Batman Returns

Batman Returns is a 1992 beat 'em up video game for various platforms based on the film of the same name. The Sega console versions (i.e. Sega Genesis, Sega CD, Master System and Game Gear) were published by Sega while the NES and Super NES versions were developed and published by Konami. The MS-DOS and Amiga versions were also published by Konami, but were developed by Spirit of Discovery and Denton Designs respectively. An Atari ST version by Konami was also advertised, but never released. There is also an Atari Lynx version, published by Atari Corporation.

Konami versions
Further information: Batman Returns (SNES video game)
The SNES version of the game was released in 1993. It is fundamentally a left-to-right scrolling fighter beat 'em up, a genre that was 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. Each scene has a boss fight that Batman must win in order to proceed to the next scene. Scene 1 takes place in Gotham's Plaza, where Batman fights numerous Red Triangle Circus gangsters and saves Selina Kyle from the Stungun Clown who took her hostage. In Scene 2, Batman fights the Circus gang throughout Gotham City's Streets, facing the Tattooed Strongman as the boss. Climbing on the rooftops of Scene 3, Batman encounters Catwoman, who escapes to an abandoned building where Penguin's setting a trap for Batman, but he manages to take on Catwoman and Penguin on Scene 4. In Scene 5, Batman drives the Batmobile and uses a machine gun to destroy Penguin's Campaign Van. Moving to Scene 6, Batman goes to the Circus Train and defeats Penguin's right-hand man, the Organ Grinder. Penguin escapes to the abandoned Arctic World on Scene 7, where Batman destroys his Duck Vehicle and ultimately gains the upper hand on Penguin once and for all. Meanwhile, Catwoman escapes and watches as Batman gets called for another adventure. 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. 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 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 controls the Batmobile and the Batskiboat.

The DOS version of the game, published by Konami, differs considerably from the other versions, in that it was not primarily an action game, rather an adventure game.

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 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.

Developer(s) Aspect (Game Gear, Master System)
Malibu Interactive (Genesis, Sega CD)
Konami (NES, SNES)
Denton Designs (Amiga)
Spirit of Discovery (DOS)
Tiger Electronics (Handheld Tiger game)
Publisher(s) Sega (Sega versions)
Konami (NES/Amiga/DOS versions)
Tiger Electronics (Handheld Tiger games version)
Director(s) James Maxwell, John O'Brien (Sega CD)
Producer(s) Bert Schroeder (Genesis, Sega CD)
James Maxwell, Dan MacArthur (Genesis)
Scott Prussing, Peter Pavich (DOS)
Designer(s)
Various
Programmer(s)
Various
Artist(s) Tom Applegate (Genesis, Sega CD)
Todd Tomlinson (Genesis, Sega CD)
Stephen Thomson, Jeff Godfrey (Sega CD)
Brian O'Hara, James R. Haldy (DOS)
Composer(s)
Various
Platform(s) Game Gear, Master System, Sega Genesis, Sega CD, NES, Amiga, MS-DOS, handheld Tiger games
Release
1992–1993
Genre(s) Action, platform (Game Gear, Master System, Genesis)
Vehicular combat (Sega CD)
Beat 'em up (NES, Lynx, Amiga, handheld Tiger games)
Adventure (DOS)
Mode(s) Single-player

#batman returns #konami #snes