Every family has one - the Black Sheep. It's that one member that doesn't quite fit in. That guy that never gets an invitation to the family reunion. Join me as I explore some of video gaming's most notorious outcasts. This is Black Sheep!


By 1992, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were everywhere. There were Turtle comics, toys, movies and even a musical. Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael were also making the rounds in the arcades and on your favorite game systems. After already conquering the Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy and Super NES, it was time for Konami to unveil the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for the Sega Genesis.

The game was called The Hyperstone Heist, and chances are you haven't heard of it. While everybody remembers Turtles in Time, you would be hard pressed to find a single person that can explain what the Hyperstone is. For the record, the Hyperstone is a treasure from Dimension X that will allow Shredder to take over the world. Now at least one person knows. I'm counting on you to have children and pass this information along. Or just show them this video in a few years, that way I get two hits.

Anyway, The Hyperstone Heist basically recycles stages from the first two arcade games, giving players a truly disjointed experience. See this stage, it looks almost exactly like this one found in the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game. And this one, it's lifted directly out of Turtles in Time. Even the opening cinemas are practically identical.

This Genesis game crosses the line from disappointing to flat out offensive when you play Turtles in Time on the Super NES. Released just a few weeks before The Hyperstone Heist, Turtles in Time boasted twice the levels, more modes, better graphics and brand new worlds to explore.

These days there's nobody around to tell the story of the Hyperstone Heist. History, we're doomed to repeat it. But maybe you can do something about that and check out this forgotten Genesis game. On second thought, don't bother. Just tell everybody you did. Don't worry, your secret is safe with me.

Next Week: In one week, Defunct Games will be digging into one of Nintendo's forgotten racing games. No, it's not Mario Kart. Find out what Nintendo's black sheep racing game is on July 8. And don't forget to subscribe to the official Defunct Games YouTube channel for more great content.