Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shadows of the Past
- Players
- 2-5
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 5 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 90 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 14+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.7 / 5
- Year
- 2016
About the game
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shadows of the Past is a scenario-driven campaign game based on story content from the IDW TMNT comic series. One player controls the villainous Shredder while the others take on the roles of Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello. Across a series of 60-90 minute missions, the Turtles develop their fighting styles, equipment, and character strengths, building a continuing story arc as they go. Fan-favorite allies like Casey Jones and Alopex appear to lend a hand against the Turtles' deadliest foes. It's a tactical, miniatures-driven brawler built for fans of the franchise.
Hobbli's Notes
This is a well-produced licensed miniatures game that captures the TMNT tone with genuine campaign progression rather than just a reskinned dungeon crawl. Hobbli's team likes that character development carries across missions, giving the Turtles a real sense of growth as the story unfolds. It's a strong pick for TMNT fans and tactical miniatures combat enthusiasts, though its appeal leans heavily on love for the source material.
What we like
- Authentic TMNT theme drawn directly from the IDW comic storylines.
- Campaign structure gives Turtles real character progression across missions.
- Asymmetric Shredder-versus-Turtles setup creates dynamic tactical battles.
- Fan-favorite allies and villains add depth for franchise fans.
Keep in mind
- High downtime score suggests waiting between turns, especially at full player count.
- Licensed theme appeal depends heavily on being a TMNT fan.
- Miniatures and modular board setup add time and table space demands.
Who it's for
Best for TMNT fans ages 14+ in groups of 2-5 who enjoy tactical miniatures combat with a campaign-driven story.
