With the astronomical costs of video game development these days you don’t see many licensed titles anymore. But back in the day publishers ran their entire business around tie-ins. When done properly you got some of the best games of all time like Goldeneye and Batman: Arkham Asylum. When they cheaped out you wound up with everything Akklaim/LJN put out. Konami were one of the few publishers who treated their licenses with respect and absolutely knocked it out of the park with Batman Returns, creating one of the SNES’s best brawlers.
The first Batman movie was an unexpected blockbuster. Its not to say no one expected it be a success; just not to that degree. As such there were few video games created to capitalize on its success. When Batman Returns came around the industry was prepared. Every platform received an adaptation, from the NES to the Genesis. European PCs got in on the act. Strangely the Turbo Grafx-16 was left out of these shenanigans which is embarrassing; even the frickin Atari Lynx got a game. The games spanned various genres but of all of them Konami’s SNES brawler is absolutely the best.
One of Batman Return’s greatest assets is its large variety of moves. Batman has a large arsenal of attacks that are brutal in action. He doesn’t throw enemies, he can toss them into the background, shattering glass and destroying benches. The one hand body slam looks painful as it drives enemies face first into the pavement. If you are surrounded you can grab two enemies and smack their heads together. This is insanely cool and something I wish more brawlers would incorporate. The jump kick isn’t useful however you can perform a better gliding attack. This silly looking move blocks everything, even bullets! Speaking of blocking, you can guard against attacks, even from bosses.
Another factor that makes the game so good is its pacing. Batman Returns is an exercise in making the most out of very little. Enemy variety isn’t very high and so the game does not overwhelm you with too many waves. It gives the game a nice, brisk pace. Nearly every level has at least one segment that becomes completely side scrolling. In these set pieces you trade fisticuffs for shooter style batarangs. These segments are quick and a nice change of pace from the standard action. The same goes for the one off batmobile level that, while a gratuitous use of Mode 7, is actually well done. The game maintains this variety in content until its conclusion, making it one of the better paced beat em ups out there.
Its also balanced pretty well too. I’ve already mentioned the measured pacing of its enemy waves. In addition to that power-ups are spaced out well, including life restoring hearts. The scoring system awards extra lives at a consistent clip and even though there are limited continues the game still seems fair. It has its moments of course. Bosses deal an excessive amount of damage as in most brawlers. Don’t be surprised if you lose three lives fighting Catwoman. But at least the game mitigates this in other ways.
If anything, Batman Returns is only held back by its license. Konami have done an excellent job of varying the game but it is still let down by the film it is based on. The Red Triangle Circus Gang are the primary antagonists in the movie and there are only so many different clowns you can create as generic fodder. Likewise, you fight both the Penguin and Catwoman as bosses multiple times. The limitations of the movie are mainly why the great pacing stand out as much. If Konami were not restrained by the license and able to go to town this really would have been special. It isn’t unbreakable but will serve you well when well timed.
Even Batman’s utility belt is incorporated in a limited fashion. Batarangs can stun enemies although being honest I rarely used them. They really come in to play during the game’s fast paced segments. Test Tubes are essentially a screen clearing super move although in this case they are limited rather than using health. The grappling hook is under utilized but honestly for the type of game this is its for the better. Its good to have so many options; games like Final Fight and Riot Zone become a slog as they progress since they are so limited gameplay wise.
In Closing
In the end that simply means Batman Returns is simply great and not spectacular. Of the many games based on the movie the SNES version is the best. Even divorced from its license Batman Returns would still be one of the system’s better brawlers. Brutal, well-paced, and graphically excellent, Batman Returns is still worth playing.
2 thoughts on “Batman Returns”