Batman Returns - Super Nintendo - SNES

Batman Returns for Super Nintendo SNES

Batman Returns for Super Nintendo SNES is Konami's fighting game based on Tim Burton's film. As Batman, you drive the Red Triangle Circus Gang out of Gotham City and take on Catwoman and the Penguin. You walk through streets, past shops and over rooftops, where clowns and other henchmen attack from different sides. In the broad fighting areas, you also move forwards and backwards to split up a group and strike an opponent at the right distance.

Punches, jump kicks and throws keep the streets clear. You can grab an enemy, hurl them into a window or fence and even knock two attackers' heads together. Batarangs hit opponents at range, while a grappling hook helps you through certain sections. Your limited supply of explosive vials can hit several enemies at once. Some sections follow a narrow platforming route; a separate chapter lets you drive the Batmobile through Gotham and shoot at attackers.

This is an adventure for one player with one standard SNES controller, without a cooperative second Batman or Robin. You set the difficulty, starting lives and button layout before beginning. The five difficulty settings also affect which ending scenes you can see. There is no saving or password system to resume your route after switching off. You try to finish the successive chapters within the same play session, carefully managing your health, lives and items.

Region and language

Our Super Nintendo SNES games are PAL editions, unless stated otherwise. This product contains a loose cartridge for the European market. A box is only included if explicitly stated in the product details. We note any different region in the product details. In almost all cases, the game is playable at least in English, and often in the other five common European languages too.

Manual

With Batman Returns for Super Nintendo SNES, you receive a loose cartridge. A box and manual are not included unless we explicitly state otherwise in the product details. This is the standard way we supply this copy.

The history of Batman Returns

Konami developed and published Batman Returns for Super Nintendo in 1993, following the 1992 cinema release. The SNES adaptation follows the conflict with Catwoman and the Penguin and uses recognisable locations from snow-covered Gotham. Yoichi Yoshimoto led development; the credits identify the team as Team Yoshimoto Entertainment. The game appeared during a period in which Konami adapted various film and cartoon licences into action adventures, including the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the same console.

For SNES, the team chose large characters and battles in which you move through the depth of a street. Throws against windows and fences visibly make use of the surroundings. The rules change between these sections: narrow platforming passages place more emphasis on jumping and tools, and the Batmobile gets its own driving chapter. This structure makes it a distinct adaptation of the film. The identically named NES, Mega Drive and computer releases are different games and do not automatically share the same controls or progression.

Jun Funahashi, Harumi Ueko and Kazuhiko Uehara are credited for sound and music. With wintry streets, large bosses and dramatic music, the presentation reflects the film's world. A year later, Konami's The Adventures of Batman & Robin followed on SNES, based on the animated series rather than this film. Batman Returns therefore remained a distinct chapter: a linear solo adventure with film characters, extensive grappling moves and different ending scenes connected to the chosen difficulty.

Similar games for Super Nintendo SNES

Turtles in Time on SNES also lets you move through broad fighting areas and defeat enemies with throws. You choose from four turtles with different weapons and can fight with two players simultaneously. Batman Returns keeps you alone as Batman, using his grappling moves, Batarangs and explosive vials. The Turtles travel through different eras; Batman follows one film storyline and breaks up his street battles with platforming sections and a ride in the Batmobile.

Final Fight 2 on SNES likewise offers street fights where distance, position and grabbing enemies matter. You choose from three fighters and can set out together with a second player. Batman Returns gives you only one hero, but more specialised tools and film-based battles. In Final Fight 2, the main variation comes from the characteristics of your chosen fighter; Batman always uses the same collection of punches, throws and gadgets.

Super Double Dragon on SNES also centres on fighting groups, with blocking and counterattacks as important elements. Billy and Jimmy Lee can travel through the streets together and pick weapons up from the ground. Batman Returns is a solo game in which your own utility belt provides the additional weapons. Heavy throws into the backgrounds change the fighting here, while the separate platforming and Batmobile chapters regularly interrupt the ordinary street battles.

The Adventures of Batman & Robin on SNES also uses Batman and his tools, but follows the animated series. You select gadgets beforehand for missions with their own villains and situations. Batman Returns sticks to Burton's film, with Catwoman, the Penguin and the circus gang as recurring opponents. Both offer a solo adventure, but Returns devotes more space to broad street fights and grappling moves; Adventures varies its approach more from one mission and location to the next.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers on SNES also lets you fight through areas filled with groups of henchmen before a larger opponent appears. During the action, your Ranger changes from an ordinary teenager into a hero with a suit and weapon. Batman Returns gives you Batman's full appearance and personal tools from the outset. The Rangers add battles with gigantic machines, while Batman finds variety in platforming routes and driving his Batmobile.