Batman Returns (video game)

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Batman Returns
Developer(s) Malibu Interactive (PC), Konami (Nintendo version), Sega of America (Sega version)
Publisher(s) Sega of America (Sega version), Konami (Nintendo version)
Designer(s) Various
Release date(s) 1992 - 1993
Genre(s) Action
Mode(s) Single player
Platform(s) NES, SNES, Sega Mega-CD, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Sega Master System, Game Gear, Lynx, Amiga, PC
Media Diskette, CD-ROM, Cartridge
System 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 developed by Sega themselves while the Nintendo, PC and Super NES versions were developed and published by Konami. A notable exception is the Amiga version, which was developed by Denton Designs, but published by Konami. There is also an Atari Lynx version, published by Atari themselves.

Contents

[edit] SNES version

The SNES version of the game, arguably the most popular, was released in 1993. It was fundamentally a left-to-right scrolling fighter beat-em-up, a genre that featured heavily on the console at the time.

The game took the player through seven scenes featured in the film. Various henchmen with a clown-like appearance attack Batman throughout the game. Batman has a number of weapons and moves at his disposal, including a standard punch, and the batarang. Each level would end with a boss character, which would require a little more effort to defeat. A number of levels were two-dimensional platform levels as opposed to the majority of the pseudo-3D "Final Fight" levels where freer movement was permitted.

Reviews of the game were generally mixed, with criticism being made of the lack of originality, despite the game's high quality of gameplay mechanics (a trademark of Japanese coders) 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.

It remains one of the most decent games based on a popular comic book character or movie.

[edit] NES version

The NES version of the game was an adaptation of the SNES title, albeit without the graphical and audio finesse that the SNES version was noted for. It is the same beat-'em up game as its SNES counterpart, but the difference is that you only have one life bar (which can be expanded through health packs), and it implements a password-save system.

Of special note are the two side-scrolling racing levels, obviously inspired by Sunsoft's "Batman" (based on the first film) for Sega Genesis, in which the player controlled the Batmobile and the Batskiboat.

[edit] Sega 16-bit versions

The [Mega-]CD and Mega Drive/Genesis versions of the game were more or less identical. The CD edition of the game featured 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 criticised 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.

[edit] Sega Master System, Atari Lynx and Game Gear versions

As with the 16-bit versions, the 8-bit versions of the game were side-scrolling platform games. However, the titles were created independently of the 16-bit versions. The Atari Lynx had some of the best graphics of Atari's portable, with incredibly bad and unforgiving gameplay though, while Sega's GG and SMS were very similar, with GG a bit better.

[edit] PC version

The PC version of the game differed 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Trivia

  • 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 introduction.

[edit] Packaging artwork

Batman Returns
NES
Konami, 1993

Batman Returns
Super NES
Konami, 1993
Batman
Creators: Bob Kane and Bill Finger • Other writers and artists
Supporting Characters: Robin (Tim Drake) • Nightwing (Dick Grayson) • Batgirl • Batwoman • Alfred Pennyworth • Lucius Fox • Barbara Gordon • Commissioner Gordon • Harvey Bullock
Villains: Bane • Catwoman • Clayface • Harley Quinn • Joker • Killer Croc • Mr. Freeze • Penguin • Poison Ivy • Ra's al Ghul • Red Hood (Jason Todd) • Riddler • Scarecrow • Two-Face • Other villains
Locations: Arkham Asylum • Batcave • Gotham City • Wayne Enterprises • Wayne Manor
Miscellanea: Batarang • Batmobile • Batsuit • Popular media • Publications • Storylines • Alternate versions of Batman


[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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