Batman: Return of the Joker (Nintendo, 1991)

Batman: Return of the Joker is the sequel to the original Batman game that came out on the NES. This game boasts a completely different play mechanic, better graphics, and a unique arsenal of weapons.

The graphics look like something that could have been on the Super Nintendo, but with fewer colors and some enemy animations are lacking. However, the sprites are large and clear, and the backgrounds are lush and impressive.

This game features a weapon system to attack your foes. There is a device that is equipped on Batman's arm that shoots out various attacks. You can choose from one of four power-ups, each with their strengths and weaknesses. These power-ups are dropped frequently, so someone can easily change weapons as necessary; simply shoot the power-up to change what it will give you. The various guns each have a charge attack: by holding the B button for a few seconds, you can release a charged blast that will do more damage, or will fire more rapidly.

Each level has 3 stages (i.e. 1-1, 1-2, etc). Typically, the third stage of each level (1-3,2-3) will contain either a jetpack shooter sequence, or a boss fight. The jetpack sequences are short, but fun. The boss fights are nonsensical, featuring robots or mutants or whatever else never seen in the Batman franchise. Boss fights vary from the main gameplay, as at the start of the fight, Batman gets 8000 health points, and the boss is assigned an equal or greater number of health points. In essence, the boss fights are rudimentary fighting-game-style matches.

The change in gameplay and graphics means a departure from the first game's platforming element. Batman can no longer wall-jump, nor can he throw batarangs or punch enemies. Everything is done by way of the arm attachment, and jumping from platform to platform is much simpler, but still quite difficult.

After playing through the game with a Game Genie, I can state for a fact that this Batman game has nothing to do with Batman, except Batman just happens to be in it. It seems to me that the developers wanted to make their own game, but it was so late in the Nintendo life cycle that they opted to replace the main character with Batman in order to sell more. That sales strategy is fine with me, and it is a good, solid game. However, if you're looking for Batarangs, grappling hooks, wall-jumping, and good, old-fashioned punching, look elsewhere (like Batman Returns on Genesis).

This was a game I was dying to have as a kid, but now I have it as an adult and it's pretty fun. For starters, the game boasted that it was as hot as a Super Nintendo game despite being an 8-bit and this game does boast some pretty impressive graphics and music for an NES game. But how does the gameplay fair? Well, the one thing that sticks out is that even though you're playing as Batman, you use a gun (So it's a little like Mega Man or Contra). While it is bothersome, to have little variety in attacks, this is still a fun game if you like the genre. A common complaint is that this game is too hard. To be fair, this game does have some sticky spots, but there is a password and limitless continues to kind of even things out (though I know I would have found this game too hard as a kid). Also, it may irk some players that there is no health and levels don't have chekpoints. But this is still a pretty good addition to any Batman fan or fan of the genre.

The sequel to the original batman game for the nes. I got it mainly to complete a collection i've started, but boy, is this game hard! It is playable, but you will die many times before you reach the end, believe me...So only get this game if you're a collector or hardcore gamer.

This game is better than the first game, cool music and cooler weapons. I like collecting Batman stuff.

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