Batman Returns (SNES video game)
{{Short description|1993 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Batman Returns
| image = Batman Returns SNES cover.jpg
| developer = Konami
| publisher = Konami
| director = Yoichi Yoshimoto
| producer =
| designer = Yoichi Yoshimoto, Tae Yabu, Tetsuya Sato
| programmer = Etsunobu Ebisu, Toshinori Shimono, Shigeki Morihira
| artist =
| composer = Jun Funahashi, Harumi Ueko
| series = Batman
| engine =
| platforms = Super Nintendo Entertainment System
| released = {{vgrelease|JP|February 26, 1993|NA|April 1993|EU|May 7, 1993}}
| genre = Beat 'em up
| modes = Single-player
}}
Batman Returns (バットマンリターンズ) is a 1993 beat 'em up video game developed and published by Konami for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. It is based on the 1992 film of the same name.
Gameplay
File:Batman Returns (SNES) gameplay.png
The game is a left-to-right scrolling fighter beat 'em up, a genre that was featured heavily on the console at the time. The gameplay and graphics are very similar to the Super Famicom port of Final Fight.{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2009/12/batman_returns_retro|title=Batman Returns Review|first1=Jamie|last1=O'Neil|date=December 25, 2009|website=Nintendo Life}} The game takes the player through seven scenes featured in the film. Each scene has a boss fight that Batman must win in order to proceed to the next scene. Scene 1 takes place in Gotham's Plaza, where Batman fights numerous Red Triangle Circus gangsters and saves Selina Kyle from the Stungun Clown who took her hostage. In Scene 2, Batman fights the Circus gang throughout Gotham City's Streets, facing the Tattooed Strongman as the boss. Climbing on the rooftops of Scene 3, Batman encounters Catwoman, who escapes to an abandoned building where Penguin's setting a trap for Batman, but he manages to take on Catwoman and Penguin on Scene 4. In Scene 5, Batman drives the Batmobile and uses a machine gun to destroy Penguin's Campaign Van. Moving to Scene 6, Batman goes to the Circus Train and defeats Penguin's right-hand man, the Organ Grinder. Penguin escapes to the abandoned Arctic World on Scene 7, where Batman destroys his Duck Vehicle and ultimately gains the upper hand on Penguin once and for all. Meanwhile, Catwoman escapes and watches as Batman gets called for another adventure. Various members of the Red Triangle Circus Gang attack Batman throughout the game. Batman has a number of weapons and moves at his disposal, including the batarang.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| rev1 = Super Gamer
| rev1Score = 90%{{Cite journal|date=May 1994|title=Batman Returns NES Review|url=https://archive.org/details/super-gamer-02/page/122/mode/2up|journal=Super Gamer|location=United Kingdom|publisher=Paragon Publishing|issue=2|pages=122|access-date=March 24, 2021}}
}}
Scary Larry of GamePro gave the game a perfect score, singling out praise for the visuals, animations, score and adjustable difficulty level.{{cite magazine |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/d/d3/GamePro_US_046.pdf |title=Super NES Pro Review: Batman Returns |author=Scary Larry |magazine=GamePro |date=May 1993 |pages=76–77}}
Super Gamer gave an overall score of 90%. They praised the soundtrack, graphics and gameplay, and called it one of the "finest scrolling beat 'em ups".{{Cite journal|date=May 1994|title=Batman Returns NES Review|url=https://archive.org/details/super-gamer-02/page/122/mode/2up|journal=Super Gamer|location=United Kingdom|publisher=Paragon Publishing|issue=2|pages=122|access-date=March 24, 2021}}
=Accolades=
In 2018, Complex placed the game 97th on their "The Best Super Nintendo Games of All Time". They also praised the game being a good translation from the movie and described the game as a "beat-em-up gem".{{Cite web|last=Knight|first=Rich|date=April 30, 2018|title=The Best Super Nintendo Games of All Time|url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/the-100-best-super-nintendo-games/|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-21|website=Complex|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116111038/http://www.complex.com:80/pop-culture/the-100-best-super-nintendo-games/ |archive-date=2018-01-16}} Nintendo Power ranked Batman Returns the eighth best SNES game of 1993.{{Cite magazine|date=January 1994|title=The Top Titles of 1993|url=https://archive.org/details/Nintendo_Power_Issue001-Issue127/Nintendo%20Power%20Issue%20056%20January%201994/page/n81/mode/2up?q=%22The+Lost+Vikings%22|magazine=Nintendo Power|volume=56|pages=2–5|access-date=January 23, 2022}} In 2023, Time Extension included the game on their top 25 "Best Beat 'Em Ups of All Time" list.{{cite web |last1=Banks |first1=George |title=Best Beat 'Em Ups Of All Time |url=https://www.timeextension.com/guides/best-beat-em-ups-of-all-time |website=Time Extension |publisher=Hookshot Media |access-date=19 February 2023 |date=14 February 2023}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{MobyGames|id=/snes/batman-returns_|name=Batman Returns (SNES)}}
- {{IMDb title|qid=Q979831|title=Batman Returns}}
{{Tim Burton's/Joel Schumacher's Batman}}
{{Batman video games}}
Category:Batman (1989 film series) video games
Category:Christmas video games
Category:Single-player video games
Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System games
Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System-only games
Category:Superhero video games
Category:Video games based on Batman films
Category:Video games based on works by Tim Burton