Batman Returns (video games)

Last updated
Batman Returns
BatmanReturnsCoverart.jpg
European Mega Drive cover
Developer(s) Aspect (Game Gear, Master System)
Malibu Interactive (Genesis, Sega CD)
Denton Designs (Amiga)
Spirit of Discovery [1] (DOS)
Publisher(s) Sega (Sega versions)
Konami [2] (Amiga/DOS versions)
Composer(s) Motohiro Kawashima (Game Gear, Master System)
Platform(s) Game Gear, Master System, Sega Genesis, Sega CD, Amiga, MS-DOS
Release
1992–1993
  • Sega Game Gear
    • JP: October 23, 1992 [4]
  • Sega Genesis
    • EU: November 1992
    • JP: February 19, 1993 [6]
  • MS-DOS
    • NA: December 15, 1992
  • Sega Master System
    • EU: February 1993
  • Sega CD
    • NA: 1993
    • EU: August 1993
Genre(s) Action, platform (Game Gear, Master System, Genesis)
Vehicular combat (Sega CD)
Beat 'em up (Amiga)
Adventure (DOS)
Mode(s) Single-player

Batman Returns is the name of several video games for various platforms based on the 1992 film of the same name.

Contents

The Sega console versions (i.e. Sega Genesis, Sega CD, Master System and Game Gear) were published by Sega while the MS-DOS and Amiga versions were published by Konami and developed by Spirit of Discovery and Denton Designs respectively. An Atari ST version by Konami was also advertised, but never released. [7]

Sega

The Sega Genesis and Sega CD versions of the game are more or less identical, as they are both two-dimensional platforming games similar in design to Sega's 1990 movie-based Batman game. The Genesis version of the game was released on December 29, 1992, during the same time Ecco the Dolphin was released for the Sega Genesis as well. The CD version of the game features a number of 3D racing levels that took advantage of the graphics hardware provided by the Sega CD unit, plus improved music in the form of CD audio with a number of animations featuring original artwork (not film photos). While different versions follow the movie's plot from start to finish, the Sega versions start after The Penguin kills the Ice Princess and frames Batman for killing her, as shown in the game's introductions.

The Master System and Game Gear versions of the game are side-scrolling platform games, but the titles were created independently of the 16-bit versions. This version featured a unique branched level system, allowing players to choose from an easy and difficult route. The latter typically forced players to use rope swinging to navigate over large floorless areas in these versions of levels. The music was composed by Motohiro Kawashima under the supervision of Yuzo Koshiro, and was one of his first soundtracks for a game; he utilized Music Macro Language to program the music, with assistance from Koshiro. [8]

Konami

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.

Reception

In his review of the Genesis version, Boy Blunder of GamePro described the controls as "a tad cumbersome at first, but playable after practice", and felt that they were "a step down from Sunsoft's cart". He remarked that the visuals were "too muted to win an award", though said that the backgrounds were "well-drawn" and admired the occasional effects, particularly the "bizarre diagonal scrolling in Act I's cutaway building". He was apathetic toward the music and had a mixed response to the sound effects, explaining that "some of the effects, such as the thunderstorm, are hot, but others are not. The death bleep for the enemies is particularly grating". [11]

Sister Sinister appreciated the Game Gear version's "wonderfully elaborate and colorful" graphics and varied soundtrack, though noted that Batman is "small and a little hard on the eyes". [10]

The Sega CD version received middling reviews. The Tummynator of GamePro described the graphics as "unimpressive", elaborating that the backgrounds and sprites were colored with similar dark palettes, which made the game "muddy and hard to see". He further described the music as "average Bat bebop" and the sound effects as "below CD quality", and said that the three Batmobile-centered levels were the only bonus for those who have already played the Genesis version. [12] The reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly commended the Sega CD version's driving levels and soundtrack, but derided the side-scrolling sections as weak. [9] The Mega-CD version was a bestseller in the UK. [17]

Entertainment Weekly gave the game an A and wrote: "Forget about the tortured dualities of good and evil – this is a rousing, jump and-shoot-action game, whose main links with the movie are in its dark backgrounds and Tim Burton-inspired character design". [15]

The 1992 titles together were awarded Best License of the Year by Electronic Gaming Monthly . [16]

Related Research Articles

<i>Zool</i> 1992 video game

Zool: Ninja of the Nth Dimension is a platform game written for the Amiga by Gremlin Graphics and published in 1992. It was marketed as a rival to Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog. Zool was ported to other platforms and followed by Zool 2 in 1993.

<i>Streets of Rage</i> (video game) 1991 video game

Streets of Rage is a beat 'em up game developed and published by Sega for the Genesis in 1991. Players control one of three former police officers turned vigilantes who battle a crime syndicate. Streets of Rage establishes many conventions of the Streets of Rage series, such as two-player cooperative play and an acclaimed techno soundtrack from composer Yuzo Koshiro. It was ported for the Game Gear, Sega CD and Master System and has been rereleased as part of various compilations and on download services.

<i>Flashback</i> (1992 video game) 1992 video game

Flashback, released as Flashback: The Quest for Identity in the United States, is a 1992 science fiction cinematic platform game developed by Delphine Software of France and published by U.S. Gold in the United States and Europe, and Sunsoft in Japan.

<i>Rocket Knight Adventures</i> 1993 video game

Rocket Knight Adventures is a platform game developed and published by Konami for the Sega Genesis. The game involves Sparkster, an opossum knight who wields a rocket pack and sword that can emit energy projectiles as he attempts to stop the Devotindos Empire, an evil empire that attempts to break the seal of a powerful starship.

<i>Last Action Hero</i> (video game) 1994 video game

Last Action Hero is a series of action video games based on the 1993 film of the same name. Versions were released for the NES, Super NES, Sega Genesis, Game Boy, Game Gear, and MS-DOS. Versions were also planned for the Sega CD and Master System, but ultimately were not released.

<i>Fantastic Dizzy</i> 1991 video game

Fantastic Dizzy is a 1991 video game developed by Codemasters. It is part of the Dizzy series. It was published on several platforms, including Mega Drive/Genesis, Master System, Game Gear, Nintendo Entertainment System, Amiga, and MS-DOS.

Appaloosa Interactive was a corporation, founded in 1982 in Hungary, that produced video games, computer programs and television commercials during the 1980s and 1990s.

<i>Streets of Rage 2</i> 1992 video game

Streets of Rage 2, known as Bare Knuckle II in Japan, is a 1992 side-scrolling beat 'em up video game published by Sega for the Genesis/Mega Drive. A sequel to Streets of Rage (1991), the characters Axel Stone and Blaze Fielding return while the game also introduces two new characters: Max Thunder, and Eddie "Skate" Hunter, the younger brother of Adam Hunter from the first game.

<i>Bram Stokers Dracula</i> (video game) 1993 video game

Bram Stoker's Dracula is a 1993 video game released for the Mega Drive/Genesis, Nintendo Entertainment System, Super NES, Game Boy, Master System, Sega CD, Game Gear, MS-DOS, and Amiga. It is based on the 1992 film Bram Stoker's Dracula which in turn is based on the 1897 novel Dracula by Bram Stoker. Most versions are platform games. The Sega CD and Amiga releases are beat 'em ups, and the MS-DOS version is a first-person shooter. The Amiga version was released in 1994 for North America and Europe. A CD-ROM version for MS-DOS compatible operating systems was released in 1995.

<i>Cliffhanger</i> (video game) 1993 video game

Cliffhanger is a beat 'em up, platform game that was released on October 17, 1993 based on the film of the same name.

<i>Wolfchild</i> 1992 video game

Wolfchild is a platform game originally released for the Amiga and the Atari ST by Core Design in 1992. It was later released for the SNES, Mega Drive/Genesis, Sega CD, Master System, and Game Gear.

<i>PGA Tour Golf</i> 1990 video game

PGA Tour Golf is a golf video game and the first in the PGA Tour game series. It was developed by Sterling Silver Software and released in 1990, for MS-DOS. It was initially published by Electronic Arts, which subsequently released versions of the game for Sega Genesis and Amiga in 1991, followed by a version for the SNES in 1992. By 1994, Tengen had published versions for Sega's Master System and Game Gear consoles. PGA Tour Golf received generally positive reviews for its realism, sound, and camera. Several critics considered the computer versions to be the best golf game available at the time of its release. It was followed by PGA Tour Golf II.

<i>Hook</i> (video game) Video game based on the eponymous 1991 film

There have been several video games based on the 1991 film Hook. A side-scrolling platform game for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Game Boy was released in the United States in February 1992. Subsequent side-scrolling platform games were released for the Commodore 64 and the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), and an arcade beat ‘em up by Irem later in 1992, followed by versions for the Sega CD, Sega Genesis, and Sega's handheld Game Gear console in 1993.

<i>The Jungle Book</i> (video game) 1994 video game

Disney's The Jungle Book is a series of platform video games based on the 1967 Disney animated film of the same name. The game was released by Virgin Interactive Entertainment in 1994 for the Game Boy, Nintendo Entertainment System, Master System, Genesis/Mega Drive, Game Gear, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and MS-DOS. While gameplay is the same on all versions, technological differences between the systems forced changes – in some case drastic – in level design, resulting in six fairly different versions of the 'same' game. This article is largely based upon the Genesis version.

<i>The Lion King</i> (video game) 1994 video game

The Lion King is a platform game based on Disney's 1994 animated film The Lion King. The game was developed by Westwood Studios and published by Virgin Interactive Entertainment for the Super NES and Genesis in 1994, and was ported to MS-DOS, Amiga, Game Gear, Master System, and Nintendo Entertainment System. The Amiga, Master System, and NES versions were only released in the PAL region. It is the final licensed NES game worldwide. The game follows Simba's journey from a young cub to the battle with his uncle Scar as an adult.

<i>Alien 3</i> (video game) 1992 video game

Alien 3 is a run and gun game based on the 1992 film of the same name. It was released for the Genesis and Amiga in 1992, then for the Commodore 64, Game Boy, Game Gear, Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and Master System.

<i>Brutal: Paws of Fury</i> 1994 video game

Brutal: Paws of Fury is a 2D fighting game published by GameTek in 1994. The game features a cast of various anthropomorphic animals as selectable fighters. It also features the ability to learn new attacks and save them via passwords. Originally a Sega CD exclusive, it was later ported to other game consoles.

<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>Batman Forever</i> (video game) 1995 video game

Batman Forever is a beat 'em up video game based on the film of the same name. Though released by the same publisher at roughly the same time, it is an entirely different game from Batman Forever: The Arcade Game. The game was followed by Batman & Robin in 1998.

<i>Chuck Rock II: Son of Chuck</i> 1993 video game

Chuck Rock II: Son of Chuck is a slapstick side-scrolling platform game developed by Core Design and published by Virgin Interactive Entertainment in 1993 for the Amiga, CD32, Game Gear, Sega CD, Master System, and Mega Drive/Genesis.

References

  1. ↑ Subway Software & Park Place Productions helped with development with the DOS version.
  2. ↑ GameTek helped with distribution of the Amiga version in both the US & UK.
  3. ↑ "Batman Returns (Game Gear)". Sega Retro. 24 January 2022.
  4. ↑ "Software List (Released by Sega)". セガ 製品情報サイト (in Japanese). Sega. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Batman Returns (Mega Drive)". Sega Retro. 12 January 2022.
  6. ↑ "Software List (Released by Sega)". セガ 製品情報サイト (in Japanese). Sega. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Generation4 Batman Returns advertising". Generation4. November 1993. p. 25.
  8. ↑ Kawashima, Motohiro [@mvorak] (April 16, 2023). "I wrote almost all the songs under Koshiro-san. Since I was working with MML, I don't think I could have made it without his instructions" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. 1 2 "Review Crew: Batman Returns (Sega CD)" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly . June 1993. p. 34.
  10. 1 2 Sister Sinister (November 1992). "Game Gear Pro Review: Batman Returns" (PDF). GamePro . p. 162.
  11. 1 2 Boy Blunder (March 1993). "Genesis Pro Review: Batman Returns" (PDF). GamePro . pp. 40–41.
  12. 1 2 The Tummynator (June 1993). "Sega CD Pro Review: Batman Returns" (PDF). GamePro . p. 66.
  13. ↑ MegaTech rating, EMAP, issue 19
  14. ↑ "Sega Master Force Issue 1" (1). August 1993: 25. Retrieved November 19, 2015.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  15. 1 2 Strauss, Bob; Burr, Ty (December 4, 1992). "Movies Gone Game". Entertainment Weekly .
  16. 1 2 "Electronic Gaming Monthly's 1993 Video Game Buyer's Guide". 1993.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  17. ↑ Official Gallup UK Mega CD sales chart, December 1993, published in Mega (magazine) issue 15
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.