Batman Returns (video game)

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Batman Returns
Cover of the NES version
Developer(s)	Dentons (Amiga), Spirit of Discovery (PC), Aspect Co. Ltd. (Game Gear/Sega Master System), Malibu Interactive (Genesis), Atari Corporation (Lynx), Malibu Games (Sega CD) Konami (Nintendo version)
Publisher(s)	Sega of America (Sega version), Konami (Nintendo/PC versions), Atari Corporation (Lynx)
Designer(s)	Various
Engine	Various
Release date(s)	1992 - 1994
Genre(s)	Action, Beat 'em up
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 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 Disovery. The Amiga version, was developed by Denton Designs, but the publisher is remain as same as NES, SNES and PC Versions. There is also an Atari Lynx version, published by Atari themselves.

Contents 1 SNES version 2 NES version 3 Sega 16-bit versions 4 Sega Master System, Atari Lynx and Game Gear versions 5 Atari Lynx version 6 PC version 7 Amiga version 8 Trivia 9 Versions 10 Packaging artwork 11 See also 12 External links

[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 members of the Red Triangle Circus Gang 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 levels where freer movement was permitted. The fifth level consists of driving the Batmobile in a chase scene where he 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 generally mixed, with criticism being made of 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.

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 a beat 'em up game similar to its SNES counterpart, but the difference is that you only have one life bar (which can be expanded through health packs), it implements a password-save system and the levels are different. Of special note are the two side-scrolling racing levels. 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. Sega's GG and SMS versions were very similar, with the GG version being a bit better.

[edit] Atari Lynx version

The Atari Lynx version was a 2D side-scroller that had some of the best graphics of Atari's portable, but unforgiving gameplay .

[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 games' introductions.

[edit] Versions

NES	SNES	Sega Master System/Game Gear	Sega Genesis/Sega CD
PC version	Amiga	Atari Lynx

[edit] Packaging artwork

Batman Returns NES Konami, 1993	Batman Returns Super NES Konami, 1993	Batman Returns Sega Genesis, 1993	Batman Returns Sega CD, 1993
Batman Returns Sega Master System, 1993	Batman Returns Sega Game Gear, 1993	Batman Returns Atari Lynx, 1993

v • d • e Batman
Creators:	Bob Kane • 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

• Batman (video game)

[edit] External links

• Defunct Games: Batman Returns Review (Atari Lynx)
• Batman Returns at MobyGames
• Batman Returns (SNES version) at MobyGames