Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1
Player's Guide
Frequently Asked Questions



1. What programs do I need to play TMNT1?
2. How do I install the game?
3. Can I use my own characters?
4. You dummy! The turtles don't all wear red!
5. I can't find the turtles' lair!
6. Where did you get all these cool pictures?
7. What about the awesome icons?
8. The battles are way too easy/hard!
9. This is the coolest ever! Will there be a sequel?
10. My question is not listed above!

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Necessary Programs

     Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1 is designed for use with SSI's Unlimited Adventures, and cannot be played without this program. To find out more about Unlimited Adventures, you need to view the Helpme!.txt file included in the zip file.

    The numerous hacks included with this module require UAShell to function properly. The game will be unplayable without this program. UAShell is a freeware program and can be downloaded from David Knott's website. If you already have UAShell, I recommend updating to the current version, or at least version 9.00, as TMNT1 makes use of extended music hacks and drop-in walls and backdrops implemented fairly recently.


Installing the Game

    Well, you've downloaded the file, and probably already unzipped it. If not, and you need some help, just follow the directions below.

1. Within your main FRUA directory, create a new directory and title it TMNT1.DSN.

2. Extract the zip file to this directory, using the instructions below:

Using Winzip: Simply click on the file TMNT1.ZIP to open it, then extract it to your TMNT1.DSN directory. Make sure that the option to "Use folder names" is checked in the Extract window. Then Winzip should automatically create the necessary directories and set everything up for you.

Using Pkunzip: Move the TMNT1.ZIP file to the TMNT1.DSN directory you just created.  Open a DOS window and go to this directory where TMNT1.ZIP is now located. Then type "pkunzip -d" to extract the files into the proper directories.

3. Once these steps are completed, start up UAShell and select Designs, then Apply, then TMNT1.DSN. This will install all of the hacks needed to play the adventure. Then just select Designs, then Run to begin the game!


Character Information

    Since this adventure is about the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, you must use the pre-generated party included in the game.  There will be major bugs if you attempt to use your own characters, plus, it wouldn't be the Ninja Turtles!  Just load up saved game slot A and you're ready to go!  If you're not so familiar with the TMNT, you can read about them on the Characters page.


Turtles in Red

    I know, I've seen the cartoon, too.  In the cartoon, only Raphael wears Red.  Leonardo wears Blue, Donatello wears Purple and Michaelangelo wears Orange.  It makes them easier to tell apart.  But this isn't the cartoon!  This is a conversion of the original comic book concept by Eastman and Laird, in which all the turtles wear Red headbands and everything else is brown.  You'll just have to learn to tell them apart by the weapons they favor.  Besides, during combat their names will show up on the right hand side of the view window.

    You also won't find any pizza references or any occurence of the word, "Cowabunga!".  The original story and concept is much darker and moodier.  This was before they hooked into the whole marketing scheme...


The Turtles' Lair

    Yes, the sewers are a bit of a maze, but it shouldn't be too difficult.  Just turn on Area view and head towards the part that looks like it could be the turtles' home.  Since you're playing as Leonardo at this point, using Area view is kind of like using your memory to find your way home.  If you still can't find it, it's right in the center of the map.  You can enter from the north.


The Comic Book Pics

    The pictures were all scanned in directly from the comic book, Eastman and Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Issue 1.  But if you know anything about this series, you know that this is a black and white comic from the eighties and all the pics in the game are in color...

    That's because these pics actually came from a reprint of the original--the first TMNT graphic novel--which contains the original three issues in full color.  So I didn't color everything myself, though I've been known to do that with some of my recent Ravenloft designs.  No, the colorists were Kevin Eastman, Ken Feduniewicz and Janice Cohen.  Nice work, guys!


The Turtle Icons

    Yeah, I'm pretty proud of the icons myself!  It can be challenging to render characters with only a few pixels of color.  So the original turtle icon was made by the great Dan Autery.  Then ][ Confused made them into four turtles with their different weapons and with four different colored headbands.  After that, I went back and touched them up again--I added Leo and Mike's missing weapons, I changed the headbands back to red, and I added their belts and pads.

    The street gang I did myself.  They are all variations on the Thief icon that comes with UA.

    The Foot clan and Shredder are all based on three asian icons done by Hans.  I had to do a bit of recoloring, rearming, repositioning, and slight redrawing.  Especially in Shredder's case--he used to be a woman!.


The Battles

    In general, the battles are very easy.  But that's intentional.  I mean, you're the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!  You're not supposed to get killed, then go to the temple to be resurrected!  Wait, there is no temple!  No, you're supposed to kick some butt.  Your speed and dexterity prevent you from getting hit most of the time, and when you do, your tough turtle shells offer protection.  On offense, your advanced training in the ways of Ninjitsu and your proficiency with your chosen weapons virtually assure you of taking out the bad guys every time.

    But...the final battle can be tough.  Sometimes you have to get lucky, but you should be able to win without any casualties.  Check your inventory, and you'll find that each turtle carries Shurikens in addition to their regular weapon for long-distance attacks.  And a technicality--since the ninja class is based on the thief class, you will have the ability to backstab!


Turtles Take Two?

    Well, there just might be a sequel.  It really depends on the reaction to this game.  If it's wanted, I'll do it.  If a sequel is something you'd really like to see, please let me know about it by e-mailing me at dwhiteheart@hotmail.com.
 


Other Questions

   Can't find your question above?  Ask me directly at dwhiteheart@hotmail.com.  I'll be happy to answer any further questions.


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