Palladium Announces New TMNT Kickstarter

Palladium Books has announced the return of the official Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles roleplaying game. Out of print for decades, the 1985 game is coming back as a pair of full-colour hardcovers featuring new artwork. It will be hitting Kickstarter on October 31st and will also include miniatures, dice, and more. You can sign up to the pre-launch page here.

Westland, MI – October 13, 2023 – Palladium Books and Paramount Consumer Products have joined forces to reissue the ever-popular role-playing game Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness.

The beloved, out-of-print Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles role-playing game and its sourcebooks are sought-after collector items that have enthralled generations since its release in 1985 as one of the first licensed TMNT products. They are returning to print as two deluxe hardcover collections of the RPG and sourcebooks. Each is being completely remastered by industry veteran Sean Owen Roberson and presented in full color, and Kevin Eastman, co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, will also provide a new painted cover.

Bonus material includes an array of new artwork, never before seen behind-the-scenes info and art, plus remembrances and tributes by renowned comic book and RPG creators including Eastman, Peter Laird, Freddie E. Williams II, Steven Cummings, Sophie Campbell, David Petersen and many more.

“This is incredibly exciting! I am 1000% onboard to help bring this historic and original TMNT Role Playing Game series back in a truly deluxe collector’s edition that will thrill original fans and open the door for new ones,” said Eastman. “I've made all my archives available for expanded behind-the-scenes content as well as a few top secret surprises you need to be part of. Stay tuned!”

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness Kickstarter

The Kickstarter campaign, launching October 31, 2023, will offer a host of mind-blowing Kickstarter exclusives: TMNT miniatures based on the role-playing game, dice sets, variant book covers, art prints by legacy TMNT creatives, a card deck, and more, including special stretch goals to entice role-playing fans and TMNT fans alike. All products ship in 2024. To be among the first to hear about the entire exciting slate of releases, creators, exclusives and stretch goals to be unlocked with your support, be sure to go to the Kickstarter page and subscribe for updates.

 

[Julian Kay]

If its NOT then why isn't there a new TMNT RPG? Seems like bank to me.

I've been doing my indie version with updated mechanics, Mutants in the Now, for about two years, and fulfillment on the first expansion, Mutants in the Next, just finished. If you're looking for something more modern that still feels like the old game, I've got you covered.

Obviously the TMNT&OS reprint Kickstarter just launched, but that's a reprint with extras. If you're asking "why?", I know Palladium Books has had the opportunity to re-license it, but wasn't willing due to being pressured to use the 2012 CG continuity at one point. They're only interested in doing the edgier iterations of the Turtles, being convinced that the kid's cartoon is what killed the original TTRPG line. (I'd point out they also never made an effort to pivot to that younger audience, but if they don't feel inspired to work with the more widely-marketed incarnations, that's a legit creative choice.)

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Well, if we can wish things into being like this, "TSR/WotC will never republish Deities & Demigods with the Melnibonéan and Cthulhu Mythos content!"

Goes to feverishly refresh Kickstarter's home page.

 

[Retreater]

I'm excited for the reprint KS.

 

[Retreater]

Cowabunga?

 

[darjr]

I’ll bet it has been tried. I wonder how recently though?

Very

 

[Velderan]

Me: Great, another Kickstarter I’ll want to back. I think I’ve spent too much this month already.
Also me: The Kickstarter launches on October 31st, so you won’t have to pay anything until next month.

Clicks remind me when this project launches button.

 

[giant.robot]

I wonder, if this Kickstarter is very successful, might there be a chance of getting a Savage Worlds version?

From your lips to Splinter's ears.

 

[overgeeked]

From your lips to Splinter's ears.

I’ve played Savage Worlds a few times and have some of the books. Other than the “officialness” of a licensed product, what would you need to play TMNT with Savage Worlds?

 

[overgeeked]

Yeah, I've been doing Mutants in the Now for about two years now as the preeminent homage, and we just put out the first expansion, Mutants in the Next. Given this is a reprint of the 35-year old original with extra art and material, I'm confident MitN is doing something different enough to stand on its own.

As far as I know a Savage Worlds version would be a new agreement, but I can't say for certain.

That’s you? Awesome. Thanks for the cool game.

 

[Julian Kay]

Though come to think of it... IDW is not above making games. They make board games, not RPGs, but it's not a stretch. I wonder if their license would include the ability to make an RPG, should they desire it.

IDW Games was closed down two years ago, and given the financial trouble they've been experiencing, I'd be surprised to see it start back up.