Batman Returns (Game Gear)

From Sega Retro

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

n/a

BatmanReturns GG title.png

Batman Returns
System(s): Sega Game Gear
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Licensor: DC Comics
Genre: Action[1][2][3]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Game Gear
JP
¥3,5003,500 G-3314
Sega Game Gear
US
$34.9534.95[5] 2416
Sega Game Gear
EU
2416
Sega Game Gear
EU
(Classic)
2416-50
Sega Game Gear
UK
£24.9924.99[7][8] 2416
Sega Game Gear
BR
015590

Batman Returns (バットマン・リターンズ) is a Sega Game Gear action game developed by Aspect. Based on the 1992 film Batman Returns, it features similiar gameplay to the Sega Master System version, but with emphasis on action over platforming.

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

Batman Returns is an action platformer resembling Sega's Shinobi series of games. Batman can move around with Left and Right, jump with 2, and crouch with Down. He can jump off thin platforms with Down+2. Batman is armed with Batarangs, a bat-shaped projectile weapon similar to a boomerang or a shuriken, which he throws with 1. The weapon returns after it is thrown and can damage opponents on its way back as well. The player can choose between three styles of throwing the Batarang, all of which are unlimited: Long Range, which is the weakest but the safest; Powerful, which is the strongest but the shortest-ranged; and Normal, which is a compromise of the two. Most enemies require more hits to be defeated with the weaker Batarangs. Batman can throw Batarangs while crouching or jumping. Enemies are momentarily stunned after being attacked. Attacks also intercept enemy projectiles. At close range, Batman punches enemies instead of throwing a Batarang.

Batman Returns GG, Pause Menu.png

Pause menu

Additionally, Batman can summon the Batmobile or (in the last two levels) the Batskiboat to destroy all enemies on screen at the cost of one Special Attack Token, which can be replenished through item pick-ups. The  START  button brings up a menu that allows Batman to change his Batarang attack or use his special attack.

Batman is also equipped with a grappling hook, which he can use by pressing 2 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 2 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 2 for the entirety of the jump.

Batman has ten hit points, which he can lose if he touches an enemy or is hit by one of their attacks. He can find items in the stages to replenish lost hit points. If he loses all of his hit points, he loses a life. He starts with three lives and gains another every 50,000 points earned. If Batman loses all of his lives, the player can continue from the beginning of the stage.

Items

Batman Returns GG, Items.png
Item Marker
Break open to release an item.
Batman Returns GG, Items.png
Partial Heart
Heals Batman for two health points.
Batman Returns GG, Items.png
Full Heart
Heals Batman for four health points.
Batman Returns GG, Items.png
Special Attack Token
Grants the player another use of Batman's special attack, which calls the Batmobile or the Batskiboat to destroy all enemies on screen.

Stages

The first four stages have three segments followed by a boss fight. At the beginning of these stages, the player is asked to choose one of two routes. 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.

The final stage has only one route with six segments and concludes with a fight against the Penguin.

On some of the boss fights, the boss and the background flicker out of phase with one another and cannot be captured in the same screen shot.

Batman Returns GG, Stage 1-1.png

Batman Returns GG, Stage 1-2.png

Batman Returns GG, Stage 1-3.png

Batman Returns GG, Stage 1-4.png

  • Batman Returns GG, Stage 1-1.png

  • Batman Returns GG, Stage 1-2.png

  • Batman Returns GG, Stage 1-3.png

  • Batman Returns GG, Stage 1-4.png

Stage 1

Batman Returns GG, Stage 2-1.png

Batman Returns GG, Stage 2-2.png

Batman Returns GG, Stage 2-3.png

Batman Returns GG, Stage 2-4.png

  • Batman Returns GG, Stage 2-1.png

  • Batman Returns GG, Stage 2-2.png

  • Batman Returns GG, Stage 2-3.png

  • Batman Returns GG, Stage 2-4.png

Stage 2

Batman Returns GG, Stage 3-1.png

Batman Returns GG, Stage 3-2.png

Batman Returns GG, Stage 3-3.png

Batman Returns GG, Stage 3-4.png

  • Batman Returns GG, Stage 3-1.png

  • Batman Returns GG, Stage 3-2.png

  • Batman Returns GG, Stage 3-3.png

  • Batman Returns GG, Stage 3-4.png

Stage 3

Batman Returns GG, Stage 4-1.png

Batman Returns GG, Stage 4-2.png

Batman Returns GG, Stage 4-3.png

Batman Returns GG, Stage 4-4.png

  • Batman Returns GG, Stage 4-1.png

  • Batman Returns GG, Stage 4-2.png

  • Batman Returns GG, Stage 4-3.png

  • Batman Returns GG, Stage 4-4.png

Stage 4

Batman Returns GG, Stage 5-1.png

Batman Returns GG, Stage 5-2.png

Batman Returns GG, Stage 5-3.png

Batman Returns GG, Stage 5-4.png

  • Batman Returns GG, Stage 5-1.png

  • Batman Returns GG, Stage 5-2.png

  • Batman Returns GG, Stage 5-3.png

  • Batman Returns GG, Stage 5-4.png

Stage 5

Versions

Comparisons

Main article: Batman Returns (Game Gear)/Comparisons.

Production credits

Source:
In-game credits
Batman Returns GG credits.pdf
[11]


Magazine articles

Main article: Batman Returns (Game Gear)/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Suuri lelukirja FI 1993 Sega.jpg
FI advert (1993)
Suuri lelukirja FI 1993 Sega.jpg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (JP) #1992-10: "October 1992" (1992-09-08)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (US) #41: "December 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (BR) #19: "Fevereiro 1993" (1993-02-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (ES) #11: "Marzo 1993" (1993-xx-xx)
also published in:
  • (ES) #18: "Marzo 1993" (1993-xx-xx)[12]
  • (ES) #1: "Abril 1993" (1993-03-15)[13]
  • (ES) #59: "Abril 1993" (1993-0x-xx)[14]
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
(DE)
65
[15]
(JP) NTSC-J
60
[16]
(FR)
86
[17]
(IT)
80
[18]
(UK)
60
[19]
(UK)
79
[20]
(IT)
51
[21]
(US) NTSC-U
83
[5]
(JP) NTSC-J
60
[22]
(ES)
89
[23]
(FR)
80
[24]
(FR) PAL
80
[25]
(FR)
90
[26]
(ES)
65
[27]
(UK)
79
[28]
(FR)
45
[29]
(FR)
75
[30]
(DE)
69
[31]
(CZ)
70
[32]
(UK) PAL
65
[8]
(UK) PAL
65
[33]
(SE)
77
[34]
(UK) PAL
84
[35]
(GR)
67
[36]
(US) NTSC-U
80
[37]
(DE) PAL
57
[38]
Sega Game Gear
72
Based on
26 reviews

Batman Returns (Game Gear)

Game Gear, JP
BatmanReturns GG JP Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngBatmanReturns GG JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
BatmanReturns GG JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, US
BatmanReturns GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngBatmanReturns GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
BatmanReturns GG EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Batmanreturns gg us manual.pdf
Manual
BatmanReturns GG US Poster Front.jpg
Poster
Game Gear, EU
BatmanReturns GG EU Box Back.jpgBatman Returns GG EU BoxSpine.jpgBatmanReturns GG EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
BatmanReturns GG EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Batman Returns GG EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Game Gear, EU (Classic)
BatmanReturns GG EU classic back.jpgBatman Returns GG EU ClassicGG BoxSpine.jpgBatmanReturns GG EU Box Front Classic.jpg
Cover
BatmanReturns GG EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Batman Returns GG EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Game Gear, BR
BatmanReturns GG BR Box Back.jpgNospine.pngBatmanReturns GG BR Box.jpg
Cover
Batmanreturns gg br cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Game Gear
 ?
CRC32 7ac4a3ca
MD5 1e8cfd2f30e9ad733f602cf2de696ba9
SHA-1 85994b2f506c7bded0b02a59d96b1d949e48d518
256kB Cartridge

References

  1. File:BatmanReturns GG EU Box Back.jpg
  2. File:BatmanReturns GG JP Box Back.jpg
  3. 3.0 3.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/gamegear/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2018-12-07 04:57)
  4. GamePro, "September 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 28
  5. 5.0 5.1 GamePro, "November 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 166
  6. Sega Pro, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-10), page 9
  7. Sega Force, "February 1993" (UK; 1993-01-14), page 47
  8. 8.0 8.1 Sega Pro, "Christmas 1992" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 31
  9. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1994-08-15), page 10
  10. Supergame, "Fevereiro 1993" (BR; 1993-02-xx), page 39
  11. File:Batman Returns GG credits.pdf
  12. Hobby Consolas, "Marzo 1993" (ES; 1993-xx-xx), page 29
  13. Todo Sega, "Abril 1993" (ES; 1993-03-15), page 2
  14. Micromanía (segunda época), "Abril 1993" (ES; 1993-0x-xx), page 2
  15. Aktueller Software Markt, "Avril 1993" (DE; 1993-03-08), page 18
  16. Beep! MegaDrive, "November 1992" (JP; 1992-10-08), page 30
  17. Consoles +, "Janvier 1993" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 122
  18. Computer + Video Giochi, "Aprile 1993" (IT; 1993-xx-xx), page 70
  19. Digitiser (UK) (1993-01-25)
  20. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 165
  21. Game Power, "Gennaio 1993" (IT; 199x-xx-xx), page 87
  22. Hippon Super, "November 1992" (JP; 1992-10-03), page 47
  23. Hobby Consolas, "Diciembre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 122
  24. Joypad, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 148
  25. Joystick, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 146
  26. Mega Force, "Octobre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 77
  27. Micromanía (segunda época), "Marzo 1993" (ES; 1993-0x-xx), page 48
  28. Mean Machines Sega, "February 1993" (UK; 1993-01-28), page 56
  29. Player One, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-11-10), page 132
  30. Player One, "Janvier/Février 1993" (FR; 1993-01-10), page 136
  31. Play Time, "2/93" (DE; 1993-01-07), page 108
  32. Score, "Cervenec 1994" (CZ; 1994-07-01), page 57
  33. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 74
  34. Sega Force, "3/93" (SE; 1993-05-13), page 26
  35. Sega Force, "February 1993" (UK; 1993-01-14), page 46
  36. User, "Fevrouários 1993" (GR; 1993-0x-xx), page 51
  37. VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "October 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 74
  38. Video Games, "2/93" (DE; 1993-01-27), page 121


Batman Returns (Game Gear)

BatmanReturns GG title.png

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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)