Batman Forever (video game)

Last updated
Batman Forever
Batman Forever cover.jpg
Developer(s) Probe Entertainment
Publisher(s) Acclaim Entertainment
Director(s) Tony Beckwith (DOS)
Producer(s) Tony Beckwith
Tim Bradstock (also assoc. producer on DOS)
Designer(s) Nick Baynes
Programmer(s) Paul Carruthers
Dan Phillips (SNES)
Brian O'Shaughnessy (DOS)
Composer(s) Tim Follin
Andrew Brock
Geoff Follin (SNES)
Stephen Root (DOS w Andrew Brock)
Engine Mortal Kombat II
Platform(s)
ReleaseSuper NES, Game Boy
  • NA: September 7, 1995 [1]
  • EU: September 7, 1995 [2]
  • JP: October 27, 1995
Sega Genesis, Game Gear
  • NA: September 7, 1995 [1]
  • EU: 1995
  • JP: October 27, 1995 [3]
R-Zone
MS-DOS/Windows 95
Genre(s) Beat 'em up
Mode(s)(Genesis/PC/SNES)
Single-player
Two player co-op
(Game Boy/Game Gear/R-Zone)
Single-player

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.

Contents

Gameplay

The player plays as either Batman or Robin. There is also a fighting game mode called "training mode" where the player can play as Batman, Robin, or any of the enemies found throughout the game against either a computer-controlled opponent, against a second player, or cooperatively against two computer opponents.

The controls are largely based on move lists and key sequences. Some gadget moves involve moving away from the enemy right before pressing a punch or kick button.

The gadget list is selected by the player at each level, with three standard gadgets for each character and two gadgets selected from a list. There are also four hidden "blueprint" gadgets.

There are two kinds of co-op modes in Batman Forever. Players chose between Batman or Robin. In one mode, Batman and Robin work together and cannot harm each other, although they share credits. In another mode, however, Batman and Robin can attack each other, but still, need to look out for enemies and have separate credit counts. The co-op mode is not included in the Game Boy and Game Gear versions.

The Super NES and Genesis/Mega Drive versions of the game are very similar. The PC version is the same as the SNES and Genesis versions, though Batman and Robin appear in their movie attire, but the PC version also has loading delays. The Game Boy and Game Gear versions do away with a majority of the puzzle-solving of the SNES, PC, and Genesis versions and opt for a more traditional platform fighting game.

Development

Acclaim used motion capture technology to animate the digitized sprites, like they did with Mortal Kombat . Warner Bros acquired Acclaim's motion capture technology for the film, before Acclaim used it for the game. [4]

Reception

The four reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly praised the Game Gear version as having graphics that are virtually identical to those of the Genesis and Super NES version, but overall dismissed the game due to poor controls, explaining that "Punching enemies is nothing more than a delayed sequence that continues well after the enemy is dead." [8] GamePro also gave it a negative review. They remarked that the graphics are technically impressive but dull due to their lack of onscreen objects and interesting backgrounds, and concluded that "the sluggish gameplay, mediocre graphics, and weak sounds really kick this cart to the bat curb." [11]

GamePro panned the Super NES version as the worst of the Super NES Batman games. They dismissed the training mode as lacking the winning elements of a decent fighting game. Commenting on the normal mode, they criticized the frustrating difficulty, particularly the lack of continues and the time limit in the third stage, and stated that the digitized sprites were done well but clash with the "washed-out" background graphics. [12] Next Generation praised the look of the digitized sprites but gave the game one out of five stars, citing boring gameplay and a poor control configuration. [13] Frank Snyder of Computer Game Review wrote that "the actual experience of playing Batman™ Forever isn't much better than that of watching the movie." [7]

Batman Forever was a major commercial failure. [14]

Related Research Articles

<i>Earthworm Jim</i> (video game) 1994 video game

Earthworm Jim is a 1994 run and gun platform game developed by Shiny Entertainment, featuring an earthworm named Jim, who wears a robotic suit and battles the forces of evil. The game was released for the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo Entertainment System, before being subsequently ported to a number of other video game consoles.

<i>NBA Jam</i> (1993 video game) 1993 video game

NBA Jam is a basketball video game developed and published by Midway for arcades in 1993. It is the first entry in the NBA Jam series. The project leader for this game was Mark Turmell.

<i>Venom/Spider-Man: Separation Anxiety</i> 1995 video game

Venom/Spider-Man: Separation Anxiety is a side-scrolling beat 'em up video game and a sequel to Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage, released for Mega Drive/Genesis and Super NES and then ported to PC. One or two players team up as Spider-Man and Venom to defeat the evil symbiote Carnage. The game boasts many thugs that the player has to defeat: heavily armed Jury and Venom's symbiote children. There is also cameo assistance from Captain America, Ghost Rider, Hawkeye, and Daredevil.

<i>Shaq Fu</i> 1994 video game

Shaq Fu is a 2D fighting game published by Electronic Arts for the Sega Genesis and Super NES on October 28, 1994. It was developed by Delphine Software International. Versions for the Game Gear, Game Boy, and Amiga followed in 1995. Former professional basketball player Shaquille O'Neal is the player character.

<i>Lethal Enforcers</i> 1992 video game

Lethal Enforcers is a 1992 light gun shooter released as an arcade video game by Konami. The graphics consist entirely of digitized photographs and digitized sprites. Home versions were released for the Super NES, Genesis and Sega CD during the following year and include a revolver-shaped light gun known as The Justifier.

<i>WWF WrestleMania: The Arcade Game</i> 1995 video game

WWF WrestleMania is a professional wrestling arcade game released by Midway Manufacturing Co. in 1995. It is based on the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) professional wrestling promotion.

<i>RoboCop 3</i> (video game) 1991 video game

RoboCop 3 is a video game based on the 1993 film of the same name. Amiga, Atari ST and DOS versions were developed by Digital Image Design beginning in September 1990, and published by Ocean Software in December 1991. The Digital Image Design version includes multiple gameplay styles. During 1992 and 1993, other versions consisting of side-scrolling platform gameplay were released for the Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, NES, Super NES, Game Gear, Master System, and Sega Genesis.

<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>Barkley Shut Up and Jam!</i> 1993 basketball video game

Barkley Shut Up and Jam! is a basketball video game originally developed and published by Accolade for the Sega Genesis on North America in 1993 and later in Europe in April 1994. The game is the first entry in the Barkley Shut Up and Jam series, featuring former NBA MVP Charles Barkley prominently and as one of the playable characters.

<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>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>Demolition Man</i> (video game) 1994 video game

Demolition Man is a pair of action video games based on the film of the same name. Acclaim Entertainment published the 16-bit version, which features run and gun gameplay, for the Super NES, Sega Genesis and Sega CD. Virgin Interactive released a completely different game for the 3DO that combined several distinct gameplay styles. In both games, the player controls John Spartan, the main character from the film, as he attempts to find and defeat his nemesis, Simon Phoenix.

<i>True Lies</i> (video game) 1994 video game

True Lies is a top-view run and gun video game based on the 1994 film True Lies. The game was developed by Beam Software and published by Acclaim Entertainment. Four different versions of the game were released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Genesis, Game Gear, and Game Boy. The home versions and portable versions are drastically different from each other, but have similar play mechanics.

<i>Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story</i> (video game) 1994 video game

Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story is a fighting video game developed and originally published by Virgin Interactive Entertainment in Europe for the Sega Genesis in June 1994. It is based on the 1993 film of the same name, which is a semi-fictionalized account of the life of Hong Kong-American actor and martial artist Bruce Lee. Following the events of the movie, players take control of Bruce Lee across several stages that takes places in different time periods of his life and fight against some of his adversaries.

<i>Judge Dredd</i> (1995 video game) 1995 video game

Judge Dredd is a side-view action video game released for the Super NES, Mega Drive/Genesis, Game Gear and Game Boy originally released in 1995. The game is based on the 1995 film Judge Dredd, which was itself an adaptation of the Judge Dredd strip from 2000AD.

<i>PGA Tour 96</i> 1995 video game

PGA Tour 96 is a sports video game developed by Hitmen Productions for the PlayStation, MS-DOS, and Windows versions, Unexpected Development for the Game Boy version, NuFX for the Sega Genesis and 3DO versions, Ceris Software for the Game Gear version, and Polygames for the SNES version and published by EA Sports for PlayStation, MS-DOS, Windows, Game Boy, Sega Genesis, 3DO, Game Gear and SNES.

<i>Brett Hull Hockey 95</i> 1995 video game

Brett Hull Hockey '95 is an ice hockey simulation video game released in January 1995 for multiple platforms; including the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Genesis, and personal computers running DOS.

<i>Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie</i> (video game) 1995 video game

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie is the title of four different video game adaptations of the film of the same name which were released for the Super NES, Genesis, Game Boy and Game Gear. While the games are ostensibly based on the film, they also feature characters and plot elements from the second season of the original TV series. Like the previous game versions of the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, none of the four versions of the movie game are ports of each other.

<i>Mortal Kombat</i> (1992 video game) 1992 fighting game

Mortal Kombat is a 1992 fighting game developed and published by Midway. It is the first entry in the Mortal Kombat series and was subsequently released by Acclaim Entertainment for nearly every home platform at that time. The game focuses on several characters of various intentions who enter a martial arts tournament with worldly consequences. It introduced many key aspects of the Mortal Kombat series, including the unique five-button control scheme and gory finishing moves called Fatalities.

<i>NFL Quarterback Club 96</i> 1995 video game

NFL Quarterback Club 96 is an American football video game released in December 1995. The game was released on the Sega Saturn, Sega Genesis, Game Boy, Sega Game Gear, DOS, and Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The game's cover features San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young passing while being tackled by Chicago Bears defensive linemen Chris Zorich and Albert Fontenot. The Saturn, Genesis, SNES and DOS versions were developed by Iguana Entertainment, while the Game Boy and Game Gear edition was developed by Condor Inc.

References

  1. 1 2 "Batman Forever: The Video Game". GamePro . No. 84. p. 1.
  2. ↑ "CTW Games Guide". Computer Trade Weekly. No. 553. United Kingdom. 4 September 1995. p. 56.
  3. ↑ "Software List (Released by Soft Licensees)". セガ 製品情報サイト (in Japanese). Sega. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Acclaim Stakes its Claim". RePlay. Vol. 20, no. 4. January 1995. p. 71.
  5. ↑ "Batman Forever (Sega Genesis) Review". Archived from the original on 15 November 2014.
  6. ↑ "Batman Forever (Sega Game Gear) Review". Archived from the original on 15 November 2014.
  7. 1 2 Snyder, Frank (July 1996). "Batman™ Forever". Computer Game Review . Archived from the original on December 21, 1996.
  8. 1 2 "Review Crew: Batman Forever". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 76. Ziff Davis. November 1995. p. 52.
  9. ↑ "Batman: Forever". HobbyConsolas (in Spanish). No. 49. October 1995. pp. 80–81. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Batman: Forever". HobbyConsolas (in Spanish). No. 49. October 1995. pp. 78–79. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  11. ↑ "ProReview: Batman Forever". GamePro . No. 87. IDG. December 1995. p. 144.
  12. ↑ "ProReview: Batman Forever". GamePro . No. 86. IDG. November 1995. p. 86.
  13. ↑ "Batman Forever". Next Generation . No. 11. Imagine Media. November 1995. p. 186.
  14. ↑ "To Hell and Back with Acclaim". Next Generation . No. 40. Imagine Media. April 1998. pp. 12–13.
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.