Batman Returns (SNES video game)

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Batman Returns
North American box art
DeveloperKonami
PublisherKonami
DirectorYoichi Yoshimoto
Designers
  • Yoichi Yoshimoto
  • Tae Yabu
  • Tetsuya Sato
Programmers
Composers
  • Jun Funahashi
  • Harumi Ueko
SeriesBatman
PlatformSuper Nintendo Entertainment System
Release
  • JP: February 26, 1993
  • NA: April 1993
  • EU: May 7, 1993
GenreBeat 'em up
ModeSingle-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, based on the 1992 film of the same name.

Gameplay

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An example of gameplay.

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.[1] The game takes the player through seven scenes featured in the film.[1] 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.

Release and reception

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Batman Returns was released in Japan on for the Super Famicom on February 26, 1993.[3]

Batman Returns on the Super NES received generally favorable reception from critics.[18][19][20] GamePro's Lawrence Neves lauded the game for its overall graphical department, soundscapes, and adjustable difficulty level.[21] Super Gamer called it one of the finest beat 'em ups, praising its audiovisual department, but felt its only flaw was that it was a bit too easy at the lower difficulty level.[16]

Nintendo Power ranked Batman Returns the eighth best Super NES game of 1993.[22] In 2018, Complex included Batman Returns on their best Super Nintendo games of all time list.[23] In 2023, Time Extension listed the game as one of the beat 'em ups of all time.[24]

References

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  1. ^ a b O'Neil, Jamie (December 25, 2009). "Batman Returns Review". Nintendo Life.
  2. ^ Rand, Paul; Anglin, Paul (May 1993). "Review (Super NES): Batman Returns". Computer and Video Games. No. 138. EMAP. pp. 44–45.
  3. ^ a b Tsūshin, Hamamura; Seizan, Tahara; Watanabe, Miki; Chuji, Giorgio (March 5, 1993). "New Games Cross Review". Weekly Famicom Tsūshin (in Japanese). No. 220. ASCII Corporation. p. 37.
  4. ^ Halverson, Dave; Stratton, Tom; Cockburn, Andrew; Winding, David (April 1993). "Viewpoint: Batman Returns (Nintendo); Planet SNES - Super NES Review: Batman Returns". GameFan. Vol. 1, no. 5. DieHard Gamers Club. pp. 15, 45–47.
  5. ^ Leach, James; Lowe, Andy; Ellis, Les (May 1993). "Reviews (SNES): Batman Returns". GamesMaster. No. 5. Future Publishing. pp. 50–52.
  6. ^ O'Neill, Jamie (December 25, 2009). "Batman Returns (Super Nintendo) Review". Nintendo Life. Cuttlefish Multimedia. Archived from the original on 2009-12-27. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  7. ^ Lawrence, Edward; Davies, Paul (January 1994). "Super NES Review: Batman Returns". Nintendo Magazine System. No. 8. United Kingdom: EMAP. pp. 52–55.
  8. ^ Davies, Jonathan (May 1993). "Import Review: Batman Returns". Super Play. No. 7. Future Publishing. pp. 40–42.
  9. ^ O'Connor, Frank (July 1993). "SNES Reviews: Batman Returns". Total!. No. 19. United Kingdom: Future Publishing. p. 40.
  10. ^ Eggebrecht, Julian (July 1993). "SNES Test: Batman Returns". Total! (in German). No. 2. Germany: MVL-Verlag. pp. 66–67. Archived from the original on 2025-09-08. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  11. ^ Mandel, Josh (June 1993). "Video-Game Reviews: Batman Returns - For the Super NES". VideoGames & Computer Entertainment. No. 53. Larry Flynt Publications. p. 51.
  12. ^ Roberts, Nick; Millichamp, Rob (May 1993). "Reviewed! Batman Returns (SNES)". N-Force. No. 11. Impact Magazines. pp. 36–37.
  13. ^ McCarthy, Patrick (June 1993). "SNES Review: Batman Returns". Nintendo Game Zone. No. 8. Dennis Publishing. pp. 40–42.
  14. ^ O'Connor, Frank (May 1993). "Import Review: Batman Returns". Super Action. No. 8. Europress. pp. 18–19.
  15. ^ West, Allison; Mallinson, Paul; Martin, Andrew (June 1993). "Super Review: Batman Returns". Super Control. No. 1. Maverick Magazines. pp. 38–41.
  16. ^ a b "A-Z of Games - Nintendo Games Index: Super NES". Super Gamer. No. 1. Paragon Publishing. April 1994. pp. 122–124.
  17. ^ Wynne, Stuart (May 1993). "Import Review: Batman Returns". Super Pro. No. 6. Paragon Publishing. pp. 14–17.
  18. ^ Slate, Chris (May 1993). "Feature: Batman Blasts on SNES". Game Players Nintendo Guide. Vol. 6, no. 5. GP Publications. pp. 26–31.
  19. ^ "Batman Returns; Now Playing: Batman Returns (Super NES)". Nintendo Power. Vol. 48. Nintendo of America. May 1993. pp. 30–34, 102, 107.
  20. ^ Lawrence, Eddy; Davies, Paul (December 1993). "Super NES Review: Batman Returns". Nintendo Magazine System. No. 9. Australia: Trielle Corporation. pp. 20–23.
  21. ^ Neves, Lawrence (May 1993). "Super NES Pro Review: Batman Returns". GamePro. No. 46. IDG. pp. 76–77.
  22. ^ "The Top Titles of 1993". Nintendo Power (Member's Special). Super Power Club. Vol. 56. Nintendo of America. January 1994. pp. 2–5.
  23. ^ Knight, Rich (November 21, 2016). "The Best Super Nintendo Games of All Time". Complex. Complex Media. Archived from the original on 2018-01-18. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  24. ^ Banks, George (February 14, 2023). "Best Beat 'Em Ups Of All Time". Time Extension. Hookshot Media. Archived from the original on 2023-02-14. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
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