Does the release mechanism work well with these NTN bindings? Yes/No/Maybe?

In theory, the release is only lateral. But I had an experience a couple of years back when (in very early season skiing), I came rocketing out of some trees, heading back onto the piste, only do hit a patch of rocks buried under a dusting of snow. My skis stopped immediately and I was catapulted straight forward. I ended up face down about 10 ft in front of my skis, which were left perfectly parallel, pointing towards me, still resting on the rocks. So the release mechanism worked perfectly in a forward fall. I'm not quite sure what happened. Most likely, my feet did twist slightly. Either way, I've found the release mechanism to be great. I've been skiing hard on NTN for four seasons now, and I've only had two releases. (One described above.) Both times, I was very happy that the bindings did release. And I've never had an unwanted release. To echo most of the comments here, the NTN system has lots of disadvantages, but the reality is that (when set up right) it skis better than any 75mm duckbill system, with the other great plus of releasability that works well.

Yes it does . but it is only a lateral release ..come out from side to side ..you will not come out falling forward. And from my experience it works when it needs to