Batman Returns (Mega Drive)

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

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Batman Returns
System(s): Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Malibu Interactive
Supporting companies: Interactive Designs
Distributor: Tec Toy (BR)
Licensor: DC Comics
Sound driver: GEMS
Genre: Action
Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code JP 1993-02-19 ¥6,8006,800 G-4092 US 1992-10 $39.9939.99 1045 US ▼ (Sega Channel) 199x SUBsub EU 1992-11 1045 EU (Classic) 1993 1045-50 EU ▼ (Sega Channel) 1996 SUBsub DE 1992 1045 FR 1992 1045 PT 1992 MDJ1045 UK 1992-12-10 £39.9939.99 1045 SE (Rental) 199x AU 199x CA 199x CA ▼ (Sega Channel) 1995 SUBsub BR 1993 AS 1992 1045-40

Batman Returns (バットマン・リターンズ) is a Sega Mega Drive action platformer developed by Malibu Interactive and published by Sega. Based on the June 1992 film Batman Returns, the game was released four months later to mixed reviews.

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

Utility belt

The game is an action platformer. Batman moves with and and crouches with . He jumps with and jumps off ledges with +. He can punch enemies at close range with , which can be done while jumping or crouching. Batman can glide with his cape by holding while in the air. Gliding expends flight power, which is limited and indicated by two gauges. Batman has a grappling gun that he can attach to platforms with +; then he can pull himself up to the platform with .

Batman has a number of ranged special weapons, including Batarangs, which can be thrown with . These weapons can be used while crouching with +; the Batarangs and Super-Seeking Batarangs can be aimed upwards with +. Special weapons cannot be used while jumping. The player can switch the current special weapon through Batman's utility belt with  START . Special weapons have limited ammunition, which can be replenished by finding items.

Batman has a health bar that goes down as he takes damage from enemies. When he runs out of health or falls down a bottomless pit, he loses a life. Poor collision detection and enemy placement can sometimes result in situations that are impossible to overcome without taking damage. Batman respawns near the spot where he died if the player has lives remaining. If the player runs out of lives, the game ends, but it can be continued from the beginning of the current stage.

When the game is completed, Batman fights Catwoman again as the end credits play.

Items

	Flight Power
	Restores part of Batman's flight power.
	Regular Batarangs
	Increases Batman's supply of Regular Batarangs, which are a basic ranged attack.
	Smoke Bombs
	Increases Batman's supply of Smoke Bombs, which stun enemies that they hit.
	Deadly Swarms of Bats
	Increases Batman's supply of Deadly Swarms of Bats, which do heavy damage to enemies caught in them.
	Grappling Gun
	Increases Batman's supply of Grappling Guns, which are a powerful ranged attack.
	Super-Seeking Batarang
	Increases Batman's supply of Super-Seeking Batarangs, which home in on enemies.
	Regular Heart
	Restores 4 units of Batman's health bar.
	Pulsing Heart
	Fully restores Batman's health bar.
	Batman Mask
	Gives the player an extra life.

Stages

	Gotham City
	Schreck's Wonderland
	The Red Triangle Circus
	Into the Sewers
	The Penguin's Lair

Production credits

• Programmed by: Andrew Green
• Produced and Designed by: Bert Schroeder, Dan MacArthur, James Maxwell
• Additional Design by: Nancy Nakamoto, Jerry Albright, Bernie Whang
• Artwork by: Tom Applegate, Todd Tomlinson
• Additional Artwork by: Robert Hemphill, Steve Thomson, Ray Huerta, Albert Co, Joan Igawa, Maureen Kringen, Doug Nishimura, Ann Pickard, Isabel Przytarski, Steve Ross, Art Wong, Steve Snyder
• Music and Sound FX by: Paul Gadbois, Brian Howarth, Cliff Falls, Rolf Weber, Dave Delia, Brian Coburn

Source:

In-game credits

Magazine articles

Main article: Batman Returns (Mega Drive)/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

File:BatmanRetruns-SOR2 MD UK TVAdvert.mp4

UK TV advert (with Streets of Rage II)

File:BatmanRetruns-SOR2 MD UK TVAdvert.mp4

Print advert in Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #41: "December 1992" (1992-xx-xx)

Print advert in OK Consolas (ES) #11: "xxxx 1992" (1992-xx-xx)

Print advert in Mega Force (ES) #8: "Diciembre 1992" (1992-xx-xx)

Print advert in Mega Force (ES) #9: "Enero 1993" (199x-xx-xx)
also published in:

• Hobby Consolas (ES) #16: "Enero 1993" (199x-xx-xx)

Print advert in Supergame (BR) #19: "Fevereiro 1993" (1993-02-xx)

Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1993-03: "March 1993" (1993-02-08)

Artwork

• 

  US prototype box art

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source

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Based on 0 review

Sega Retro Average

Publication Version Score 1700 igr dlya Sega (RU) 60 Aktueller Software Markt (DE) 50 Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J 45 Consoles + (FR) 64 Cool Gamer (RU) 40 Computer & Video Games (UK) 76 Computer + Video Giochi (IT) 76 Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 5 (RU) 60 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK) 77 Game Power (IT) 40 GamePro (US) NTSC-U 78 Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J 40 Hobby Consolas (ES) 90 Igry Sega Luchshiye iz luchshikh. Vypusk 2 (RU) 50 Joker (SI) 83 Joypad (FR) 87 Joystick (FR) PAL 89 Mega (UK) PAL 40 Mega Action (UK) PAL 78 MegaTech (UK) PAL 76 Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL 77 Player One (FR) 45 Play Time (DE) 76 Power Play (DE) 50 Sega Power (UK) PAL 52 Sega Pro (UK) PAL 53 Sega Pro (UK) PAL 43 Sega Zone (UK) PAL 82 Sega Force (SE) 88 Sega Force (UK) PAL 69 Sega Mega Drive Review (RU) 72 Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J 58 Supergame (BR) 88 Tricks 16 bit (RU) 42 Video Games (DE) 62

	64
Based on 35 reviews

Batman Returns (Mega Drive)

Mega Drive, JP
Cover
Cart

Mega Drive, US
Cover
Cart Manual PCB

Mega Drive, US (Alt Cover)
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, EU
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, EU (Classic Mega Drive)
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, UK
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, FR/DE
Cover
Manual

Mega Drive, PT

Mega Drive, SE (rental)

Mega Drive, AU

Mega Drive, BR
Cover
Cart

Mega Drive, AS† (English Back)
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, AS† (8 Language Back)
Cover
Cart Manual Chinese Manual Epilepsy Warning

Mega Drive, CA
Cover

Technical information

Main article: Batman Returns (Mega Drive)/Technical information.

References

Batman games for Sega systems / published by Sega
	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)
	Batman Returns (1992) | The Adventures of Batman & Robin (1995) | Batman Forever (1995)
	Batman Returns (1993)
	Batman Returns (1993) | The Adventures of Batman & Robin (1995)
	Batman (1991) | Batman Forever (1995)
	Batman Forever (1996) | Batman & Robin (unreleased)
	Gotham Knights (2022) | Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (2024)