Batman Returns for the SNES is a game that has held up well over the years. Even though it came out more than 25 years ago, it’s still a great example of how to turn a movie into a video game. The game is a side-scrolling beat-em-up based on the 1992 movie with the same name. It was made and sold by Konami.
You play the game as Batman, and your job is to stop the Red Triangle Circus Gang from taking over Gotham City and stop The Penguin and Catwoman from doing something bad. The game has seven stages, and each one has its own enemies and things to do.
The strategic combat in Batman Returns is what makes it different from other beat-em-up games of the time. Batman can hit and kick people, but he can also throw them or use special Test Tubes to do a lot of damage. The fighting is very responsive, and when you hit an enemy, you hear a satisfying thud and see the screen shake. It’s always funny to be able to throw opponents through glass windows and throw them into the background. It’s also funny to grab two opponents at once and smash their heads together.
What makes the gameplay so interesting is that there are always a lot of different ways to deal with enemies. In addition to the usual attacks, you can also throw Batarangs at them to temporarily stun them or use L or R to block. This gives you a lot of freedom, which naturally leads to some fun experimenting with how to fight.
Action and settings change all the time, which is a fun way to keep things interesting and keep you guessing about what will happen next. This affects the level design, which keeps giving the player new cool scenery and environmental dangers. Some of the things you’ll see are fireballs that fall from the sky and battles that take place on swaying scaffolding lifts.
One of the best parts of the game is a stage where you drive the Batmobile and shoot at enemies. The frame rate is a bit choppy, but it’s a fun distraction that reminds me of Batman Returns (1993, Sega CD).
The game looks great, with great cutscenes and graphics that are very detailed. The orchestral music and sound effects do a great job of keeping the tension high.
In the end, Batman Returns for SNES is a great game that is still fun to play today. It takes the beat-em-up genre to a new level by improving on a tried-and-true formula with strategic combat additions, great stage design, and a gripping story. The game has just the right amount of challenge and fun, and it’s a lot of fun to play. No matter if you liked the movie or not, this game is a must-play for anyone who likes beat-em-ups or just wants a fun and interesting gaming experience. Overall, we give Batman Returns for SNES an 88/100 and recommend it to anyone who wants to play a great retro game.
Summary
Batman Returns for SNES is an excellent game that still holds up today. Developed and published by Konami, the game is a side-scrolling beat-em-up that’s based on the 1992 movie of the same name. You play as Batman and your job is to stop the Red Triangle Circus Gang from taking over Gotham City and foil the evil plots of The Penguin and Catwoman. With seven stages, awesome stage design, strategic combat additions, and gripping storytelling, the game is an absolute blast to play.
