Batman Returns (Master System)

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

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Batman Returns
System(s): Sega Master System
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sega CS2, Aspect (programming)
Distributor: Ecofilmes (PT), Tec Toy (BR)
Licensor: DC Comics
Genre: Action
Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code EU 1993-04 7112 EU (Classic) 1994-08-19 7112-50 PT 199x UK 1993-04 £29.9929.99 7112 AU 199x BR 1993 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 and , jump with , and crouch with . He can jump off thin platforms with +. Batman is armed with Batarangs, a bat-shaped projectile weapon similar to a boomerang or a shuriken, which he throws with . 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 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 to reel upward and then 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 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

	Item Marker
	Break open to release an item.
	Speed Upgrade
	Increases Batman's movement speed.
	Strength Upgrade
	Increases the strength and distance of Batarangs.
	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.

	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.
	Shopping Mall
	Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣
	Stop the marauding robbers in Shreck's shopping mall and face the mysterious Catwoman.
	Rooftops
	Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣
	Battle across Gotham’s highest rooftops, following Penguin's trail.
	Sewers
	Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣
	Navigate the sewer’s sinister traps and get ready for a rematch with Catwoman.
	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

• Planning: Hase
• Design: M.Sato, Jyouoh Akk
• Program: Hiro. 777, K.O
• Asp. Staff: Toshi.Fujiyama, Yasujirou.M
• Sound: Motohiro Kawashima
• Sound Program: Mikito Ichikawa
• Sound Management: Yuzo Koshiro
• Special Thanks: GG Batman Project Team

Source:

In-game credits

Magazine articles

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

Promotional material

Print advert in Todo Sega (ES) #2: "Mayo 1993" (1993-04-15)

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source

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Based on 0 review

Sega Retro Average
Publication Version Score Joypad (FR) 76 Joystick (FR) PAL 76 Mega Fun (DE) PAL 57 Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL 70 Player One (FR) 77 Sega Power (UK) PAL 67 Sega Pro (UK) PAL 53 Sega Zone (UK) PAL 61 Sega Force (SE) 90 Sega Master Force (UK) PAL 54 Video Games (DE) 51

	67
Based on 11 reviews

Batman Returns (Master System)

Master System, EU
Cover
Cart Manual

Master System, EU (Classic Master System)
Cover
Cart

Master System, PT (Black & white manual)
Cover
Cart Manual

Master System, PT (Colour manual)
Cover
Cart

Master System, AU
Cart

Master System, BR
Cover
Cart Manual

Technical information

ROM dump status

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

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)