As part of a year-long “Shell-ebration” of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ illustrious 25th anniversary, Ubisoft has announced that a new title is in development starring the heroes in a half shell. Details are scarce right now though, but here’s what we know at this very moment: the new TMNT game is a four-player “action fighting” game developed by Game Arts, the studio behind Super Smash Bros. Brawl on the Wii; it’s an all-new, original game that is the first in the franchise’s long history to have no direct ties to a movie, TV show or comic; and it’s due out this fall. What we don’t know, however, is what platforms it’s coming out for or what the game’s full title even is.
According to the provided screenshots, the game is definitely coming out on the Wii (as that’s what platform the screens were taken from) and it may be called Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash Up, but that’s just my deduction from the file names of the screens (TMNT_SMASH_UP_wii_screenshot_02.jpg and TMNT_SMASH_UP_wii_screenshot_05.jpg). No official confirmation has come from Ubisoft on any of this. However, apparently the January ’09 Nintendo Power has a cover story on the new TMNT, so if you’re dying to know more go pick up a copy from your nearest newsstand. If you get the January issue feel free to share the info in the comments or send us a tip.
“We’re really excited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the first TMNT® comic and we have a number of radical ‘Shell-ebration’ events planned for 2009,” said Gary Richardson, CEO of Mirage Studios. “The awesome new video game that Ubisoft will release in 2009 is an important part of celebrating this Turtles milestone with fans around the world.”
“There is no better tribute to the Turtles than the creation of a brand-new game that will help to launch the next 25 years of success,” said Tony Key, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Ubisoft. “It’s our pleasure to partner again with Mirage as part of the worldwide birthday celebration for the Turtles.”