Batman: The Video Game

Insomnia ( ) (100%)

Enjoyment of Batman: The Video Game relies heavily on the player's level of commitment. For those without much, they will find it to be a frustrating and unpleasant experience that will end with either hair-pulling, controller-throwing, Genie-abusing, or power-switching; resigning themselves to be one of the many skeletons lining the game's dungeons in its now decades-long reign. But action aficionados willing to endure temporary hardship on the way to the reward of mastery will no doubt discover that Batman: The Video Game is one of the finest experiences around. And to them -- to us -- it only comes as a bonus that the game also envelops us in an 8-bit world like few of its kind can, or have ever done.

Questicle.net (A) (100%)

Batman is hard, especially compared to today’s games with their weak-sauce difficulty. I find myself having to ease back into challenging side-scrollers because modern games have spoiled me, but in Batman‘s case, it’s certainly worth it; especially since the difficulty isn’t cheap or tacked-on. If you’re an NES kid at heart or are just looking to have your butt handed to you by a game, you can’t go wrong with the Dark Knight’s first NES adventure. It truly is a must-have amidst a sea of dreck.

VideoGame ( ) (100%)

O cenário é sinistro: uma indústria química, em Gothan City, com grandes tanques de produtos perigosos, geradores elétricos de alta tensão e, é claro, muitos inimigos. Foi aí que, tempos atrás, um malfeitor caiu num desses tanques e se transformou no pior inimigo de Gothan: o Coringa. Agora, ele domina a cidade com uma terrível onda de crimes. E só Batman pode entrar na indústria e derrotá-lo.

1UP! (96 out of 100) (96%)

Ils ont non seulement repoussé la NES dans ses derniers retranchements visuels, sonores et d'animation, mais ils ont aussi conçu un formidable jeu d'action, que même quelqu'un n'ayant pas conscience de la prouesse technique devrait apprécier. Mais attention, ça ne rigole pas à Gotham City ! Si les jeux difficiles vous rebutent, celui-ci vous fera rager. Il n'est pas insurmontable mais vous ne ferez presque jamais un pas sans tomber sur une nouvelle difficulté. A vous alors d'élaborer votre stratégie, votre méthode de jeu. Cela demande du temps, de nombreuses tentatives et donc de la patience, mais nous parlons là d'un jeu d'action 8 bits, d'une ère où sauvegarde et mot de passe étaient une faiblesse rarement jugée nécessaire. Alors que la mauvaise foi des perdants ne l'emporte pas sur la valeur d'un grand jeu, devenu le chef d'oeuvre d'une petite compagnie désormais trop discrète.

Player One (95 out of 100) (95%)

Ok, c'est sans problème. Vous pouvez y aller, les yeux fermés. Batman, c'est du tout bon. Mais n'oubliez pas de les réouvrir, pour admirer les graphismes magistraux de ce jeu.

Retro Archives (18 out of 20) (90%)

Batman: The Video Game n'est pas simplement un excellent jeu, c'est également le mètre-étalon de ce à quoi doit absolument ressembler une adaptation vidéoludique pour espérer faire honneur à l’œuvre dont elle est tirée: un titre jouable, magnifique et inoubliable. Représentant sans aucune contestation possible la meilleure aventure de Batman de toute l'ère 8-bits - et peut-être même 16-bits -, le titre de Sunsoft se laissera encore aujourd'hui parcourir avec un plaisir réel - à condition de composer avec une difficulté qui fait froid dans le dos.

All Game Guide ( ) (90%)

Along with Batman: Return of the Joker and TMNT III, Batman is one of the best superhero games for the NES. The graphics do a good job of capturing the dark, somber tone of the movie, and the music, though unfortunately not reminiscent of Danny Elfman's film score, is nonetheless engaging and conducive to gameplay.

Nintendo Power Magazine (4.5 out of 5) (90%)

The ominous graphics capture Batman's smooth agile movements and unique super hero action. The finely honed physique, billowing cape and graceful movements which have long been associated with Batman, highlight this adventure. Cinema-graphics (a la Ninja Gaiden) set the stage for each of the five levels.

GamesCollection (9 out of 10) (90%)

In conclusione il titolo è altamente rigiocabile, proprio grazie alla giusta calibrazione della difficoltà e alle soddisfazioni che ne derivano. La realizzazione tecnica è di altissimo livello e le grafiche accattivanti e oscure unite alla musica ipnotica e misteriosa, lo rendono a mio avviso uno dei migliori videogame ispirati all’uomo pipistrello (nonché un must per la vostra collezione NES!).

Joystick (French) (90 out of 100) (90%)

Pourvu d'un graphisme assez sombre, prouvant que toute l'action se déroule la nuit, Batman est cependant doté d'une jouabilité extrême. La musique différente à chaque nouveau niveau égaye un peu l'atmosphère sordide qui règne dans ce jeu. Le scrolling lui, n'a rien à envier au plus beau scrolling des consoles 16 bits. Une excellente réalisation sur Nintendo ES, qui mérite bien son succès d'outre Atlantique.

Mean Machines (87 out of 100) (87%)

Holy console action! Batman on the Nintendo has turned out to be a real event, with gameplay oozing from every pore (do cartridges have pores?). The graphics are well-defined and rather pretty also; and the array of foes, each with it's own form of attack, puts this game way ahead of most NES games being released at the moment. The animated sequences - especially the Batmobile - left me with my jaw agape they were so good. It's a shame that Batty doesn't have any Batarangs from the word go, and has to rely on his fists, but that's just the psychopath in me coming out. For once, the TV advertising has some real muscle behind it, and if you are a Nintendo owner, miss this game at your peril.

Defunct Games (85 out of 100) (85%)

Batman is not a perfect game by any means, but it takes the source material and turns it into a phenomenal action game. Like the movie it's based on, Batman manages to hold up even if it still feels dated. It's hard not to chuckle when the Joker says all of his signature phrases. It may be cheesy, but I still love it.

Jaded Gamer, The (84 out of 100) (84%)

Even though there are quite a few difficult areas of extreme aggravation (which was fairly common back in the NES days), the overall atmosphere of the game makes Batman succeed. True to form, Sunsoft has created another high-quality game with this title, and at the same time they've created one of the very few movie-licensed games on the NES that's worth owning.

Quebec Gamers (8.2 out of 10) (82%)

Je recommande fortement ce jeu à ceux qui cherchent un bon jeu d'action sur NES et qui ne l'ont pas encore essayé. Le jeu demande une légère adaptation et par la suite vous êtes en voiture, heu?, en Batmobile, pour un excellent jeu. Dommage que Batman Returns fait par Konami ne soit pas aussi bon que celui-ci. J'aurais aimé qu'il reprenne le même moule que ce jeu ou que SunSoft soit derrière voir ce que ça aurait donné... Hoo! je vois que Batman Return Of The Joker lui a été fait par SunSoft.. humm! intéressant.

Raze (82 out of 100) (82%)

There are loads of weapons to collect even though the levels are rather short. Many of the enemies that attack look as though they've been hijacked from other games. For instance, positive there are ninja turtles lurking in the game. The game is very good and there are some stunning graphical effects - particularly where Batman dies in a burst of flames.

Total!! UK Magazine (81 out of 100) (81%)

There's a huge amount of detail in the game and I could wibble on about it for hours. Instead I'll merely say that whether you're a Batfan or not, the atmospheric graphics, great gameplay and the challenge of 20 different sections make this a real treat. You would be batty to miss out on this.

RetroGame Man (8 out of 10) (80%)

Nevertheless, overall this game is a great action platform game for the Nintendo. I highly recommend it for those who like platform games and love a good challenge.

Just Games Retro ( ) (80%)

Movie-based titles on the NES have not had a favorable history on this site, with lackluster attempts such as Robocop 2 and Darkman. Therefore, it is a refreshing surprise to find one that doesn't just flat-out suck. Batman is a solid attempt to take elements from the movie and comics, and infuse them into a side scroller.

Ultimate Nintendo: Guide to the NES Library ( ) (80%)

The only problem with the game is that it doesn’t have much to do with Batman at all outside of a few simple cutscenes. The upside to this is the allowance of more creative and excellent enemy designs for our vigilante to put down. It’s a fantastic, well-produced licensed platformer that is easy to recommend.

Retro Game Age (8 out of 10) (80%)

This still remains one of the better movie licensed games released on the system and maybe of all time. The graphics are outstanding; highly reminiscent of Blaster Master while still capturing the dark and drab look of Gotham City at the same time. The music is dark and haunting and matches the tone of the game perfectly even though they did not make use of the movie’s score. Toss in the steady challenge and decent length and you have an action game that stands with some of the best on the console.

NES Times (8 out of 10) (80%)

Basically all you get from the original movie is the storyline and several cinema scenes which do little to advance the plot. That's not necesarily a bad thing, though; Sunsoft still managed to put together an excellent NES game that does justice to the Batman franchise. The atmosphere is first rate and the game is a blast to play through, even with the control issues. The Batman video game may not follow the movie exaclty, but it's still a game Bat-fans can't miss.

Classic-games.net (8 out of 10) (80%)

Batman was one of the best licensed games for the NES throughout its lifespan and is still fun for a quick little romp. I would even go so far as to say it is still one of the better games starring DC’s hero. It’s a bit short but the difficulty means you’ll spend a little more time going through it in one sitting.

Retro Game Reviews ( ) (80%)

Batman: The Video Game isn't particularly easy to get into but it's one that you'll reap many rewards from if you stick with it. Mastering your long range attacks and wall jumping is crucial and once you get the hang of them you'll find a solid title that's great fun to play through.

Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) (31 out of 40) (78%)

Batman consists of splendid game play that is coupled with dark graphics and backgrounds. I'm sure this is done to capture the mood of the movie, but it does detract a bit from the overall appeal of the title. The intermissions are well done and there's plenty of challenge and play value here.

Play Time (74 out of 100) (74%)

Das Game ist durchgehend ausgezeichnet spielbar, die Musik kann sich hören lassen, und die Grafik ist für das NES sogar hervorragend. Wer den Film mochte und wem der spielbare Batti bisher entgangen ist, weil er weder PC, Amiga noch ST besitzt, braucht sich nun nicht mehr länger zu grämen. Endlich treibt der Joker auch auf dem NES sein Unwesen. Und Eines muß man ihm lassen, er macht auch dort eine gute Figur.

Amstar (14 out of 20) (70%)

Très joli graphiquement, cette version de Batman vous demandera de la précision et de la rapidité. Bien que le niveau de difficulté soit assez important, soyez malgré tout persévérant.

neXGam (6.6 out of 10) (66%)

Fassen wir zusammen: Auf der guten Seite haben wir ein bodenständiges Spiel mit klarer Struktur, mittelmäßigen Leveldesign, guter Grafik/Sound sowie fordenden Sprungpassagen. Auf der anderen Seite leider das schon erwähnte mittelmäßige Leveldesign, zu wenig Items, kein Passwortsystem sowie keine Checkpoints. Unter Strich ist die NES-Version des Kinofilms grundsolide und NES-Liebhaber mit Langeweile können einen Blick riskieren.

Lens of Truth (6.5 out of 10) (65%)

If it sounds like I hate Batman: The Video Game, I really don’t. I just see now that it’s not as good as I once thought. As a kid, I loved it but I think I must have been happy just to be playing a Batman game, even if I never made it past level 3-2 until just recently. Honestly though, it’s not that bad, its just really cheap and very unforgiving. A better Batman: The Movie\Game experience may be found in the Sega Genesis version, which obviously features far better graphics and sound but is getting harder to find. As for this NES one, everything about it is simply average.

Video Games (63 out of 100) (63%)

Spielerisch wird gehobene Dutzendware aufgeboten. Levelaufbau und Spielablauf unterscheiden sich von der Game-Boy-Version, die der Schwarzweißgrafik zum Trotz mehr Spaß macht. Außerdem nervt das etwas umständliche Umschalten der Waffentypen: Wenn Batman in Bedrängnis ist, hat man nicht immer genügend Zeit, um ein paarmal hintereinander auf die Start-Taste zu hämmern, um an die Wunschwaffe zu kommen.

Video Game Critic, The (C+) (58%)

Batman on the NES is tough compared to the Genesis version. Annoying mines on wheels roll in from all directions, and you'll absorb a good number of unavoidable hits. Heart icons help replenish your life, but they only bump up your health meter slightly. Personally I recommend using the Game Genie cheat that replenishes your health completely with each heart. I can't forget to mention that the game has an excellent, memorable soundtrack. Batman for the NES is a good time, but beating it will require some serious will and determination.