Batman Returns (SNES video game)

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.

Batman Returns
North American box art
Developer	Konami
Publisher	Konami
Director	Yoichi Yoshimoto
Designers	Yoichi Yoshimoto Tae Yabu Tetsuya Sato
Programmers	Etsunobu Ebisu Toshinori Shimono Shigeki Morihira
Composers	Jun Funahashi Harumi Ueko
Series	Batman
Platform	Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Release	JP: February 26, 1993 NA: April 1993 EU: May 7, 1993
Genre	Beat 'em up
Mode	Single-player

Gameplay

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

Reception

Review scores

Publication	Score
Computer and Video Games	67/100[2]
Famitsu	7/10, 8/10, 8/10, 8/10[3]
GameFan	85%, 92%, 97%, 84%[4]
GamesMaster	85%[5]
Nintendo Life	7/10[6]
Official Nintendo Magazine	90/100[7]
Super Play	87%[8]
Total!	(UK) 66%[9] (DE) 1-[10]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment	8/10[11]
N-Force	76/100[12]
Nintendo Game Zone	84/100[13]
Super Action	91%[14]
Super Control	79%[15]
Super Gamer	90%[16]
Super Pro	90/100[17]

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]