Not many turtles are fortunate enough to have Vanilla Ice record a song for them. But not many turtles know how to wield katanas, either. The turtles in question, of course, are the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and you're reading this guide because you've dug on their pizza-downing, smart-talking, backspinning vibe... and now you're playing the Turtles' first game since 1994's Tournament Fighters outing. Konami's TMNT game is a stylish beat-em-up with plenty of challenge.

If you're getting your shell kicked in, we've got the guide for you. Stuffed with tips, secrets, a detailed walkthrough and info about each of the four turtle brothers, we won't stop until you're the leanest, meanest aquatic reptile this side of the sewer. Read on to pump up the T-U-R-T-L-E Power.

Get the guide here.

Put in these passwords on the options menu:

• Better attack for Leo - L M L S D
• Better attack for Raphael - R D S R L
• Better attack for Mikey - M S R M M

Put in this password on the options menu: R R L M D. (To use this costume, hold L1 or R1 when selecting Michaelangelo.)

Enter these codes at the Password screen of the options menu.

• Alternate Costume (Raphael): DMDML
• Alternate Costume (Leonardo): LDMSR
• Alternate Costume (Michaelangelo): RRLMD
• Alternate Costume (Donatello): DDSMS
• Attack Power Up (Raphael): RDSRL
• Attack Power Up (Leonardo): LMLSD
• Attack Power Up (Donatello): DRLDS
• Defense Doubles (Leonardo): MRLLM
• Defense Doubles (Donatello): SSSMR
• Defense Doubles (Michaelangelo): MRRML
• Defense Doubles (Raphael): LRMDS   
• Defense Power Up (Michaelangelo): MSRMM   
• Change Sound Effects: SMMRS
• Power Up Effects Double (Raphael): SLDSM/MSLLR
• Power Up Effects Double (Donatello): DMDRS 
• Power Up Effects Double (Michaelangelo): MMSLR 
• Power Up Effects Double (Leonardo): LSLSR 
• Unlimited Fire Shurikens/All Food is Pizza (Michaelangelo): DRDSS
• Unlimited Shurikens (Leonardo): SMRDM
• Unlock Playmates Toy Data Base: LSDRM
• Unlock Splinter for Story Mode: MSRLS

Complete a level to unlock it in Stage Select.

Change your system's date to either December 24th or 25th to see the turtles in Santa garb. Change it to October 31st to wear a pumpkin on your head.

To unlock Challenge Mode, defeat Story Mode with all four turtles.

Fulfill the following criteria to unlock the corresponding characters for Vs. Mode:

• Casey Jones: Beat Stage 1 with Raphael
• Evil Turtlebot: Beat Stage 3 with any turtle
• Hun: Beat Stage 6 with Michaelangelo
• Splinter: Beat Dojo Stage 3 with Leonardo
• Shredder: Beat Shredder with any turtle
• Oroku Saki: Beat Saki with any turtle
• Yoshi Hamato: Beat Challenge Mode with any turtle

In 2-player mode, press X and SQUARE at the same time to get into a stance. Then have your teammate come next to you, face you, and then press X and SQUARE at the same time. You will perform a special team attack where you are thrown into enemies, hurting them.

In the Subway Train on Level 2-Nano, you can use this technique to get huge combos. Simply push an enemy into one of the corners between the seats of the train and the wall, and then uppercut him (with R2). Now use regular attacks (with X) to keep him in the air. Time your attacks, and you can keep him in the air for as big of a combo as you want.

Beat the third Dojo Stage with all four turtles to learn the Secret of Gembu maneuever. Use the move to damage everyone on the screen. You'll have three opportunities per level to use it.