Cowabunga. Honestly, that's the only way to start this. When NetherRealm Studios first dropped the trailer for Fighter Pack 3, the collective internet lost its mind. Seeing a green hand reach out and grab a slice of pizza while Batman looked on in confusion was a peak 2018 moment. But here we are, years later, and TMNT on Injustice 2 is still one of the most mechanically misunderstood additions to any modern fighting game.
People often assume it's just one character with four skins. It isn't. Not even close.
How the Turtles Actually Work (It's Kinda Complicated)
If you’ve just picked up the Legendary Edition or finally decided to shell out (sorry, had to) for the DLC, you might be confused. You look at the character select screen and see one icon. You click it. You get Leonardo.
Wait, where are the others?
Basically, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are tied to the Injustice 2 gear system. To switch between Leo, Mikey, Donnie, and Raph, you have to change their "accessory" slot in the loadout menu.
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- Swords: You're playing Leonardo.
- Staff: You've got Donatello.
- Nunchucks: It's Michelangelo time.
- Sais: Enter Raphael.
This isn't just a visual swap. Each turtle has a completely different character power (that's the "4" button or Circle/B), unique special moves, and different frame data on their normals. It’s essentially four characters taking up one slot.
The Tournament Mode Exception
Now, if you’re playing in a local tournament or a "competitive" mode where gear stats are turned off, NetherRealm knew that menu-diving for loadouts would be a nightmare. In those specific modes, the game gives you a sub-menu right at the character select screen. You pick the TMNT icon, and then you just click the brother you want. Simple.
Breaking Down the Playstyles: Which Brother Should You Main?
Choosing a main in TMNT on Injustice 2 depends entirely on how you like to ruin your opponent's day. They aren't balanced equally—some are definitely "easier" than others, but "better" is a matter of heated debate in the FGC (Fighting Game Community).
Leonardo is the most honest of the bunch. He’s your "all-rounder." His character power allows him to call in his brothers for assists. It’s great for extending combos or covering your tracks if you do something unsafe. If you like playing a neutral game and poking from mid-range, Leo is your guy.
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Donatello is the nerd with the reach. His bo staff gives him insane range on his normals. He’s a set-up character. He can throw out gadgets that suck opponents in or create gravity wells. Honestly, playing a good Donnie is frustrating because you feel like you can't even get close to him without getting bonked on the head from half-screen.
Michelangelo is pure chaos. He’s the mix-up king. Mikey has a unique "skateboard" trait that lets him transition into different overhead or low attacks. If you like pressing buttons and making your opponent guess "high or low" until they tilt, Mikey is the choice. He’s high risk, high reward.
Raphael is a brawler. He has a parry. Let that sink in. In a game dominated by projectiles and zoning (looking at you, Deadshot), Raph can parry physical hits and get a massive damage boost through his "Hype" trait. He struggles to get in, but once he’s in your face, the round is basically over.
Why TMNT in a DC Game?
It feels weird, right? But there’s a real history here.
The Turtles have crossed over with Batman in the comics multiple times—IDW and DC have a very cozy relationship when it comes to the "Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" runs. Seeing them face off against Sub-Zero (another guest) or Brainiac actually makes a weird kind of sense if you’ve read the books.
The Legendary Gear Grind
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the Legendary Multiverse. If you want the absolute best version of the Turtles, you have to grind. Hard.
The "Cowabunga Set" (or the individual Legendary items) requires thousands of minutes played, millions of credits, and specific requirements like finishing opponents with certain moves hundreds of times. Is it worth it? For most casual players, probably not. But for completionists, the stat boosts and the "Turtle Power" augments make them feel like bosses.
Practical Steps for New Players
If you’re just starting out with TMNT on Injustice 2, don’t jump straight into Online Ranked. You’ll get smoked.
- Run the Character Tutorials: Go to the Tutorial menu. There is a specific one for the Turtles. It explains the assist mechanics and the skateboard cancels.
- Set Up Four Loadouts: Go to the "Customize Characters" screen immediately. Create four separate loadouts, one for each weapon. Name them "LEO," "DONNIE," etc. This saves you so much time later.
- Learn the Super Move: It’s one of the best in the game. All four turtles jump in for a "Shell Shock" cinematic. It deals the same damage regardless of which turtle you start it with, so don't worry about "saving" it for a specific brother.
The Turtles aren't just a gimmick. They're a masterclass in how to implement guest characters without making them feel like lazy clones. Whether you're a Donnie main who likes the technical setup or a Raph player who just wants to smash faces, there's a lot of depth here.
Next Steps: Go into the Practice Mode and try "Turtle Recall" cancels with Leo. It’s the gateway to his most damaging combos and will give you a feel for how the assist timing works before you take the fight to the Multiverse.