First in a 3 part opinionated retrospective of the original 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon series.
NOTE: The title was Teenage Mutant HERO Turtles in certain parts of Europe. (Not all of Europe)
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April 19, 2011 at 12:07 am
FIRST! Muahahaha! Yeah, never happened for me before. I forgot that Midnight brought Tuesday morning with it, and saw this link by accident watching the Monster Madness 2009 playlist. I loved this shit as a kid, and I’m looking forward to the next two parts.
James, you’re the fucking man!
April 19, 2011 at 12:08 am
Oh, yeah. With the recent release of The Real Ghostbusters series on DVD (still ongoing if I’m not mistaken), any chance we’ll get a review of that show anytime in the future?
April 19, 2011 at 12:23 am
Ready to have your minds blown? You know who did the Shredder’s voice? Uncle Phil from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. I shit you not.
April 19, 2011 at 12:37 am
Casey Jones!!!
April 19, 2011 at 12:39 am
AVGN its Monday not Tuesday, but thanks for the video early
April 19, 2011 at 12:39 am
Awesome
April 19, 2011 at 12:43 am
Love this! I can’t wait for the next part!
April 19, 2011 at 12:43 am
Dudee watch Turtles Forever like right now
April 19, 2011 at 12:44 am
wow thats cool chris but it was also done by 2 other guys for other episodes i’d like to compare them now
April 19, 2011 at 12:45 am
awesome insight, this is gonna be great!
can’t wait for part 2.
also, yeah! turtles forever was hilarious and awesome!!
April 19, 2011 at 1:06 am
Oh man!
This brings up the old times when I saw this show as a child. It was one of my all time favorits! I´m looking forward to next week!
April 19, 2011 at 1:22 am
love the use of SNES Turtles in Time music!
freakin awesome game.
you’re still awesome James. I remember when you put out the old TMNT action figures video on youtube. Still the bomb.
April 19, 2011 at 1:25 am
I was a lucky kid. Born in ’92 and still had the pleasure of watching this excellent series. I still have the first 2 seasons of this awesome show on VHS.
April 19, 2011 at 1:25 am
James when I heard you were going to do something with our favorite 4 turtles I immediately started rewatching the series. I was wondering if you bought them on DVD somewhere or are you watching them on recorded VHS tapes? Thanks for everything you do!
April 19, 2011 at 1:28 am
I really enjoyed this review. Mikey is my favourite too, however when I went to see this on the main page it didnt work so I clicked on the side bar instead, then it loaded up other wise I get the ‘ this episode is not avalable” thing I love all the stuff you do James and co, and turtle tuesday ? gives me a reason to love tuesdays its like something I’m also happy to look forward to coming from my happiest memories.
April 19, 2011 at 1:40 am
Actually, Burns girlfriend doesn’t like turtles because her brother put one in her bed when she was five…at least thats what she says anyway…
April 19, 2011 at 1:40 am
btw: “Reverse the Polarity” is a Dr. Who reference. the full reference is “Reverse the polarity of the neutron flow.” Look it up, you’ll see!
lol. TMNT is full of stuff like that, obviously.
April 19, 2011 at 1:47 am
You should watch TMNT Turtles Forever. Great film for any turtles fan, and would probably be a good little ending after these videos.
April 19, 2011 at 2:20 am
Great job!
Two things I noticed about the show:
Leonardo always stated the obvious. He’d be the one that would say, “They’re getting away!” or “The building is collapsing!” My friends called him Leonardo, Master of the Obvious.
The other one was that Vernon always seemed gay to me. Maybe it was his voice or his vanity. Or his pink shirt.
April 19, 2011 at 2:20 am
Thanks for the nostalgia trip. Made me remember how much I loved the TV show and the comics as a kid. Still have issue 1 of the comics stored away in my closet.
April 19, 2011 at 2:57 am
That brought me back.
The robotic turtle episode was pretty good. I remember everyone started doing the whole “robo” thing ever since robocop the cartoon came out. I think the next bunch to do it after that was Ducktales with gizmo duck.
I remember in that episode splinter uses the most powerful move that he knows and it doesn’t do anything to it. Kinda funny how he had this move in his arsenal and it doesn’t ever come up ever again.
I could talk about ducktales and turtles for hours.
April 19, 2011 at 3:08 am
k…this link is epic…enjoy it
http://www.youtube.com/v/4Hj5vOIrTEs?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&autoplay=1&showinfo=0
April 19, 2011 at 3:17 am
Love it!
When i was a kid i loved the show and had many action figures!!!
Got every chapter on VHS tapes. I liked Michelangelo so much too, but why they replace his NUNCHAKUS by a ROPE on the later chapters??? Leonardo got his Katanas, but Michelangelo changed his fighting style? Seriously? Nunchakus are more violent than katanas? I didn’t like that part… did you remember?
Cheers from Spain James!
April 19, 2011 at 3:21 am
Cinemassacre feels like it was made just for me. Keep up the great work James.
April 19, 2011 at 3:25 am
Was that an original “soft head” edition of the Donatello action figure we saw fighting the foot soldier in the beginning?
April 19, 2011 at 3:28 am
Since you’re a fan of Krang, I thought you’d appreciate this clip. It’s from an episode, Planet of the Turtleoids that was missed when Lions Gate put out the TMNT DVDs and can only be found on VHS.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnQYSTJ3oB8
April 19, 2011 at 3:45 am
Aaah, the nostalgia…
Really nice editing as well, accentuating many funny scenes from the series. Looking very much forward to the next parts!
April 19, 2011 at 4:06 am
Honestly James I really value your opinion, but you should focus all your energy on either being the Angry nerd or not, cause I really don’t feel the anger in your AVGN videos anymore.
There’s none of that immature selfish manifested hatred from all these years of being pissed at videogames you couldn’t beat in your childhood.
Still, I love the TMNT cartoon and I love you, keep up the work.
April 19, 2011 at 4:21 am
I’m 17 so I never saw the Ninja Turtles, I might get a season on DVD or something, you got me interested James.
April 19, 2011 at 4:23 am
They were called ‘Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles’ in the UK. We couldn’t handle the fury of ninjas over here.
April 19, 2011 at 4:47 am
I am kinda curious. Does anyone else agree that the Turtles should be as dark as the link I posted earlier? Because I do. I’m no masochist but I think edginess would be great.
April 19, 2011 at 5:13 am
That’s surprising: I too thought the Turtles were goofy when I first heard about them (like an 8-year-old is suited to decide what’s goofy). I became interested in them when I saw a friend’s Donatello action figure and started beating up other action figures with it. Then I decided to give the show a chance. The first episode I saw was the one where Baxter Stockman is changed to a fly. That scene was kinda creepy, and I loved it. Of course, I’d never seen Krang or Shredder before, so they were a delightful surprise too. I was a fan ever since.
I really dig the way you described the characters and their dynamics in this video. The examples you used cracked me up, particularly the laugh track scene and Krang’s singsong voice.
The main difference between us is that Leonardo was my favorite turtle as a kid. He was dull, but he had drive and discipline, and I thought his swords were cool. Now, I’d have to say I like Donatello better because I find staff or spear combat more interesting technically than swordplay.
Michelangelo is a lovable character, and I don’t hate him, but I didn’t like the effect that he had on the show’s image. Anyone who didn’t watch the show, i.e. my parents, assumed that all the turtles constantly used surfer lingo. That really frustrated me. This was my favorite show! There was more to it than “whoa dudes” and “cowabungas.”
As much as I loved Krang’s ranting and raving, it was Raphael who made me laugh the most. Rob Paulsen just nailed the delivery on his lines. “Easy, Michelangelo; you’ll strip the gears in your brain box” has never left my memory in all the twenty-odd years since I first heard it.
Anyway, this is a terrific idea for a video series, and I’m looking forward to more. Good job, James!
April 19, 2011 at 5:56 am
So Mikey is James’ favorite too? I think just about everyone shares that opinion. The few recent times I’ve discussed Turtles with my friends we all seem to favor him. Maybe that would be a good poll for the site???
April 19, 2011 at 6:23 am
An interesting fun fact: In Hungary they kept the word “ninja”, but not “mutant”. Maybe it was to make it match the opening song, but anyway, it was “Teenage Ninja Fighting Turtles”
But did they really redub the entire thing in the UK?
April 19, 2011 at 6:37 am
I never realised how much the newer 2003 cartoons was like the classic, if not, closer to the comics!
April 19, 2011 at 6:46 am
Man! Gotta love the Turtles. I actually prefer the the later series just because it’s more faithful to the Mirage comics, even though, being a child of the 80s, I grew up with this iteration. In the comics it’s so badass when Leo and Raph actually get to use their weapons, like in the first volume when they battle the Triceratons and Leo thrusts both of his swords through his opponent. Here’s hoping we’ll see THAT in animated form some day.
April 19, 2011 at 6:58 am
Pure awesome thank you. I can’t wait for part 2!
April 19, 2011 at 7:07 am
In Spain they were called just Ninja Turtles, and in catalan they were “The Fabulous Ninja Turtles”. And if google translate is correct catalan’s name to Shredder was carved, like carved meat xDD. What’s wrong with the translators?
April 19, 2011 at 8:02 am
I love that you used the game music. The Genesis Hyperstone Heist was my childhood. Mucho amor.
April 19, 2011 at 8:04 am
I tried to watch through the turtles a year or so ago, but i don’t think i made it past the second season. Still it was pretty fun for what it was.
When it comes to Leonardo being boring i remember one scene with him that was hillarious, but that’s mostly thanks to Michelangelo i guess. Leo makes some melodramatic hero speech like “We will stop you!” At first i just kind of rolled my eyes, but then Mike looks into the camera and remarks “Don’t you love it when he talks like that?”
Besides that i only remember a couple of episodes we had recorded on vhs when i was little. Especially the one with the robot cowboy from the future, but i watched i dubbed i swedish so i sadly didn’t get any fun accent from him.
Well, it was fun hearing you talk about it. Looking forwards to the other parts.
April 19, 2011 at 8:13 am
I never realized that Shredder was Uncle Phil! hah!
April 19, 2011 at 8:41 am
here in sweden they didn’t change the ninja name
April 19, 2011 at 8:45 am
Deeple in the steeple with all the people.
April 19, 2011 at 8:48 am
Awesome, this brought back so many memories.
I’m gonna play TMNT2 for the NES right now!
April 19, 2011 at 8:54 am
What a great review!!
Love TMNT!!
James, i would love to see more of your good reviews as the angry video game nerd, such as the one you made with Ninja Gaiden and Castlevania.
And the games i would love to see a review of are Megaman and Metroid.
I need James voice reviewing thos fukn awesome games tha blew my god damned brains out with their awesomeness.
Long live the nerd!
April 19, 2011 at 9:10 am
Attempted murder, not murder.
Also, that woman dumped Burne because he ordered mock turtle soup, so it wasn’t even real turtle and she was too stupid to know what mock means.
April 19, 2011 at 9:12 am
I own all the DVDs of this series that came out. This was my favorite show growing up and after revisiting some of them I still love it. The first movie is one of my top five movies of all time, it was even one of the first movies I saw in theaters. I got super excited when I heard you were going to review the original series. For a while I thought it was a tease because it was taking so long. Now I understand you had to take your time watching all the episodes so you could do it right. After seeing part one and knowing theres two more coming I can see this is going to be an awesome, and very detailed review.
April 19, 2011 at 9:42 am
Great recount – makes me wish I owned the DVDs
April 19, 2011 at 10:15 am
Human? Yes.
Normal? No no no no no!
LOL
April 19, 2011 at 10:57 am
I don’t know if someone already said that, but the European title “Teenage Mutant Hero Turtle” was probably for U.K only, because in France there was no censorship, it was called “Les Tortues Ninja” –> The Ninja Turtles.
I just wanted to say that ninja is not such a violent / offensive word in Europe
April 19, 2011 at 11:00 am
Oh, and in the French Live action movie version, Raphael doesn’t say DAAAAMN! He says “SHIIIIT”
April 19, 2011 at 11:25 am
Wow this show is stranger than I remember.
April 19, 2011 at 11:36 am
Come to think of it, as a British person myself I’ve always found it weird that it was called Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles in the UK because the British Censorship thought anything “Ninja” related was considered offensive for a cartoon aimed for kids, also as a result any scenes showing Michelangelo’s nunchuks were removed. However when the 2003 cartoon came to the UK it kept it’s original title so I’m guessing the shitty censorship at the time was abolished.
April 19, 2011 at 11:42 am
Oh this all brings back memories. I remember my dad picking me up from preschool saying “There’s a new TV show called Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!” I overlooked my confusion and they keywords ninja and teenage excited me.
April 19, 2011 at 11:49 am
james really needs to watch the 2003 cartoon, its way better
April 19, 2011 at 12:02 pm
@ zeldamaster52
Without a doubt. I’m watching it right now!
I hope he mentions it.
April 19, 2011 at 12:03 pm
When I was a kid, I always thought Shredder was so badass and evil. Looking back on it as an adult he really is just comedic relief!
April 19, 2011 at 1:17 pm
I almost forgot how awesome TMNT is. You know, looking back at all these cartoons from that era, it’s hard to believe just what kind of entertainment we as kids were getting. I guess that’s why we are proud to compare our kids shows to the stuff kids were watching at that age group in the 90′s. I mean, kids in the late 90′s had Barney and all that stuff, and we got the Turtles, Transformers, GI-Joe and a whole bunch of other great shows. The ironic thing is that all of them were just toys that were being marketed to us in 30 minute commercials and somehow they ended up engaging our imagination. Perhaps this might be an interesting argument as to whether or not these shows of the 80′s, which could be compared to junk food, was actually better for us than the things specifically designed to teach children. Transformers or Barney, what show really taught our kids to use their imaginations?
April 19, 2011 at 1:22 pm
Alot of the 80′s cartoon villians really took turns being the court jester. If shredder was the court jester it must be marginally close when he’s side by side with Cobra Commander or Starscream. Maybe they just hold a three person show?
April 19, 2011 at 1:53 pm
wow really put together with a lot of sincerity and reverence for the show
the voice of shredder sounds suspiciously like carl banks from fresh prince of bel air
April 19, 2011 at 2:29 pm
Great work man. Really nice trip down memory lane. I had completely forgotten how all the characters sounded. Some excellent classic cartoon voice acting there. Some of those guys were in EVERY cartoon back in the day, and some still are (as well as in video games).
I feel like Donatello is also the voice of Steve on American Dad.
@Bick, I’m guessing you mean Philip Banks, aka Uncle Phil, and yes it’s the same actor: James Avery.
April 19, 2011 at 2:32 pm
Very well made review. I’m looking forward to the next part.
April 19, 2011 at 2:46 pm
Actually Krang was supposed to be in the 2nd film, it was revealed in the script that the Professor who created the Ooze was actually Krang, I’m not sure if it the scene was filmed, but that is what was meant to happen. Also Toka and Razar were originally supposed to be Beebop and Rocksteady, but I believe it was Eastman who didn’t want the film to be kiddy like and wanted it to be faithful to the comics like the first film.
April 19, 2011 at 2:48 pm
that was awesome. this was my childhood. Love the Turtles.
April 19, 2011 at 2:55 pm
I remember seeing the toys at my friends house before I even seen a comic or tv show. I was in 4th grade and thought they were the bomb!
April 19, 2011 at 2:57 pm
“its a voolcaaanoo”
aaaaah the memories. that line is just epic
April 19, 2011 at 2:57 pm
The show really went downhill when they gave Michelangelo a grappling hook.
April 19, 2011 at 3:01 pm
Another direct hit, James! When you first announced “Turtle Tuesdays”, I knew you would produce a retrospective of such high quality & attentive research…you didn’t disappoint.
I’m acquainted with TMNT because my younger brother worshipped the show, the three features, and had (almost) all the action figures.
Have you seen HEAVY METAL 2000? Kevin Eastman was an animator, (creative consultant?), so you can see his style grafted all over the movie…especially when Tyler fights the lizard barbarian. Eastman’s wife, Julie Strain, also had the starring role.
April 19, 2011 at 3:03 pm
Not in all Europe was called “Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles”.Here in Italy the title remained the same…luckily…
And for me it was a very addictive show.I haven’t missed a single episode…
Sadly here in Italy they never released a dvd or a VHS…
April 19, 2011 at 3:08 pm
.
April 19, 2011 at 3:13 pm
Very good review/retrospective one small thing the Aliens in the comics were called Utroms or the TCRI’s and were not brains although in the issue you showed where you first see them they do resemble alien brains.
NIce video James you must have put a lot of work into these I am looking forward to the rest of your stuff on Turtle Tudesdays to come =)
April 19, 2011 at 3:16 pm
holy shit! what a blast from the past… time to whip out my TMNT dvd collection!
April 19, 2011 at 3:22 pm
@Jigglysaint
Our cartoons taught us to use our imaginations better than any Barney or Dora ever did. Poor late 90s kids. Listen to their music and you can see what happened to their minds. We 80s kids had better music, movies, and TV shows.
April 19, 2011 at 3:29 pm
I went up the loft today to get the VHS player and after looking through some tapes I actually found one of the old ninja turtle tapes I used to watch as a kid and though of you immediately. sure I was born in 1991 but I still remember liking it
April 19, 2011 at 4:18 pm
I think it’s funny how people say that this show is weirder/sillier than they remember. Am I really the only one who always remembered this series just the way it was?
Maybe it’s because I didn’t actually see it that often as a child, I liked it but I wasn’t a fan so I guess I never tried to make it look any cooler in my mind than it actually was
April 19, 2011 at 4:42 pm
They didn’t change the title here in Belgium either. Love you videos James, long time fan.
April 19, 2011 at 4:48 pm
Man im a 82 baby!… this sure brings me back down memory lane!!!!lol (-:
April 19, 2011 at 4:52 pm
Nope, in Italy their name was Tartarughe Ninja, so they didn’t change the name of the show
April 19, 2011 at 5:05 pm
so happy to see you did this james. glad that theres 3 parts too, cant wait for this lengthy review into one of the most interesting phenomenons of the 80s
April 19, 2011 at 5:19 pm
I noticed you used one clip from the “April Fool’s” episode. You should have also included the moment when April runs to the two doors, opens one and finds Shredder. “Sorry. You should have tried Door Number 2!”
April 19, 2011 at 5:59 pm
I can’t stop laughing at Krang saying, “It’s a volcaaaaaanooooo”
April 19, 2011 at 6:01 pm
the girlfriend hated turtles because as a child her brother put one in her bed, I actually have a comic book version of that episode with a cassette tape of the dialogue. One thing that always confused me is that she accused him of being a turtle lover when he ordered turtle soup, if he loved turtles why would he EAT them?
I think Bebop and Rocksteady were played for laughs because of the basic nature of Rhinos and Warthogs. Both are very powerful and violent animals to be sure, but they are also slow witted, prone to charging ahead without thinking.
April 19, 2011 at 6:55 pm
Shredder As A FLY?????
X’D
April 19, 2011 at 7:02 pm
Excellent documentary so far James, I really love your documentaries and now it’s about TMNT so it’s awesome with full of nostalgia. Thanks for doing this.
April 19, 2011 at 7:07 pm
This was Really good! I bought my brother a few ninja turtles vhs tapes off ebay a few years back and it was fun going down memory lane. Also in the box of tapes i bought were some episodes of C.O.W. boys of moo-mesa, some biker mice from mars, and the 90s version of land of the lost. What a great time to be a kid!
April 19, 2011 at 7:25 pm
I may have missed it, but I haven’t seen you mention the 2009 cartoon turtles movies called: Tutles Forever. You may be into the original series since that is what you grew up with, and yes this is based on the newer cartoons…however, they did an awesome thing and worked in the turtles from the 1987 cartoon into the new cartoon universe. I highly recommend watching it as they kind of point out some of the things you highlighted in your review of the original cartoon. They also got I think some voices from the 1987 cartoon, and some that are pretty close which makes it fun. You can find it on YouTube as I think a 10 part series.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1543920
April 19, 2011 at 7:38 pm
I like the 2003 tmnt better. the first 5 seasons of the show, after that it turned into poop.
April 19, 2011 at 7:57 pm
does anyone know how to get a profile pic?
April 19, 2011 at 8:10 pm
It’s a matter of fact that Richard Dawkins, the famous evolutionary biologist, hates the ninja turtles. I alwais found it hillarious, that a man who takes himself so seriously would resort to actualy badmouthing the ninja turtles in one of his 80s lectures, he said, quote: “…and then perhaps the teenage mutant ninja turtles will go the way of the dinosaurs”. He wants to see them dead!!! Maybe he’s realy Oroku Saki
April 19, 2011 at 8:19 pm
I really enjoyed this review of the TMNT cartoon. It brought back memories of a great cartoon from the eighties, and I simply love the comment about April “Banana coat wearing bitch”. Awesome! All the facts about each character, especially Crang & Shredder, were just amazing. Crang was always my favourite, with that crazy voice of his. It was the best part of the show. Interesting how he was an exclusive. I honestly could never see a talking brain working as an actualy acceptable character, in a live action movie. I don’t think they could have ever pulled that off. Seriously, imagine the original (and only good) TMNT movie, having a talking brain/octopus thing. It would have never worked. This was before computer graphics were a really big thing like they are today, which means Crang would probably have been clay animated. They tried having something similar to Rocksteady and Bebop in the second film, and the result was horrible! Crang will always belong in a cartoon. I honestly don’t know what cartoons are like today, but back then, TMNT, was classic entertainment. It was just something fun and relaxing to watch, and even today I would not mind seeing a couple of the shows again. Just for nostalgic reasons. Thank you for putting together such a wonderful review of the original TMNT cartoon. I deeply enjoyed seeing all the awesome details, and wait patiently for the next part. Michael.
April 19, 2011 at 9:06 pm
Please tell me you saw the truly AWESOME crossover TMNT movie that came out in the last couple years.
April 19, 2011 at 9:26 pm
@beema
Yeah, sorry, Uncle Phil (Philip Banks). Yes, I knew it was him right away. I was thinking of Carlton Banks I guess.
April 19, 2011 at 9:34 pm
Haven’t gone through all the comments to see if this was posted, but it’s funny that Shredder was voiced by Uncle Phil form the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, James Avery.
April 19, 2011 at 9:35 pm
And of coure it was…
April 19, 2011 at 10:07 pm
PHONY! your a PHONY, James! In the TMNT III review you said you hated it, that leo was only in one fight scene because he was your, “favorite turtle.” and in this review your all over mikeys nuts. ‘Continuity’ mean anything to you sir James! PHONY. LoL love you man, I just like being a douche… PHONY
April 19, 2011 at 10:17 pm
Man james you rule. Your videos make me feel like a kid again.
Thank You.
April 19, 2011 at 10:38 pm
Yep, being an 1982 kid this brought be back – I always rocked it TMNT style- I was a squatter and lived in a couple sewers and we’d always joke that we were like the turtles. Never in NYC tho- the tunnels and sewers are diseased to the max to use TMNT lingo
April 19, 2011 at 11:07 pm
Best series ever!
April 19, 2011 at 11:48 pm
Take a look at 1:06. The title cards for the episodes switched Leo and Mikey around, didn’t they? Looks like either Mike’s holdin’ Leo’s katana or Leo stole Mike’s laundry.
April 19, 2011 at 11:48 pm
Shredder’s original Backstory is one of the primary reasons I really love the Live action Ninja Turtle movies along with the 2003 cartoon. Shredder is the absolute Badass the he was written to be in those incarnations. To be fair though, The 80′s Shredder is Funny as Hell. Especially since it’s Uncle Phil/James Avery being awesomely Evil.
April 20, 2011 at 12:12 am
CinEmAssaCRe’s TMNT cARtOOn sERiEs revIEw wILL reTUrn AftER thESE mESSagEs
April 20, 2011 at 12:25 am
damn that was awesome. only James Rolfe can make reviews like this!
April 20, 2011 at 12:26 am
I’ve said this before, but I like the look of the turtles when they were drawn with the more accentuated beaks. Just thought it looked cooler.
April 20, 2011 at 12:27 am
You guys should check out this TMNT/Quantum Physics rap “Dimension X”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6qLj8X67HA
April 20, 2011 at 12:28 am
By the way, that rap I talked about has a bunch about Uncle Phil/Uncle Shredder…funny as hell.
April 20, 2011 at 12:46 am
James you ding-ding how could you of all people not realize that the voice at the beginning was Krang saying “we’ll be back after these messages” ?
April 20, 2011 at 1:18 am
Yep. Throughout my childhood I always knew it as Teenage Mutant HERO Turtles. I remember seeing some action figures with the original title, and thought it might have been some sort of spin off series.
Yeah. I can never understand why they changed that title
April 20, 2011 at 1:42 am
yeah, it gets my blood boiling just thinking we never had a live action Krang. I hope they make the new movie adult and have Krang.
April 20, 2011 at 2:21 am
Thanks for the in-depth and first part review of the TMNT, James. This really brings back fond memories, and just makes me want to watch the old show again even more.
I remember my brother and I used to have a Ninja Turtle with a pizza that turned into a throwing star. Heh.
Loving Turtle Tuesdays, and eagerly await part 2.
April 20, 2011 at 2:54 am
Thanks for the great review, I think all the people who of fans of all your material in general and not just AVGN could understand why you said you were taking a break, maybe now some of the ones who are not can see why. I’m just as happy watching this or a new AVGN, thanks again for the free entertainment.
April 20, 2011 at 7:04 am
I love this show. It is so much fun, even today
April 20, 2011 at 7:26 am
Great review ! There are a lot to tell about this show, for example It’s wired how the drawing quality change sometimes. I think that the episode of Season 03 Episode 29 “The Turtle Terminator” was draw by those who made “scooby doo”, just look how the turtule are draw in the van and how irma eyes glow
April 20, 2011 at 7:36 am
I came along a bit early for the TMNT craze of the late 80s, but I got to see my younger cousins go through it. I even played through the Arcade/NES/SNES games with them, but they were always much better.
Donatello was my favorite, being the nerd of the group.
April 20, 2011 at 8:22 am
Actually the part about the word Ninja being forbidden in Europe is only partly true. The french version (which includes France, Belgium, Switzerland and Luxembourg, a big part of Europe) was called “Tortues Ninja”, Ninja Turtles in english.
April 20, 2011 at 9:21 am
I am from Norway and there they called it teenage mutant ninja turtles
April 20, 2011 at 11:21 am
I think it was named Hero Turtles in the UK because the BBFC had a real thing against Ninjas and Ninja weapons in general all scenes of films with throwing stars and nunchucks were cut from lots of films even Enter the Dragon had the Nunchuck scene edited out and was only put back in in the late 90′s.
They even badly cut a scene from the first TMNT movie where Michealangelo kisses the TV because his nunchucks are in full view.
Im guessing even the word ninja offended them.
Thes are the same gits that wouldnt give Manhunt 2 a rating and caused rockstar to have to delay it for ages yet they gave Dark Knight a 12 rating.
April 20, 2011 at 1:19 pm
i liked this, it was even more in depth then the Nostalgia Critics review. though 2 b fair he only reviewed the first season. anyways i grew up in between the 2 different Ninja Turtles shows so i never really got into either of them. given that, i liked this review. good job James and keep this up, it was pretty good
April 20, 2011 at 3:41 pm
Awesome condensed retrospective, and only part 1 of 3 :O
April 20, 2011 at 4:20 pm
this was a awesome clip. big nostalgia trip. i remember back in primary school when TMNT was at its peak if you couldnt draw a half descent turtle there was something wrong with you
April 20, 2011 at 5:44 pm
does everyone knows the shredder was voiced by UNCLE PHIL from the fresh prince of bel aire….did you mention that james
April 20, 2011 at 8:34 pm
Oh TMNT Tuesdays, how I could get used to you. Cool video.
April 20, 2011 at 8:49 pm
Forgetting the origin story in the first episode, the first time I saw Shredder take the mouthpiece of his helmet, I thought he was black.; Halle Berry black.
My favorite Ninja Turtles ripoff is Biker Mice from Mars.
April 20, 2011 at 9:24 pm
Only the videogame nerd could pull a preview like this. Bravo!