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Batman Returns (video games)

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This article is about the collective video games based on the eponymous film. For individual versions, see Batman Returns (SNES video game), Batman Returns (NES video game), and Batman Returns (Atari Lynx video game).
Batman Returns
European Mega Drive cover
Developer(s)Aspect (Game Gear, Master System)
Malibu Interactive (Genesis, Sega CD)
Denton Designs (Amiga)
Spirit of Discovery[6] (DOS)
Publisher(s)Sega (Sega versions)
Konami[7] (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
  • Sega Genesis
    • EU: November 1992
  • MS-DOS
    • NA: December 15, 1992
  • Sega Master System
  • 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.

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.[8]

Sega

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The Sega Genesis version of the game is a two-dimensional platforming game similar in design to Sunsoft's 1990 game based on the previous Batman film. The Genesis version of the game was released on December 29, 1992. The Sega CD version is an expanded version of the Genesis game, and adds 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 instead of still photos. Both versions feature a plot based on the events of the movie starting after The Penguin kills the Ice Princess and frames Batman for the murder, as shown in the game's introductions.

The Master System and Game Gear versions of the game are essentially identical side-scrolling platform games, but the titles were created independently of the 16-bit versions and share no design elements. 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. 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.[9]

Konami

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Further information: Batman Returns (NES video game) and Batman Returns (SNES video game)

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

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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".[12]

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".[11]

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.[13] The reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly commended the Sega CD version's driving levels and soundtrack, but derided the side-scrolling sections as weak.[10] The Mega-CD version was a bestseller in the UK.[18]

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".[17]

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

References

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  1. ^ "Batman Returns (Game Gear)". Sega Retro. 24 January 2022.
  2. ^ "Software List (Released by Sega)". セガ 製品情報サイト (in Japanese). Sega. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  3. ^ "Batman Returns (Mega Drive)". Sega Retro. 12 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. ^ "Prodates" (PDF). Sega Pro. Paragon Publishing. May 1993. p. 18. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  6. ^ Subway Software & Park Place Productions helped with development with the DOS version.
  7. ^ GameTek helped with distribution of the Amiga version in both the US & UK.
  8. ^ "Generation4 Batman Returns advertising". Generation4. November 1993. p. 25.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ a b "Review Crew: Batman Returns (Sega CD)" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. June 1993. p. 34.
  11. ^ a b Sister Sinister (November 1992). "Game Gear Pro Review: Batman Returns" (PDF). GamePro. p. 162.
  12. ^ a b Boy Blunder (March 1993). "Genesis Pro Review: Batman Returns" (PDF). GamePro. pp. 40–41.
  13. ^ a b The Tummynator (June 1993). "Sega CD Pro Review: Batman Returns" (PDF). GamePro. p. 66.
  14. ^ MegaTech rating, EMAP, issue 19
  15. ^ "Sega Master Force Issue 1" (1). August 1993: 25. Retrieved November 19, 2015. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  16. ^ a b "Electronic Gaming Monthly's 1993 Video Game Buyer's Guide". 1993. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  17. ^ a b Strauss, Bob; Burr, Ty (December 4, 1992). "Movies Gone Game". Entertainment Weekly.
  18. ^ Official Gallup UK Mega CD sales chart, December 1993, published in Mega (magazine) issue 15
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