Batman computer and video games
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It has been suggested that Batman: Chaos in Gotham, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (video game), Batman: Gotham City Racer, Batman: Return of the Joker, Batman: The Animated Series (video game), Batman (arcade game) and Batman & Robin (video game) be merged into this article or section. (Discuss) |
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This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (December 2006) |
Batman can mean several different video games inspired on the Batman from DC Comics created for different platforms over more than 20 years.
[edit] Batman (1986)
Prior to the film licenced version of the games, a 3D isometric action-adventure game was also released under the Batman licence by Ocean Software on Amstrad CPC, Amstrad PCW(monochrome), ZX Spectrum, and MSX. This was written by Bernie Drummond and Jon Ritman and was very similar to Head over Heels, arguably their most successful title. In this game Batman has to rescue Robin, but to do so he must collect six parts of the batcraft hovercraft. During the game you pick up various items to help you, like boots that allowed you to jump[1].
A freeware remake, called Watman, was produced for PC in 2000 as a DOS game. A remake has also been written for the Game Boy Advance.
[edit] External links
[edit] Batman: The Caped Crusader (1988)
Batman; The Caped Crusader was developed by Special FX Software (Jonathan Smith, Charles Davies and Keith Tinman) and published by Ocean Software for the 8-bit home computers such as the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64 and by Data East for other platforms such as the Commodore Amiga in 1988.[2] It was an arcade adventure, using a comic-book style panels to show the action. In this game, Batman is faced with two of his most well-known adversaries namely The Penguin and The Joker. The game is split into two different parts, one for each villain. These parts are separate and can be played in any order. Batman has to use his fists and his batarang (a thrown weapon) in order to fight the villains' henchmen as well as solving puzzles.
On its original release, Your Sinclair awarded it 9 out of 10,[3] praising the colourful and expressive graphics and the inclusion of two separate adventures.
[edit] External links
[edit] Batman - The Movie (1989)
In 1989, a video game inspired by the Batman film was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Mega Drive, MSX, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Amiga, Atari ST, Game Boy,[4], PC Engine and IBM PC. A number of factors including licensing issues and system limitations created the unusual scenario of each game being quite different on the different systems, particularly between the console and platform versions.
[edit] 8-bit home computer versions
The ZX Spectrum,[5] Commodore 64[6] and Amstrad CPC[7] versions were licensed to then Manchester based Ocean Software (now Infogrames), who were famed producing a wide range of film-licensed games that consisted largely of a series of sub-games. When the Batman games were released in 1989, this style was relatively new, and the game was well-received by the video gaming press. British ZX Spectrum magazine Your Sinclair awarded the game 91% on release.
[edit] 16-bit home computer versions
The Commodore Amiga,[8] Atari ST[9] and IBM PC[10] versions were similar to the above 8-bit versions, but the extra memory, processor power, and graphic capabilities were put to use in the second and fourth levels, creating a full 3D effect instead of the side-scrolling subgames present in the 8-bit versions.
[edit] Console versions
The PC Engine version[11] of the game was released for the PC Engine in Japan on October 12, 1990. The game featured gameplay similar to that of Pac-Man.[12]
The NES version[13] version was developed by Sunsoft. The NES version was a four-way platform action game featuring the locations of the 1989 movie. The NES title had five levels culminating in a showdown with the Joker in Gotham Cathedral. The game had a much more futuristic feel to it than the movie, with robots, jet-packs, and mutants. The game introduced completely new, cybernetic supervillain bosses such as the Firebug (similar to Firefly) and the Electrocutioner. The Joker, too, seemed to have the monstrous ability to summon enormous blasts of thunder from the heavens (although he also used his 'long pistol' with which he shoots the Batwing down in the movie). When Batman dies in this game, he turns into ashes and disappears, signifying the effect of futuristic weapons burning his body completely (the burning ashes are shaped like a bat). It is the general consensus of many fans that this version has some of the best music (composed by Naoki Kodaka) on the NES.
The Mega Drive/Genesis version[14] was also produced by Sunsoft, and while critics were impressed by its graphics, sound and playability (similar to the Nintendo version) it had limited commercial success because it took so long for the final product to be released, due to Nintendo's former policy of producing titles for a Nintendo system exclusively. By the time this policy was abandoned, the game was released in 1991.
Unlike the NES, this version stays much closer to the plot of the film, and features the Batmobile and Batwing in the form of horizontal shooting levels. It was highly regarded by critics of most video game magazines who reviewed the Japanese version.
[edit] Non-console version levels and relation to the film
Level 1 - The Axis Chemical Plant - A standard platform level, Batman must fight through the Chemical Plant dispatching Jack Napier's henchmen, before a showdown with Napier himself. Batman must knock him into a vat of toxic chemicals, following the plot in the film. The game deviates from the film plot considerably in one respect however: in the film, Batman attempts to save Napier from falling into the chemicals, but fails, and in the game, Batman makes an active attempt to knock Napier into the vat.
Level 2 - The Batmobile - Batman must escape to the Batcave with Vicky Vale in the Batmobile with the Joker's henchmen in pursuit. Here the game differed greatly between the 8-bit and 16-bit versions. The 8-bit (Spectrum, Commodore and Amstrad) versions featured a side-scrolling game, whereas the 16-bit versions (Amiga, ST, and PC) featured a first-person, full 3D racing game. Nonetheless, the features of the level remained similar - Batman must occasionally turn corners either by normal turning or by means of throwing the Batarang around a lamp post to swing the Batmobile around to the correct direction.
Level 3 - Chemical Analysis - Here Batman attempts to decipher the combination of products that the Joker has used in creating the poison "Smilex". It is a simple puzzle game similar to various versions of Mastermind, where the player must use logic and no small amount of guesswork to establish the correct group.
Level 4 - The Carnival - Batman, in control of the Batwing, must cut all of the Joker's Smilex-filled balloons to avoid a public massacre. If too many balloons are missed or Batman collides with too many balloons, releasing the gas, Batman loses a life. There is a minor difference between the game and film. In the film, Batman collects the balloons, and releases them later, whereas in the game, they are cut loose immediately.
Level 5 - Gotham City Cathedral - Batman must chase the Joker into the Cathedral, dispatching the Joker's henchmen along the way to a final showdown on the Cathedral's roof with Napier himself.
[edit] External links
[edit] Batman (1990)
In 1990 Atari released an arcade game based on the Batman movie. It was a scrolling fighter. [1]
[edit] Batman: Return of the Joker(Revenge of the Joker)(1991)-(1992)
A Sunsoft game released for the NES, Genesis(Revenge of the Joker) and Game Boy. A Super NES version was planned but later cancelled. It is a typical platforming game, with a specialized boss fighting at the end of the level. It has nothing to do with the movies, and was possibly cancelled due to the bad performance of the NES and Genesis versions. The NES version is held iA video game released for the Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Mega Drive, MSX, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Commodore Amiga, Atari ST, the original Game Boy, PC Engine and IBM PC was inspired by the movie. A number of factors including licensing issues and system limitations created the unusual scenario of each game being quite different on the different systems, particularly between the console and platform versions.
[edit] Batman Returns (1993)
Batman Returns appeared on several different consoles: Atari Lynx, Game Gear, Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Master System, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Sega Mega-CD, Super NES and PC. These games are generally quite different from each other as they were developed by different companies. The Sega versions were produced by Sega itself, the Nintendo versions were developed by Konami and the Atari Lynx version was developed internally at Atari.
The Super NES version is an action game with three game modes: a scrolling fighter, a straight 2D platformer and a batmobile stage and uses the soundtrack of the film.
The Mega Drive/Genesis version is a 2D platformer. It was later ported to the Sega CD, which adds the 3D Batmobile and Batboat levels, as well as Red Book audio. GameTap added this version of the game to their website as of March 7, 2008.
The NES version is a combination of scrolling fighting, platforming and Batmobile and Batboat driving, though vastly different from the SNES one.
The Atari Lynx version is a notoriously difficult platform game that was later bundled with the console.
[edit] Batman: The Animated Series (1993)
Batman: The Animated Series video game was developed by Konami, and released for the Nintendo Game Boy in 1993.
[edit] The Adventures of Batman & Robin (1994)
These games are based on the Batman animated series of the early 1990s. Like Batman Returns, Konami developed and published the Nintendo versions, while Sega handled production into their own systems.
The Mega Drive/Genesis version is a 2D beat 'em up, with some flying stages. It features the ability to play up to 2 player simultaneously as either Batman or Robin (there are no differences between both) as they fight their way against the Joker, Two-Face, Mad Hatter and Mr. Freeze. The characters can use their unlimited weapons at a long distance from the enemies, while at close range the players use combat melee attacks. It is known for pushing the Genesis to its limits in special effects.
The Sega CD version consists of Batmobile chase screens. Between levels, the story advances through animated scenes that were created specifically for the game. The animated segments were developed by TMS, which also did some of the episodes of the original cartoon. Kevin Conroy (Batman), Loren Lester (Robin), Robert Hastings (Commissioner James Gordon), Robert Costanzo (Harvey Bullock), Diane Pershing (Poison Ivy), John Glover (Riddler), Arleen Sorkin (Harley Quinn), Mark Hamill (The Joker), Paul Williams (The Penguin), John Vernon (Rupert Thorne) and Ron Perlman (Clayface) all reprised their roles from the animated series.
The Super NES version is a 1 player action/adventure game only (with Batman available). Most of the levels involve typical platforming schemes, although some levels require some searching and investigation (one involves the Batmobile). The player can use bat-gadgets, some of which are vital to complete a stage. A unique feature is the possibility to return to the Batcave in order to restart the level or retrieve some needed gadget. It is possible to continue the game by passwords (not available on Hard difficulty). This version has more levels and villains than its Genesis counterpart. The villains that appear in the game are:
- The Joker
- Poison Ivy
- The Penguin
- Catwoman
- Two-Face
- Scarecrow
- The Riddler
- Clayface
- Man-Bat
- Harley Quinn
[edit] Batman Forever (1996)
In 1996 Acclaim released another arcade game. Like the previous it was also a scrolling fighter game. The player controls either Batman or Robin and has to guide them through various stages that are taken in 1995 movie. This version was ported to the Sega Saturn, PlayStation and PC.
Acclaim also released versions for the Super NES, Genesis, Game Boy Game Gear and PC. These games are based on the console versions Mortal Kombat (video game) engine. As such, the characters (Batman or Robin) move like in the fighting game. In addition, both have a supply of items in order to help them in diverse tasks.
[edit] Batman & Robin (1997)
Acclaim released Saturn & PlayStation versions of the fourth movie.
Tiger Electronics released a version for its ill-fated game.com. It also was a pack-in for the handheld.
[edit] Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)
[edit] Batman: Chaos in Gotham (2001)
Batman video game based on The New Batman Adventures animated series. It was developed by Ubisoft, and released for the Nintendo Game Boy Color.
[edit] Batman: Gotham City Racer (2001)
Batman: Gotham City Racer is a racing game based on The New Batman Adventures animated series. It was developed by Ubisoft and released on the Sony PlayStation. Many clips from the series were included in the game.
[edit] Batman Vengeance (2001)
Batman video game developed by Ubisoft, released for the PS2, Xbox and Nintendo GameCube.
[edit] Batman: Dark Tomorrow (2003)
[edit] Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu (2004)
[edit] Batman Begins (2005)
[edit] Future video game appearances
Batman has been announced to appear in at least two video games in 2008.
The first is Lego Batman: The Video Game, which will be a game based on the Lego-line of Batman action figures featuring the title character, as well as many of the characters that have appeared in the comic line, toy line, and various TV series.[15]
The second is the fighting game, Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe, in which Batman has been confirmed to appear on the roster.[16]
In addition to the two confirmed appearances, there is also rumored to be a tie-in video game to the upcoming film, The Dark Knight, though there has yet to be a confirmation made.[17][18]
[edit] Awarding of licenses
Batman, Batman: The Caped Crusader and Batman: The Movie were produced by Ocean Software, before the Batman Returns[2] license was passed onto Konami and Sega, and the Batman Forever and Batman and Robin[3] licences were awarded to Acclaim. The video game version of Batman Begins was published by Electronic Arts.
[edit] References
- ^ Batman review at cpczone.net
- ^ Batman the Caped Crusader at World of Spectrum
- ^ Berkmann, Marcus (January 1989). "Batman: The Caped Crusader review". Your Sinclair (37).
- ^ Batman - Game Boy
- ^ Batman - ZX Spectrum
- ^ Commodore 64
- ^ Batman - Amstrad CPC
- ^ Batman - Commodore Amiga
- ^ Atari ST
- ^ Batman - IBM PC
- ^ Batman - PC Engine
- ^ Batman - The PC Engine Software Bible. Retrieved on 2006-01-02.
- ^ Batman - NES
- ^ Batman - Mega Drive
- ^ http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=145768 Holy LEGO, Batman! - www.computerandvideogames.com
- ^ http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox360/56435/info.shtml Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe Description at Gamepro.com
- ^ http://wii.ign.com/articles/789/789642p1.html IGN: Pandemic Rumored To Develop New Batman Game
- ^ http://kotaku.com/375429/pandemic-are-indeed-doing-a-new-batman-game
[edit] External links
- Batman licensees at MobyGames
- Video Games @ Batman: Yesterday, Today, & Beyond
- GAME ON!
- Batman - Movie Game Database
