Software:Batman: Return of the Joker
Batman: Return of the Joker | |
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Packaging for the NES version | |
Developer(s) | Sunsoft |
Publisher(s) | Sunsoft |
Designer(s) | Yoshiaki Iwata Tadashi Kojima |
Programmer(s) | H. Suzuki Hirokatsu Fujii |
Composer(s) | NES Naoki Kodaka Game Boy Manami Matsumae Genesis Naoki Kodaka Tommy Tallarico |
Platform(s) | NES, Game Boy, Sega Genesis |
Release | |
Genre(s) | Platform |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Batman: Return of the Joker[lower-alpha 1] is a 1991 platform video game, the follow-up to Sunsoft's first Batman game on the Nintendo Entertainment System. Unlike that game, which was based on the 1989 Batman film directed by Tim Burton, Return of the Joker is entirely self-contained and based more on the modern comic book iteration of Batman. However, Batman rides the Batmobile and the Batwing from the 1989 film. A remake of Return of the Joker, titled Batman: Revenge of the Joker, was released on the Sega Genesis by Ringler Studios in 1992. A Super NES version of Revenge of the Joker was completed but never officially released, however a ROM image surfaced online in later years.
A completely different version of the game was released on the Game Boy in 1992.
Gameplay
NES version
In Batman: Return of the Joker, the titular hero is on journey to the Joker's secret hide-out after called by Gotham City to find metals stolen by the Joker, one of which is highly toxic and used to build explosives for missiles.[1] The NES version of Batman: Return of the Joker consists of seven stages, each of which have two sub-levels (except for the last stage) and a boss level (except for the second and fifth stages); from beginning to end, they are the Gotham City cathedral, the Joker's warehouse, a snowy mountain, a refinery, an underground conduit, an ammunition base, and the Island of Ha-Hacienda.[2] Although Batman has three lives, the game has unlimited continues[3] and stage passwords that can be accessed by pausing the game.[4] The game's five bosses include the Ace Ranger, a Minedroid, the Master C.P.U. of the refinery, and two battles with the Joker;[2] for regular levels, Batman's health is represented in increments, but in the boss stages, both Batman and the boss's life meters are represented in numbers.[5]
Return of the Joker is a side-scrolling run and gun platformer.[6][7] Batman's weapon is a wrist projector[8] which the player change its type of ammunition by collecting icons throughout the levels: "C" icons for the crossbow, which shoots arrows that makes an enemy explode, "B" icons for "Batarangs", where its direction follows the movement of on-screen enemies, N for "Sonic Neutralizers" that shoots two patterns of Batarangs in a criss-cross shape, and "S" for "Shield Stars" that shoots three darts going separate directions.[9] Batman can slide by pressing the A-button and down on the D-pad, a move that is also an attack (although it only works against some enemies).[8] Batman can also collect energy capsules that, if eight are obtained, will make him become invincible for a few seconds.[9]
Game Boy version
The Game Boy version, unlike the NES version where the character shoots, is only a platformer.[7]
Reception
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Dave Cook of Nintendo Life wrote that while Batman: Return of the Joker was "fun and challenging it doesn't feel as revolutionary as its predecessor despite being a commendable effort."[39]
Syfy Wire, in 2017, ranked the NES version of Batman: Return of the Joker the fourth most essential DC Comics video game adaptation to play.[40] Den of Geek ranked the Game Boy version the 22nd most underrated Game Boy game, praising its return of wall-jumping and beat 'em up mechanics of the 1989 Batman NES title, although complained about its limited continues.[41]
In 2019, IGN ranked the game's final boss the third best video game portrayal of the Joker of all-time.[42]
The Gamer, in 2020, claimed Return of the Joker to be the best-looking NES game ever, reasoning that the "sprites are fluid, the game’s color palette is moody & atmospheric, and the backgrounds are as fleshed out as can be for an NES game."[43] Yacht Club Games artist Nick Wozniak has named the game's Batman sprite as one of his all-time favorite in games: "As an adult, I was in shock at what I was seeing… There's only ever one or two humanoid enemies on screen because they are completely bombing the NES with the graphics. They give him a powerup where he turns gold and he shoots a bunch of guys. It's like Super Batman. They don't care."[44]
The Gamer has also called it one of the best all-time Batman video games: "the graphics are surprisingly spritely for an early 90s game, with entertaining gameplay and an intriguing storyline helping make this game an enjoyable experience."[6] It has also been ranked the ninth-best Batman game by Uproxx[45] and the tenth-best by IGN Spain.[46] In a worst-to-best list of Batman video games by The Things, Return of the Joker came in number 12: "Almost everyone who reviewed it remarked on how amazing the graphics and backgrounds were. This was 16-bit quality on 8-bit machines. The gameplay wasn't as good [as the prior Batman game], but only just. Building off the '89 game, combat-focused from attacks to gadgets, giving players greater variety. A better difficulty curve was also introduced."[47]
Notes
- ↑ Known in Japan as Dynamite Batman (Japanese: ダイナマイトバットマン Hepburn: Dainamaito Battoman)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 In Electronic Gaming Monthly's reviews of both the Game Boy version and the NES version, two critics gave it an 8/10, one a 7/10, and another a 6/10.[14][15]
- ↑ GamePro gave the NES version a 5/5 for graphics and four 4/5 ratings for sound, gameplay, fun factor, and challenge.[16]
- ↑ Nintendo Power gave the NES version a 4.3/5 for graphics/sound, a 3.5/5 for challenge/excitement, and two 3.8/5 ratings for play control and theme/fun.[21]
- ↑ Nintendo Power gave the Game Boy version 3.9/5 for graphics/sound, 3.4/5 for play control, 3.5/5 for challenge, and 3.6/5 for theme/fun.[22]
- ↑ Nintendo Acción gave the NES version three 3/4 ratings for graphics, gameplay, and fun, and a 2/4 score for sound.[28]
References
Citations
- ↑ NES instruction manual 1991, p. 4.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 NES instruction manual 1991, p. 12.
- ↑ NES instruction manual 1991, p. 11.
- ↑ NES instruction manual 1991, p. 10.
- ↑ NES instruction manual 1991, p. 9.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Handke, Tobias (August 27, 2018). "The 15 Best Batman Video Games Ever (And 14 That Are Embarrassing)". The Gamer. https://www.thegamer.com/batman-video-games-best-least-all-time/.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Davis, Justin (October 4, 2014). "A Complete History of Batman Video Games". IGN. https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/10/08/a-complete-history-of-batman-video-games.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 NES instruction manual 1991, p. 6.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 NES instruction manual 1991, p. 7.
- ↑ Miller, Skyler. "Batman: Return of the Joker". AllGame. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1153&tab=review.
- ↑ Weiss, Brett Alan. "Batman: Revenge of the Joker". AllGame. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1526.
- ↑ "Batman: Return of the Joker". Go! (9): 6–7.
- ↑ Anglin, Paul (April 1993). "Batman: Revenge of the Joker". Computer and Video Games (137): 40.
- ↑ Harris, Steve; Semrad, Ed; Alessi, Martin; Sushi-X (May 1992). "Batman: Return of the Joker". Electronic Gaming Monthly (34): 32.
- ↑ Harris, Steve; Semrad, Ed; Alessi, Martin; Sushi-X (November 1991). "Batman 2". Electronic Gaming Monthly (28): 20.
- ↑ Earth Angel (December 1991). "Batman: Return of the Joker". GamePro (29): 26–27.
- ↑ Scary Larry (May 1993). "Batman: Revenge of the Joker". GamePro (46): 56.
- ↑ Leach, James (April 1993). "Revenge of the Joker". GamesMaster (4): 42–43.
- ↑ "Batman Return of the Joker". GameZone (12): 58–59. October 1992.
- ↑ L'avis de Greatkev (June 16, 2011). "Batman : Return of the Joker" (in fr). https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00015184-batman-return-of-the-joker-test.htm.
- ↑ "Batman: Return of the Joker". Nintendo Power 31: 8–17. December 1991.
- ↑ "Your Guide to the Latest Releases". Nintendo Power 36: 105. May 1992.
- ↑ Radion Automatic, Julian; Rignall (September 1992). "Batman: Return of the Joker". Nintendo Magazine System (1): 60–63.
- ↑ "Total! Recall". Total! (14): 90. February 1993.
- ↑ James (October 1992). "Batman: Return of the Joker". Total! (10): 70–71.
- ↑ "Batman: Return of the Joker". Zero (36): 80–81. October 1991.
- ↑ Batman II, Return of the Joker. 1. July 1992. http://www.gamezero.com/team-0/final_word/nes/batman_2_return_joker.html. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
- ↑ "Batman Return of the Joker" (in es). Nintendo Acción (4): 60–61.
- ↑ "Batman: Return of the Joker". GB Action (1): 20–21. June 1992.
- ↑ "Batman: Return of the Joker". N-Force (2): 47. August 1992.
- ↑ Mellerick, Paul (April 1993). "Batman Revenge of the Joker". Mega (7): 46–47.
- ↑ Nick (May 1993). "Batman Revenge of the Joker". Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (9): 26–27.
- ↑ "Batman: Return of the Joker". Mean Machines Sega (7): 50–52. April 1993.
- ↑ "Batman Revenge of the Joker". MegaTech (16): 58–59. April 1993.
- ↑ "Batman: Revenge of the Joker". Sega Force (17): 82–84. May 1993.
- ↑ Wekh, Robbie (April 1993). "Batman: Revenge of the Joker". Sega Pro (18): 50–51.
- ↑ "Batman Revenge Of the Joker". Sega Zone (7): 42–43. May 1993.
- ↑ "Nintendo Power Awards '92: The NESTERS! And the nominees are". Nintendo Power (46): 96–9. March 1993. https://archive.org/details/NintendoPower1988-2004/Nintendo%20Power%20Issue%20046%20%28March%201993%29/page/n103/mode/2up.
- ↑ Cook, Dave (March 24, 2016). "Feature: Batman V Superman In The Battle Of The Nintendo Games". Nintendo Life. https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/03/feature_batman_v_superman_in_the_battle_of_the_nintendo_games.
- ↑ "WATCH: 7 essential DC Comics video games that will make you feel like a superhero (or supervillain)". Syfy Wire. December 29, 2017. https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/watch-7-essential-dc-comics-video-games-that-will-make-you-feel-like-a-superhero-or.
- ↑ Freiberg, Chris (August 27, 2018). "25 Underrated Game Boy Games". Den of Geek. https://www.denofgeek.com/games/25-underrated-game-boy-games/.
- ↑ Adler, Matthew (October 12, 2019). "The 5 Best Versions of Joker in Video Games, Ranked". IGN. https://sea.ign.com/batman-arkham-city-1/154266/feature/the-5-best-versions-of-joker-in-video-games-ranked.
- ↑ Fontes, Renan (August 4, 2020). "10 Classic NES Games That Still Look Amazing Today". Game Rant. https://gamerant.com/classic-nes-games-still-look-amazing-today/.
- ↑ Kohler, Chris (July 30, 2014). "The 8 Best Sprites in Videogame History". Wired. https://www.wired.com/2014/07/the-best-video-game-sprites-ever/#slide-8. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
- ↑ Birch, Nathan (March 24, 2016). "Digital Dark Knight: Ranking The Titles That Prove Batman Is A Video Game Winner". Uproxx. https://uproxx.com/gaming/10-best-batman-video-games/.
- ↑ Soriano, David (July 21, 2015). "Los mejores juegos de Batman" (in es). IGN Spain. https://es.ign.com/batman-heroe/95094/feature/los-mejores-juegos-de-batman.
- ↑ Duval, Nicholas (May 23, 2019). "Batman: Every Video Game From Worst To Best, Officially Ranked". The Things. https://www.thethings.com/batman-every-game-worst-best-ranked/.
Bibliography
- Batman: Return of the Joker (NES) instruction manual. Sunsoft. 1991. pp. 1–12.
External links
Template:Tim Burton's/Joel Schumacher's Batman