Batman Returns (Master System)

From Sega Retro

For other games with the same name, see Batman Returns.

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BatmanReturns SMS title.png

Batman Returns
System(s): Sega Master System
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Licensor: DC Comics
Genre: Action[2]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Master System
EU
7112
Sega Master System
EU
(Classic)
7112-50
Sega Master System
PT
Sega Master System
UK
£29.9929.99[4][5] 7112
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Master System
BR
027050

Batman Returns is a Sega Master System action platform game developed by Aspect and published by Sega. Based on the 1992 film Batman Returns, the game was released in early 1993 to favorable reviews. It is the home console counterpart to the portable Sega Game Gear version, but it has altered mechanics and redesigned stages.

Story

The game loosely follows the plot of the film. The grotesque Penguin and his Red Triangle Gang are terrorizing Gotham City. They abduct and murder Gotham's Ice Princess and frame Batman for it. The Penguin is also running for Mayor of Gotham as part of millionaire businessman Max Shreck's schemes for consolidating control over the city. Meanwhile, Shreck's former employee Selina Kyle takes up the mantle of Catwoman after he attempts to kill her for uncovering his plans. She becomes entangled with Batman as she vows revenge.

Gameplay

The game is an action platformer similar to Shinobi. Batman can move around with Left and Right, jump with 1, and crouch with Down. He can jump off thin platforms with Down+1. Batman is armed with Batarangs, a bat-shaped projectile weapon similar to a boomerang or a shuriken, which he throws with 2. He can throw Batarangs while crouching or jumping. The weapon returns after it is thrown and can damage opponents on its way back as well. Batman can collect power-up items that increase the attack power and the range of his Batarangs. When fully upgraded, his Batarangs defeat common enemies in one hit and span half the width of the screen. At close range, Batman punches enemies instead of throwing a Batarang.

Batman is also equipped with a grappling hook, which he can use by pressing 1 again after jumping. The grappling hook attaches to the bottom of platforms and can be used to swing (if cast with forward momentum) or climb up to thin platforms (with Up to reel upward and then 1 to jump onto the platform). It is often used to pass over gaps or pull Batman up to higher areas. The grappling hook can also hit things directly above Batman, which is useful for breaking open item containers or on boss encounters. Batman can also glide from great heights if the player holds 1 for the entirety of the jump.

Batman has no life bar and loses a life if he takes any damage from an enemy. Batman is revived as long as the player has extra lives remaining. He revives in place rather than restarting the stage, even during boss fights. However, Batman loses his weapon upgrades upon losing a life, so his Batarangs revert to baseline strength and range. The stage design encourages exploration to find extra lives and weapons upgrades.

Items

Batman Returns SMS, Items.png
Item Marker
Break open to release an item.
Batman Returns SMS, Items.png
Speed Upgrade
Increases Batman's movement speed.
Batman Returns SMS, Items.png
Strength Upgrade
Increases the strength and distance of Batarangs.
Batman Returns SMS, Items.png
Extra Life
Awards the player with an extra life.

Stages

Each stage has three segments followed by a boss fight. The first four stages have two routes, which the player can choose before the stage begins. The second route is generally more difficult than the first, but both routes lead to the same boss fight and the player's choice of path has no effect outside of the current stage.

BatmanReturns SMS Stage1.png

Batman Returns SMS, Stage 1 Boss.png

  • BatmanReturns SMS Stage1.png

  • Batman Returns SMS, Stage 1 Boss.png

Streets of Gotham City
Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ 
Penguin's thugs are raising havoc in the streets. Contain the situation and defeat Penguin's flame-breathing giant henchman.

BatmanReturns SMS Stage2.png

Batman Returns SMS, Stage 2 Boss.png

  • BatmanReturns SMS Stage2.png

  • Batman Returns SMS, Stage 2 Boss.png

Shopping Mall
Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ 
Stop the marauding robbers in Shreck's shopping mall and face the mysterious Catwoman.

BatmanReturns SMS Stage3.png

Batman Returns SMS, Stage 3 Boss.png

  • BatmanReturns SMS Stage3.png

  • Batman Returns SMS, Stage 3 Boss.png

Rooftops
Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ 
Battle across Gotham’s highest rooftops, following Penguin's trail.

BatmanReturns SMS Stage4.png

Batman Returns SMS, Stage 4 Boss.png

  • BatmanReturns SMS Stage4.png

  • Batman Returns SMS, Stage 4 Boss.png

Sewers
Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ 
Navigate the sewer’s sinister traps and get ready for a rematch with Catwoman.

BatmanReturns SMS Stage5.png

Batman Returns SMS, Stage 5 Boss.png

  • BatmanReturns SMS Stage5.png

  • Batman Returns SMS, Stage 5 Boss.png

Penguin's Hideout
Map: 1️⃣ 
Prepare for the final battle while battling countless waves of Penguin’s goons. Survive and you’ll earn the opportunity to bring down the Penguin’s modified battle vehicle, the Duck, and end his treachery once and for all.

Production credits

Source:
In-game credits
Batman Returns SMS credits.pdf
[7]


Magazine articles

Main article: Batman Returns (Master System)/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (ES) #2: "Mayo 1993" (1993-04-15)
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(FR)
76
[8]
(FR) PAL
76
[9]
(DE) PAL
57
[10]
(UK) PAL
70
[11]
(FR)
77
[12]
(UK) PAL
67
[13]
(UK) PAL
53
[14]
(UK) PAL
61
[15]
(SE)
90
[16]
(UK) PAL
54
[17]
(DE)
51
[18]
Sega Master System
67
Based on
11 reviews

Batman Returns (Master System)

Master System, EU
BatmanReturns SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
BatmanReturns SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Batman Returns SMS EU Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, EU
(Classic Master System)
BatmanReturns SMS EU Box Classic.jpg
Cover
BatmanReturns SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, PT (Black & white manual)
BatmanReturns SMS PT bw cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, PT (Colour manual)
BatmanReturns SMS PT col cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, AU

BatmanReturns SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, BR
BatmanReturns SMS BR Box.jpg
Cover
BatmanReturnsSMSBRCartridge.jpg
Cart
Batmanreturns sms br manual.pdf
Manual

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 b154ec38
MD5 215876a62d3ca48d28e98cd8a2c70a15
SHA-1 0ccc0e2d91a345c39a7406e148da147a2edce979
256kB 1992-12-25[19] Cartridge (EU)

References


Batman Returns (Master System)

BatmanReturns SMS title.png

Main page | Comparisons | Maps | Hidden content | Magazine articles | Reception


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Batman games for Sega systems / published by Sega
Sega Mega Drive
Batman (1990) | Batman: Revenge of The Joker (1992) | Batman Returns (1992) | The Adventures of Batman & Robin (1995) | Justice League Task Force (1995) | Batman Forever (1995)
Sega Game Gear
Batman Returns (1992) | The Adventures of Batman & Robin (1995) | Batman Forever (1995)
Sega Master System
Batman Returns (1993)
Sega Mega-CD
Batman Returns (1993) | The Adventures of Batman & Robin (1995)
Pinball
Batman Forever (1995)
Arcade
Sega Saturn
Batman Forever (1996) | Batman & Robin (unreleased)
Windows PC
PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X
Gotham Knights (2022) | Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (2024)