Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a regular beat 'em up platform game. After the player chooses one of the Ninja Turtles, each of whom has a special ability, the character enters a set of four acts, one of which is a vehicle-riding mini-game. Leonardo can crawl through small spaces and rides the hovercraft Sewer Slider for a rail shooter mini-game. Michelangelo can wall jump, and rides a skateboard through the sewers. Donatello climbs pipes and has a shoot 'em up level using a hang glider. Raphael uses his sai to climb walls and has a motorcycle racing mini-game riding the Shell Cycle against Casey Jones.