I never really thought about it until I saw all these side by side. Modern graphics engines really do a lot to portray characters, look at the personality and edge each present-day counterpart has. It's easy to see how this could enhance storytelling.

Well... all accept Donatello. He looks equally expressionless to his 8-bit self.

Look at Kid Icarus up there in the upcomming 3DS game. Notice his square hands? I will NOT buy a game that has characters with square hands. I won't do it. This is 2011, not 1994. In the PS1/N64 days, square hands were expected. This is not the PS1 days, we are far beyond that. I don't care how many polygons you have to work with, if you can not take the time to render individual fingers, I will not take the time to buy your game. Simple as that.

It is distracting and cheap. It smells of a rushed experience that cut corners.