Batman computer and video games

Batman from DC Comics has appeared as the main character in a number of video games created for various platforms for over 20 years.

Batman (1986)

Prior to the 1989 film's licensed version of the games, a 1986 3D isometric action-adventure game was also released under the Batman licence by Ocean Software on Amstrad CPC, Amstrad PCW (monochrome), ZX Spectrum, and MSX. This was written by Bernie Drummond and Jon Ritman and was very similar to "Head over Heels", arguably their most successful title. In this game, Batman has to rescue Robin, but to do so he must collect six parts of the batcraft hovercraft. During the game you pick up various items to help you, like boots that allowed you to jump [ [http://www.cpczone.net/game/102 Batman review] at cpczone.net] .

A freeware remake, called "Watman", was produced for PC in 2000 as a DOS game. A remake has also been written for the Game Boy Advance.

External links

*WoS game|id=0000438|name=Batman
* [http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/batman.htm Your Sinclair review]
* [http://www.sincuser.f9.co.uk/050/batman.htm Sinclair User review]
* [http://www.crashonline.org.uk/28/batman.htm Crash review]

Batman: The Caped Crusader (1988)

"Batman; The Caped Crusader" was developed by Special FX Software (Jonathan Smith, Charles Davies, and Keith Tinman) and published by Ocean Software for the 8-bit home computers such as the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64 and by Data East for other platforms such as the Commodore Amiga and PC in 1988. [WoS game|name=Batman the Caped Crusader|id=0000442] It was an arcade adventure, using comic book style panels to show the action. In this game, Batman is faced with two of his most well-known adversaries, namely The Penguin and The Joker. The game is split into two different parts, one for each villain. These parts are separate and can be played in any order. Batman uses punches and kicks and his batarang (a thrown weapon) in order to fight the villains' henchmen as well as solving puzzles.

On its original release, "Your Sinclair" awarded it 9 out of 10, [cite journal |last=Berkmann |first=Marcus |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1989 |month=January |title="Batman: The Caped Crusader" review |journal=Your Sinclair |volume= |issue=37 |pages= |id= |url=http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/batmancc.htm |accessdate= 2007-10-19 |quote= ] praising the colorful and expressive graphics and the inclusion of two separate adventures.

External links

* [http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/batmancc-64.htm Your Sinclair review]
* [http://www.crashonline.org.uk/60/batman.htm Crash review]
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Batman (1989)-(1990)

In 1989, and 1990 video games inspired by the 1989 Batman film was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Mega Drive, MSX, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, GX4000, Amiga, Atari ST, Game Boy, [ [http://www.angelfire.com/film/batman/games/batman1/gb/batmangb.html Batman - Game Boy] ] , PC Engine, and IBM PC. A number of factors including licensing issues and system limitations created the scenario of each game being quite different on the different systems, particularly between the console and platform versions.

*Batman (NES)
*Batman (Sega Mega Drive)
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8-bit home computer versions

The ZX Spectrum, [ [http://www.angelfire.com/film/batman/games/batman1/zx/zxspectrum.html Batman - ZX Spectrum] ] Commodore 64 [ [http://www.angelfire.com/film/batman/games/batman1/c64/c64.html Commodore 64] ] , MSX, and Amstrad CPC [ [http://www.angelfire.com/film/batman/games/batman1/cpc/cpc.html Batman - Amstrad CPC] ] versions were licensed to then Manchester based Ocean Software (now Infogrames), who were famed producing a wide range of film-licensed games that consisted largely of a series of sub-games. When the Batman games were released in 1989, this style was relatively new, and the game was well-received by the video gaming press. British ZX Spectrum magazine Your Sinclair awarded the game 91% on release.

16-bit home computer versions

The Commodore Amiga, [ [http://www.angelfire.com/film/batman/games/batman1/amiga/amiga.html Batman - Commodore Amiga] ] Atari ST, [ [http://www.angelfire.com/film/batman/games/batman1/atari/batmanocean.html Atari ST] ] and IBM PC [ [http://www.angelfire.com/film/batman/games/batman1/computer/pc.html Batman - IBM PC] ] versions were similar to the above 8-bit versions, but the extra memory, processor power, and graphic capabilities were put to use in the second and fourth levels, creating a full 3D effect instead of the side-scrolling subgames present in the 8-bit versions.

PC Engine version

The PC Engine version [ [http://www.angelfire.com/film/batman/games/batman1/pcengine/batmantg16.html Batman - PC Engine] ] of the game was released for the PC Engine in Japan on October 12, 1990. The game featured gameplay similar to that of "Pac-Man".cite web|title=Batman - The PC Engine Software Bible|url=http://pcenginebible.roarvgm.com/HTML_Games/Batman.htm|accessdate=2006-01-02]

Batman (1990)

In 1990, Atari released an arcade game based on the Batman movie. It was a scrolling fighter. [http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7027]

Batman: Return of the Joker(Revenge of the Joker)(1991)-(1992)

A Sunsoft game released for the NES, Genesis (Revenge of the Joker) and Game Boy; a Super NES version was planned but later canceled. It is a typical platforming game, with specialized boss fighting at the end of the level. It has nothing to do with the movies, and was possibly canceled due to the bad performance of the NES and Genesis versions.

Batman Returns (1993)

Batman Returns appeared on several different consoles: Atari Lynx, Sega Game Gear, Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Master System, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Sega Mega-CD, Super NES, Commodore Amiga and PC. These games are generally quite different from each other as they were developed by different companies. The Sega versions were produced by Sega itself, the Nintendo versions were developed by Konami, and the Atari Lynx version was developed internally at Atari.

The Super NES version is an action game with three game modes: a scrolling fighter, a straight 2D platformer, and a Batmobile stage; it also uses the soundtrack of the film.

The Mega Drive/Genesis version is a 2D platformer. It was later ported to the Sega CD, which adds the 3D Batmobile and Batboat levels, as well as Red Book audio. GameTap added this version of the game to their website on March 7, 2008.

The NES version is a combination of scrolling fighting, platforming, and Batmobile and Batboat driving, though vastly different from the SNES one.

The Atari Lynx version is a notoriously difficult platform game that was later bundled with the console.

Batman: The Animated Series (1993)

"Batman: The Animated Series" video game was developed by Konami, and released for the Nintendo Game Boy in 1993.

The Adventures of Batman & Robin (1994)

These games are based on the . Like Batman Returns, Konami developed and published the Nintendo versions, while Sega handled production for their own systems.

The Mega Drive/Genesis version is a 2D beat 'em up, with some flying stages. It features the ability to play up to 2 player simultaneously as either Batman or Robin (there are no differences between both) as they fight their way against the Joker, Two-Face, Mad Hatter, and Mr. Freeze. The characters can use their unlimited weapons at a long distance from the enemies, while at close range the players use combat melee attacks. It is known for pushing the Genesis to its limits in special effects.

The Sega CD version consists of Batmobile chase screens. Between levels, the story advances through animated scenes that were created specifically for the game. The animated segments were developed by TMS, which also did some of the episodes of the original cartoon. Kevin Conroy (Batman), Loren Lester (Robin), Bob Hastings (Commissioner Gordon), Robert Costanzo (Harvey Bullock), Diane Pershing (Poison Ivy), John Glover (Riddler), Arleen Sorkin (Harley Quinn), Mark Hamill (The Joker), Paul Williams (The Penguin), John Vernon (Rupert Thorne), and Ron Perlman (Clayface) all reprised their roles from the animated series.

The Super NES version is a 1 player action/adventure game only (with Batman available). Most of the levels involve typical platforming schemes, although some levels require some searching and investigation (one involves the Batmobile). The player can use bat-gadgets, some of which are vital to complete a stage. A unique feature is the possibility to return to the Batcave in order to restart the level or retrieve some needed gadget. It is possible to continue the game by passwords (not available on Hard difficulty).This version has more levels and villains than its Genesis counterpart. The villains that appear in the game are:
* The Joker
* Poison Ivy
* The Penguin
* Catwoman
* Two-Face
* Scarecrow
* The Riddler
* Clayface
* Man-Bat
*Harley Quinn

Batman Forever (1996)

In 1996, Acclaim released another arcade game. Like the previous one, it was also a scrolling fighter game. The player controls either Batman or Robin and has to guide them through various stages that are taken from the 1995 movie. This version was ported to the Sega Saturn, PlayStation, and PC.

Acclaim also released versions for the Super NES, Genesis, Game Boy, Game Gear, and PC. These games are based on the console version's Mortal Kombat engine. As such, the characters (Batman or Robin) move like in the fighting game. In addition, both have a supply of items in order to help them in diverse tasks.

Batman & Robin (1997)

Acclaim released Saturn and PlayStation versions of the fourth movie.

Tiger Electronics released a version for its ill-fated game.com. It also was a tie-in for the handheld.

Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)

Batman: Chaos in Gotham (2001)

A Batman video game based on "The New Batman Adventures" animated series, it was released in 2001. It was developed by Ubisoft, and released for the Game Boy Color.

Batman: Gotham City Racer (2001)

Batman: Gotham City Racer is a racing game based on "The New Batman Adventures" animated series. It was developed by Ubisoft and released on the Sony PlayStation. Many clips from the series were included in the game.

Batman Vengeance (2001)

This Batman video game developed by Ubisoft, released for the PS2,PC, Xbox, and Nintendo GameCube.

Batman: Dark Tomorrow (2003)

Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu (2004)

Batman Begins (2005)

Future video game appearances

Batman has been announced to appear in at least two video games in 2008.

The first is , which will be a game based on the Lego-line of Batman action figures featuring the title character, as well as many of the characters that have appeared in the comic line, toy line, and various TV series. [http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=145768 Holy LEGO, Batman! - www.computerandvideogames.com]

The second is the fighting game, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, in which Batman has been confirmed to appear on the roster. [http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox360/56435/info.shtml Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe Description at Gamepro.com]

A few more have been rumored to be made, such as a "The Dark Knight" game by Pandemic, a sandbox-style game in the vein of "Grand Theft Auto" and "Assassin's Creed". With the ability to travel Gotham City on foot, or with the Tumbler or possibly the Batpod A recent interview with Gary Oldman on G4 as a promotion for The Dark Knight film confirmed a Dark Knight video game in the works.

On 12 August 2008 it was announced that the September 2008 issue of Game Informer will feature information on the upcoming Batman video game developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Eidos Interactive entitled cite web|url=http://gameinformer.com/News/Story/200808/N08.0812.1226.23309.htm|title=Game Informer September Issue Revealed!|publisher=gameinformer.com|accessdate=2008-08-12]

Awarding of licenses

"Batman", "Batman: The Caped Crusader" and "Batman: The Movie" were produced by Sunsoft and Ocean Software, before the "Batman Returns" [http://www.fortunecity.co.uk/cinerama/western/129/batman_returns.htm] license was passed onto Konami and Sega, and the "Batman Forever" and "Batman and Robin" [http://www.fortunecity.co.uk/cinerama/western/129/batman_and_robin.htm] licenses were awarded to Acclaim. The video game version of "Batman Begins" was published by Electronic Arts.

References

External links

*moby game|id=-group/batman-licensees|name="Batman" licensees
* [http://www.batmanytb.com/media/games/videogames/index.php Video Games @ Batman: Yesterday, Today, & Beyond]
* [http://www.moviepoopshoot.com/gameon/119.html GAME ON!]
* [http://www.fortunecity.co.uk/cinerama/western/129/batman_games.htm Batman - Movie Game Database]