Batman: Return of the Joker

{{About||the Batman Beyond film|Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker}}

{{Infobox video game

| title = Batman: Return of the Joker

| image = Batman Return of the Joker NES.jpg

| caption = Packaging for the NES version

| developer = Sunsoft
Ringler Studios (GEN)

| publisher = Sunsoft

| designer = Yoshiaki Iwata
Tadashi Kojima

| programmer = H. Suzuki, Hirokatsu Fujii (NES)
Chris Oke (GEN)
Michio Okasaka (Game Boy)

| artist = Lance Hutto, Karen Ffinch, Klee Miller, Chris Oke, Simon Ffinch, Ed Ringler (GEN)

| composer = NES
Naoki Kodaka
Game Boy
Manami Matsumae
Genesis
Tommy Tallarico

| engine =

| released = {{collapsible list

| title = December 20, 1991

| NES {{vgrelease|JP|December 20, 1991|NA|December 1991|EU|November 19, 1992}} Game Boy {{vgrelease|JP|March 28, 1992|NA|1992|EU|1992}} Genesis {{vgrelease|NA|November 1992{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/5b631850-a4d0-4ecd-8a6b-be1da2ea2acc|title=Re-Animated: Comics to Carts|magazine=GamePro|issue=38|publisher=IDG|date=September 1992|page=26}}}}

}}

| genre = Run and gun
Platformer (Game Boy)

| modes = Single-player

| platforms = NES, Game Boy, Sega Genesis

}}

Batman: Return of the Joker{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo|Dynamite Batman|ダイナマイトバットマン|Dainamaito Battoman|lead=yes}}}} 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.{{cite web|last=Kurland|first=Daniel|date=July 23, 2020|url=https://gamerant.com/snes-super-nintendo-games-only-emulators/|title=SNES: 10 Rare Super Nintendo Games You Can Only Find On Emulators|work=Game Rant|access-date=September 17, 2020}}

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.{{Sfn|NES instruction manual|1991|p=4}} 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.{{Sfn|NES instruction manual|1991|p=12}} Although Batman has three lives, the game has unlimited continues{{Sfn|NES instruction manual|1991|p=11}} and stage passwords that can be accessed by pausing the game.{{Sfn|NES instruction manual|1991|p=10}} 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;{{Sfn|NES instruction manual|1991|p=12}} 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.{{Sfn|NES instruction manual|1991|p=9}}

Return of the Joker is a side-scrolling run and gun platformer.{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Justin|date=October 4, 2014|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/10/08/a-complete-history-of-batman-video-games|title=A Complete History of Batman Video Games|work=IGN|access-date=September 17, 2020}} Batman's weapon is a wrist projector{{Sfn|NES instruction manual|1991|p=6}} 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.{{Sfn|NES instruction manual|1991|p=7}} 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).{{Sfn|NES instruction manual|1991|p=6}} Batman can also collect energy capsules that, if eight are obtained, will make him become invincible for a few seconds.{{Sfn|NES instruction manual|1991|p=7}}

= Game Boy version =

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

Reception

{{Video game reviews

| NES = true

| GB = true

| SMD = true

| Allgame_NES = {{rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web|last=Miller|first=Skyler |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115040213/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1153&tab=review|archive-date=November 15, 2014|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1153&tab=review|title=Batman: Return of the Joker |work=AllGame|access-date=September 16, 2020}}

| Allgame_SMD = {{rating|2.5|5}}{{cite web|last=Weiss|first=Brett Alan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114202925/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1526|archive-date=November 14, 2014|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1526|title=Batman: Revenge of the Joker |work=AllGame|access-date=September 17, 2020}}

| CVG_GB = 79%{{cite magazine|title=Batman: Return of the Joker|magazine=Go!|issue=9|pages=6–7}}

| CVG_SMD=59%{{cite magazine|last=Anglin|first=Paul|date=April 1993|title=Batman: Revenge of the Joker|issue=137|magazine=Computer and Video Games|page=40}}

| EGM_NES = 29/40{{efn|name=EGM|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.{{cite magazine|last1=Harris|first1=Steve|last2=Semrad|first2=Ed|last3=Alessi|first3=Martin|author4=Sushi-X|title=Batman: Return of the Joker|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|date=May 1992|page=32|issue=34}}{{cite magazine|last1=Harris|first1=Steve|last2=Semrad|first2=Ed|last3=Alessi|first3=Martin|author4=Sushi-X|title=Batman 2|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|date=November 1991|page=20|issue=28}}}}

| EGM_GB = 29/40{{efn|name=EGM}}

| GamePro_NES = 17/20{{efn|GamePro gave the NES version a 5/5 for graphics and four 4/5 ratings for sound, gameplay, fun factor, and challenge.{{cite magazine|author=Earth Angel|date=December 1991|title=Batman: Return of the Joker|magazine=GamePro|issue=29|pages=26–27}}}}

| GamePro_SMD=3/5{{cite magazine|author=Scary Larry|date=May 1993|issue=46|title=Batman: Revenge of the Joker|magazine=GamePro|page=56}}

| GMaster_SMD=68%{{cite magazine|last=Leach|first=James|date=April 1993|title=Revenge of the Joker|pages=42–43|magazine=GamesMaster|issue=4}}

| GameZone_GB=78/100{{cite magazine|title=Batman Return of the Joker|date=October 1992|magazine=GameZone|issue=12|pages=58–59}}

| JXV_NES = 15/20{{cite web|author=L'avis de Greatkev|date=June 16, 2011|url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00015184-batman-return-of-the-joker-test.htm|title=Batman: Return of the Joker |website=Jeuxvideo.com|language=fr|access-date=September 16, 2020}}

| NP_NES = 3.85/5{{efn|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.{{cite magazine|title=Batman: Return of the Joker|volume=31|date=December 1991|magazine=Nintendo Power|pages=8–17}}}}

| NP_GB=3.6/5{{efn|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.{{cite magazine|title=Your Guide to the Latest Releases|magazine=Nintendo Power|volume=36|date=May 1992|page=105}}}}

| ONM_NES = 78%{{cite magazine|last1=Radion Automatic|last2=Rignall|first1=Julian|date=September 1992|title=Batman: Return of the Joker|magazine=Nintendo Magazine System|pages=60–63|issue=1}}

| TOT_NES = 64%{{Cite magazine|title=Total! Recall|magazine=Total!|date=February 1993|page=90|issue=14}}

| TOT_GB=86%{{cite magazine|author=James|date=October 1992|title=Batman: Return of the Joker|magazine=Total!|pages=70–71|issue=10}}

| Zero_GB=90/100{{cite magazine|title=Batman: Return of the Joker|magazine=Zero|issue=36|date=October 1991|pages=80–81}}

| rev1 = Game Zero

| rev1_NES = 50.5/100{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gamezero.com/team-0/final_word/nes/batman_2_return_joker.html|title=Batman II, Return of the Joker|volume=1|issue=2|date=July 1992|access-date=September 17, 2020}}

| rev2 = Nintendo Acción

| rev2_NES = 2.75/4{{efn|Nintendo Acción gave the NES version three 3/4 ratings for graphics, gameplay, and fun, and a 2/4 score for sound.{{cite magazine|title=Batman Return of the Joker|magazine=Nintendo Acción|pages=60–61|issue=4|language=es}}}}

| rev3=GB Action

| rev3_GB=83%{{cite magazine|title=Batman: Return of the Joker|date=June 1992|magazine=GB Action|pages=20–21|issue=1}}

| rev4=N-Force

| rev4_GB=82%{{cite magazine|title=Batman: Return of the Joker|magazine=N-Force|page=47|date=August 1992|issue=2}}

| rev5=Mega

| rev5_SMD=67%{{cite magazine|last=Mellerick|first=Paul|date=April 1993|title=Batman Revenge of the Joker|magazine=Mega|pages=46–47|issue=7}}

| rev6=Mega Drive Advanced Gaming

| rev6_SMD=78%{{cite magazine|author=Nick|title=Batman Revenge of the Joker|date=May 1993|issue=9|magazine=Mega Drive Advanced Gaming|pages=26–27}}

| rev7=Mean Machines Sega

| rev7_SMD=68%{{cite magazine|title=Batman: Return of the Joker|magazine=Mean Machines Sega|date=April 1993|pages=50–52|issue=7}}

| rev8=MegaTech

| rev8_SMD=75%{{cite magazine|title=Batman Revenge of the Joker|magazine=MegaTech|date=April 1993|issue=16|pages=58–59}}

| rev9=Sega Force

| rev9_SMD=60/100{{cite magazine|title=Batman: Revenge of the Joker|magazine=Sega Force|issue=17|date=May 1993|pages=82–84}}

| rev10=Sega Pro

| rev10_SMD=84%{{cite magazine|last=Wekh|first=Robbie|date=April 1993|title=Batman: Revenge of the Joker|magazine=Sega Pro|issue=18|pages=50–51}}

| rev11=Sega Zone

| rev11_SMD=81/100{{cite magazine|title=Batman Revenge Of the Joker|magazine=Sega Zone|pages=42–43|issue=7|date=May 1993}}

| award1Pub=Nintendo Power

| award1=Game of the Year (nominee){{cite magazine |title=Nintendo Power Awards '92: The NESTERS! And the nominees are |magazine=Nintendo Power |date=March 1993 |issue=46 |pages=96–9 |url=https://archive.org/details/NintendoPower1988-2004/Nintendo%20Power%20Issue%20046%20%28March%201993%29/page/n103/mode/2up}}

}}

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".{{cite web|last=Cook|first=Dave|date=March 24, 2016|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/03/feature_batman_v_superman_in_the_battle_of_the_nintendo_games|title=Feature: Batman V Superman In The Battle Of The Nintendo Games|work=Nintendo Life|access-date=September 17, 2020}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/watch-7-essential-dc-comics-video-games-that-will-make-you-feel-like-a-superhero-or|title=WATCH: 7 essential DC Comics video games that will make you feel like a superhero (or supervillain)|work=Syfy Wire|date=December 29, 2017|access-date=September 17, 2020|archive-date=August 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814113359/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/watch-7-essential-dc-comics-video-games-that-will-make-you-feel-like-a-superhero-or|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite web|last=Freiberg|first=Chris|date=August 27, 2018|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/games/25-underrated-game-boy-games/|title=25 Underrated Game Boy Games|work=Den of Geek|access-date=September 17, 2020}}

In 2019, IGN ranked the game's final boss the third best video game portrayal of the Joker of all-time.{{cite web|last=Adler|first=Matthew|date=October 12, 2019|url=https://sea.ign.com/batman-arkham-city-1/154266/feature/the-5-best-versions-of-joker-in-video-games-ranked|title=The 5 Best Versions of Joker in Video Games, Ranked|work=IGN|access-date=September 17, 2020}}

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".{{cite web|last=Fontes|first=Renan|date=August 4, 2020|url=https://gamerant.com/classic-nes-games-still-look-amazing-today/|title=10 Classic NES Games That Still Look Amazing Today|work=Game Rant|access-date=September 17, 2020}} 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".{{cite magazine|last=Kohler|first=Chris|date=July 30, 2014|url=https://www.wired.com/2014/07/the-best-video-game-sprites-ever/#slide-8|title=The 8 Best Sprites in Videogame History|magazine=Wired|access-date=September 17, 2020}}

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".{{cite web|last=Handke|first=Tobias|date=August 27, 2018|url=https://www.thegamer.com/batman-video-games-best-least-all-time/|title=The 15 Best Batman Video Games Ever (And 14 That Are Embarrassing)|work=The Gamer|access-date=September 17, 2020}} It has also been ranked the ninth-best Batman game by Uproxx{{cite web|last=Birch|first=Nathan|date=March 24, 2016|url=https://uproxx.com/gaming/10-best-batman-video-games/|title=Digital Dark Knight: Ranking The Titles That Prove Batman Is A Video Game Winner|work=Uproxx|access-date=September 17, 2020}} and the tenth-best by IGN Spain.{{cite web|last=Soriano |first=David|date=July 21, 2015|url=https://es.ign.com/batman-heroe/95094/feature/los-mejores-juegos-de-batman|title=Los mejores juegos de Batman|language=es|work=IGN Spain|access-date=September 17, 2020}} 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".{{cite web|last=Duval|first=Nicholas|date=May 23, 2019|url=https://www.thethings.com/batman-every-game-worst-best-ranked/|title=Batman: Every Video Game From Worst To Best, Officially Ranked|work=The Things|access-date=September 17, 2020}}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Notes

References

= Citations =

= Bibliography =

{{cite book |title=Batman: Return of the Joker (NES) instruction manual|year=1991 |publisher=Sunsoft |pages=1–12 |ref={{SfnRef|NES instruction manual|1991}}}}