Batman: The Video Game#Game Boy version

{{about|the 1989 NES game|other video games|List of video games featuring Batman}}

{{Infobox video game

|title = Batman: The Video Game

|image = Batman The Video Game NES NA Cover.jpg

|caption = North American cover art

|developer = Sunsoft

|publisher = Sunsoft

|designer = Kazutomo Mori
Masayuki Takatsuji
Noriko Sakai
Tadashi Kojima
Yoshiaki Iwata

|programmer = Keiichi Suzuki
Hiroaki Higashiya
Yuichi Ueda

|composer = Naoki Kodaka
Noboyuki Hara

|platforms = Nintendo Entertainment System

|released = {{vgrelease|JP|December 22, 1989|NA|February 1990|EU|September 14, 1990}}

|genre = Platform

|modes = Single-player

}}

Batman: The Video Game is a platform video game developed by Sunsoft for the Nintendo Entertainment System featuring the DC Comics character Batman, loosely based on the 1989 film of the same name.

Gameplay

Image:Batman (NES) gameplay.png being attacked by Heat Wave in the first stage]]

Batman: The Video Game is a platform game featuring five levels. The game has a feature that was unusual in side-scrolling platform games at the time, largely to the NES itself. Unlike Sunsoft's Batman for the Mega Drive/Genesis, which features the grappling hook, Batman has the ability to do a wall jump. He is able to use three projectile weapons: the batarang, batdisk, and batpoon, which are powered by pellet cartridges.

Though officially tied to the 1989 film, the plot of the game bears very little resemblance. The stages in the game consists of the Gotham City Streets, Axis Chemical Plant, Gotham Sewers, Mysterious Laboratory, and the Gotham Cathedral Belltower. A number of notable DC Universe villains appear as low-level minions in the game, including Deadshot, KGBeast, Maxie Zeus, Heat Wave, Shakedown, and Nightslayer.

The bosses in the game are Killer Moth, a device known as the Machine Intelligence System, the Electrocutioner, a machine known as the Dual-Container Alarm, Firebug, and the Joker. The penultimate boss will be skipped in the continued play if the player reached the Joker previously, so the player can directly fight the Joker next time.

Development

The prototype version of the game had some significant differences, such as a 1UP icon and entirely different cutscenes. Originally, the game's final boss was Firebug, and there was no Joker boss. Instead, Batman is shown defeating the Joker in the ending cutscene. The art and dialogue were changed from the prototype to the final version to better reflect the look and events from the film.

Reception

{{Video game reviews

|ACE = 890/1000{{cite magazine|last=Lacey|first=Eugene|url=https://archive.org/details/ACE_Issue_35_1990-08_Future_Publishing_GB/page/n60/mode/1up|title=Screentest (Consoles) - Coming for Consoles: Batman — Holy Nintendo, the Caped Crusader is back|magazine=ACE|issue=35|publisher=EMAP|date=August 1990|page=59}}

|Allgame = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web|last=Weiss|first=Brett Alan|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=342&tab=review|title=Batman: The Video Game (Nintendo Entertainment System) - Review|work=AllGame|publisher=All Media Network|date=1998|access-date=2023-10-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115035845/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=342&tab=review|archive-date=2014-11-15|url-status=dead}}

|CVG = 92%{{cite magazine|last=Rand|first=Paul|url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_Video_Games_Issue_103_1990-06_EMAP_Publishing_GB/page/n99/mode/2up|title=Nintendo - Mean Machines: Batman|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=103|publisher=EMAP|date=June 1990|pages=100–101}}

|EGM = 31/40{{cite magazine|last1=Harris|first1=Steve|last2=Semrad|first2=Ed|last3=Alessi|first3=Martin|last4=Stockhausen|first4=Jim|url=https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_09/page/n9/mode/1up|title=Review Crew: Batman (NES)|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=9|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=April 1990|page=10}}

|Fam = 27/40{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/famitsu91january1990/page/n17/mode/1up|title=NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: バットマン|magazine=Famitsu|issue=91–92|publisher=ASCII Corporation|date=January 5–19, 1990|page=18|language=ja}}

|JS = 90%{{cite magazine|last=Demoly|first=Jean-Marc|url=https://archive.org/details/joystick008/page/n111/mode/1up|title=Console News - Nintendo NES: Batman|magazine=Joystick|issue=8|publisher=Sipress|date=September 1990|pages=112|language=fr}}

|ONM = 92%{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/nintendo-magazine-system-1/page/104/mode/2up|title=Nintendo Magazine System Game Index: 8-Bit NES|magazine=Nintendo Magazine System|issue=1|publisher=EMAP|date=October 1992|pages=104–109}}

|PO = 95%{{cite magazine|last=Giordano|first=Patrick|url=https://archive.org/details/playerone-magazine-002/page/n27/mode/2up|title=Tests de Jeu - Nintendo: Batman|magazine={{ill|Player One (magazine)|lt=Player One|fr|Player One (magazine)}}|issue=2|publisher={{ill|Média Système Édition|lt=Média Système Édition|fr|Média Système Édition}}|date=October 1990|pages=28–29|language=fr}}

|Raze = 82%{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/RAZE_Issue_01_1990-11_Newsfield_Publishing_GB/page/n40/mode/1up|title=Reviews: Batman (Nintendo)|magazine=Raze|issue=1|publisher=Newsfield|date=November 1990|page=41}}

|TOT = 81%{{cite magazine|last=Dyer|first=Andy|url=https://archive.org/details/Total_Issue_001_1992-01_Future_Publishing_GB/page/n19/mode/2up|title=NES Reviews: Batman|magazine=Total!|issue=1|publisher=Future Publishing|date=January 1992|pages=20–21}}

|VGS = 63%{{cite magazine|last=Lenhardt|first=Heinrich|url=https://archive.org/details/video-games-de-1991-03/page/n32/mode/1up|title=Test: Gotham City Bei Nacht - Batman (NES)|magazine={{ill|Video Games (magazine)|lt=Video Games|de|Video Games}}|issue=3|publisher=Markt & Technik|date=March 1991|page=33|language=de}}

|rev1 = Mean Machines

|rev1Score = 87%{{cite magazine|last1=Regan|first1=Matt|last2=Rignall|first2=Julian|author-link2=Julian Rignall|url=https://archive.org/details/Mean_Machines_Issue_03_1990-12_EMAP_Images_GB/page/n77/mode/2up|title=Nintendo Review: Batman|magazine=Mean Machines|issue=3|publisher=EMAP|date=December 1990|pages=78–79}}

|rev2 = Play Time

|rev2Score = 74%{{cite magazine|last=Rosshirt|first=Rainer|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:PlayTime_DE_1992-01.pdf&page=78|title=Konsolen Spiele: Batman (Nintendo)|magazine={{ill|Play Time (magazine)|lt=Play Time|de|Play Time}}|issue=8|publisher=Computec|date=January 1992|pages=78|language=de|access-date=2023-10-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015195749/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:PlayTime_DE_1992-01.pdf&page=78|archive-date=2023-10-15|url-status=live}}

|rev3 = Super Gamer

|rev3Score = 91%{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/super-gamer-01/page/n123/mode/1up|title=A-Z of Games - Nintendo Games Index: NES|magazine=Super Gamer|issue=1|publisher=Paragon Publishing|date=April 1994|pages=124–125}}

|award1Pub = Electronic Gaming Monthly (1989)

|award1 = Best Movie to Game{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_05/page/n21/mode/1up|title=Best and Worst of 1989|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=5|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=December 1989|pages=17–24}}

}}

Batman: The Video Game garnered generally favorable reception from critics.{{cite magazine|last=Huyghues-Lacour|first=Alain|url=https://archive.org/details/Tilt082/page/n91/mode/1up|title=Rolling Softs: Batman (Console Nintendo, cartouche Sunsoft)|magazine=Tilt|issue=82|publisher={{ill|Mondadori France|lt=Editions Mondiales S.A.|fr|Mondadori France}}|date=October 1990|page=92|language=fr}}{{cite magazine|title=Le Cahier des Consoles - Nintendo: Batman|magazine={{ill|Amstar Informatique|lt=Amstar Informatique|fr|Amstar (magazine de jeu vidéo)}}|issue=52|publisher=Soracom Editions|date=December 1990|language=fr}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/VideoGame_Ano_1_Numero_01_1991_Sigla_Editora_BR_pt_Video_News_Numero_102A_Edicao_Especial/page/n15/mode/1up|title=Sistema Nintendo: Batman|magazine={{ill|VideoGame (magazine)|lt=VideoGame|pt|VideoGame}}|issue=1|publisher=Editora Sigla|date=March 1991|page=17|language=pt}} Electronic Gaming Monthly{{'}}s four reviewers praised the intermission cutscenes, challenging bosses, and different weapons. While the graphics received praise for matching the film's mood, they felt it detracted from the game's overall appeal and added that its gameplay could get repetitive. Computer and Video Games{{'}} Paul Rand lauded the presentation for its forbidding backgrounds, Batman's main sprite, and cutscenes. Rand also celebrated the game's soundscapes and frenetic gameplay. ACE{{'}}s Euguene Lacey praised the game's atmospheric audiovisual presentation and gameplay, but commented that its overall appeal depends largely on being a Batman fan and noted its difficulty.

Joystick{{'}}s Jean-Marc Demoly regarded the game as an excellent achievement on the NES, highlighting its dark graphics, sordid atmosphere, music, playability, and controls. Player One{{'}}s Patrick Giordano applauded the visuals for their gothic-esque look and animated sequences. Giordano also praised the game's soundtrack, audio effects, and controls, but noted its learning curve. Raze found the game to be very good but considered the levels to be short. Mean Machines{{'}} Matt Regan and Julian Rignall praised the game's presentation for its animated cutscenes, crisp visuals, addictive gameplay, and balanced difficulty, but saw the audio as the only shortcoming. Video Games{{'}} Heinrich Lenhardt commended the game's thrilling music and said that the dark graphics have a certain charm, but emphasized that it will take some getting used to and criticized the cumbersome way of switching weapons.

Play Time{{'}}s Rainer Rosshirt found the game to be highly playable and gave positive remarks for its audiovisual department. Total!{{'}}s Andy Dyer expressed admiration for the game's atmospheric backgrounds and gameplay but remarked that the soundscapes were not its best aspect. Nintendo Magazine System (Official Nintendo Magazine) rated it as a first-class title and considered its gameplay to be addictive, but highlighted the high level of difficulty. Super Gamer labelled it as one of the best platform games released on the NES, stating that the graphics captured the atmosphere and feel of Batman. AllGame{{'}}s Brett Alan Weiss called it "one of the best superhero games for the NES". In a retrospective outlook, Hardcore Gaming 101{{'}}s Chris Rasa highlighted its visuals, responsive controls, level design, and soundtrack, writing that "Sunsoft's first attempt at a Batman game remains its best".{{cite web|last=Rasa|first=Chris|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/batman-the-video-game-nes/|title=Batman: The Video Game (NES)|work=Hardcore Gaming 101|date=December 12, 2014|access-date=2023-10-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316040520/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/batman-the-video-game-nes/|archive-date=2018-03-16|url-status=live}}

= Sales and accolades =

According to Famitsu, Batman sold approximately 78,437 copies during its lifetime in Japan.{{cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/gamedatalibrary/game-search|title=Game Search|website=Game Data Library|access-date=2023-10-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101163642/https://sites.google.com/site/gamedatalibrary/game-search|archive-date=2023-01-01|url-status=live}} In 1989, EGM gave it their "Best Movie to Game" award. In the years after its release, it has been celebrated as one of the best games on the NES.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/best-nes-games-of-all-time/1100-6497345/|title=Best NES Games Of All Time|work=GameSpot|publisher=Red Ventures|date=October 27, 2021|access-date=2023-10-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027163633/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/best-nes-games-of-all-time/1100-6497345/|archive-date=2021-10-27|url-status=live}} Furthermore, it is also listed among the best Batman games.{{cite web|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/the-best-batman-games-of-all-time-ranked/|title=The best Batman games of all time, ranked|work=Digital Trends|publisher=Designtechnica Corporation|date=August 2, 2021|access-date=2023-10-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803073330/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/the-best-batman-games-of-all-time-ranked/|archive-date=2021-08-03|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/best-batman-games-on-nintendo-systems?page=3|title=Best Batman Games On Nintendo Systems|work=Nintendo Life|publisher=Hookshot Media|date=March 4, 2022|page=3|access-date=2023-10-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324190103/https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/best-batman-games-on-nintendo-systems?page=3|archive-date=2022-03-24|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/the-best-and-worst-batman-games-ever|title=The Best and Worst Batman Games Ever|work=PCMag|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=October 20, 2022|access-date=2023-10-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026203759/https://www.pcmag.com/news/the-best-and-worst-batman-games-ever|archive-date=2022-10-26|url-status=live}} In 2009, IGN placed the title on their "Top 100 NES Games" list at #33, citing its gameplay and high difficulty.{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/top-100-nes-games/33.html|title=Top 100 NES Games - 33. Batman: The Video Game|work=IGN|publisher=IGN Entertainment|date=2009|access-date=2023-10-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091023104754/http://uk.ign.com/top-100-nes-games/33.html|archive-date=2009-10-23|url-status=dead}} In 2014, Digital Trends named it one of the fifty best games for the NES, although the publication noted storyline changes from the film on which it was based.{{cite web|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/best-nes-games-ever/|title=The 50 best NES games of all time|work=Digital Trends|publisher=Designtechnica Corporation|date=June 28, 2014|access-date=2023-10-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630055407/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/best-nes-games-ever/|archive-date=2014-06-30|url-status=live}} In 2022, Destructoid identified it as one of the ten best games for the NES, opining that it was better designed than Ninja Gaiden but highlighted its difficult nature.{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/top-10-best-nes-games-of-all-time-ranked-retro/|title=Top 10 best NES games of all time, ranked|work=Destructoid|publisher=Enthusiast Gaming|date=December 17, 2022|access-date=2023-10-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104215145/https://www.destructoid.com/top-10-best-nes-games-of-all-time-ranked-retro/|archive-date=2023-01-04|url-status=live}} In 2023, Den of Geek listed it as one of the fifteen best NES games based on movies and TV shows.{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/games/best-nes-games-based-on-movies-and-tv-shows/|title=15 Best NES Games Based On Movies and TV Shows|work=Den of Geek|publisher=Dennis Publishing|date=July 3, 2023|access-date=2023-10-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703230021/https://www.denofgeek.com/games/best-nes-games-based-on-movies-and-tv-shows/|archive-date=2023-07-03|url-status=live}}