Batman Forever (arcade)

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

n/a

ST-V
Saturn

Batman Forever

System(s): Sega Titan Video, Sega Saturn

Publisher: Acclaim Entertainment

Developer: Iguana UK

Distributor:

Arcadia Software (ES)

Ecofilmes (PT)

Scanbox Danmark (DK)

Roadshow Interactive (AU)

Aral (TR)

Licensor: DC Comics, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Peripherals supported: Saturn Backup Memory

Genre: Action^[1]^[2]

Number of players: 1

Release	Date	RRP	Code
US	1996-05	$?	?

JP	1997-02-14^[2]	¥5,8005,800	T-8118G
US	1996-11-21^[3]		T-8140H
EU	1996-11-16		T-8140H-50
DE	1996-11-16		T-8140H-50
PT	1996		STJAK0379
UK	1996-11-16^[4]	£44.9944.99^[5]	T-8140H-50
PL	199x
AU	199x

Non-Sega versions

Batman Forever, known on the Sega Saturn as Batman Forever: The Arcade Game (バットマンフォーエヴァー・ジ・アーケードゲーム), is a Sega Titan Video arcade beat-'em-up game developed by Iguana Entertainment and manufactured by Acclaim Entertainment, and released exclusively to American arcades in May 1996. Later that November, it was ported to the Sega Saturn in the United States, Europe, Japan, and Australia by the same developer, gaining the subtitle "The Arcade Game" to differentiate it from identically-named Batman Forever titles.

Story

Batman, the vigilante alter-ego of billionaire philanthropist Bruce Wayne, must save Gotham City from the dastardly duo of Two-Face and the Riddler. Two-Face is the former Gotham District Attorney Harvey Dent, who was accidentally disfigured in a courtroom incident, which he blames on Batman. The Riddler is disgruntled Wayne Tech employee Edward Nygma, who is angry that Bruce Wayne rejected his invention, a device that beams television signals directly into people's brains. Batman is joined by the young circus acrobat Dick Grayson, whose parents were killed by Two-Face, who takes up the identity Robin.

Gameplay

Character selection

The game is a belt-scrolling beat-'em-up played as the superhero duo Batman and Robin. It can be played by one player or by two players cooperatively. In two-player games, players can both play as the same character simultaneously.

Batman and Robin move with the D-Pad and jump with . They attack by punching with or kicking with . They do a sweep kick with + or a diving kick with in midair. They block attacks with +. Characters can find special gadgets in the stages, such as Batarangs or Grappling Hooks, that grant them a limited number of special attacks, performed with . They can pick up some objects, such as barrels, by holding toward them with the D-Pad and pressing and throw them with again.

Each character has a power meter that builds as the character pummels enemies or when Power-Ups are collected. The power meter allows the character to perform long chains of combos against foes. When the power meter fills, the gadget level increases and the character does a burst attack that attacks every enemy on the screen and recovers some health. The gadget level determines the strength of gadget abilities. The power meter is halved when going from level 1 to 2 and maxed out when it reaches level 3.

Characters also have special moves that are performed with certain button combinations. Batman can do a jumping kick with , a dashing strike with , an uppercut with , and a sliding sweep with . Robin does a series of flips ending in a take-down with , a low sliding palm strike with or , and a corkscrew twist kick with . The horizontal directions are reversed when facing left.

Character have health meters that empty as they take damage from foes. The character is defeated and loses a life when the meter is emptied, but he revives after a moment if the player has lives remaining. If the player runs out of lives, the game can be continued (and the player can change the character if desired) as long as there are continues remaining.

Players can choose the difficulty level (Easy, Medium, or Hard) and the number of continues from the options before starting the game. The game stores high scores to the Saturn's internal memory or a backup cartridge.

Pressure pads

Pressure pads appear on the ground during the stages. Batman or Robin can activate them by standing on them.

	Bat-Signal Pad
	Contains an item or gadget.
	The Riddler
	Provides a random effect: invisibility, invulnerability, Hologram mode, or VR mode.
	Two-Face Yin-Yang
	Provides a random positive effect (such as healing the character) or a random negative effect (such as shrinking the character temporarily) depending on whether the player touches the red (good) or black (evil) part of the pad.

Items

	Power-Up
	Increases the character's power meter.
	Health
	Restores part of the character's health.

Gadgets

Batman and Robin can find various gadgets on the ground in the stages. Gadgets have a power level from 1 to 3, with gadgets being more powerful and sometimes having special effects at higher levels. Gadgets can be used a limited number of times with (with the exception of the Smart Bomb, which is used immediately when it is touched). The currently equipped gadget appears in the bottom corner of the screen for each player with the number of remaining uses.

	Batarang
	Fires a projectile weapon that seeks enemies.
	Taser
	Fires a stun shot that electrocutes opponents.
	Bat Bola
	Fires a projectile weapon forwards.
	Grappling Hook
	Shoots a grappling hook that can knock objects off the ceiling or lets Batman or Robin swing across the screen to knock out enemies.
	Smart Bomb
	Explodes when stepped on.
	Bat Call
	Summons bats that, depending on the power level, form a protective barrier, attack enemies, or pick up and carry enemies away.
	Stun Grenade
	Throws a grenade that stuns enemies in an area.

Bonus items

At the end of each stage, the players have their scores tallied and are rewarded bonuses for the next stage depending on their performance. In two-player games, the player who performs better receives the bonus, while in one-player games, the player receives them merely for fulfilling the condition for the bonus at least once. Players each choose one bonus item for the next level, which is then triggered with .

	Overall Round Score
	Rewarded to the player who achieves the highest score. When triggered, gives the player double points for 60 seconds.
	Highest Combo
	Rewarded to the player who performs the combo with the most hits. When triggered, launches "Hologram Mode," which creates transparent clones of the player to confuse and block the enemy. The number of clones depends on the character's power level.
	Hero Bonus
	Rewarded to the player with the most gadget hits on an enemy. When triggered, gives the character a random extra gadget.
	Crime Buster
	Rewarded to the player who defeats the most enemies. When triggered, gives the character sustained high power levels.
	Super K.O. Bonus
	Rewarded to the player who knocks out the most enemies (sending them flying). When triggered, activates "VR mode," which turns enemies into green holograms that can be shattered (or freezes bosses).
	Bat-Signal
	Rewarded to the player who activates the most Bat-Signals. When triggered, performs a full-power vertical grapple.
	The Riddler Bonus
	Rewarded to the player who activates the most Riddler pads. When triggered, activates temporary invisibility or invulnerability.
	Two-Face Yin-Yang
	Rewarded to the player who activates the most Two-Face pads. When triggered, raises the character's power level to its maximum level.

Stages

	Gotham City Streets

	Biker Bar

	Rooftop

	Ritz Hotel

	Subway Station

	Two-Face Lair

	Alleyway

	Batcave

	The Riddler Throne Room

History

A Sega 32X version was produced^[6], and progressed far enough in development to have a prototype shown at E3 1995^[7], but ultimately never saw release.

Production credits

Programmed by: Iguana UK
Managing Director: Darren Falcus
Director of Product Development: Jason Falcus
Creative Director: Guy Miller
Technical Director: Rick Frankish
Art Director: Mike Muskett
Project Manager: Nick Bagley
Assistant Project Managers: Robert McCracken, Simon Phipps
Lead Programmer: Dave Semmens
Programmers: Darren Tunnicliff, Dave de Pauw, Mike Chilton, Steve Snake, Mark Wilkinson, Andy Taylor
Lead Artist: Trevor Storey
Artists: Andy Wright, Darren Hodgson, Ian McBurney, Neil Hislop
Music: Rick Fox
Sound Effects: Marc Schaefgen, Darren Mitchell
Quality Assurance Manager: Andy Roberts
Game Testers: Andy Davies
Special Thanks: Iguana US, Ziggy, Frank Tindle, Stephanie, Sam, Emma, Jan, Carolanne, Paula, Jane, Trevs Harem, Keith the Cat, Donna Semmens, Chris Semmens, Danielle Semmens, Brandon Luke Semmens, Phil Gaskell, Steve Archer, Jim Sangster, Dr Andrew Davies, Vicki Robinson, Christine Robinson, Claire Hopkins, Jamie Ulerick, My Magic Trousers

Batman Coin-Op

Saturn

Acclaim Product Development

Director: Amy Smith-Boylan
Associate Producer: Mike Hong

Acclaim Quality Assurance

Director: Ray Boylan
QA Supervisors: Carol Caracciolo, Tom Falzone
Technical Support Supervisor: Harry Reimer
Lead Analysts: Jeff Rosa, Mike Mazziotto
Game Analyst: Joseph Howell, Chris Jean
Technical Support: John Gonzales, Howard Perlman, Dan Wimpleberg, Andrew Fullaytor

Team Batman

Producer: Neill Glancy

Design

Game Design: Neill Glancy, Stephen Broumley, Carl Wade
Additional Design: Nigel Cook, Ian Dunlop, Jason Carpenter, David Dienstbier

Programming

Lead Programmer, Titan Engine: Carl Wade
Lead Programmer, Gameplay: Stephen Broumley
Tools Programmers: Carl Wade, Stephen Broumley, Craig Galley
Presentation Programming: David Crummack
Riddler Control Room: Richard Cowie
Additional Programming: Craig Galley

Art

Lead Artist: Mciahel McCallion
Artists: Scott Brocker, Patrick Thomas
Presentation Art: Gregg Hargrove

Advanced Technology Group

ATG Director: Cyrus Lum
Lead 3D Character Animator: Derek Robinette
3D Character Animators: Cyrus Lum, Michael Daubert, Peyton Duncan, Jason Moulton, Alan Johnson
3D Real Time Artist: Patrick Thomas

Team Iguana

President: Jeff Spangenberg
V.P. Product Development: Darrin Stubbington
Art Director: Matt Stubbington
Assistant Art Director: Jools Watsham
Technical Director: Craig Galley
Creative Director: Nigel Cook
Dev Support Manager: J Moon

Music and Sound

Music: Rick Fox
Sound Effects: Marc Schaefgen

Voice Talent Cast

Batman: Marc Schaefgen
Robin: Michael Daubert
Saboteur: David Dienstbier
Guesser Robot: Marc Shaefgen
Feather Thug: Scott Brocker
Tassel Boss: Rick Stefan
Spice: Michelle Thomas
Sugar: Jane Notgrass
Two Face Thugs: Adam McCarthy, Victor Mercieca
Voice from the Sky: Marc Shaefgen
Game Testing: Bey Bickerton, Neill Glancy, Stephen Broumley, Carl Wade, Derek Robinette, Michael Daubert, Peyton Duncan, Jason Moulton, Victor Mercieca, Nigel Cook, David Dienstbier, Jason Carpenter, Marc Schaefgen, Michael McCallion, Rob Cowen, Cameron, Matt, Nathan, Tyrone Miller, Jim Richardson
Special Thanks: Kate Miffitt, Jane Notgrass, Rubin Smith, Wendy Schultz, Veronica Villareal, Al Artus, Grant Dishman, John Carlsen, Pete Suarez, Beth Spengenberg, Gari Biasillo
Very Special Thanks: Wico Corporation, Happ Controls, Brett at Tilt Arcade Austin, Boots and Grey the Bags, Randy the Reindeer, Tubbs the Hamster

An Acclaim Coin-Operated Entertainment Inc Production

Producers for Acclaim: Tom Petit, John Pasierr
Hardware: Manoj Bhatngar, James Hunkins, Robin Seaver
Field Test Co-ordinator: Jaques Carter
Acclaim New York Special Thanks to: Paul Samulski, Nina Skalka
DC Comics Special Thanks to: Cheryl Ruben
Warner Brothers Special Thanks to: Holly J. Stein

Source:

In-game credits^[8]

Magazine articles

Main article: Batman Forever (arcade)/Magazine articles.

Promotional materials

Print advert in Blue Jean (TR) #03/97: "Mart 1997" (1997-xx-xx)

Physical scans

ST-V version

Sega Retro Average

Publication

Version

Score

(US)

NTSC-U

50

^[9]

	50
Based on 1 review

Batman Forever (arcade)

Saturn version

Sega Retro Average

Publication

Version

Score

(UK)

PAL

40

^[10]

(US)

NTSC-U

48

^[11]

(DE)

NTSC-U

40

^[12]

(US)

NTSC-U

60

^[13]

(US)

NTSC-U

68

^[14]

(FR)

PAL

50

^[15]

(CZ)

14

^[16]

(DE)

PAL

37

^[17]

(DE)

PAL

35

^[18]

(UK)

PAL

68

^[5]

(US)

NTSC-U

0

^[19]

(JP)

NTSC-J

48

^[20]

(PL)

50

^[21]

(DE)

35

^[22]

(UK)

PAL

59

^[23]

(UK)

PAL

63

^[24]

(JP)

NTSC-J

63

^[25]

(JP)

NTSC-J

72

^[26]

	47
Based on 18 reviews

Batman Forever (arcade)

Saturn, JP
Cover
Spinecard

Saturn, US
Cover
Disc Manual

Saturn, EU
Cover
Disc

Saturn, PT
Cover
Disc

Saturn, AU
Cover
Disc

Saturn, TR
Cover
Disc

Technical information

Main article: Batman Forever (arcade)/Technical information.

References

Batman Forever (arcade)
	Main page \| Comparisons \| Magazine articles \| Reception \| Technical information No results

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)

[:File:BatmanForeverTAG_Saturn_JP_Box_Back.jpg_p-1] File:BatmanForeverTAG Saturn JP Box Back.jpg

[https:.2F.2Fweb.archive.org.2Fweb.2F20190728123006.2Fhttps:.2F.2Fsega.jp.2Ffb.2Fsegahard.2Fss.2Fsoft_licensee3.html-2] 2.0 ^2.1 https://sega.jp/fb/segahard/ss/soft_licensee3.html (Wayback Machine: 2019-07-28 12:30)

[https:.2F.2Fweb.archive.org.2Fweb.2F19961215060114.2Fhttp:.2F.2Fsega-saturn.com.2Fsoftware.htm-3] ttp://sega-saturn.com/software.htm (Wayback Machine: 1996-12-15 06:01)

[:File:CVG_UK_181.pdf_p49-4] Computer & Video Games, "December 1996" (UK; 1996-11-xx), page 49

[:File:MeanMachinesSega52UK.pdf_p68-5] 5.0 ^5.1 Mean Machines Sega, "February 1997" (UK; 1997-01-xx), page 68

[:File:MeanMachinesSega23UK.pdf_p9-6] Mean Machines Sega, "September 1994" (UK; 1994-07-30), page 9

[:File:GamePro_US_073.pdf_p40-7] GamePro, "August 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 40

[:File:Batman_Forever_Saturn_credits.pdf_p-8] File:Batman Forever Saturn credits.pdf

[:File:NextGeneration_US_19.pdf_p91-9] Next Generation, "July 1996" (US; 1996-06-18), page 91

[:File:Edge_UK_043.pdf_p90-10] Edge, "March 1997" (UK; 1997-02-28), page 90

[:File:EGM_US_090.pdf_p62-11] Electronic Gaming Monthly, "January 1997" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 62

[:File:FunGeneration_DE_1997-02.pdf_p84-12] Fun Generation, "02/97" (DE; 1997-01-15), page 84

[:File:GameFan_US_0501.pdf_p22-13] GameFan, "Volume 5, Issue 1: January 1997" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 22

[:File:GamePro_US_101.pdf_p84-14] GamePro, "February 1997" (US; 1997-xx-xx), page 84

[:File:Joypad_FR_061.pdf_p82-15] Joypad, "Février 1997" (FR; 1997-0x-xx), page 82

[16] LeveL, "Únor 1997" (CZ; 1997-02-01), page 88

[:File:MAN.21AC_DE_1997-02.pdf_p85-17] MAN!AC, "02/97" (DE; 1997-01-08), page 85

[:File:MegaFun_DE_1997-03.pdf_p86-18] Mega Fun, "03/97" (DE; 1997-02-05), page 86

[:File:NextGeneration_US_25.pdf_p180-19] Next Generation, "January 1997" (US; 1996-12-17), page 180

[:File:SaturnFan_JP_1997-03_19970214.pdf_p177-20] Saturn Fan, "1997 No. 3" (JP; 1997-01-31), page 177

[:File:SecretService_PL_44.pdf_p24-21] Secret Service, "Marzec 1997" (PL; 1997-xx-xx), page 24

[:File:SegaMagazin_DE_40.pdf_p73-22] Sega Magazin, "März 1997" (DE; 1997-02-12), page 73

[:File:SegaPower_UK_90.pdf_p46-23] Sega Power, "March 1997" (UK; 1997-02-12), page 46

[:File:SSM_UK_16.pdf_p68-24] Sega Saturn Magazine, "February 1997" (UK; 1997-01-16), page 68

[:File:SSM_JP_19970221_1997-04.pdf_p143-25] Sega Saturn Magazine, "1997-04 (1997-02-21)" (JP; 1997-02-07), page 143

[:File:SnGwSISDRZK_Book_JP.pdf_p14-26] Sega Saturn Magazine, "Readers rating final data" (JP; 2000-03), page 14

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

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)

Batman Forever (arcade)

From Sega Retro

Contents

Story

Gameplay

Pressure pads

Items

Gadgets

Bonus items

Stages

History

Production credits

Magazine articles

Promotional materials

Physical scans

ST-V version

Saturn version

Technical information

References