Batman Returns (SNES video game)

Last updated
Batman Returns
Batman Returns SNES cover.jpg
Developer(s) Konami
Publisher(s) Konami
Director(s) Yoichi Yoshimoto
Designer(s) Yoichi Yoshimoto, Tae Yabu, Tetsuya Sato
Programmer(s) Etsunobu Ebisu, Toshinori Shimono, Shigeki Morihira
Composer(s) Jun Funahashi, Harumi Ueko
Series Batman
Platform(s) SNES
Release
  • JP: February 26, 1993
  • NA: April 1993
  • EU: May 7, 1993
Genre(s) Beat 'em up
Mode(s) Single-player

Batman Returns is the Super Nintendo version of Batman Returns , a 1993 beat 'em up video game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System based on the film of the same name. It was developed and published by Konami.

Contents

Gameplay

An example of gameplay. Batman Returns (SNES) gameplay.png
An example of gameplay.

The game is 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. [1] The game takes the player through seven scenes featured in the film. [1] 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.[ citation needed ]

Reception

Scary Larry of GamePro gave the game a perfect score, singling out praise for the visuals, animations, score and adjustable difficulty level. [3]

Super Gamer gave an overall score of 90%. They praised the soundtrack, graphics and gameplay, and called it one of the "finest scrolling beat 'em ups". [4]

Accolades

In 2018, Complex placed the game 97th on their "The Best Super Nintendo Games of All Time". They also praised the game being a good translation from the movie and described the game as a "beat-em-up gem". [5] Nintendo Power ranked Batman Returns the eighth best SNES game of 1993. [6] In 2023, Time Extension included the game on their top 25 "Best Beat 'Em Ups of All Time" list. [7]

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References

  1. 1 2 O'Neil, Jamie (December 25, 2009). "Batman Returns Review". Nintendo Life .
  2. ↑ "Batman Returns SNES Review Score". Archived from the original on 2019-12-05.
  3. 1 2 Scary Larry (May 1993). "Super NES Pro Review: Batman Returns" (PDF). GamePro . pp. 76–77.
  4. 1 2 "Batman Returns NES Review". Super Gamer. United Kingdom: Paragon Publishing (2): 122. May 1994. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  5. ↑ Knight, Rich (April 30, 2018). "The Best Super Nintendo Games of All Time". Complex. Archived from the original on 2018-01-16. Retrieved 2022-01-21.
  6. ↑ "The Top Titles of 1993". Nintendo Power. Vol. 56. January 1994. pp. 2–5. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  7. ↑ Banks, George (14 February 2023). "Best Beat 'Em Ups Of All Time". Time Extension. Hookshot Media. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
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