SNES - Batman Returns

Format
SNES
Publisher
Konami
Developer
Konami
Release date
1993
Genre
Scrolling Fighter

Batman Returns

By David Rasmussen
17th Jul 05

This week we’re talking about the game based on the movie that brought DC back into the theatrical game, Batman Begins. To accompany that I did a review of the only other Batman game I actually liked, the classic Batman Returns, based on the sequel of the same name.

The movie, second (and last) one directed by Tim Burton, was one of the few Batman movies fans at least liked somewhat (at least somewhat better than Val Kilmer’s Batman Forever & George Clooney’s Batman & Robin) by the fans! The game, of course, is just a mindless button masher but at least it’s OK.
In comparison to the original Batman movie tie-in game for the NES it’s a large improvement.

Of course you know the drill. You are Batman, it’s near Christmas, and your enemies are the Penguin & Catwoman (not the crappy Catwoman from the movie of the same name of course). The game is simple. Proceed from point A to point B, while bashing and thrashing clowns and other circus themed villains along the way. Easy enough. Just lots of button mashing and thrashing. Nothing too deep… and yet there’s more. You have the batarang, which you use to stun enemies. You also have “bombs” which take out a full screen of enemies (or damages the bosses). And then you have your other tricks -- hmm -- it’s easier for you to learn the tricks once your playing (if possible) so I won’t go into it all here… mostly since I can’t remember some of the better tricks since I haven’t played this game in a long while.

Of course you have both the Penguin AND Catwoman in this game which is another plus! For a side scrolling beat em’ up game it’s got a little appeal to it, and it’s a nice nostalgia game if I ever saw one. If you are a fan of beat em’ ups or of Batman (or both) then Batman Returns is the old school game for you.
The look is rather nice for a SNES game, and the action is fun if abit simple. And hey, you can even drive the Batmobile and how much fun is that… well, next to the Batmobile of Batman Begins that is.
Otherwise it’s a simplistic game with a few levels, nice fights, fair music and just simple gameplay. So why bring it up? Because it would have been nice if Nintendo remembered these games when they were getting ready for Batman Begins!

How about DC/WB put out a classic Batman Collection of video games! Like the classic Batman, Batman Returns, the seldomly played Batman Forever & (if it exists) a Batman & Robin game… I don’t think it does exist but just in case… and of course the Batman games for the GameBoy Color would be nice too. Heck, you could also put Batman Returns out on the GBA (along with the original Batman) on one cart for twice the button mashing! I wouldn’t mind and heck I would even buy that if I saw it! Come on! Would someone PLEASE make a Batman Collection game? Please? That’d be so nice!
Ok. Breakdown time.

Batman Returns to Breakdown (Break it down, break it down)
What’s Hot?
Yeah. With the new Batman Begins game out now who’d have thought that this would be a grand old time to release a classic retro Batman video game collection to play! And if you’re doing a collection it’s best to have a game or two that people liked somewhat or just remember in general, mainly Batman & Batman Returns from the classic days of Nintendo! That’d be good! Release it in Classics format, release it brand new, whatever. Just release it. If you actually cared about us, the consumer, you’d release it now.

What’s Not?
Yeah, it’s a simple button masher and all -- but still it’s got some interest in it from others so it’s not a complete loss. The game is interesting, and even someone like me can get used to it! For such a simple game how can it so underrated? And it’s based on a Batman movie that was at least halfway decent, and deserving of some credit where credit is due.

Moments to Remember?
Hmm… let’s see… beat-em-up… simple gameplay… not much else to say… check.
Ok. That’s that. Moving on now.

What to Ignore?
Me! Me! Me! Me… that and the fact I’m raving about an old beat-em-up. Sigh. Yeah, it must be Summer and a slow month of reviewing video games. Sure, I could break down and review Destroy All Humans and all… if it was ever in for rental, everyone keeps renting it. Moving on now.

Overall?
As Batman games goes it’s old school beat-em-up, and yet there’s a place even for that in our collections. Though, yes, right now unless you have an old SNES you’ll have to hope somebody either makes a Classic DC Collection with old Batman & Superman video games, or a Classic Batman Movie Collection with the original Batman game for the GBA… one or the other. And what should you do if you find such a collection? Why check it out, of course!
It’s old school, but sometimes that’s fun too! Whether or not the WB and Nintendo knows they’re fun however is another thing entirely… sigh. Just don’t make a Classics Collection based on the old Animated Batman games please… please don’t. Nuff said.

-- David Rasmussen 17th Jul 05

SNES Batman Returns Images