The player starts the game as Leonardo but can switch to any other turtle at any time by pressing the launch button to gain access to the information screen. 

The information screen shows the health of each turtle, no matter what special weapon it acquires, a grid map of the current area, and messages from Splinter or April. 

The main weapon, unique to each turtle, has a different speed, strength, and range. 

When the current character runs out of health, he falls into a death trap or collides with a trolley on rollers, he is captured by the enemy, forcing the player to turn into one of the remaining turtles. 

The player loses when four turtles are captured. 

There is a chance to save the caught turtle once at each stage, starting with stage 3. 

There are six stages in the game. 

The player navigates the mission map as it enters the doors, hatches, or other inputs to the internal levels for lateral scrolling, which are the main gameplay. 

In the top image, the player can move in four main directions and use his main weapon in one type of attack. As the game progresses on the top cards there are more and more obstacles and enemies. 

At levels with lateral scrolling, turtles can jump or squat and attack either with their main weapon (when jumping, walking, or squatting), or using one of the alternative weapons they have picked up along the way. 

This particular weapon includes single shurikens (throwing stars), triple shurikens (shooting three stars simultaneously in diffuse mode), boomerangs, and "Kiai", scrolling, which expands to a crescent-shaped beam and causes devastating damage to even the boss characters. 

These items occasionally fall out of enemies. 

Special weapons are mined in limited quantities, although arrows can be reused if the player catches them on his return. 

The main weapon can be directed up or down. 

On some levels, there is a specific goal (getting an item, defeating the boss, etc.). 

However, at most levels, the goal is to get to the exit and return to the top card in a place that was previously unavailable. 

The player encounters enemy characters, receives weapons and special items, and collects pizza to restore health.

In the second half of Phase 2, the two turtles dive into the Hudson River (using an underwater version of the game with a side scroll). 

At this level, turtles must navigate several traps with a time limit of two minutes and twenty seconds to find and defuse eight-time bombs.