Top 10 Best and Worst Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Crossovers
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Best and Worst Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Crossovers. For this list, we’ll be looking at the most rotten and radical times where the heroes in the half shell met up with characters from other franchises or dimensions. What’s your favorite turtle crossover of all time? Let us know in the comments below!
#5 WORST: Fighting Rabbids
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash-Up” (2009)
The TMNT franchise tried to create its own version of the successful Super Smash Bros. series with its own fighting game. While opinions varied on the final results, the aspect of the mash up that was universally despised by everyone were the rabbids. These animal characters are infamous for being ridiculously annoying on their own. That certainly didn’t change when they were placed into this fighting game. Although the three characters had different names and movesets, they all were essentially the same fighter. Fans were upset they took up a trio of spaces that could’ve been saved for beloved TMNT franchise characters. While the presence of the rabbids alone didn’t sink this fighter, they definitely made the overall product look worse.
#5 BEST: Teaming Up Against DC Icons
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“Injustice 2” (2017)
When the sinister Krang sent the ninja turtles into another dimension, they decided to fight to stop the big bad Braniac from capturing Earthlings. Adding the turtles to this acclaimed game turned out to be a fantastic move. Since players could be any member of the quartet, they could try the four different signature weapons. It was also satisfying to see the brothers come together for an epic finishing move. And since “Injustice 2” also crossed over with other franchises, the turtles could punch characters like Subzero in the face! Thanks to great combat and a strong roster of opponents, the turtles were an awesome addition to this epic fighting crossover.
#4 WORST: Beating Up C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (2003-09)
Years after the turtles became household names, a show centered around anthropomorphic cows called “Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa” was greenlit. While it didn’t last nearly as long as its predecessor, the program did have its fans. But loyal viewers of the C.O.W.-Boys were let down by a turtle crossover. After entering a hologram machine, the turtles end up in a simulation of the anthropomorphic cow world. A villain then forces everyone to attack the heroes in a half shell. None of the C.O.W.-Boys get a single line in. And due to behind the scenes issues, no distinction was made between the bovine show’s heroes or villains. Bringing C.O.W.-Boys in just to get beat up by more successful heroes felt like the writers were literally punching down.
#4 BEST: Standing Behind a Rabbit Rōnin
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“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (2012-17)
During the very same year audiences met the heroes in a half shell, a samurai rabbit named Usagi rose to fame. While the two franchises have met numerous times, their best collaboration arguably came in the 2012 series. A three part crossover kicks off when the turtles are brainwashed into fighting Usagi in a wonderfully animated battle. Once they shake off their mental domination, the heroes jump fully into the samurai's exciting and danger filled world. The crossover features horseback fights, excellent fight choreography and fantastic antagonists. Setting it entirely in Usagi’s world also gave the hero more time to shine in his element. By the end of this crossover, every fan wanted to see the rabbit team up with the turtles again.
#3 WORST: The Turtles Land in Riverdale
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Meet Archie #1” (1991)
A transdimensional cow named Cudely once decided to spit heroes who had mastered fighting into the relatively mundane town of Riversdale. And that’s not the most bizarre part of the story. Since the comic version of the teens in Riverdale didn’t often fight ninjas and anthropomorphic animals, the writers forced a kidnapping plot into the story to give the turtles something to do. After dozens of pages of buildup, the heroes in a half shell take on two villains…and defeat them almost instantly. But even a great fight wouldn't have justified this crossover. The turtles don’t really have great chemistry with any of the Archie characters. And while they hang out with humans often, they just felt out of place in this relatively grounded world.
#3 BEST: A Morphinominal Mashup With the Power Rangers
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“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (2019)
Upon finding out that his friend has joined the foot clan, Green Ranger Tommy Oliver goes undercover with the evil group to save his buddy. The hero’s quest gets complicated when his team and the ninja turtles get involved. During this crossover, both teenage teams get a great chance to showcase what makes them valuable. Since the rangers and turtles gel so well together, they keep us entertained whether they’re chatting or fighting. And their first crossover leads to the moment where the turtles and rangers share a giant robot to fight off the strong Dragonzord. Their adventures made for a nostalgic story that definitely satisfied casual readers. It also went above and beyond to thrill the 90s kids who grew up with both franchises.
#2 WORST: Dragging Michelangelo Into a PSA
“Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue” (1990)
We get why adults used popular animated characters to warn young people about the dangers of illegal substances. Unfortunately, the good intentions of the filmmakers were lost in a confusing mess of a special. Throughout the short film, a series of animated characters are paraded out to try to convince a kid named Michael to stay above the influence. The boy eventually ends up face to face with a very judgmental Michelangelo. Seeing the typically lax and easygoing turtle turn into a preachy caricature felt awkward. On top of that, the film is filled with so much terrifying imagery that we’re not sure kids even made it to this cameo. We’re sure Michelangelo himself would prefer fans forget he ever starred in this bogus crossover.
#2: BEST: Soaring Beside the Dark Knight
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“Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (2019)
Shortly after Shredder makes an unholy alliance with DC villain Ra’s al Ghul, the turtles team up with the Bat Family to stop the antagonists. Seeing the heroes in a half shell in the bat cave would be worth the price of admission alone. The novelty of this teamup is supported by sharp writing and self aware humor. Additionally, every fight scene is crafted with care and lots of attention to detail. But the most impressive part of the story is the fact that multiple characters across the franchises get deep and emotional character development. What could’ve been just a silly mashup became a terrific trip to Gotham that showcased the best sides of heroic icons.
#1: WORST: Shell Shocked Rangers
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“Power Rangers in Space” (1998)
How do you upset the fans of two different franchises? First, take the live-action ninja turtles from the critically reviled “Next Mutation” show. Next, throw them into a collaboration where they’re brainwashed into being villains for the power rangers for 75 percent of the runtime. Add cheap effects and truly cringeworthy dialogue and you’ve got the recipe for a reviled crossover. The infamous “Shell Shocked” episode wrote the characters so poorly that they all came off as cheap caricatures of the heroes they were supposed to be. Instead of coming off as cool, everyone involved felt grossly incompetent. If you’re looking for a great collaboration between the turtles and Power Rangers, go to the comics before watching a second of this disaster.
#1: BEST: “Trans-Dimensional Turtles”
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“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (2012-17)
There’s been several times where the heroes in a half shell have teamed up with alternate versions of themselves. “Turtles Forever” made for a solid multiverse adventure. However, an episode from the 2012 series stood out by stuffing the story to the brim with homages. The narrative follows a 21st century version of the quartet and 80s turtles working to stop Krang. During the special, the classic team was voiced by their original actors. Both sets of turtles often leaned on the fourth wall to reward longtime fans. And the constantly shifting art styles made the story into a visual feast for the eyes. A combination of solid storytelling, nostalgic touches and tremendous effort made this turtle crossover into a must-see for any fan.
