Batman Returns (video game)

Infobox VG| title = Batman Returns


caption = Cover of the SMS version
developer = Dentons ("Amiga")
Spirit of Discovery ("PC")
Aspect Co. Ltd. ("Game Gear/Sega Master System")
Acme Interactive / Malibu Interactive ("Genesis/Sega CD")
Atari ("Lynx")
Konami ("Nintendo versions")
publisher = Sega of America ("Sega versions")
Konami ("Nintendo/PC versions")
Atari ("Lynx")
designer = Various
engine = Various
released = 1992 - 1994
genre = Action, Beat 'em up
modes = Single player
ratings =
platforms = NES, SNES, Sega Mega-CD, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Sega Master System, Game Gear, Lynx, Amiga, PC
media = Diskette, CD-ROM, Cartridge
requirements = Varying
input = Varying

"Batman Returns" is a video game for various platforms based on the movie of the same name. The Sega console versions (i.e. Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Sega Mega-CD, Master System and Game Gear) were published by Sega themselves while the Nintendo, and Super NES versions were published and developed by Konami. The PC version was published by Konami and developed by Spirit of Discovery. The Amiga version, was developed by Denton Designs, but the publisher is the same for the NES, SNES and PC Versions. There is also an Atari Lynx version, published by Atari themselves.

NES version

The SNES version of the game, arguably the most popular, was released in 1993. It is fundamentally a left-to-right scrolling fighter beat-em-up, a genre that featured heavily on the console at the time. The gameplay and graphics are very similar to the "Final Fight" games.

The game takes the player through seven scenes featured in the film. Various members of the Red Triangle Circus Gang attack Batman throughout the game. Batman has a number of weapons and moves at his disposal, including the batarang. Each level ends with a boss character, which requires a little more effort and strategy to defeat. A number of levels are two-dimensional platform levels as opposed to the majority of the pseudo-3D levels where freer movement is permitted. The fifth level consists of driving the Batmobile in a chase scene where Batman must chase bikers and a heavily-armed van from the gang. In order to defeat them, the Batmobile uses a machine gun.

Reviews of the game were fairly positive, although some criticism was made about the lack of originality, despite the game's high quality of gameplay mechanics and balanced difficulty level. It should be noted that this genre was prevalent on the 16-bit consoles of the time, with many similar games on the market, most of which were sub-par. However, mention and praise was made of the quality of the graphics, sound and atmosphere (with music adapted from Danny Elfman's score for the film), all of which pushed the console to its limits.

NES version

The NES version of the game is also a beat 'em up game, but closer in style and gameplay to the "Double Dragon" series. The player only has one life bar (which can be expanded through health packs). It implements a password-save system. Of special note are the two side-scrolling racing levels in which the player controlled the Batmobile and the Batskiboat.

ega 16-bit versions

The Sega CD and Mega Drive/Genesis versions of the game are more or less identical. The CD edition of the game features improved music in the form of CD audio with a number of animations featuring original artwork (not film photos), and a number of 3D racing levels that took advantage of the graphics hardware provided by the Sega CD unit.

The Sega Genesis game was roundly criticized by the gaming press for having substandard-quality graphics and unoriginal and unexciting gameplay, while the Sega-CD one had some success due to the exciting racing levels and the rock music. The Genesis version was recently added to GameTap on March 7, 2008.

While different versions follow the movie's plot from start to finish, the Sega versions start after The Penguin kills the Ice Princess and puts the blame on Batman for killing her, as shown in the game's introductions.

ega Master System and Game Gear versions

As with the 16-bit versions, the 8-bit versions of the game are side-scrolling platform games. However, the titles were created independently of the 16-bit versions.

Atari Lynx version

The Atari Lynx version is a 2D side-scroller that had some of the best graphics of Atari's portable.

PC version

The PC version of the game differs considerably from the other versions, in that it was not primarily an action game, rather an adventure game. This was due to the fact that the PC was, at the time, still not considered a serious gaming system and was primarily host to games belonging in the adventure, RPG and strategy genres.

It was received moderately well by the press.

Amiga version

The Amiga version of the game was a subject of considerable controversy. Gametek had, prior to the game's release, sent a number of screenshots derived from the PC title to market the game. As such, a number of computer magazines previewed the game as a direct conversion of the PC adventure.

The reality, however, was very different. The game was, contrary to expectations, not a conversion of the PC title, but a side-scrolling platform game akin to the console games. It was plagued with bugs, including very inaccurate collision detection.

The gaming press almost universally panned the game for the aforementioned bugs, for being near unplayable (with controls that rarely reacted in the way they should have done) together with poor graphics and sound - the game was given marks as low as 19% (CU Amiga). The belief that the Amiga version would be a conversion of the PC title may have been contributory to the disappointment and anger expressed by many magazines - reviews on modern retro gaming sites are, however, not generally so critical of the game, although few offer much praise.

ee also

*Batman (video game)