So I did a bit of research on this game, because I was in the mood to play a good game based on TMNT and the old PS2/Xbox games were pretty damn crappy. The console Movie games were nothing special, so I found this little gem (for the GBA, not DS). It was pretty hard to find, but Wal Mart had it for 20 bucks. Anyone who remembers the old River City Randsom game on the NES and then the GBA will know that this game is like. The animation is really nice and you get quite a few moves to play with, not to mention, you can guy more in town (ala RCR). Your Turtles level, and you can replay levels to get more experience and money to buy more moves and such. The meat of the game is still basic fighting (Streets of Rage, TMNT Arcade, etc etc), but the added elements, as well as the smooth play mechanics really make this one stand out. Unfortunately, like Gunstar Heroes on GBA, this game doesn't support multiplayer, but as a single player game, this one is probably the best of the bunch. So if anyone is looking for a decent little old-school fighter which rewards you a bit more for you ass-kicking, this one is definitely worth it.
If you want some good old school fun, I would actually try to track down some of the original Gameboy TMNT games (the black and white GB). For the time, those were pretty damn good for GB side-scrollers.
Good, because I have a question. When does this game save? If I go out into town and buy a move, then go back into the sewers, does it save what I have bought? Or do I have to go through a level for it to Autosave? Definitely played those. The cover art on those were awesome. Even the old NES sequel to the arcade was very entertaining. Still waiting to do an Xbox Live playthrough the first arcade with you guys.
Bought the original on the NES and man it sucks waste of 6 bucks I am going to try and make it through it and beat it. I remembered it differently back in '89.
Here's a tip. Hitting both the A and B button makes them do an arial slash.... Repeat that process and you will beat the game. In other words, don't use the regular melees, they work for poop. Oh, the jump kick works really well too.