What is it about the odd concept of 4 tadpoles mutating into gigantic human-like turtles on steroids that has won the hearts of so many kids and teens of the last 30 years? Perhaps it's the lovable, distinct personalities of Raph, Mike, Leo, and Don, along with an awesome array of villains like Shredder and Krang. Maybe it's the imaginative premise, or the themes chock-full of action, adventure, fantasy, and comedy? Or perhaps it's the marketability of these lovable turtles, causing kids to beg their parents to rush out and pick up the new Turtles action figures. Whatever the reason, this franchise has reached iconic status. It's become like James Bond or Star Wars; a corporate brand cranking out toys, games, and new, reimagined versions for each generation.

This series was birthed from a simple black and white comic book back in 1984. In the beginning, the series took on tones that were a degree darker and more violent than some of the variations that followed. There was greater emphasis placed on the weapons, since that was your only means of distinguishing the turtles, being in black and white. A more comedic, approachable cartoon adaptation was created a few years later. This sparked the eventual explosion of popularity that spread like a toxic mutagen.

Fast forward to the present, and TMNT has manifested into countless varieties of TV shows, films, and video games. To the younger crowd growing up in the present, and even to grown-ups, it can be tough to keep track of every version out there, much less distinguish the hits from the duds. But this article will attempt to clear this up, as we examine the most notable – and the biggest blunders – in the TMNT franchise. Such a unique, weird premise can make for some entertaining works, but it can also be easy to mess up.

25 Worst: Coming Out Of Their Shells Musical

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were surfing a wave of popularity in the early '90s which permeated our very culture. The fad was so massive during this time, directors Thomas White and Lorenzo Jordan apparently thought it was a great idea to create a musical featuring them.

This musical was the epitome of cheesiness and not the kind on pizza.

It featured grown men in shoddy Ninja Turtles costumes poorly miming playing guitar and singing cringe-worthy songs that sounded like rejected glam rock anthems of the late '80s. The "narrative," if you can call it that, was that Shredder wanted to rid the world of music – which he ironically explained during a rap song.

24 Worst: The Manhattan Missions

While the Turtles franchise had become a massive hit in the late '80s and early '90s, there were various iterations which were quickly relegated to obscurity, known only by the biggest of diehard fans. This PC DOS game certainly falls into this category.

It didn't help that this game paled in comparison to the hit TV show, and even the NES iterations in terms of quality. Being on PC also meant you had to deal with some annoyingly awkward controls with the keyboard and mouse setup. Between the comic book style cutscenes cluttered with endless text, the stiff, clunky melee mechanics, and the overall slow pace of the combat, this was a tough one to get into.

23 Best: The Original 1987 Cartoon Show

When it comes to the Turtles franchise, this is the coup de gras; the show fans immediately reminisce on with fond memories and typically cite as their favorite version. Despite containing a truly weird premise, it's easy to understand just why this show was so appealing to so many kids of the '80s and '90s.

Even though it came after the original comic books, this show is largely the source for Turtle-mania and has stood the test of time.

It featured a cast of likable characters with distinct personalities, some fun premises, charming humor, and neat action sequences. While there would be various attempts to recapture the magic after this show's cancellation in 1996, few managed to reach the level of quality of this "totally radical" cartoon.

22 Worst: Turtles In Time: Re-shelled

It's tough to drop the ball this hard on a remake based off such a solid game, especially one that's over two-decades-old, but that's what Ubisoft managed to do with Turtles In Time: Re-shelled.

Maybe it's because Konami had nothing to do with the development, or perhaps it's that the action-oriented sidescrolling gameplay just doesn't lend itself to 3D as well. But for whatever reason, this game just doesn't feel nearly as fun or enduring to play. The weak character designs and bland backgrounds don't do it any favors. Nor does it help that the controls and overall pacing of the game just feel sluggish and imprecise.

21 Worst: Michael Bay Films

Sure, there are a couple of positives with the Michael Bay Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles films - but they essentially boil down to the special effects, and well, Megan Fox. Most other aspects of these bombastic adaptations either fall flat, miss the mark, or are full of outright cringe.

Props where props are due though, they at least nailed Krang, along with Bebop and Rocksteady in the sequel.

I know that it's a bit ridiculous to criticize the turtles - who were morphed into mutants from toxic ooze - as ugly, but that doesn't stop it from being true. The gags throughout are similarly cringe-worthy and lame, the premise is silly, and most of the adaptations like Shredder and Splinter are disappointingly basic caricatures.

20 Best: Turtles In Time

In much the same way the '87 show is largely the gold standard for TMNT film and TV iterations, this SNES classic stands as not only one of the best versions of The Turtles, but is regarded as one of the best Super Nintendo games.

While the experience is rather short, the game can be enjoyed over and over again, thanks to its stellar mechanics, addictive arcade-style gameplay, and enjoyable couch co-op. The time travel premise also opens the door for some truly imaginative and diverse environments. At the same time, the game still feels authentically "Turtles," with some superb character designs featuring many of our favorite heroes and villains from the show, and a captivating soundtrack.

19 Worst: We Wish You A Turtle Christmas

Similar to the musical, this falls under the category of "why on earth was this even attempted?" But at least the musical, for as bad as it was, featured a few catchy tunes. Despite only being 25 minutes, this felt like 10 times that length.

This might actually make the Star Wars Holiday Special look competent...

So many questions to be asked here - why do the turtles emerge on the surface, absent disguises, when they're supposed to stay hidden? Why do they look so creepy? And why on earth is there a reggae-sounding rendition of Deck The Halls in which the turtles sing about pizza?

18 Worst: Turtles Training Lair

Although the Kinect has quickly fallen off the gaming radar, there was a time where this motion-sensing camera from Microsoft provided a level of intrigue among more casual gamers and techies. At the time, Microsoft was scrambling to build up the brand by turning popular franchises into Kinect games, including Star Wars, Angry Birds, and of course, TMNT.

This game doesn't even really feature our favorite green heroes so much as it features, well, you; flailing your limbs awkwardly with nunchakus as you hack away at various items flung at you. It's easy to see why this doesn't quite hold up in the archives of Turtles history.

17 Best: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003)

This show had some big shoes to fill after the memorable series from 1987. Did it deliver? Well, yeah, somewhat. One only need look at its 7-year run for proof that it at least managed to recapture some of the magic.

This cartoon was eventually absorbed by Nickelodeon, the third version owned by the network.

The show debuted in 2003 on 4Kids TV to mixed reviews. Yet, many commended the show for its emphasis on action, character, and its more detailed style of animation with a tinge of grittier, darker themes. The show takes on an almost anime-vibe; not just with its style of animation, but also its more fantasy-based undertones.

16 Worst: Hyperstone Heist

Genesis fans might cry foul with this entry, but context and comparison are the key factors to consider here. While this Genesis semi-port of Turtles In Time, Hyperstone Heist, is actually a decent brawler in its own right, the game felt like a cheapened version.

The entire time traveling premise is wiped away here, making way for more of your typical, less-inspired environments. This includes a sort of hodgepodge of various levels from Turtles IV in the form of a Ghost Ship, and a bland underground cave stage. The game is also even shorter than its SNES counterpart, and being on the Genesis means that both its aesthetics and music is lacking in comparison.

15 Worst: The Next Mutation

I'm not sure what's more strange - the putrid designs of these neon-green, googly-eyed Ninja Turtles, or the fact that Netflix actually thought it was worth putting this on their streaming service.

This show is truly bizarre - not only for how cheaply-made everything comes across as but instead of the iconic April O'Neil, we're introduced to a female turtle named Venus De Milo. This could have been a neat idea, except for the fact that she's given this overly-serious, unlikable personality, ends up being a stereotypical love interest, and she doesn't even have her own weapon!

14 Best: The Manhattan Project

Let's get one thing clear - this is no Turtles In Time, yet that doesn't mean it's a bad game. It's actually not a bad substitute if you only happen to own an NES rather than a Super Nintendo. It plays quite similarly; action-based button-mashing brawling with some fun bosses and heart-pounding tough gameplay.

It also holds the prestigious distinction of being an exclusive NES game.

Sure, the graphics are a degree cruder, and the array of moves are even more simplistic than in Turtles IV, but with some cool environments and fun boss showdowns, it manages to make the cut for "good enough."

13 Worst: Operation Blue Line

Forget the funky look of the Michael Bay Turtles, the cheap, googly-eyed versions the Next Mutation and even the Christmas Special. This is the cream of the unholy crop; the absolute worst designs/costumes of the turtles. They look so bad, that you could likely find a Halloween costume with a more intricate and appealing design.

I'm not sure what's stranger, the fact that this attempts to have a plot, or that it actually contains the real voice actors from the '87 show.

In all fairness, this wasn't meant to be some sort of mass-market TV show or movie. Rather, it's merely a promo video teaching children about travel methods such as trains and buses. Specifically, it promoted a transit between LA and Long Beach. But that doesn't stop it from being laughably bad.

12 Worst: 1990s Movies

This might be a bit unfair to the 1990 film, as it actually wasn't bad, even without viewing it with a nostalgic lens. Yet, since we're bunching adaptations into single entries, and the sequels were so cringeworthy, (specifically Turtles III), these early '90s films will have to be collectively dragged to the "bad" category.

The second film, Secret of the Ooze, had some ridiculous moments, between the fighting with toys rather than weapons, and that awful "Ninja Rap" featuring the outdated Vanilla Ice. And Turtles III? Let's not even go there... If you're looking for a time travel premise, stick with Turtles In Time.

11 Best: Original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Comics

If you're looking to trace back to the roots of the Turtles series, then this would be the source; the tadpoles, and the mutagen that morphed into a mutant phenomenon. As mentioned, this took on a darker vibe, not just in terms of its black-and-white visuals, but its overall tone and themes as well.

This series began in black and white but was printed in color years later, and older issues are now being reprinted in color, courtesy of IDW Publishing.

Inspired by Frank Miller and Daredevil comics, artists Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird sought to craft a unique take on an action-comic, starring cold-blooded reptiles which would contrast with swift and speedy ninjas. What began as a single comic book concept blossomed into a series and grew into a life of its own.

10 Worst: 2007 Nickelodeon Movie

Marking the first time seeing our favorite turtles on the big screen in CG-rendered 3D graphics, this 2007 movie iteration holds mixed reception. While it's certainly an admirable movie effort compared to some other attempts, it ultimately falls flat with its boring and convoluted story, and some weak characterizations of the turtles. While the animation looks cool at times, some of the scenes come across as over-the-top and more like a sci-fi or fantasy video game rather than a TMNT film. The movie just takes itself too seriously for such an off-the-wall premise.

9 Best: Original TMNT Arcade Game

Sure, the gameplay was about as stripped-down as it gets, consisting of scrolling to the right and mashing just a couple of buttons. It was also ridiculously difficult, as its in-your-face gameplay was clearly meant to drain quarters at the arcade. But at the end of the day, it's still a blast to kick back and play with some friends.

The game adheres to the lore with both its aesthetics and its music, making you feel like you were playing the cartoon show, and contains a slew of memorable bosses straight from the show. And let's not forget the key element that makes this game so enduring - local multiplayer. Ahem, I'm looking at you, Mutants In Manhattan.

8 Worst: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash-Up

Yeah... It's Super Smash Bros. with a Turtles overlay. There's really not much more that can be said about this one. And the disappointing thing is that it doesn't even do a great job of mimicking that stellar franchise.

There was actually a decent online mode at least, which some claim was even better than that of Smash Bros. Brawl, though it was still pretty basic.

It's not just the archaic graphics that bring it down - as this is basically expected for the Wii - but the gameplay is also pretty bland, and the controls feel cheap. The character selection is rather weak, and the designs are unremarkable. Unless you're a dedicated Turtles fan, you're really better off sticking to Smash Bros.

7 Best: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (NES)

This is perhaps a controversial pick - after all it contains some grueling, maddeningly unfair gameplay throughout the bulk of the experience. It also doesn't do much to serve Turtles lore with its strange, random array of baddies. Yet, nostalgia aside, this really is a charming, well-crafted NES game when it's all said and done.

The gameplay contains some fast-paced action and satisfying hack n' slash mechanics. It also contains arguably some of the most stellar music in the NES library. Its graphics are relatively detailed considering the 8-bit limitations of the NES.

6 Worst: Tournament Fighter

Don't get me wrong, this is actually a decent fighting game on its own merit. But that's just the problem - it's a fighting game. In the early '90s, when we were waiting for a real successor to the sidescrolling action game, Turtles IV, a Street Fighter ripoff wasn't exactly what we were looking for. This is especially true considering this was a time when these brawlers were a dime a dozen.

It also doesn't help that it's pretty formulaic. There isn't really much to make it stand out, other than the fact that "it's the Ninja Turtles!" To its credit, some of the character designs are pretty neat, at least.