Batman computer and video games
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Batman has been adapted into a video game on several occasions.
[edit] Batman (1986)
Prior to the film licenced version of the games, a 3D isometric arcade adventure was also released under the Batman licence by Ocean Software on 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. The Tim Burton film had not yet been released, and the game was based on the original 1960s series. 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. A remake, called Watman, was produced for PC in 2000 as a DOS game. A remake has also been written for the Game Boy Advance.
[edit] Batman: The Caped Crusader (1988)
Ocean Software also later released Batman: The Caped Crusader, a two-part arcade adventure also based on the TV series and the original comic strip. It was released for the 8-bit machines such as the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64 and also for the 16-bit machines such as the Amiga.
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 has to use his fists and his batarang (a thrown weapon) in order to fight the villains' henchmen as well as solving puzzles.
[edit] External links
[edit] Batman - The Movie (1989)
A video game released for the Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Mega Drive, MSX, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Commodore Amiga, Atari ST, the original Game Boy, PC Engine and IBM PC was inspired by the movie. A number of factors including licensing issues and system limitations created the unusual scenario of each game being quite different on the different systems, particularly between the console and platform versions.
[edit] Batman (1990)
In 1990 Atari released an arcade game based on the Batman movie. It was a scrolling fighter. [1]
[edit] Batman: Return of the Joker(Revenge of the Joker)(1991)-(1992)
A Sunsoft game released for the NES, Genesis(Revenge of the Joker) and Gameboy. A Super NES version was planned but later cancelled. It is a typical platforming game, with a specialized boss fighting at the end of the level. It has nothing to do with the movies, and was possibly cancelled due to the bad performance of the NES and Genesis versions. The NES version is held in high regard by NES fans, as it's one of the few games on the NES to push the system to its absolute limits, producing graphics and sounds that would seem nearly 16-bit.
[edit] Batman Returns (1993)
Batman Returns appeared on several different consoles: Atari Lynx, Game Gear, Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Master System, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Sega Mega-CD, Super NES 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 and 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.
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.
[edit] Batman: The Animated Series (1993)
Batman: The Animated Series' video game was developed by Konami, and released for the Nintendo Game Boy in 1993.
[edit] The Adventures of Batman & Robin (1994)
These games are based on the Batman animated series of the early 1990s. Like Batman Returns, Konami developed and published the Nintendo versions, while Sega handled production into their own systems.
The Mega Drive/Genesis version is a 2D action game 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, the Penguin , 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), Robert Hastings (Commissioner James 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
[edit] Batman Forever (1996)
In 1996 Acclaim released another arcade game. Like the previous 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 in 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 versions 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.
[edit] Batman & Robin (1997)
Acclaim released Saturn & PlayStation versions of the fourth movie.
Tiger Electronics released a version for its ill-fated game.com. It also was a pack-in for the handheld.
[edit] Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)
[edit] Batman: Chaos in Gotham (2001)
Batman video game based on The New Batman Adventures animated series. It was developed by Ubisoft, and released for the Nintendo Game Boy Color.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Batman Vengeance (2001)
Batman video game developed by Ubisoft, released for the PS2, Xbox and Nintendo GameCube.
[edit] Batman: Dark Tomorrow (2003)
[edit] Batman: Rise of Shin Tzu (2004)
[edit] Batman Begins (2005)
[edit] Awarding of licenses
Batman, Batman: The Caped Crusader and Batman: The Movie were produced by Ocean Software, before the Batman Returns[2] license was passed onto Konami, and the Batman Forever and Batman and Robin[3] licences were awarded to Acclaim. The video game version of Batman Begins was published by Electronic Arts.
[edit] External links
- Batman licensees at MobyGames
- Cinerama: Batman Forever
- Video Games @ Batman: Yesterday, Today, & Beyond
- GAME ON!
Categories: Cleanup from December 2006 | All pages needing cleanup | Wikipedia articles in need of updating | 1988 video games | 1989 video games | 1990 video games | 1991 video games | 1992 video games | 1993 video games | 1994 video games | 1996 video games | Batman arcade and video games | Video game franchises
