Batman: Return of the Joker

Last updated
Batman: Return of the Joker
Batman Return of the Joker NES.jpg
Packaging for the NES version
Developer(s) Sunsoft
Ringler Studios (GEN/MD)
Publisher(s) Sunsoft
Designer(s) Yoshiaki Iwata
Tadashi Kojima
Programmer(s) H. Suzuki, Hirokatsu Fujii (NES)
Chris Oke (GEN/MD)
Michio Okasaka (Game Boy)
Artist(s) Lance Hutto, Karen Ffinch, Klee Miller, Chris Oke, Simon Ffinch, Ed Ringler (GEN/MD)
Composer(s) NES
Naoki Kodaka
Game Boy
Manami Matsumae
Genesis
Tommy Tallarico
Platform(s) NES, Game Boy, Sega Genesis
Release
December 20, 1991
  • NES
    • JP: December 20, 1991
    • NA: December 1991
    • EU: November 19, 1992
    Game Boy
    • JP: March 28, 1992
    • NA: 1992
    • EU: 1992
    Genesis
Genre(s) Run and gun
Platformer (Game Boy)
Mode(s) Single-player

Batman: Return of the Joker [a] is a 1991 run and gun video game, the follow-up to Sunsoft's first Batman game on the Nintendo Entertainment System. Unlike that game, which was based on the 1989 Batman film directed by Tim Burton, Return of the Joker is entirely self-contained and based more on the modern comic book iteration of Batman, but the Batmobile and the Batwing are featured from the 1989 film. A remake of Return of the Joker, titled Batman: Revenge of the Joker, was released on the Sega Genesis by Ringler Studios in 1992. A Super NES version of Revenge of the Joker was completed but never officially released; a ROM image surfaced online in later years. [1]

Contents

A completely different version of the game was released on the Game Boy in 1992.

Gameplay

NES version

In Batman: Return of the Joker, the titular hero is on journey to the Joker's secret hide-out after called by Gotham City to find metals stolen by the Joker, one of which is highly toxic and used to build explosives for missiles. [2] The NES version of Batman: Return of the Joker consists of seven stages, each of which have two sub-levels (except for the last stage) and a boss level (except for the second and fifth stages); from beginning to end, they are the Gotham City cathedral, the Joker's warehouse, a snowy mountain, a refinery, an underground conduit, an ammunition base, and the Island of Ha-Hacienda. [3] Although Batman has three lives, the game has unlimited continues [4] and stage passwords that can be accessed by pausing the game. [5] The game's five bosses include the Ace Ranger, a Minedroid, the Master C.P.U. of the refinery, and two battles with the Joker; [3] for regular levels, Batman's health is represented in increments, but in the boss stages, both Batman and the boss's life meters are represented in numbers. [6]

Return of the Joker is a side-scrolling run and gun platformer. [7] [8] Batman's weapon is a wrist projector [9] which the player change its type of ammunition by collecting icons throughout the levels: "C" icons for the crossbow, which shoots arrows that makes an enemy explode, "B" icons for "Batarangs", where its direction follows the movement of on-screen enemies, N for "Sonic Neutralizers" that shoots two patterns of Batarangs in a criss-cross shape, and "S" for "Shield Stars" that shoots three darts going separate directions. [10] Batman can slide by pressing the A-button and down on the D-pad, a move that is also an attack (although it only works against some enemies). [9] Batman can also collect energy capsules that, if eight are obtained, will make him become invincible for a few seconds. [10]

Game Boy version

The Game Boy version, unlike the NES version where the character shoots, is only a platformer. [8]

Reception

Dave Cook of Nintendo Life wrote that while Batman: Return of the Joker was "fun and challenging it doesn't feel as revolutionary as its predecessor despite being a commendable effort". [40]

Syfy Wire , in 2017, ranked the NES version of Batman: Return of the Joker the fourth most essential DC Comics video game adaptation to play. [41] Den of Geek ranked the Game Boy version the 22nd most underrated Game Boy game, praising its return of wall-jumping and beat 'em up mechanics of the 1989 Batman NES title, although complained about its limited continues. [42]

In 2019, IGN ranked the game's final boss the third best video game portrayal of the Joker of all-time. [43]

The Gamer, in 2020, claimed Return of the Joker to be the best-looking NES game ever, reasoning that the "sprites are fluid, the game's color palette is moody & atmospheric, and the backgrounds are as fleshed out as can be for an NES game". [44] Yacht Club Games artist Nick Wozniak has named the game's Batman sprite as one of his all-time favorite in games: "As an adult, I was in shock at what I was seeing… There's only ever one or two humanoid enemies on screen because they are completely bombing the NES with the graphics. They give him a powerup where he turns gold and he shoots a bunch of guys. It's like Super Batman. They don't care". [45]

The Gamer has also called it one of the best all-time Batman video games: "The graphics are surprisingly spritely for an early 90s game, with entertaining gameplay and an intriguing storyline helping make this game an enjoyable experience". [7] It has also been ranked the ninth-best Batman game by Uproxx [46] and the tenth-best by IGN Spain. [47] In a worst-to-best list of Batman video games by The Things, Return of the Joker came in number 12: "Almost everyone who reviewed it remarked on how amazing the graphics and backgrounds were. This was 16-bit quality on 8-bit machines. The gameplay wasn't as good as the prior Batman game, but only just. Building off the '89 game, combat-focused from attacks to gadgets, giving players greater variety. A better difficulty curve was also introduced". [48]

Notes

  1. ↑ Known in Japan as Dynamite Batman (Japanese: ダイナマイトバットマン, Hepburn: Dainamaito Battoman)
  2. 1 2 In Electronic Gaming Monthly's reviews of both the Game Boy version and the NES version, two critics gave it an 8/10, one a 7/10, and another a 6/10. [15] [16]
  3. ↑ GamePro gave the NES version a 5/5 for graphics and four 4/5 ratings for sound, gameplay, fun factor, and challenge. [17]
  4. ↑ Nintendo Power gave the Game Boy version 3.9/5 for graphics/sound, 3.4/5 for play control, 3.5/5 for challenge, and 3.6/5 for theme/fun. [22]
  5. ↑ Nintendo Power gave the NES version a 4.3/5 for graphics/sound, a 3.5/5 for challenge/excitement, and two 3.8/5 ratings for play control and theme/fun. [23]
  6. ↑ Nintendo Acción gave the NES version three 3/4 ratings for graphics, gameplay, and fun, and a 2/4 score for sound. [29]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Nintendo Entertainment System</span> Home video game console

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System, commonly shortened to Super Nintendo, Super NES or SNES, is a 16-bit home video game console developed by Nintendo that was released in 1990 in Japan and South Korea, 1991 in North America, 1992 in Europe and Oceania and 1993 in South America. In Japan, it is called the Super Famicom (SFC). In South Korea, it is called the Super Comboy and was distributed by Hyundai Electronics. The system was released in Brazil on August 30, 1993, by Playtronic. In Russia and CIS, the system was distributed by Steepler from 1994 until 1996. Although each version is essentially the same, several forms of regional lockout prevent cartridges for one version from being used in other versions.

<i>Wonder Boy in Monster Land</i> 1987 video game

Wonder Boy in Monster Land, known by its original arcade release as Wonder Boy: Monster Land, is a platform video game developed by Westone Bit Entertainment and released by Sega in Japanese arcades in 1987 and for the Master System in 1988, with a number of other home computer and console ports following. The game is the sequel to the 1986 game Wonder Boy and takes place eleven years after the events in the previous game. After enjoying over a decade of peace on Wonder Land following the defeat of the evil King by Tom-Tom, later bestowed the title "Wonder Boy", a fire-breathing dragon called the MEKA dragon appeared; he and his minions conquered Wonder Land, turning it into "Monster Land". The people, helpless due to their lack of fighting skill, call for Wonder Boy, now a teenager, to destroy the monsters and defeat the MEKA dragon. Players control Wonder Boy through twelve linear levels as he makes his way through Monster Land to find and defeat the MEKA dragon. Players earn gold by defeating enemies and buy weapons, armor, footwear, magic, and other items to help along the way.

In the history of video games, the fourth generation of video game consoles, more commonly referred to as the 16-bit era, began on October 30, 1987, with the Japanese release of NEC Home Electronics' PC Engine. Though NEC released the first console of this era, sales were mostly dominated by the rivalry between Sega and Nintendo across most markets: the Sega Mega Drive and the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Cartridge-based handheld game consoles became prominent during this time, such as the Nintendo Game Boy, Atari Lynx, Sega Game Gear and TurboExpress.

<i>Battletoads</i> (1991 video game) 1991 video game

Battletoads is a platform beat 'em up developed by Rare and published by Tradewest. It is the first installment of the Battletoads series and was originally released in June 1991 for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It was subsequently ported to the Mega Drive and Game Gear in 1993, to the Amiga and Amiga CD32 in 1994, and released with some changes for the Game Boy in 1993 in the form of Battletoads in Ragnarok's World. In the game, three space humanoid warrior toads form a group known as the Battletoads. Two of the Battletoads, Rash and Zitz, embark on a mission to defeat the evil Dark Queen on her planet and rescue their kidnapped friends: Pimple, the third member of the Battletoads, and Princess Angelica.

<i>Mario Paint</i> 1992 video game

Mario Paint is a 1992 art creation video game developed by Nintendo Research & Development 1 (R&D1) and Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Mario Paint consists of a raster graphics editor, an animation program, a music composer, and a point and click minigame, all of which are designed to be used with the Super NES Mouse peripheral, which the game was packaged and sold with. Per its name, the game is Mario-themed, and features sprites and sound effects that are taken from or in the vein of Super Mario World.

<i>Battletoads/Double Dragon</i> 1993 video game

Battletoads/Double Dragon is a 1993 beat 'em up developed by Rare and published by Tradewest. It was originally released for the Nintendo Entertainment System and later ported to the Mega Drive/Genesis, Super NES, and Game Boy. The SNES version was released on Nintendo Switch Online in September 2024; it was the game's first re-release as it was not released on the Rare Replay collection.

<i>Gunstar Heroes</i> 1993 video game

Gunstar Heroes is a run and gun video game developed by Treasure and published by Sega. It was Treasure's debut game, originally released for the Sega Genesis in 1993. The game's premise is centered around a pair of characters, the Gunstars, in their efforts to stop an evil empire from recovering four powerful gems. The characters can fire guns and perform a series of acrobatic maneuvers to fight enemies across each stage. There are four weapons in the game which can be combined with one another to create different shot types.

<i>Snake Rattle n Roll</i> 1990 video game

Snake Rattle 'n' Roll is a platform video game developed by Rare. It was published by Nintendo and released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in North America in July 1990 and in Europe on March 27, 1991. The game features two snakes, Rattle and Roll, as they make their way through eleven 3D isometric levels. A Mega Drive version was released by Sega in June 1993 with an extra level. Snake Rattle 'n' Roll was developed by Rare members Tim Stamper and Mark Betteridge. The music was composed by David Wise and was inspired by "Shake, Rattle and Roll" and other 1950s-era songs.

<i>Wonder Boy III: The Dragons Trap</i> 1989 action-adventure video game

Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap, known as Monster World II in Japan, is a platforming action-adventure video game developed by Westone as part of Sega's Wonder Boy series. It was published by Sega and released for the Master System in 1989 and for the Game Gear in 1992 as Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap. It was ported by Hudson Soft and released in 1991 for the TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine under the name Dragon's Curse. It was also ported in 1993 by Brazilian company Tec Toy under the title Turma da Mônica em o Resgate, with the game retooled to include characters from Brazilian comic book series Monica's Gang. A remake developed by Lizardcube and published by DotEmu, titled Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap, was released in April 2017.

<i>Total Carnage</i> 1992 video game

Total Carnage is a multidirectional shooter arcade video game originally developed and published by Midway in North America in January 1992. Set in the fictional country of Kookistan during 1999, players assume the role of Captain Carnage and Major Mayhem from the Doomsday Squad in a last-ditch effort to overthrow dictator General Akhboob and his army of mutants from conquering the world, while also rescuing POWs held by his military force.

<i>Sonic the Hedgehog 2</i> (8-bit video game) 1992 video game

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a 1992 platform game developed by Aspect and published by Sega for the Master System and Game Gear. It is the sequel to the 8-bit Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) and follows Sonic as he attempts to get the Chaos Emeralds back to rescue his friend Miles "Tails" Prower from Dr. Robotnik. Like the first Sonic the Hedgehog, players run through levels at high speeds while collecting rings and defeating enemies. Although it shares the same title with Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for the Sega Genesis and their releases coincided, the games have little in common and share no levels.

<i>Joe & Mac</i> 1991 video game

Joe & Mac, also known as Caveman Ninja and Caveman Ninja: Joe & Mac, is a run and gun platform game released as an arcade video game by Data East in 1991. It was adapted for the Super NES, Mega Drive/Genesis, Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy, Amiga, Zeebo, Nintendo Switch, and IBM PC compatibles.

<i>The Adventures of Batman & Robin</i> (video game) 1994 video game

The Adventures of Batman & Robin is a series of video game adaptations released between 1994 and 1995 featuring the DC Comics characters Batman and Robin based on Batman: The Animated Series. The games were released for numerous platforms, with the Genesis, Game Gear, and Sega CD versions published by Sega while the Super NES version was published by Konami.

<i>The Addams Family</i> (video game) 1992 video game

The Addams Family is a platform game based on the 1991 film of the same name and developed and published by Ocean Software. It was released for home consoles such as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, computers such as the Amiga, and handheld consoles like the Game Boy.

<i>Waynes World</i> (video game) 1993 video game

Wayne's World is an action video game based on the film of the same name and released in 1993 by THQ. Different versions of the game were released; the NES and Game Boy games were developed by Radical Entertainment and feature both protagonists Wayne and Garth as playable characters. The Super NES and Sega Mega Drive/Genesis games were developed by Gray Matter and feature only Wayne as a playable character.

<i>Batman: The Video Game</i> 1989 video game

Batman: The Video Game is a video game developed by Sunsoft for the Nintendo Entertainment System featuring the DC Comics character Batman, loosely based on the 1989 film of the same name. The game is a platformer featuring five levels.

<i>Disneys Aladdin</i> (Sega Genesis video game) 1993 video game

Disney's Aladdin is a platform game based on the 1992 film of the same name developed by Virgin Games. The game was released by Sega for the Sega Genesis on October 19, 1993 as one of several games based on the film, including another game that was released in the same month by Capcom for the Super NES.

<i>Micro Machines</i> (video game) 1991 video game

Micro Machines is a racing game developed by Codemasters and originally published by Camerica for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1991. Themed around Galoob's Micro Machines toys, players race in miniaturised toy vehicles around various environments. The game is the first installment in the Micro Machines video game series.

<i>Terminator 2</i> (8-bit video game) 1992 video game

Terminator 2: Judgment Day is an action game released for several 8-bit consoles, including the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), and Sega's Game Gear and Master System. It is based on the 1991 film of the same name. The NES version was developed by Software Creations and published by LJN in February 1992. The Sega versions were published in late 1993, by Flying Edge.

<i>Batman Returns</i> (NES video game) 1993 video game

Batman Returns is a 1993 beat 'em up video game developed and published by Konami for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Based on the DC Comics superhero Batman, it is inspired by the Warner Bros.'s 1992 film of the same name. In the main storyline, Batman must confront both Catwoman and the Penguin.

References

Citations

  1. ↑ Kurland, Daniel (July 23, 2020). "SNES: 10 Rare Super Nintendo Games You Can Only Find On Emulators". Game Rant. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  2. ↑ NES instruction manual 1991, p. 4.
  3. 1 2 NES instruction manual 1991, p. 12.
  4. ↑ NES instruction manual 1991, p. 11.
  5. ↑ NES instruction manual 1991, p. 10.
  6. ↑ NES instruction manual 1991, p. 9.
  7. 1 2 Handke, Tobias (August 27, 2018). "The 15 Best Batman Video Games Ever (And 14 That Are Embarrassing)". The Gamer. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  8. 1 2 Davis, Justin (October 4, 2014). "A Complete History of Batman Video Games". IGN . Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  9. 1 2 NES instruction manual 1991, p. 6.
  10. 1 2 NES instruction manual 1991, p. 7.
  11. ↑ Miller, Skyler. "Batman: Return of the Joker". AllGame . Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  12. ↑ Weiss, Brett Alan. "Batman: Revenge of the Joker". AllGame. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Batman: Return of the Joker". Go! . No. 9. pp. 6–7.
  14. ↑ Anglin, Paul (April 1993). "Batman: Revenge of the Joker". Computer and Video Games . No. 137. p. 40.
  15. ↑ Harris, Steve; Semrad, Ed; Alessi, Martin; Sushi-X (May 1992). "Batman: Return of the Joker". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 34. p. 32.
  16. ↑ Harris, Steve; Semrad, Ed; Alessi, Martin; Sushi-X (November 1991). "Batman 2". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 28. p. 20.
  17. ↑ Earth Angel (December 1991). "Batman: Return of the Joker". GamePro . No. 29. pp. 26–27.
  18. ↑ Scary Larry (May 1993). "Batman: Revenge of the Joker". GamePro. No. 46. p. 56.
  19. ↑ Leach, James (April 1993). "Revenge of the Joker". GamesMaster . No. 4. pp. 42–43.
  20. ↑ "Batman Return of the Joker". GameZone. No. 12. October 1992. pp. 58–59.
  21. ↑ L'avis de Greatkev (June 16, 2011). "Batman: Return of the Joker". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Your Guide to the Latest Releases". Nintendo Power . Vol. 36. May 1992. p. 105.
  23. ↑ "Batman: Return of the Joker". Nintendo Power. Vol. 31. December 1991. pp. 8–17.
  24. ↑ Radion Automatic, Julian; Rignall (September 1992). "Batman: Return of the Joker". Nintendo Magazine System . No. 1. pp. 60–63.
  25. ↑ James (October 1992). "Batman: Return of the Joker". Total! . No. 10. pp. 70–71.
  26. ↑ "Total! Recall". Total! . No. 14. February 1993. p. 90.
  27. ↑ "Batman: Return of the Joker". Zero . No. 36. October 1991. pp. 80–81.
  28. ↑ "Batman II, Return of the Joker". Vol. 1, no. 2. July 1992. Retrieved September 17, 2020.{{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  29. ↑ "Batman Return of the Joker". Nintendo Acción (in Spanish). No. 4. pp. 60–61.
  30. ↑ "Batman: Return of the Joker". GB Action. No. 1. June 1992. pp. 20–21.
  31. ↑ "Batman: Return of the Joker". N-Force . No. 2. August 1992. p. 47.
  32. ↑ Mellerick, Paul (April 1993). "Batman Revenge of the Joker". Mega . No. 7. pp. 46–47.
  33. ↑ Nick (May 1993). "Batman Revenge of the Joker". Mega Drive Advanced Gaming . No. 9. pp. 26–27.
  34. ↑ "Batman: Return of the Joker". Mean Machines Sega . No. 7. April 1993. pp. 50–52.
  35. ↑ "Batman Revenge of the Joker". MegaTech . No. 16. April 1993. pp. 58–59.
  36. ↑ "Batman: Revenge of the Joker". Sega Force . No. 17. May 1993. pp. 82–84.
  37. ↑ Wekh, Robbie (April 1993). "Batman: Revenge of the Joker". Sega Pro . No. 18. pp. 50–51.
  38. ↑ "Batman Revenge Of the Joker". Sega Zone . No. 7. May 1993. pp. 42–43.
  39. ↑ "Nintendo Power Awards '92: The NESTERS! And the nominees are". Nintendo Power . No. 46. March 1993. pp. 96–9.
  40. ↑ Cook, Dave (March 24, 2016). "Feature: Batman V Superman In The Battle Of The Nintendo Games". Nintendo Life . Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  41. ↑ "WATCH: 7 essential DC Comics video games that will make you feel like a superhero (or supervillain)". Syfy Wire . December 29, 2017. Archived from the original on August 14, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  42. ↑ Freiberg, Chris (August 27, 2018). "25 Underrated Game Boy Games". Den of Geek . Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  43. ↑ Adler, Matthew (October 12, 2019). "The 5 Best Versions of Joker in Video Games, Ranked". IGN . Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  44. ↑ Fontes, Renan (August 4, 2020). "10 Classic NES Games That Still Look Amazing Today". Game Rant. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  45. ↑ Kohler, Chris (July 30, 2014). "The 8 Best Sprites in Videogame History". Wired . Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  46. ↑ Birch, Nathan (March 24, 2016). "Digital Dark Knight: Ranking The Titles That Prove Batman Is A Video Game Winner". Uproxx . Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  47. ↑ Soriano, David (July 21, 2015). "Los mejores juegos de Batman". IGN Spain (in Spanish). Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  48. ↑ Duval, Nicholas (May 23, 2019). "Batman: Every Video Game From Worst To Best, Officially Ranked". The Things. Retrieved September 17, 2020.[ permanent dead link ]

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.