Forgotten Batman Game Sums Up the Problem With Superhero Games

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Video games and superheroes have gone hand-in-hand since the beginning. From classic games like Superman on the Atari 2600, to arcade hits such as X-Men and Marvel vs. Capcom, and popular home console releases like Spider-Man 2 and the anticipated Wolverine game, players have been able to step into the roles of their favorite heroes for decades.

While power fantasies work really well in games, adapting superheroes often means losing some of what makes those characters special. This happens because certain themes and ideas don’t easily translate into gameplay. A Nintendo game from over 30 years ago perfectly illustrates this problem, and it’s a challenge developers still grapple with today when bringing superheroes to life in games.

Return Of The Joker Is A Good Game, But Not A Good Batman Game

Released on December 20, 1991, Batman: Return of the Joker was an enjoyable action game where players controlled Batman as he pursued the Joker. Unlike the first Batman game on NES, which was based on Tim Burton’s movie, this game featured an original story. Return of the Joker was considered a strong action title for the NES, receiving positive reviews when it came out. Critics especially praised its graphics, which demonstrated the colorful possibilities still achievable on the 8-bit system.

The game’s visuals are particularly strong, especially the subtle movement of Batman’s cape, which was impressive for its time. Gameplay-wise, it’s similar to classic action games like Contra or Shinobi, with plenty of jumping and challenging boss fights. However, the game gives Batman a somewhat out-of-character weapon – a cannon that launches exploding batarangs. This focus on shooting action overshadows Batman’s strengths in hand-to-hand combat, detective work, and the rich DC Universe. Ultimately, Batman: Return of the Joker feels less like a true Batman experience and more like a Contra game dressed up in Batman imagery.

Superheroes Usually Have To Change For Gaming

A common challenge when making superhero video games is finding the right balance between staying true to the original story and creating fun gameplay. For example, action games like Batman: Return of the Joker need lots of enemies for players to fight, but this can sometimes clash with the character’s core identity. Longtime Batman fans might be surprised to see the typically gun-averse Dark Knight using weapons like an arm cannon to defeat enemies.

It would have been challenging to faithfully adapt this character, particularly for the time period. Superheroes frequently need to be altered to fit the requirements of a game. The Injustice games, for example, use a multiverse storyline and power-boosting substances to explain why characters fight. The Batman: Arkham series excels at capturing the essence of a Batman story, but its intense combat sometimes clashes with the idea of Batman being non-lethal – this is especially noticeable in Arkham Knight, where players can aggressively use the Batmobile against civilians.

This series has a similar issue to Spider-Man games, like the ones made by Insomniac. Those games often have to automatically add web-bombs to enemies if a player sends them flying off a building, just to keep the game working properly. While fun, these games don’t always stay true to the source material. Sometimes, developers try to fix this by giving in-universe reasons for a hero’s limitations – but that can backfire, like with Superman 64, which focused too much on the mechanics of flying and ended up being a boring experience.

Games based on popular franchises, like the Marvel Ultimate Alliance series or older titles like The Adventures of Batman & Robin on Super Nintendo and Deadpool VR, show how well games can blend fun gameplay with staying true to the original source material. However, these successful adaptations are rare. More often, games prioritize enjoyable gameplay, similar to how Batman: Return of the Joker did, even if it means sacrificing a perfect adaptation. That’s understandable – a game needs to be fun first to keep players engaged. It’s just surprising that finding this balance remains difficult for developers, considering how much gaming technology has advanced since the days of 8-bit Batman games with exploding Batarangs.

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2025-12-20 22:42