, dealing damage to a whole group.
• The special attack unleashes a spinning strike that clears nearby enemies, but it costs a small amount of health.
• On your last health bar, the special attack becomes free, so a desperate turtle can fight back without penalty.

Eight varied levels

• The adventure starts on a Florida beach before moving into sewers, a subway and city streets.
• Later levels climb through a skyscraper, a Technodrome-style base and the floating Manhattan itself.
• Each level introduces new hazards, enemy placements and scenery, from surf to sky-high platforms.

Bosses, Krang and Shredder

• Bosses include classic foes and new creations, each with patterns that reward patience over mashing.
• Ground bosses, flying bosses and multi-stage fights keep you switching tactics level by level.
• The story builds toward Krang and Shredder as the final threat behind the floating Manhattan plot.

Game Highlights

• An original NES sequel: Not an arcade port, but a purpose-built follow-up with new levels and moves.
• Throws and health-cost specials: Grab enemies to hurl them, and unleash spinning attacks at a price.
• From Florida to floating Manhattan: Eight varied levels from beach to skyscraper to a city in the sky.
• The fan-favourite NES TMNT game: Polished co-op, strong music and bosses that many players rank first.

Controls

On the NES controller, Manhattan Project combat is fast and simple to pick up. - D-Pad: Move your turtle left, right, up and down through each level. - A Button: Jump over enemies, hazards and boss attacks. - B Button: Attack with your turtle’s weapon, throw grabbed enemies and trigger special attacks with jump. - Start Button: Pause the game. - Select Button: Use on menus and option screens where prompted.

Tips and Strategies to Win

Manhattan Project rewards aggressive but disciplined brawling. - Throw enemies into groups whenever possible, since one throw can damage several foes at once. - Use the special attack to escape crowds, but avoid spamming it, because the health cost adds up fast. - Share pizza with your co-op partner and save it for after a boss’s hardest attack phase. - Attack bosses during their recovery animations and retreat while they wind up their big moves.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is The Manhattan Project a port of an arcade game? A: No, unlike TMNT II, The Manhattan Project is an original NES game built for the console. It uses the same beat-em-up style but has its own levels, bosses, throws and story about a floating Manhattan.

Q: What does the special attack cost in The Manhattan Project? A: The spinning special attack costs a small amount of health each time you use it, except when you are on your last health bar, where it becomes free to use.

Q: Can I play Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project online for free? A: Yes, you can play Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project online for free in your browser here, with no download or installation needed.